Florida Law Firm Overview
Florida’s legal landscape is a tapestry of diverse practice areas and specialties, with both small and large law firms contributing to its depth and vibrancy. Among them, large law firms wield significant influence, not only in the size and scope of their operations but also in the shaping of state-wide legal practices. The very presence of a large law firm in Florida often signals a crucial addition to the state’s legal expertise. These firms tend to be well connected within the state’s legal community, establishing ties with government agencies, corporations, and legal organizations. This enables them to not only attract top talent but also provide their clients with a broad range of legal services and resources . They are also more likely to engage in high-stakes litigation and complex, multi-million-dollar deals than smaller firms.
However, the importance of large law firms extends beyond simple economic considerations. Large firms often serve as a training ground for the next generation of leaders and innovators in the legal industry. Many prominent business leaders and influential policymakers in Florida have spent time at large firms early in their careers, providing these firms with a unique perspective on both the legal and business needs of the state. As such, their influence continues to resonate throughout the state, as they shape legal precedent and interpretation through their cases.
Florida’s Biggest Law Firm
Each year we take a look at the largest law firms in Florida and how they stack up against the largest firms in the country. We are regularly surprised to see the firms that are largest in Florida are not the largest in the country. This year is no different with the largest law firm in Florida again being Akerman, though the firm continues to edge closer to the largest across the nation and in 2019 was the 97th largest law firm in the United States by headcount. In 2019 the firm had 785 lawyers and 327 partners, roughly consistent with last year. Office wise, Akerman has added two offices in Florida with the additions of Fort Myers and Orlando offices and now has 11 offices in Florida. Nationwide Akerman has a total of 26 offices, with another recent office opening in Chicago, IL. Akerman also has 28 M&A transactions over $100MM. This puts them just behind Holland & Knight, the second largest law firm in Florida which ranks 77th in the nation by headcount and had 865 lawyers and 364 partners nationwide as of 2019. This figure is consistent with 2018’s figures. Holland & Knight has two more offices than Akerman in Florida with a total of 13 offices, but is ahead by five nationwide at a total of 31. Holland & Knight also had 41 M&A transactions worth over $100MM last year. The firm is notable for being one of the largest law firms in the US that started as a regional southern law firm with its roots in Tampa. Finally, Greenberg Traurig LLC comes in as the No. 3 largest firm in Florida once again ranking as the No. 3 largest nationally by headcount. Last year Greenberg Traurig had a total of 982 lawyers and 379 partners nationwide and $1.36 billion in gross revenue. The firm added 86 lawyers in 2018 and is opening up several new office locations in 2019 including Atlanta, Boston and Denver. Their international presence should continue to attract more lawyers in the coming years.
Historic Expansion and Achievements
The history of Florida’s largest law firm is a compelling story of successful expansion and groundbreaking achievements. From its modest beginnings to becoming the largest full-service law firm in the state, the firm’s journey has been marked by significant milestones and a reputation for excellence.
Founded by a group of visionary legal practitioners who recognized the untapped potential for high-quality legal services in the region, the firm set out to build a comprehensive array of practice areas and a diverse team of experts. The founders focused on assembling top talent, investing in their professional development, and nurturing a collaborative culture that encouraged innovation and client-centered solutions.
One of the most notable periods of growth in the firm’s history came in the late 1990s when it began merging with other law firms across the state. These strategic alliances were driven by a commitment to provide clients with the highest level of service and expertise. The firm secured key mergers with respected regional firms, expanding their practice areas and geographic reach. Through these mergers, the firm was able to offer a broader range of legal services to clients, including specialized practices in international law, healthcare, and complex litigation.
Another pivotal moment in the firm’s history occurred in the early 2000s, when it became a leader in pro bono work and social responsibility. This commitment to civic duty further enhanced the firm’s reputation as a community-oriented organization that understood the importance of giving back to the communities it served.
Over the years, the firm has received numerous accolades, including consistently ranking among the top law firms in the country by publications such as U.S. News & World Report and The American Lawyer. These accolades have solidified the firm’s position as a leader in the legal industry and a sought-after destination for both clients and top legal talent.
Today, Florida’s largest law firm stands as a testament to a rich history of expansion and achievement. Its legacy of growth and commitment to excellence continues to shape the firm’s future and the legal landscape of the state.
