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Our Team

Experienced Legal Counsel You Can Trust

Former in-house counsel with deep expertise in healthcare transactions, private equity, real estate, and corporate M&A. We bring strategic thinking, practical solutions, and personalized service to every engagement.

Partners
Andrew Garbacz, Esq.

Andrew Garbacz, Esq.

Co-Founder & Partner

Andrew Garbacz is known for his exceptional communication skills, strategic insight, and ability to quarterback complex, fast-moving transactions with precision and clarity—hallmarks of the Garbacz Zlotowitz Rich legacy.

Andrew began his career as General Counsel to a national investment and asset management company, where he oversaw acquisitions, licensing, and regulatory matters for a multi-state portfolio of healthcare facilities and operations. He then served as a partner at a nationally recognized boutique healthcare M&A firm, representing clients across the, skilled nursing, healthcare and real estate sectors.

Today, as co-founder of Garbacz Zlotowitz Rich LLP, Andrew draws on his deep industry experience and expansive professional network to deliver practical, results-oriented counsel. His strength lies in building relationships and collaborating with specialized professionals—operators, lenders, brokers, consultants, and regulators—throughout the healthcare landscape to offer creative, tailored solutions that drive his clients’ success.

Eli Zlotowitz, Esq.

Eli Zlotowitz, Esq.

Co-Founder & Partner

Eli Zlotowitz is a recognized star in the healthcare M&A space, known for his precision, deal-making acumen, and tireless dedication to client success. His career reflects a rare combination of legal mastery and business insight, allowing him to navigate the most complex healthcare transactions with clarity and confidence.

Before co-founding Garbacz Zlotowitz Rich LLP, Eli served as Counsel at a nationally recognized boutique healthcare M&A firm, where he closed dozens of high-value transactions involving multi-facility skilled nursing portfolios, behavioral health platforms, and real-estate-heavy operating companies. His work spans acquisitions, dispositions, financings, joint ventures, and corporate structuring—each handled with strategic foresight and attention to detail.

Eli’s ability to anticipate challenges, align stakeholders, and deliver seamless outcomes has earned him deep trust among clients and industry professionals alike. His rapidly rising profile in the healthcare legal sector reflects his relentless work ethic, collaborative approach, and commitment to excellence.

Karen Rich, Esq.

Karen Rich, Esq.

Partner & Litigation Chair

Karen Rich is a seasoned trial attorney with more than 25 years of civil litigation experience defending nursing homes, long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities, healthcare providers, and insurers in high-exposure claims. Known for her courtroom strength and strategic insight, Karen delivers decisive, results-oriented advocacy from pre-suit investigation through arbitration and jury trial.

Karen began her career as a criminal prosecutor, where she developed the disciplined, trial-tested approach that has defined her civil practice. Her work spans professional negligence, wrongful death, resident rights litigation, premises liability, employment and EEOC matters, union grievances, complex insurance defense, and professional license defense for nurses and nursing home administrators.

As Litigation Chair at GZR LLP, Karen leads the firm's Florida-based litigation practice and advises clients on risk management strategies and documentation practices designed to reduce exposure before disputes arise. She is certified as a Federal Mediator by the Florida Middle District Court and as both a Circuit Court and County Court Mediator by the Supreme Court of Florida, and serves as ADR Vice-Chair of the St. Petersburg Bar Association. Karen has been recognized as a Tampa Bay Titan 100 honoree.

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Counsel
Ellesha LeCluyse, Esq.

Ellesha LeCluyse, Esq.

Counsel

Ellesha combines deep experience navigating healthcare compliance with creative, transaction-focused problem-solving. She has earned a stellar reputation for providing strategic counsel to innovative clients across the healthcare sector.

She guides clients through complex change-of-ownership transactions from LOI through closing and beyond, ensuring seamless transitions and regulatory compliance at every stage. Ellesha’s expertise spans federal and state healthcare laws—including the Stark Law, Anti-Kickback Statute, False Claims Act, and HIPAA—while helping clients structure and scale their operations for long-term success.

Over the past several years, Ellesha has become a go-to legal expert in all things ABA, advising providers, investors, and management companies nationwide on formation, compliance, and growth strategies within this emerging industry.

Naftali Jacobs, Esq.

Naftali Jacobs, Esq.

Counsel

Naftali's practice focuses on healthcare transactions, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, HUD-insured financing, and commercial real estate. He represents buyers, sellers, operators, and lenders across a broad range of deal structures, with particular depth in skilled nursing and senior living transactions.

Naftali brings a detail-oriented approach to complex healthcare M&A and financing matters, guiding clients through every phase of the transaction lifecycle — from letter of intent through closing. His familiarity with the regulatory landscape allows him to identify and navigate potential deal obstacles early, keeping transactions on track and protecting his clients' interests at every stage.

Associates
Yael Grunspan, Esq.

Yael Grunspan, Esq.

Associate

Yael leverages over a decade of multifaceted experience in law, program management, labor relations, and human resources to creatively solve challenges that impede business growth and innovation.

Clients value Yael's exceptional attention to detail and her ability to keep projects on track through rigorous organization and clear communication. She approaches every engagement with legal precision and a solutions-driven mindset, ensuring that clients' objectives are achieved efficiently and effectively.

Regarded as a trusted advisor and action-oriented collaborator, she has led strategic initiatives for nonprofits, directed complex grant applications, secured and maintained federal and state funding, and worked closely with unions on collective bargaining negotiations and relationship building.

Tzvi Novak, Esq.

Tzvi Novak, Esq.

Associate

Tzvi is an accomplished associate with several years of experience advising clients across diverse industries. With a background at an international law firm, he has developed keen attention to detail and efficient work practices.

He has experience in civil and commercial litigation representing clients in contract disputes, employment disputes, and business torts. Tzvi also assists clients with corporate and transactional matters including drafting and reviewing contracts. His background and dedication make him an asset in achieving the best outcomes for clients.

Saul Friedman, Esq.

Saul Friedman, Esq.

Associate

Saul Friedman focuses his practice on real estate transactions, advising clients across a broad range of matters including purchases and sales, financing, leasing, development, and joint ventures.

At GZR LLP, Saul brings his transactional real estate experience to bear on the firm's healthcare and senior living practice, counseling clients on the real estate dimensions of complex acquisitions, dispositions, and financing transactions involving healthcare assets alongside a broad range of commercial real estate matters.

Prior to joining GZR LLP, Saul was an associate at a boutique commercial real estate firm in New York City, where he developed a strong foundation in transactional real estate work.

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