Kluger Kaplan becomes the first Florida-based law firm represented on the committee as the OU expands its reach beyond New York

MIAMI – May 17, 2021 – Deborah S. Chames of Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine, P.L., has been elected to the Orthodox Union’s (OU) Legal Services Committee, which provides various legal services to the OU on a pro bono basis. Kluger Kaplan, the South Florida-based litigation boutique, becomes the only Florida law firm represented on the national committee, as the OU looks to expand its footprint outside of the New York area. The OU is a national organization with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network that serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry.

Chames’ appointment builds upon Kluger Kaplan’s long-standing reputation for being deeply engaged in community and civic organizations. The firm’s attorneys sit on the boards of many organizations, including: Hillel at Florida International, Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options (JAFCO), Mount Sinai YPO, Yeshiva Toras Emes and Toras Chaim, National Council of Jewish Women, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Israel Bonds, Big Brother and Sisters, Sylvester Cancer Center, Habitat for Humanity, and Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Committed to diversity and inclusion efforts for the firm and community at large, Kluger Kaplan also recently launched its inaugural H.T. Smith Legal Studies Scholarship to support minority law school students.

“I am proud to be part of a national organization that is committed to serving and advancing the Jewish community,” said Deborah S. Chames, a family law partner at Kluger Kaplan. “I’m able to combine my law experience with my passion for helping the community. Serving on the Legal Services Committee during this time of the organization’s growth reinforces my commitment to furthering the OU’s mission.”

The OU’s Legal Committee, part of the lay oversight of the organization, was recently formed in order to provide support to the OU’s Office of General Counsel in its performance of legal services on behalf of the OU’s programs and departments. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals.

 “Given Deborah’s expertise and years of involvement with the OU, we are confident that she will be a valuable member of the Legal Services Committee,” said Mark Bane, President of the OU. “Kluger Kaplan’s national presence handling complex and high stakes issues position the committee to provide the best legal guidance to the organization. We look forward to Deborah and the firm’s continued contributions.”

A dedicated member of many organizations that play an active role addressing issues relating to Judaism and the community, Chames has served on the OU Board for three years. For the past two years, she has also served on the Editorial Board of the OU’s Jewish Action Magazine, the OU’s quarterly magazine. Outside of the OU, Chames is an Executive Board Member of Yeshiva Toras Emes and Toras Chaim in North Miami Beach. She was also a chairperson of Yehi Ohr, a division of Jewish Community Services of South Florida that provides services to the Orthodox Jewish Community, including Jewish domestic violence victims. Chames has been recognized by Emunah of America, one of Israel’s leading social action organizations, as a “Woman Who Makes A Difference.”

She is continuously recognized for her work, including by The Best Lawyers in America by U.S. News and World Report for Family Law consecutively since 2013, Super Lawyers by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine since 2014, Top Lawyers in South Florida by South Florida Legal Guide, and Top Marital and Family Law Attorneys of South Florida by the Fox Chronicle.

###

About Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine, P.L.
Kluger, Kaplan, Silverman, Katzen & Levine, P.L. focuses on complex, high-stakes disputes across a broad range of disciplines and industries, including all aspects of business and corporate litigation; real estate and construction litigation; intellectual property litigation; employment litigation; securities and financial fraud; corporate governance; bankruptcy related litigation and debtor and creditor’s rights; appeals in state and federal courts; professional liability; intellectual property disputes; class actions; and complex matrimonial, probate and trust litigation.  The firm’s veteran litigators have served as lead class counsel in federal multi-district litigation and trials in federal and state courts throughout the country. The firm has offices in Miami and Boca Raton. For more information, please visit www.klugerkaplan.com.

 About the Orthodox Union
Founded in 1898, the Orthodox Union, (OU), serves as the voice of American Orthodox Jewry, with over 400 congregations in its synagogue network. As the umbrella organization for American Orthodox Jewry, the OU is at the forefront of advocacy work on both state and federal levels, outreach to Jewish teens and young professionals through NCSY, Israel Free Spirit Birthright, Yachad and OU Press, among many other divisions and programs.