Jordi Guso, Managing Partner, Berger Singerman

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with Jordi Guso, managing partner at Berger Singerman, to discuss capital migration, legal risk, talent, and technology in South Florida. “The outlook for South Florida’s market and the economy is robust,” Guso said.

What changes over the past year have most impacted your clients and the type of matters you are seeing across South Florida?

The biggest driver in South Florida has been the continued migration of capital into the region. Historically, Miami in particular, and South Florida more broadly, benefited from capital coming from Latin America, especially during periods of political or economic instability in the region. That pattern continues, but what has changed is the scale of domestic capital now moving into South Florida as well.

The region is increasingly seen as a safe and attractive place to do business, and capital tends to follow opportunity. That is showing up in a meaningful way across industries and client matters. Based on what we are seeing today, that trend is likely to continue in the near term and potentially for years to come.

How is the region’s economic environment shaping decision-making for companies today, and how is your firm helping them navigate it?

Florida’s favorable tax structure remains a significant draw. The lack of a state income tax continues to be attractive for both businesses and individuals. The weather is also part of the equation, but beyond lifestyle factors, Miami continues to be viewed as the gateway to Latin America, which creates a range of strategic opportunities.

South Florida’s appeal has expanded beyond that traditional role. Venture capital is becoming more active here, tech hubs are developing, and Florida remains a strong market for real estate development. Those dynamics are influencing where companies choose to locate, invest and grow.

Although Berger Singerman is a Florida-based firm, our practice is national and international in scope. Because of our long-standing presence in the state, we are seen as a firm that knows the market, understands the courts, and can help clients who are new to Florida navigate the legal and business landscape effectively.

How are businesses adapting their strategies to manage uncertainty while still pursuing expansion or investment opportunities in this growing market?

Companies are approaching opportunities with more discipline. The interest rate environment is very different from what it was a few years ago, and that alone has changed how many projects and transactions are evaluated. On top of that, the cost of insurance in Florida has become a major pressure point given the state’s underwriting risks.

There are also broader operating pressures that affect how businesses assess growth. As a result, capital partners are being more selective and more deliberate, whether they are looking at a development, an acquisition or an M&A transaction.

That discipline is not necessarily negative. It is producing more careful underwriting and more thoughtful decision-making, which is important in a market that remains attractive but also comes with real cost considerations.

From a legal perspective, what are the most common challenges companies are facing as they grow and scale in the market?

There is greater sensitivity today to litigation risk when evaluating new opportunities. Companies are more focused on how macroeconomic uncertainty could affect a particular transaction or strategic move, and that naturally brings legal considerations to the forefront.

Certain industries are also facing more immediate pressure than others. Casual dining and quick-service restaurants, for example, are encountering challenges in the current market, which affects how businesses in those sectors think about expansion and exposure.

More broadly, companies are looking more carefully at risk on the front end. Legal strategy is increasingly tied to broader business planning, and that is especially true in a market where growth opportunities remain strong but the cost of getting decisions wrong can be higher.

How are you retaining and recruiting top talent in that environment?

Retention has been one of our strengths. We have been fortunate to experience very little voluntary attrition, and I think that speaks to the culture of the firm. People generally do not stay somewhere for decades unless they are treated well and value the work environment.

Many members of our team have been with Berger Singerman for a very long time. In my case, this May marks 29 years with the firm. My legal assistant has been with me for 23 years, and members of our paralegal team have been with us for 25 years. That kind of longevity says a great deal about the culture we have built.

Recruitment is more complex. The migration of large national and international law firms into South Florida has created stronger competition, especially for younger lawyers. At the same time, it has also created opportunities for firms like ours. Many of those firms bring rates from major money-center markets, and that does not always align with what middle-market clients in Florida want or can support. We position ourselves as the premier alternative to big law in Florida, offering a high-level platform within a more entrepreneurial, middle-market environment.

What is your view on AI and how it is changing legal services?

It is already changing the profession. Lawyers either embrace the technology and the efficiencies it creates, or they risk being left behind. At our firm, we are leaning into that change in a serious way.

We use a range of tools, from traditional legal research platforms to technologies that support workflow and process efficiency. On the transactional side, tools such as Litera help move matters efficiently from the letter-of-intent stage through closing and final documentation. Tools such as Harvey are also proving valuable in terms of front-end analysis and evaluation of information at a pace that would have been unthinkable not long ago.

AI is also contributing to pricing pressure. As technology makes some work more efficient, clients are increasingly interested in alternative fee arrangements rather than the traditional hours-times-rate model. I expect that trend to continue. I also think younger lawyers entering the profession will do so with a very different skill set than prior generations.

That said, there are some things technology cannot replace. Mentoring will remain an essential part of professional development. No matter how efficient AI becomes, firms will still have an obligation to mentor younger professionals, because there are aspects of judgment, client service and human interaction that technology simply cannot teach.

What is your outlook for South Florida’s business environment over the next three to five years, and what are your top priorities in that time frame?

Absent a major macroeconomic disruption or a significant hurricane event affecting the region, the outlook for South Florida’s market and the economy is robust.

Our focus is to continue doing what we do well while strengthening our capabilities in the areas where we already have depth. We are also paying close attention to where opportunities are developing across Florida. That is one reason we opened a permanent office in Tampa last year. We had been active in that market for many years, but we saw enough momentum and demand to establish a physical presence there.

Since then, that office has continued to grow, including through a business combination that brought in additional lawyers, most of them trial lawyers. We see a continued need for experienced trial lawyers throughout the state. Our priority is to stay close to the market in real time and to be proactive rather than reactive in responding to where demand is heading.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

South Florida continues to evolve economically, culturally and politically, and it remains firmly on the radar for businesses, investors, and individuals relocating from elsewhere. That continued inflow is creating significant opportunity.

For a firm like ours, the combination of market knowledge, knowledge of the courts and familiarity with political processes positions us well to support participants in that growth. As South Florida continues to develop, we believe there will be meaningful opportunities not only for the market itself, but also for firms that understand how to help clients navigate it successfully.