Tampa’s Legal Landscape
Tampa is a significant player in the Florida legal market and serves as a regional hub for the legal industry in the surrounding areas. With a growing population, a diverse economy, and a prime location near several major cities, Tampa is an increasingly attractive destination for top law firms looking to establish or expand their presence in the state.
In the past decade, Tampa has experienced significant growth, both in population and in business activity. The city’s strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico, combined with its highly educated workforce and well-developed infrastructure, make it an ideal location for companies in a range of industries. As a result, the legal services industry has also seen significant expansion, with several large and mid-sized firms establishing offices in the city.
One of the primary reasons top law firms are drawn to Tampa is the city’s robust economy. As one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, Tampa has become a hub for a variety of sectors, including finance, healthcare, technology, and hospitality. Major companies such as WellCare Health Plans, Inc., Tropicana Products , and Citigroup have set up shop in the area, creating a strong demand for legal services across a range of practice areas.
Another factor driving the legal industry’s growth in Tampa is its low cost of doing business relative to other major cities in Florida. Unlike Miami and Orlando, Tampa offers businesses an affordable option for establishing a foothold in one of Florida’s most popular regions, without facing the high costs and competition that come with larger cities.
The local government is equally committed to attracting and retaining top law firms in the area. Through various initiatives and incentives, the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council has worked to create a business-friendly environment that makes it easier for companies to establish and grow their operations in the region.
With its strong economy, low cost of living, and business-friendly environment, Tampa has become an increasingly attractive destination for top law firms looking to expand their operations in Florida. In the years to come, we can expect to see continued growth in the legal services industry, as companies look to take advantage of all that the city has to offer.
Law Firm Rankings by Size and Focus
Some of the largest firms in Tampa Bay in 2023 include: Holland & Knight, Akerman, and Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. As with all law firms of this size, the range of services they offer is a vast one. Holland & Knight offers transactional, litigation, governmental activities, and industry-specialized services across multiple sectors. They boast of 85 practices and numerous locations around the world. The firm is particularly strong in national security law and ranked number one nationally in public finance. The firm has 16 offices in Florida, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Miami, Orlando, and Sarasota. Akerman scored the top chamber rating in 11 practice areas in the Tampa market according to their website. Practice areas where the firm is particularly strong are commercial litigation, intellectual property, corporate, and tax. The firm has an extremely diverse roster of clients including Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, not-for-profits, and individuals. Some significant recent cases include representing a multinational corporation in a class action lawsuit alleging violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and successfully obtaining a settlement for a Tampa hotel. The St. Petersburg firm of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick is known for its experience in real estate and real estate-related law including finance, acquisitions, development, leasing, and multiple other services offered to various sectors. The firm is also recognized for their corporate law, which includes business transactions and securities. The firm has specialized practices in intellectual property, commercial lending, and healthcare law. The firm’s recent cases include defending creditors in an embezzlement case brought in district court, and a unanimous decision in the appeal of an arbitration award against the firm’s client.
Tampa’s Legal Titans Compared
In this competitive landscape, larger firms offer powerful advantages in expertise and manpower. Greenberg Traurig again leads the pack with 424 attorneys in its Tampa office alone. Corporate divisions are a major focus, with the firm specializing in finance and insurance law. They also have robust litigation and real estate divisions. The firm has a total of 40 attorneys.
Shutts & Bowen, another regional powerhouse, trails Greenberg Traurig with 200 attorneys in Tampa. It offers many of the same services, but with fewer attorneys. The firm does, however, have a substantial focus on healthcare as well. The firm is perhaps best known for its efforts in the area of title insurance. Shutts & Bowen has 36 lawyers.
Holland & Knight is also competitive, even with fewer attorneys. 180 strong, the firm specializes in tax and planning, real estate and construction litigation. The firm has 28 lawyers in Tampa.
Wilke Fleury, with 41 attorneys, has a specialization in tax law. The firm’s "Tax Management Services Group" is one of the most highly touted in Florida. The firm has nine lawyers practicing law here.
Baker Newman Noyes employs attorneys in the areas of financial management and consulting, including CPA’s. The 14 lawyers in the Tampa location are part of a larger group of 375 statewide. They have earned numerous awards in the area of taxation.
Finally, Eversheds Sutherland is the least attorneys in the "big five" group. They have a total of 16 lawyers in Tampa. Like Baker Newman Noyes, their attorneys are all Highly Rated, and most of them have impressive resumes.
Overall, Tampa’s seasoned firms have provided an essential role in Tampa’s growth.
Top Lawyers Practicing in Tampa
Renowned throughout the legal community, these notable attorneys have made significant contributions to the law while gaining respect in the Tampa legal scene.
With a plethora of significant cases under his belt, James O. Cunningham works with clients on a broad range of Florida auto accidents and personal injuries cases. He started his law career in 1977 with his thirst for more complex cases that would give him a chance to continue his education and challenge himself. Since that time, he has obtained millions for his clients. Jim Cunningham is currently managing partner at Cunningham & Associates Law Firm.
G. Flynn Louthian Jr. was president of the Hillsborough County Bar Association in 2001. He is involved with numerous legal organizations, including serving on the grievance committee of the Florida Bar. He has spoken at various events on topics relating to law, including starting a DUI defense practice and client relations. He has written on these topics for the Hillsborough county Legal Guide and also published a book called "The Truth About Public Records." Hurricane claims is one of his concentration areas, working with commercial and residential and contents claims. Flynn Louthian is a founding member of the Louthian Law Firm.
A highly respected member of the Tampa legal community, James S. Keane Jr. is a senior partner and shareholder at Hill, Ward & Henderson, P.A. The firm was founded in the 1800s, and currently has three office locations in Tampa, the panhandle, and Talleyrand. Mr. Keane has been with the firm for over 30 years. He is a board certified business litigation lawyer, as well as a qualified mediator.
