Matthew Chait, Office Managing Partner, West Palm Beach, Shutts & Bowen LLP

In an interview with Invest:, Matthew Chait, managing partner of the West Palm Beach office of statewide law firm Shutts & Bowen LLP, discussed the evolving legal landscape in Florida. “The region’s economic growth has significantly increased our workload, particularly in Palm Beach,” Chait said, sharing insights on market consolidation, practice-area demand, and the firm’s long-standing ties to the community.

What changes have affected Shutts & Bowen the most over the last year, and in what ways?
There are two primary changes. The first is specific to Palm Beach, while the second is broader. The change specific to Palm Beach is the significant economic growth in this market. As a firm, we operate across the state, but a substantial portion of our office’s work is concentrated in Palm Beach. Over the past few years, the region has experienced tremendous economic expansion, which has naturally increased our workload. The second change, not exclusive to Palm Beach, is the growing integration of artificial intelligence in the practice of law. This is a major development affecting law firms nationwide. Shutts & Bowen has been at the forefront of adopting AI, and we continue to explore its use to enhance our legal services.

How is the legal sector leveraging technology, innovation, and the integration of AI into its daily practices and operations?
Shutts has used AI in certain practice areas for years, even before it became widely discussed. More recently, we adopted a platform specifically designed for law firm use, which we have integrated across all our practices. While AI remains an evolving technology, we have made it a standard part of our operations. We are continually refining its use to better serve our clients, and as the technology advances, so will our use of it. At this stage, AI already plays a foundational role in our practice.

What is your overview of the legal industry in Palm Beach in terms of trends or market dynamics?
The legal industry is robust, particularly in Florida and Palm Beach, due to the region’s economic growth. One key trend we are observing is law firm consolidation, where smaller firms are being absorbed by larger ones. This trend began several years ago and has become increasingly common, not just in Florida but specifically in the Palm Beach market. The overall health of the legal industry here is strong, driven by sustained demand for legal services.

What are the main practices and industries driving growth, demand, and profitability for Shutts & Bowen in Palm Beach?
The primary growth areas for us include real estate, land use, litigation, corporate law, trusts and estates, and intellectual property. These sectors are experiencing significant demand, and as a result, we are actively recruiting and training additional lawyers to manage the increasing volume of work.

What makes Palm Beach a good location for Shutts & Bowen, and how does it compare to other markets where you also operate?
I may be biased, as I grew up in West Palm Beach and have spent most of my life in this market. The Palm Beach office holds historical significance for our firm, as it was the firm’s second location, established in the 1970s after our founding in Miami in 1910. With nearly 50 years in Palm Beach and 115 years in Florida, we take pride in having grown alongside the state. While Florida has many thriving regions, Palm Beach remains my favorite due to its deep-rooted connection to our firm and my own background.

What differentiates Shutts & Bowen from other legal firms and competitors operating in the Palm Beach area?
There are several factors that set us apart. Our long-standing presence in the market, the breadth of our practice areas, and the size of our attorney team all contribute to our competitive edge. We operate one of the largest offices in Palm Beach County, with multiple practice groups that are essential to this market. Additionally, our firm has a statewide reach, and we place great emphasis on maintaining our unique culture. That said, we recognize there are many excellent firms in the region, and we respect the competition.
The depth and breadth of our practice also set us apart. We know the law, but we also know the market and the key players within it. For example, if you are going to build a significant commercial real estate project in this market, you want to be represented by counsel that has experience in such matters. You need a firm that understands the governing bodies with approval authority over the project and has an attorney team large enough to handle the workload effectively and efficiently.

What are the most common legal dispute causes that Shutts & Bowen handles for its clients?
In this market, real estate is an important driver of legal work. We see this on both the transactional side and the litigation side. We are very involved in a number of high-profile real estate projects, but a lot of our litigation work tends to relate to real estate.

As far as workforce development goes, what initiatives is Shutts & Bowen implementing to attract and retain the best talent in the legal industry?
We have two primary drivers of growth in terms of attorney acquisition. The first is through our summer associate program, where we hire law students and generally bring them back as associates after graduation. We have been very successful in attracting top talent from both in-state and out-of-state law schools. The second method is hiring lateral attorneys — those with experience practicing at other firms. Attorneys move firms for various reasons, but we believe we offer a very attractive platform.

What are the primary challenges in the legal sector, and how is Shutts & Bowen working to address these challenges?
One challenge we have already discussed is the use of artificial intelligence. It is a new technology with a short history of application in the legal field, so we must determine how to continue to integrate it effectively into our practice. Another challenge, not unique to the legal industry, is the shifting expectations around work and the workplace post-COVID. Employees now have different demands regarding their work experience and employer relationships, and we must adapt accordingly.

What is your outlook for Shutts & Bowen and for the legal landscape as a whole in the next two to three years?
We anticipate significant growth in this market. Given our existing client base and broader market trends, we foresee a continued need to expand our team. We are actively recruiting both young lawyers through our summer associate program and experienced lateral hires. The demand for our services is strong, and we expect meaningful growth in the coming years. We are always evaluating where expansion makes sense, both in terms of necessity and strategic opportunity.
Lastly, for us the influx of high net worth individuals and businesses into Palm Beach has not necessarily required new services but rather increased demand for existing ones. We have seen increased demand and growth in our private client practice, including trust and estates, as well as our tax practice. These areas have always been busy, but we are now busier than ever.