Brian Barakat is a Board-Certified Business Litigator with a distinguished career spanning both public service and private practice. He began his legal career as a prosecutor with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, where he served in the Economic Crimes Division of the Special Prosecution Section. There, he honed his expertise in complex financial fraud investigations—experience that now provides a strategic advantage in high-stakes business litigation. Today, Mr. Barakat’s practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, fiduciary litigation, restrictive covenants, and financial fraud. He is frequently called upon to advise clients navigating the intersection of business strategy and legal risk.
Over the course of his career, Mr. Barakat has tried hundreds of cases to verdict, earning a reputation for his courtroom acumen, results-driven advocacy, and unwavering commitment to integrity. Mr. Barakat has been named to the Super Lawyers® lists for the past nine years in a row (2017-2025) and was selected by his peers for inclusion in the past four consecutive editions (2023-2026) of The Best Lawyers in America®. Chambers USA client reviews laud him as “a superior attorney, who possesses vast knowledge, unparalleled skills and the highest caliber of integrity,” “an extremely knowledgeable attorney, if not the best I know today,” and “smart, knowledgeable and classy. He has an immense network.” These endorsements reflect the confidence his clients place in his ability to deliver practical, effective solutions to complex legal challenges.
In partnership with Giacomo Bossa, Mr. Barakat is committed to advancing the legal profession through mentorship and education. Together, they lead a firm culture centered on continuous learning, rigorous training, and the cultivation of a diverse and dynamic legal team. Mr. Barakat regularly conducts CLE-accredited seminars and in-house trainings on topics including Advanced Trial Skills, Voir Dire Techniques, Fiduciary Duties and Breaches, Enforcing Restrictive Covenants, Leveraging Expert Testimony, Detecting and Prosecuting Financial Fraud, and The Independent Tort Doctrine.
A recognized leader within the legal community, Mr. Barakat is an active member of the Business Law Section of The Florida Bar and a frequent speaker on emerging issues in commercial litigation. He also devotes time to civic and professional organizations, including the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the League of Prosecutors, Kiwanis, and the Boy Scouts of America.
PUBLICATIONS
- The Authentication of Digital Photographs Under the “Pictorial Testimony” Theory in the Florida Bar Journal, July/August, 2004.
- A Prolific Landscape: The Admissibility of Social Media Postings in the Florida Bar Journal April, 2018
AWARDS
- Legal 500 United States – U.S. Elite: Miami (Commercial Disputes), 2026
- The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023-2026
- Super Lawyers®, 2017-2025
- Diamond Award, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, 2018
- Most Valuable Member, Business Leaders, 2008, 2013
- Ambassador of the Year, BNI, 2010
PUBLISHED OPINIONS
Nemni v. Barrera338 So. 3d 238 (Fla. 3d DCA 2022).
Parisi v. De Kingston314 So. 3d 656 (Fla. 3d DCA 2021).
Gokalp v. Unsal284 So. 3d 1097 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019).
Data Payment Sys. v. Caso253 So. 3d 53 (Fla. 3d DCA 2018).
United States ex rel. McFarland v. Fla. Pharm. Sols.358 F. Supp. 3d 1316 (11th Cir. 2017).
Imery v. Ingenieros167 So. 3d 523 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015).
Perez v. Regalado140 So. 3d 593 (Fla. 3d DCA 2013)
World Res. Corp. v. Michael36 So. 3d 682 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010).
Herranz v. Siam2 So. 3d 1105 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).
Balboa v. Assante958 So. 2d 573 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007).
Aboujaoude v. Poinciana Dev. Co. II509 F. Supp. 2d 1266 (11th Cir. 2007).
State v. Fields954 So. 2d 1218 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007).
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Speaker, “Independent Tort Doctrine” The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education, May 8, 2024.
- Speaker, “Florida Law Update 2024” The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education, June 20, 2024
- Speaker, “Developments in Federal Noncompete Law” The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education, October 17, 2024
