Eve Cann, Managing Shareholder, Baker Donelson

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with Eve Cann, managing shareholder of Baker Donelson, to discuss how shifting consumer protection rules, privacy expectations, and AI-driven communications are reshaping legal risk for businesses operating in South Florida. “You need to make sure the right guardrails are in place,” said Cann.

What’s changed most in the legal and regulatory space recently, and how is that shaping the kind of advice clients are looking for?

A lot of what I’m seeing is driven by consumer protection and compliance, particularly in my own practice. I’m a commercial litigator, and a significant portion of my work focuses on litigation and compliance related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, and other consumer protection statutes.

Since the middle of 2024, there has been meaningful upheaval in how those laws are being interpreted and applied. In 2025, that has translated into a very active year. We’re seeing new lawsuits filed across the country, including here in Florida, but we’re also seeing new avenues of defense emerge as courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, issue decisions that reshape the landscape.

At the same time, there are state-level developments outside Florida that affect how companies need to think about compliance when communicating with customers. All of this has led to increased demand for both litigation defense and proactive compliance guidance. Businesses want to understand not just how to respond to claims, but how to structure their outreach and operations to reduce risk on the front end.

These issues also intersect with broader concerns around data privacy and security. Consumers are increasingly aware of how their information is used, and that awareness influences regulatory scrutiny. When you layer AI onto that environment, the legal questions become even more complex, and that’s where a lot of our advisory work is focused today.

Where are you seeing the biggest areas of legal risk as businesses face more scrutiny around how they operate and communicate?

Consumer protection statutes remain one of the most significant risk areas for businesses, especially in Florida. Companies need to be thoughtful about who they contact, why they are reaching out, how often they do so, and what communication methods they use.

Text messages, phone calls, emails, and other forms of outreach are all regulated to varying degrees. What complicates things further in South Florida is the volume of litigation activity. The market has developed a strong plaintiff-side presence focused on identifying technical violations of these statutes, often turning compliance missteps into costly disputes.

AI has added another layer of exposure. As companies adopt automated tools for outreach, including prerecorded messages or automated voices, they can quickly enter gray areas where it’s unclear whether a practice complies with federal or state law. That uncertainty is driving a lot of the risk conversations we’re having with clients.

Considering this landscape, how are companies adjusting their strategies to prepare for potential disputes or investigations?

The companies that are best positioned are the ones that take a step back and reassess their processes before a problem arises. Awareness is critical. Once leadership understands how quickly a compliance issue can escalate, it becomes easier to justify changes to protocols and procedures.

In many cases, preparation starts with revisiting the basics. How did the company obtain customer information? What exactly did the customer consent to? Does that consent cover the type of communication the company is sending today?

A common example involves businesses with existing customer relationships. A company may assume that because it already works with a customer, it can send marketing messages about new products or services. But that assumption isn’t always correct. Companies need to ensure their outreach aligns with the scope of the customer’s consent and the requirements of applicable statutes.

That often means resetting processes and evaluating outreach from the ground up. Businesses that take the time to do that are far better positioned to avoid disputes and regulatory scrutiny.

How is AI influencing legal risk and business practices right now?

AI presents both opportunity and risk. Many businesses want to use AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs, and there are tools that can absolutely support those goals. The challenge is relying on AI output without sufficient oversight.

In the legal industry, the risks are especially visible. We’ve seen instances where attorneys used AI-generated content without verification, leading to serious professional consequences. That highlights a broader issue for all industries: AI can support decision-making, but it cannot replace human judgment.

You need to make sure the right guardrails are in place. That applies across the board. Businesses need policies that define how AI can be used, who reviews the output, and where human oversight is required. Firms like ours spend a lot of time helping clients think through those guardrails so they can benefit from technology without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.

What makes Fort Lauderdale and South Florida a compelling place for your firm to do business?

Baker Donelson has been in Fort Lauderdale since 2013, and we’ve grown alongside the city. From a business perspective, the pace of growth in this market is one of its most compelling features.

Even over the last four or five years, the scale of opportunity in Fort Lauderdale has expanded significantly. The region continues to attract companies and professionals from across the country, and that influx has fueled demand for more sophisticated legal and professional services.

Fort Lauderdale, in particular, has come into its own. While Miami has long been an international business hub, Fort Lauderdale has evolved from being viewed as a quieter neighbor into a market with its own identity. You see it in the downtown development, the influx of new businesses, and the continued investment across sectors.

For our firm, that growth translates into opportunity. We’re excited to be part of a market that is still defining its next chapter.

How is that growth affecting talent acquisition and retention?

Market growth has a direct impact on talent. As more firms and businesses move into South Florida, competition for experienced professionals increases.

When I graduated from law school, many peers left the region for larger markets. Today, more professionals want to stay or relocate here because South Florida offers both career opportunity and quality of life. That shift is positive, but it also means more firms are competing for the same pool of talent.

At Baker Donelson, we’ve experienced some of those challenges, but overall our trajectory remains positive. We’ve added attorneys, experienced some natural turnover, and continued to grow steadily. Over time, brand recognition plays an important role. As firms establish a stronger presence and reputation in the market, attracting talent becomes easier.

From a broader perspective, Fort Lauderdale’s continued growth should help draw additional talent into the region, which benefits the entire professional services ecosystem.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for the next three to five years?

Continued growth and continued client service are the top priorities for our Fort Lauderdale office. We’re focused on strengthening our footprint in South Florida and building deeper relationships with local businesses so they understand the full range of services we can provide.

Client service is a core tenet of Baker Donelson, and that won’t change. We believe our commitment to serving clients thoughtfully and consistently is what differentiates us in the market. That focus will remain central as we look ahead.

Is there anything you’d like to add as you think about the future of the firm in this market?

We remain very excited about South Florida and committed to this market. We moved into our current office space in early 2024, and that investment reflects our confidence in Fort Lauderdale’s future.

My goal over the next several years is to continue filling that space and growing the office. I believe the demand is there, and I’m optimistic that our next conversation will be about expanding further as the firm continues to grow alongside the city.