Timothy Gillis, Jacksonville Office Managing Partner, Shutts & Bowen LLP

In an interview with Invest:, Timothy Gillis, Jacksonville office managing partner at Shutts & Bowen LLP, discussed key milestones for the firm, Jacksonville’s growth, trends in commercial real estate and litigation, the firm’s approach to client value, and an optimistic outlook for expansion.

What have been some of the main highlights and key milestones for Shutts & Bowen in Jacksonville?

We’ve seen a lot of consolidation in the area. There has been a significant amount of private equity activity in North Florida, with many small, emerging growth companies being acquired as add-ons to existing platforms by private equity firms across the country. That trend has been one of the key highlights for us in recent years.

What is your overview of the legal and advisory sector in Jacksonville?

It’s a bit of business as usual. While there’s constant speculation about an economic downturn, we haven’t really seen it yet. Rising interest rates have slightly reduced bank loan volume, but businesses are still seeking growth capital and credit lines, so activity remains consistent.

Jacksonville is experiencing significant growth, with many people and businesses relocating to North Florida due to its favorable business climate. The housing market is especially strong, driving both residential and commercial construction. Many companies are moving their headquarters here, bringing economic diversity and strengthening the region. Plus, living 20 minutes from the beach adds to the appeal. Overall, the legal and advisory sectors are doing well and should continue to thrive as Jacksonville grows.

Which practices and industries do you expect to be the main drivers of growth over the next few years?

Commercial real estate is our largest practice group, and I believe it will continue to thrive as long as Florida attracts new businesses. The banking sector is also highly active, complementing the real estate boom.

Our litigation practice remains steady, as business disputes are common when transactions don’t go as planned. We also have a robust intellectual property practice; patent disputes are frequent, lengthy, and costly, keeping us busy.

The regulatory environment is favorable, and our strong relationships with state agencies help us guide clients through regulatory processes. My clients, ranging from grocery and liquor stores to tech companies, are diverse but thriving in this environment.

What sets the firm apart from the competition?

Shutts & Bowen has a deep Florida history, founded in Miami in 1910 with initial clients like Florida East Coast Railroad. Florida East Coast Railroad, established by Henry Flagler, was instrumental in Florida’s development, so our firm grew alongside the state. We are Florida-only, with headquarters here and no practices outside the state.

Our strong ties with elected officials and state agencies are key assets. Many partners have held senior government roles and bring valuable connections to the firm. For instance, several financial services partners have helped draft Florida’s banking and financial regulations.

Our Miami office also has strong ties throughout Latin America and South America, providing expertise in regulatory and tax considerations for cross-border investments. This international knowledge benefits our clients significantly.

As an AmLaw 200 firm, we rank among the largest U.S. law firms, with approximately 280 lawyers across eight Florida offices. We primarily serve high-net-worth individuals and privately held companies, while larger competitors focus on publicly traded entities. Our local expertise is a strong asset for New York or California firms needing Florida representation.

We specialize in land use, environmental zoning, and specific state tax or regulatory matters. Out-of-state companies often seek us out for our in-depth local knowledge and relationships, which provides a crucial advantage over national firms.

Are you considering expanding into new markets or service areas, either within Florida or beyond?

We’re focused on serving Florida, especially for cross-border transactions tied to the state. For Florida-linked international transactions — whether a local investor working abroad or a transaction connected to Florida — we get involved, mainly in advisory roles. For litigation, we handle both federal and state cases within Florida. On the business side, we advise clients investing in other areas by working with local counsel for regional expertise. Florida remains our primary focus.

We’re also looking to expand our footprint within our core practice areas. We’re a full-service corporate, transactional, and litigation firm, covering nearly all business needs. Key growth areas for us include intellectual property, which is increasingly important, and health law, which is vital to the economies of Jacksonville and Florida.

Government contracts are a growth area too, particularly with military installations, like Navy bases, across the state. We’re also active in aerospace, with clients in satellite manufacturing and other space technologies — a thriving industry in Florida. Financial services and commercial real estate, our largest practice group, remain strong. We’re always seeking skilled professionals in these areas to meet client demand and uphold our service standards.

To what extent have you seen an increase in demand for your services?

We’ve seen growth, especially in our construction litigation practice. With the surge in residential construction across Florida, particularly in Jacksonville, we’re handling a high volume of claims for large builders. These claims — often brought by plaintiffs’ firms — require a strong defense, keeping us busy. The influx of people moving to Florida means more homes and, naturally, more claims, making this a profitable and growing area for us.

Beyond construction litigation, private equity interest in Florida companies is also rising. Many entrepreneurs here build companies, sell to private equity, and start new ventures — a cycle that’s increasing as Florida attracts private investment. This growth and entrepreneurial energy keep us active across our practice areas.

What are some of the most common legal mistakes made by businesses or individuals you advise?

It’s crucial for any business, especially smaller companies or startups, to have a solid advisory team. A good accountant, an experienced lawyer, and possibly an external CFO are essential to ensure the business is properly structured from the start. Initial setup can have serious regulatory and tax implications, and failing to get it right can lead to costly issues later on.

Another common oversight is lacking proper insurance coverage. We also see clients who forget to register for specific licenses or approvals needed for their business activities. These mistakes are fixable, but far more expensive to correct later than if handled properly from the beginning.

For small businesses, professionally drafted agreements are also key. Documents governing relationships between partners or investors should be thorough and legally sound, covering contingencies for worst-case scenarios. When there’s a crisis and no clear agreement, options become limited. That’s why I always advise clients to seek counsel early and often.

What would you say are the primary challenges for Shutts & Bowen, and how do these relate to wider industry trends?

The firm has been doing well for some time. One industry challenge is that some competitors, especially large national firms, charge hourly rates nearly double ours. Legal fees have dramatically increased over the last decade, and while our rates have gone up, they haven’t risen as steeply as those at larger firms. This can create a perceived value gap that’s hard for clients to justify, especially when first- or second-year associates at larger firms are billed at rates comparable to our senior partners.

That said, we don’t compete on price, and our staffing approach is different. We typically have partners or senior associates handle matters directly, without using junior lawyers to “learn” on client matters. If we include a junior on the team, their time is often discounted or not billed if they’re not adding value. This model has built client loyalty, leading to recurring business because we prioritize client value and results.

What is your outlook for the firm over the next few years?

Growing our Jacksonville office is a top priority. Established in 2017, it’s our newest location, and we’re expanding our presence here to meet strong client demand. We often serve Jacksonville-based clients who work with our other Florida offices. The Jacksonville legal market is smaller than Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa, so attracting top local talent can be challenging.

We’re actively seeking skilled lawyers who align with our firm’s values. Many high-level Florida lawyers in national firms face pressures to raise rates beyond what local clients can afford or deal with conflicts larger firms can’t avoid. As a Florida-based firm, we offer a balanced environment where they can maintain client relationships without those pressures.