Matt Miller, Co-Managing Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig

May 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Matt Miller, co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurig’s Fort Lauderdale office, discussed the sustained strength of the transactional market, Fort Lauderdale becoming a sophisticated business hub, and the increasing importance of talent, culture, and technology in professional services. “It’s a little bit more relaxed, but the business activity and clients are just as sophisticated,” Miller said, reflecting on Fort Lauderdale’s distinct position within South Florida’s broader economic landscape.

What trends have you seen in corporate transactions, capital markets, and private equity over the past 12 to 18 months?

We have continued to see a robust market. If you look back, things were a little slower at the beginning of last year, but after the first quarter, activity picked up tremendously and has continued ever since. Obviously, given the broader world economy, everyone is watching closely to see how that may affect the markets, but at this point we are still seeing new deals kick off and existing deals get done.

We are also still seeing valuations remain at levels higher than what we historically saw for many years. Credit markets have remained available, which continues to support borrowing activity and dealmaking. From that standpoint, the last 12 months have reflected a continued increase in transactional activity.

That matters because it reinforces the idea that, despite uncertainty, there is still confidence in the market. Buyers and sellers are still finding ways to transact, capital is still being deployed, and businesses are still looking for growth opportunities.

How are business expansions and relocations into South Florida affecting the market?

The surge in businesses relocating to South Florida has been one of the defining stories in our region, especially over the last three years. We have seen a significant influx of both corporations and high-net-worth individuals into the region, and I would say it is at an all-time high. People are moving here for a variety of reasons, whether personal, tax-related, or because Florida — and South Florida in particular — offers a very business-friendly environment.

What makes this especially notable is that the impact is being felt across the board. It is not just affecting corporate law. It is affecting litigation, real estate, private wealth, tax, insurance, and really every major practice area. The opportunities are broad because of the growth in the population and business base coming into the region. 

Fort Lauderdale, in particular, has grown significantly. There is an extraordinary amount of business happening here, and the sophistication of that work continues to grow. Beyond Fort Lauderdale, our office is involved in transactions, litigation, and business issues on a national and global level.

As someone who has worked in this market for more than 25 years, the growth has been remarkable to watch. It still amazes me how often I hear about a company that has been right here in our backyard, quietly operating, and then suddenly it sells for $1 billion or more. That tells you a lot about the depth of the market and the level of opportunity here.

How do you view Fort Lauderdale’s position within the broader South Florida economy?

Fort Lauderdale has absolutely come into its own. It has a very distinct identity from both Miami and West Palm Beach. It’s a little bit more relaxed, but the business activity and clients are just as sophisticated. 

You can see this in the real estate development that is underway. The new convention center hotel is a beautiful facility. There is major redevelopment happening around Pier Sixty-Six, around Bahia Mar with the St. Regis project, and in a number of other areas. These are transformative developments that speak to a much bigger vision for the market.

When I first started working here in the mid-1990s, downtown Fort Lauderdale looked completely different. There were only a handful of office buildings, almost no residential high-rises, and it certainly was not a 24-hour city. Over the last 10 to 15 years, that has changed dramatically. The growth has been exponential, and the city is now operating on a much larger and more dynamic scale.

How are companies structuring growth opportunities in this environment?

The biggest change in recent years has been the expansion of opportunity in South Florida. The region now offers a highly attractive business environment, with a workforce that has grown deeper and more sophisticated over time.

This evolution is important. We are seeing more depth in the talent pool and a higher level of professionalism across the market. That affects not only our clients, but also our own industry. Law firms that historically were concentrated in New York or other traditional business centers are increasingly opening offices in South Florida because they recognize the strength of the market.

Twenty-five years ago, there was sometimes a concern that when people moved from New York to Florida, they were doing so for an easier lifestyle. That is certainly not the case anymore. The city may feel more relaxed culturally, but from a professional standpoint, it is a highly active and vibrant business environment. 

That is one reason companies continue to see South Florida as a place where they can grow. There is access to capital, access to talent, and a broader ecosystem that now supports sophisticated business activity at scale.

How is Greenberg Traurig approaching talent recruitment and retention?

We have been very fortunate in our recruitment and retention efforts because Greenberg Traurig has deep roots in Florida. The firm started in Miami nearly 60 years ago, and Fort Lauderdale was one of its earliest offices. Our Fort Lauderdale office began in 1985 with three attorneys. Today, we have grown to about 90 attorneys, and that longstanding presence has given us a real advantage.

We have spent decades building relationships, participating in community events, and becoming part of the fabric of South Florida. That matters. It distinguishes us from firms that have moved into the region in recent years and are still trying to establish themselves.

On the talent side, the competition is certainly more intense than it has ever been. We are deeply committed to developing our internal talent. One of the main ways we do that is through a very robust summer associate program. We bring in law students, give them meaningful exposure to the work we do, and invest in them early. It is a long-term talent strategy because we want to develop lawyers rather than relying entirely on the lateral market. Growing talent has always been a major focus for Greenberg Traurig, in addition to strategic lateral hiring.

The other piece is culture. Culture is extremely important here. We work hard, and this is a demanding profession. We believe work is more rewarding when you’re surrounded by colleagues you enjoy collaborating with every day. We want people who join the firm to be successful, and their success is our success. Our job is to put them in a position to thrive. That culture is one of the reasons I have stayed here as long as I have.

How is technology, especially AI, changing the legal profession?

At this point, you either embrace AI, or you risk getting left behind. Most of our clients are using AI, and they generally want us to use it. They expect greater efficiency, and AI is a tool that can help deliver that.

As a firm, we have invested heavily in AI, and we are focused on training both our attorneys and business staff. What is encouraging is that there is interest across generations, with people wanting to understand AI, use it, and learn how it can improve the way they work.

Technology is changing every industry, and law is no exception.

What role do legal advisers play as companies grow in a more uncertain environment?

The role of legal advisers becomes even more important during a period of rapid change. Right now, many businesses are dealing with uncertainty from multiple directions, and this can affect their operations, hiring, transactions, and long-term planning.

Clients need help understanding how federal and state regulatory changes may affect their specific businesses. They need guidance not just on the law itself, but on how to navigate it strategically. How does a new tariff policy affect a company’s costs? How does immigration policy affect staffing? How should a business think about a transaction in a rapidly evolving market?

There are no simple answers, and the legal landscape can shift daily. That is why I believe the need for legal services will remain very strong over the next nine to 18 months. AI can support certain processes, but it is not going to replace judgment, experience, or the ability to help clients navigate ambiguity in real time.

At Greenberg Traurig, we are especially well-positioned because of both our local strength and our extensive global platform. If something arises here in Fort Lauderdale, we can address it locally. And when a matter requires national or international capabilities, we can leverage our broader network seamlessly. That combination is particularly valuable in a market like South Florida, where clients increasingly have needs that are both local and global.

What would you want readers to understand most about Greenberg Traurig’s Fort Lauderdale office?

Our Fort Lauderdale office is a core part of Greenberg Traurig’s global platform, handling complex matters for sophisticated clients and contributing meaningfully both locally and throughout the firm. We have strong leadership across multiple practice groups, including litigation, real estate, and corporate law, and our insurance regulatory team is among the most highly regarded in Florida and nationwide. What defines us is the combination of being deeply rooted in the South Florida community while operating seamlessly at a national and global level. That is a powerful advantage for clients who value both strong local insight and broad global reach.