Richard Cole, Managing Partner, Cole, Scott & Kissane

In an interview with Invest:, Richard Cole, managing partner of law firm  Cole, Scott & Kissane, shared insights into the firm’s recent milestones, strategies for growth, community impact initiatives, and how it is adapting to meet client needs in a changing economic landscape.

What significant achievements or milestones did the firm experience over the last year?

One of our biggest achievements has been the number of cases we’ve tried since the pandemic. Our firm has tried approximately 800 cases to verdict. Being a civil defense firm focused on litigation, that’s a significant milestone for us.

Additionally, over the past year, we surpassed 600 lawyers at the firm, which is another major accomplishment. These milestones reflect the growth and strength of our team.

As the largest full-service civil litigation firm in Florida, what aspects of your strategy have been key to achieving and maintaining this position?

Much of our business comes from corporations and insurance companies. One critical part of our strategy has been helping our clients navigate the legislative changes over the last two years. We aim to position them strategically so they can thrive.

Many of our clients faced challenges during and after COVID, but they are now rebounding economically. We, as their legal partners, hope to be part of the solutions to their challenges, helping them regain stability and grow.

How do you approach efficiency, and what role does data-driven decision-making play?

Technology is a key driver of success, especially for larger firms like ours. One of the advantages of being a bigger firm is the ability to invest in advanced technologies, which can be costly but essential. With a larger team of lawyers and paralegals working on shared platforms, we achieve economies of scale, driving down the cost per unit.

Efficiency also comes from constant training and collaboration. We’ve developed partnerships with clients and vendors to optimize processes, which in turn improves their profit margins and ours. Growth, training, and technological investment all play interconnected roles in enhancing efficiency.

What are some of the challenges facing the legal industry today, and how is your firm addressing them?

One of the biggest challenges is attracting and retaining qualified personnel. Miami is experiencing rapid growth and has become a competitive legal market, with firms moving in from New York, Chicago, Atlanta, and other cities. This competition makes it difficult to recruit and retain talented individuals, whether they are lawyers, paralegals, or legal assistants.

Retention is an even bigger challenge than recruitment. The growth of Miami’s business community creates opportunities, but it also intensifies competition for top talent. We’re continually working on strategies to not only bring in quality talent but also ensure they stay with us long term.

What strategies has your firm implemented to recruit and retain talent successfully?

For a time, we lacked a full-time in-house recruiter who was also a lawyer, but we’ve since added one to the firm.

Another successful initiative is our summer associate program. This year, we hosted 90 summer associates firm-wide — a notably large number for Florida law firms. This program creates a valuable opportunity for both sides to evaluate fit.

While we assess the summer associates, it’s equally important for them to decide if they feel at home here. Hosting a large group increases our chances of recruiting individuals who will thrive with us over the long term.

How has the economic landscape affected your clients’ needs, and how has the firm adapted to help them navigate these complexities?

Over the past three years, inflation has been challenging for everyone, from young families struggling to make ends meet to large corporations trying to maintain acceptable margins for shareholders. Borrowing costs have also become prohibitive, making growth more difficult.

Additionally, changes to tax laws have created further complexity. For example, the depreciation deductions have been reduced, limiting how much businesses can write off annually. Looking ahead to 2025 and 2026, we’ll see if the new president and Congress decide to extend the original tax relief acts. If extended, it would benefit corporations and their employees. If not, there will likely be additional hurdles to overcome.

Our role as legal advisers is to help clients maneuver through these challenges, whether it’s by optimizing strategies for financial resilience or offering solutions tailored to the current economic climate.

What initiatives does the firm have in place and how do they benefit the Florida community?

Two initiatives stand out that we’re particularly proud of.

First, at the request of the governor, our firm, along with three others, has been providing free legal services to members of the military. We’ve been doing this for at least four years now and are honored to contribute in this way.

Second, we offer free legal services for uncontested adoptions. While contested cases aren’t our area of expertise, the cost of even a straightforward adoption can be prohibitive for families. Providing this service at no charge is our way of giving back to society and supporting families in meaningful ways.

These initiatives are not about generating revenue but about making a positive impact on the community, and we’re incredibly proud of them.

What are some emerging trends in the legal industry, and how is your firm preparing to leverage them?

One significant trend is the growth of employment law. We’ve seen an increase in claims related to hiring practices, termination, and workplace discrimination, so we’ve expanded our employment law department substantially.

Another area of growth is construction law. Florida, and Miami in particular, has been experiencing a construction boom. With that comes disputes over construction quality, delays, and related issues, leading to litigation.

To address this, we’ve built one of the largest teams of board-certified construction lawyers in the state, with approximately 35 specialists. These expansions align with the trends and needs of the Florida market, ensuring we’re positioned to serve clients effectively as these areas grow.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities for the firm over the next few years?

We are focused on expanding practice areas that meet the evolving needs of Florida’s people and businesses while deemphasizing areas impacted by recent legislative changes, such as first-party property and personal injury protection benefits. Regulatory shifts over the last two years have prompted this shift in focus.

Technology remains a top priority. Staying at the forefront of advancements, we’ve partnered with vendors developing cutting-edge tools, including AI, to enhance our services. While these innovations carry both risks and rewards, we aim to balance protecting our firm with leveraging these tools to better serve clients.

Alongside technology and growth in high-demand areas like construction defect litigation, we are committed to giving back to the community. From helping families with adoptions to providing legal support for military members, we strive to balance profit-driven services with socially impactful work.

What is your vision for Miami over the next decade, and what role does the firm play in realizing that vision?

Miami’s future is incredibly promising. The influx of businesses from cities like New York and Chicago has transformed our city, enriching its cultural, educational, medical, and arts sectors, making Miami one of the world’s greatest cities.

Younger generations are especially drawn to Miami, not just to visit but to build their lives. Our city’s unique multicultural fabric attracts people from all walks of life and corners of the world, enriching our community in countless ways.

As a firm, we strive to keep pace with Miami’s growth and contribute to its development. We are proud to be part of a diverse community and reflect that diversity in our ranks as the second most diverse law firm in the nation and the most diverse in the state — a distinction achieved through intention.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue aligning with Miami’s evolving business and cultural landscape, leveraging our expertise and diversity to support the city’s growth and prosperity.