Quino Martinez, President & CEO, Lowndes

April 2026 — Invest: spoke with Quino Martinez, president and CEO of law firm Lowndes, about the firm’s largest acquisition in its 57-year history and how it is scaling alongside Central Florida’s positive momentum. “We have been in growth mode,” Martinez said, reflecting on strategic hires, geographic expansion, and deepened bench strength across key practice areas.

What major milestones or successes have most impacted your operations over the past year, and how does that reflect the momentum in the Orlando region?

We have been in growth mode. Over the past year, we hired new partners to strengthen our real estate capabilities, including additions in Orlando and in our Melbourne office, where there is significant activity across Brevard County.

The most notable milestone was the acquisition of another firm, effective Feb. 1, which added 13 attorneys and brought us to approximately 100 lawyers. It is the largest acquisition in our 57-year history, and it gave us a full-time office in Vero Beach and a presence in Miami by appointment, extending our reach along the coast.

Beyond geographic growth, we added depth across transactional, corporate, and litigation practices. We focused on finding experienced partners who could handle matters from start to finish. The market here is generating increasingly complex work, and you need people to match it. 

Last year, you noted that litigation and corporate work remained strong while real estate experienced a slowdown. Has transaction activity rebounded?

Litigation has continued to be very busy, which I think is a sign of the times. We have seen significant construction litigation matters and disputes related to private equity acquisitions of medical practices, particularly where employment relationships were disrupted. That activity has remained consistent.

Corporate M&A has also been steady. A large driver has been generational transition. Many baby boomer business owners are exiting privately held companies, including groups that own multiple franchise locations or regional operations. Those middle-market transactions have created sustained demand for legal services.

Real estate has been more cyclical. In 2024, we experienced a slow start followed by increased volume after rate cuts in September. A similar pattern occurred in 2025, as the year began with uncertainty surrounding the presidential election and regulatory direction. Once rate cuts were implemented, activity picked up, particularly among publicly traded REITs that were ready to deploy capital and meet performance targets.

Our land use practice has remained consistently strong since the pandemic, particularly in residential and industrial approvals. Multifamily slowed over the past year but is beginning to recover. We have seen a stronger start to 2026 in real estate than in the previous two years, and additional rate adjustments could further unlock transaction volume.

What macroeconomic forces have most influenced corporate and real estate activity in Central Florida?

Florida’s fundamentals remain compelling. The absence of a state income tax and lower operating costs relative to Northeastern markets continue to attract businesses here.

We have seen notable relocations and expansions from financial institutions. Bank of New York Mellon recently made a significant investment in the Orlando region, partnering with the University of Central Florida. We have worked with institutions making similar decisions, and what drives them here is consistent: cost structure, talent access, and the ability to scale. 

KPMG’s investment in Orlando, as evidenced by their Lakehouse facility, and the broader presence of firms like Deloitte, BNY Mellon, and the growth of Orlando Health speak to the region’s growing profile. Orlando offers a lower cost of living than South Florida while maintaining strong access to transportation, skilled employees, and quality-of-life amenities.

Affordability remains the challenge. Housing near the central business district comes at a premium, and commuting from farther out offers more housing options but increases transportation costs. Like many fast-growing metros, Orlando is balancing growth with infrastructure and housing pressures.

How is Lowndes adapting to increased competition and rising client expectations in a growing market?

We are one of the few firms that has been in Orlando since the early days of Disney and has remained independent. At one point, we were one of the only large local firms. Now we compete for nearly every major deal, which is a healthy sign for the market even if it raises the bar for us.

Long-term client relationships and succession planning are critical. We must ensure we have the right attorneys in place to provide accurate, responsive service. Growth has been intentional, and we continue to look for seasoned lawyers who can handle matters from start to finish. Clients expect answers promptly, even as matters become more complex.

We are also integrating artificial intelligence into our operations. It is not something we could afford to ignore. We have adopted multiple AI platforms and implemented internal policies guided by the Florida Bar and industry leaders to ensure responsible and ethical use.

We treat AI like a law clerk: good for initial research, good for a first draft. A senior attorney always reviews the output. We require internal disclosure and client transparency when AI is used to complete a task. It is not infallible, and oversight is non-negotiable.

The practical value is time. Tasks such as cross-referencing documents or reviewing legal descriptions that used to take hours can now be turned around far faster. That helps control costs in a profession often criticized for billing by the hour. The billable hour  continues to survive, but technology is changing how value is delivered.

Looking ahead three to five years, where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth, both for your firm and for the region?

The biggest opportunity for Orlando is talent retention. Our headquarters is located on Lake Eola, and we are invested in the urban core. The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has become a world-class venue, and that matters when you are competing for corporate relocations and the people who lead them.

The downtown project pipeline is substantial. Westcourt, adjacent to the Kia Center, is a major mixed-use development that will include a hotel, office space, retail, and entertainment components. The redevelopment of the former Orlando Sentinel site, a roughly 20-acre property on the north end of downtown, has the potential to reshape key corridors and unlock additional infill development.

Creative Village continues to expand, anchored by the University of Central Florida’s downtown campus and employers such as EA Sports. On the northwest side of Orange County, projects like Wyld Oaks in Apopka are emerging alongside infrastructure improvements such as the completion of the intersection of the 429 and Interstate 4. These developments are driving residential, retail, industrial, and healthcare investment, including new hospital facilities.

Camping World Stadium is undergoing a $400 million renovation that could position Orlando to host major NFL events, including potentially the Jacksonville Jaguars during their stadium upgrades. These are not isolated investments. Taken together, they reflect a broader strategy to strengthen the region’s urban fabric.

Orlando graduates a substantial number of students each year from institutions within a short radius, including UCF, Full Sail, Rollins College, and the Florida Institute of Technology. The opportunity lies in retaining that talent. If we continue building a vibrant downtown, expanding cultural amenities, and attracting diverse industries, Orlando can compete with cities such as Nashville, Austin, and Miami for serious corporate and creative investment.

We are on that path. The work is not finished, but the direction is clear and the commitment is real. Florida continues to attract people and capital for good reasons, and Orlando is increasingly where that story gets told.

Want more? Read the Invest: Greater Orlando report.