One of the most successful attorneys in Tampa, Ozzy P. Lopez represents injury victims from all over the US. His firm is well-known in the area for their aggressive representation and commendable outcomes, helping clients impact their communities in the most positive manner possible. He has settled or litigated thousands of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including hundreds of cases worth over $1 million. He is a founding member of the Lopez Law Group.
With over 30 years of experience, Daniel C. Haggerty handles personal, commercial and banking litigation. One of the most accomplished attorneys in Tampa, Daniel C. Haggerty has forged a reputation for being a devil’s advocate when it comes to outrageous claims. His success rate is huge for cases he has handled, winning well over $100 million for clients from various family businesses. He currently works with his partner Gregory S., the owner of Haggerty, Maksymowicz, and Haggerty.
Robert Marcus is one of the country’s top bankruptcy experts. He has argued cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, and has been heavily involved in the bankruptcy community. He has been involved in over 300 bankruptcy cases as a panel chapter 7 trustee for the Middle District of Florida. In addition, he has held several top positions within the American Bankruptcy Institute. Currently, Robert Marcus is the managing partner at Marcus and Neimann.
Companies Represented, Practice Fields
The client base for the top law firms in Tampa is as diverse as the city itself. With a blend of national and local businesses, these firms see a range of clients spanning a variety of industries. One common thread among their client bases is a strong representation of the healthcare sector. Healthcare in Tampa is an $11.1 billion industry and a source of 66,000 jobs. St. Joseph’s Hospitals is the largest, with 5 hospital facilities specializing in a wide range of services. Florida HSA, one of the nation’s leading health system alliances brings together over 300 physicians and more than 1,600 ancillary healthcare professionals from the 2 hospital systems in Hillsborough County. Tampa General Hospital and University Community Hospital are also large healthcare providers in the Tampa Bay area.
Another top client industry in Tampa is real estate. With the ongoing development activity , Tampa is the second fastest growing among large U.S. cities. More than 50 residential and commercial high-rise building projects are already underway in 2007, representing more than $1 billion in investment. Two new condominium towers, Sapphire North and Sapphire South, located next to the Tampa Museum of Art, are the first new high-rises built on the waterfront since the Riverwalk’s inception.
Prior to the heavy bank regulation changes that began in the 1980s, Tampa served as the largest auditing center in Florida. Several prominent audit firms, including Acuitus, Morrison, Brown, Argiz and Fintzen, have operated in Tampa. The City also ranks as the third most popular U.S. city with retail activity, trailing only New York and Los Angeles. Tampa boasts several major banks, including Barnett Bank, NationsBank, SunTrust, Comerica, Enterprise National Bank of Tampa, Northstar Bank, Suntrust Bank and Bank of America.
Tech and Trends Among Tampa’s Law Firms
Recognized as the Economic and Financial Hub of Florida, the need for reliable legal representation is continually provided by the largest law firms in the nation to serve local municipalities and government agencies. With the advancement of technological capabilities, clients are seeking the next step in innovation to address the issues at heart. As leading law firms continue to increase their client base, the overall need for a law firm’s ability to adapt to the ever-evolving needs of their clientele is paramount.
State of the Art Technology and Legal Tools
One of the key drivers of growth is technology. Online access to documents, cloud storage, and secure network access to legal files are the new standard. Firms that have adapted to incorporate new technology in their daily operations are already far ahead of their competition. This allows for ease of use and complete integration of technology throughout the firm’s practice areas. Legal tech tools such as practice management software, knowledge management tools, and legal billing tools allow attorneys to cut down on time spent on administrative duties and the corporate structure of the firm. These gains in productivity mean a more efficient delivery of service to the client.
Addressing the Current Trends of Clients
Another growth driver involves efficiency. The sheer economic growth of Tampa means that clients expect more out of the biggest law firms in Tampa. In response, many larger firms have made it an objective to cater directly to their client’s specific needs. By emphasizing transparency with regard to fees and practice areas tailored specifically to the client’s needs, the biggest law firms in Tampa have begun to further expand their footprint within the state. The end result is an increased productivity from the law firm as well as a more consistent experience for the client. While situated strategically near the central hub between Miami and Jacksonville, Tampa has seen an influx of new law firms, real estate companies, and financial institutions. This increase in demand means that the biggest law firms in Tampa must change with the times to keep pace with the city’s economic growth. The increase in demand has led to an increased emphasis on not only technology, but also the ability of the largest law firms in Tampa to address the current needs of the client. Where once remote legal representation meant self-initiated travel from a centralized location, today’s biggest law firms have offices throughout the state. By making it easy for their clients to seek legal representation where they are most comfortable, the biggest law firms in Tampa are increasing their productivity, while establishing themselves as an established authority within the State of Florida.
Tampa’s Legal Industry Outlook
In the coming years, Tampa’s legal industry faces both challenges and opportunities. The continuing evolution of technology will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the future of attorneys’ practices. As technology such as artificial intelligence and blockchain becomes more ubiquitous, many legal tasks that were once done by people will no longer require human input. As a result , attorneys will have to adapt and find ways to remain relevant in the face of technological advancement. Cybersecurity is another area of concern that needs attention. Law firms all over the country have been vulnerable to hackers due to the confidentiality of their communications with clients.
The most recent trend in the industry is a push towards a greater work-life balance for Attorneys. While the traditional approach to the legal profession has been a rigorous one, there has been increasing focus on the health of lawyers as well. Law firms are beginning to invest in mental wellness programs and other kinds of support for their employees. Tampa’s capacity to adapt to the changing demands of the industry will determine whether the area can continue to entice top talent and retain existing talent.
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