Practice Areas
A factor in the growth of Holland & Knight is the ability of its lawyers to help clients find the businesses, services, products and markets they want to reach and the global relationships to help them succeed. Holland & Knight offers integrated skills and experience across six major practice areas: intellectual property, litigation, real estate, tax, transportation and government law and policies.
Intellectual Property
With more than 100 lawyers, the Intellectual Property section is one of the largest full-service intellectual property practices in the United States, advising clients on complex matters involving inventions, brands, music, film, art, new technologies and other intellectual property assets.
Litigation
Holland & Knight litigation attorneys help clients succeed in the U.S. and internationally by combining industry knowledge with a comprehensive understanding of business and the administrative and judicial systems.
Real Estate
Holland & Knight is among the largest commercial Real Estate practices in the United States, consisting of more than 200 lawyers and supported by other practice areas firmwide that specialize in environmental, land use, finance, tax and other fields.
Transportation
With a multi-disciplinary team of more than 90 legal professionals, Holland & Knight regularly advises and represents clients in international trade and trade policy, aviation and shipping, rail and public transit, motor carrier issues and other forms of travel.
Tax
Holland & Knight’s Tax Practice Group is recognized nationally for its experience and skill in domestic and cross-border business transactions and tax planning.
Government Law and Policies
Holland & Knight provides a full range of federal, state and local governmental relations strategies covering every aspect of advocacy from the legislative to the executive and judicial branches.
Notable Cases and Clients
The firm has been a key player in some of the most significant milestones in Florida politics and judiciary history. One of the largest law firms based in the Southeast, with more than 200 attorneys, Holland & Knight has represented clients in various high-profile cases. Their clients range from state Republican parties, to corporate giants like Orlando Utilities Commission, to international entities such as the Panamanian sports Federation . Their influence extends to the highest offices in the state: Florida Governor Rick Scott and his predecessor, Charlie Crist (not so much the current "progessive" GOP governor). At the center of various state-wide campaigns and initiatives, Holland & Knight has filed numerous amici curiae briefs in support of decisions ranging from land use to amendment issues.
Diversity and Inclusion
"Diversity and Inclusion" is not just a catchphrase that is thrown around the hallways of Florida’s largest law firm but rather a mindset of how its people interact with one another both internally and externally. This mindset is demonstrated by the firm’s commitment to sponsoring diversity and inclusion-focused organizations through the Active Committee for the Promotion of Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness, Respect and Equality (A-CPRIDE) and mentoring groups.
CPRIDE’s mission is to further the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through individual and committee involvement. This involves facilitating diversity education and fostering an internal and external culture of inclusion and respect. The initiative also sponsors a variety of events and programs that promote diversity and inclusion at Greenberg Traurig.
Mentoring groups are another way the firm gives people of all backgrounds the opportunity to make a difference by finding more access points to collaboration and connection. Through mentoring group programs, firm lawyers and administrative staff not only form professional relationships, but also build commonality across the firm. This in turn has resulted in numerous personal friendships across all ranks of the firm.
Impact on the Economy of Florida
The impact of the largest law firm in Florida is felt not just in its direct contributions to the state economy, but also through its efforts to foster development and growth among other organizations and institutions. The firm’s Renaissance One Program – the firm’s civic leadership program – fosters community involvement, leadership and support for vital community causes. The firm supports the South Florida Joint Taskforce, a non-partisan business initiative aimed at advancing development in the region, whose efforts are focused on innovation, transportation and quality workforce. In addition, the organization now known as Leadership Florida was founded by partners of the firm and was originally housed at the firm’s offices.
The firm provides important legal services to a number of governmental entities, both in Florida and elsewhere – including SCTB representation of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the Orange County Airport Authority, the North Miami Beach Community Redevelopment Agency , the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Burg Commission, the St. Louis Metropolitan Airport Authority, the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. In recent years, the firm has also been doing significant pro bono work for the Tampa Housing Authority, other housing authorities around the state and the American Civil Liberties Union.
SCTB has also earned a number of honors that speak to its position as the largest law firm in Florida, including being named the third best law firm to work for in the country by Vault. The firm, which is headquartered in the Miami offices, with approximately 175 attorneys, had its first associate hired in 1972. The firm has expanded and grown ever since, adding its Tallahassee office in 1978, followed by the third and fourth Florida offices in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, respectively, in the late 1980s through the mid-1990s. Today, SCTB has over 400 attorneys in 13 offices worldwide and is one of the largest law firms in the United States.