Spotlight On: Emily Butler, Office Managing Partner – Miami, CohnReznick
Key points:
- • CohnReznick is expanding in Miami around financial services, real estate, and international clients.
- • Hands-on partner involvement and industry expertise shape its client approach.
- • Community engagement and talent development are central to the firm’s Miami growth.
August 2026 — Invest: sat down with Emily Butler, Miami office managing partner for CohnReznick, to discuss why the firm planted its flag in Miami, how the office is evolving alongside the region’s growth, and what it takes to build community and talent in a competitive market. “We are hands-on, even as the office managing partner,” Butler said, describing a client-service approach rooted in partner involvement and industry depth.
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What led CohnReznick to establish and expand its Miami presence, and how does that fit into the firm’s broader growth strategy?
I was part of the team that moved to Miami in 2021 to help open the office. Before that, I spent 17 years in our Bethesda, Maryland, office. The opportunity came up because the firm is entrepreneurial. We are always looking for ways to expand our footprint, and Florida became an obvious next step when we looked at the numbers and realized we were rapidly expanding our client relationships with Florida-based businesses without having a physical office in the state.
Around that time, we also started to see increased migration of companies from the Northeast into Florida, and we wanted to be present where those decisions were happening. We have built offices from the ground up successfully in other markets, and Miami felt like the right place to start in Florida. From there, we also expanded through combinations, including Daszkal Bolton, which brought additional offices in Boca Raton, Sunrise, and Jupiter. We have also opened an office in Tallahassee, made strategic lateral hires in Tampa, Orlando, and Naples, and continue to evaluate where a future office presence makes the most sense across the state.
What role does the Miami office play in serving clients compared with other Florida offices?
When we first came to Miami, we focused heavily on financial services and real estate. Miami has a concentration of financial services activity, including firms relocating from New York, and real estate is a consistent driver of business activity here. While our other Florida offices serve many of the same industries, Miami puts us closer to key players and relationships that are central to the market.
Miami has also been important for building our international tax and private client services footprint. There is a steady influx of capital and investment activity from Latin America, as well as other international markets, and that creates complex individual and business considerations. That combination of financial services, real estate, and international private client work is a core differentiator for Miami’s role within our Florida strategy.
Which industries are driving the most demand in Miami right now, and how are you tailoring services to meet that demand?
A lot of it is driven by who we have on the ground. In Miami, our partners are primarily focused on financial services, real estate, and international tax and private client work, so that is where we see the strongest demand and growth locally. At the same time, we are a national firm, and when an opportunity comes up that requires expertise not based in Miami, we bring in the right partner from another office and support the client as one team.
Beyond traditional audit and tax, we are seeing increased demand for advisory work that helps clients operate their businesses more effectively. That can include planning around relocations, structuring decisions, and the personal implications for owners and executives moving to Florida. We are also seeing a strong need for outsourced accounting support, which is industry-agnostic. With the ongoing shortage of accountants, many businesses need consistent bookkeeping, financial oversight, and help keeping pace with regulatory changes, and we are meeting that need with dedicated teams across Florida.
How is the Miami office engaging with the local business community and contributing to the professional ecosystem?
Community involvement has been a priority since I arrived. Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) is a great example. I joined soon after moving to Miami because I needed to rebuild connections, and that path led to leadership roles. We are also involved with organizations like the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and local chambers, and we sponsor events that help us stay connected to the people shaping the market.
I encourage younger team members to get involved, too, because it is one of the most practical ways to build relationships early in a career. Many organizations have programs designed for emerging professionals, and those settings can be a comfortable starting point. We have also supported rising talent in hosting and participating in networking events so they understand how much relationship-building matters in a market where connections and reputation carry real weight.
What differentiates CohnReznick from other national firms operating in Miami?
I started with the firm as an intern, and we have grown significantly over time, but we have not lost our approach to client service. We are hands-on, even as the office managing partner, and I still maintain a book of business and stay actively engaged with clients. That means regular touchpoints, time spent understanding what is changing in their business, and being accessible when decisions need to be made.
Another differentiator is industry specialization. Our partners are expected to have a clear industry focus, and that helps ensure clients are working with people who genuinely understand their sector. If one person does not have the answer, they can connect quickly with someone who will. That combination of partner time, industry depth, and a collaborative bench is what helps clients manage risk and make better long-term decisions.
What have been the biggest challenges in scaling the Miami office, and what opportunities do you see ahead?
One challenge was breaking into a new market without long-standing local relationships. The partners who moved here were not born and raised in Florida, so we had to rebuild our networks from scratch. We had existing clients, but building a local referral ecosystem and business community presence took sustained effort.
Staffing has also been a challenge because Miami has strong local firms and a business culture that is often relationship-driven. We addressed that by hiring lateral talent with local roots to help accelerate market credibility and expand our network more quickly. Looking forward, there are still opportunities to grow in industries like hospitality and technology, and there is continued runway in the sectors we already serve. We also see opportunity from a talent standpoint, because our entrepreneurial culture rewards people who raise their hand, pursue new ideas, and take on leadership.
As president of CREW Miami, what is your vision for the organization this year?
My primary focus is membership engagement. Attendance at luncheons and educational programs is valuable, but members experience the full value of CREW when they get involved in committees and participate in member-to-member events. That is where relationships deepen, opportunities become more visible, and people start to see the organization as a true platform for growth.
This year, I would love to see more members actively participating, whether that is through committees, networking programs, or events like Cafecito gatherings and speed networking. When members engage at that level, they gain much more than surface-level connections.
How has CREW influenced your own career and your integration into the Miami business community?
CREW helped me reestablish my professional network after moving to Miami. It gave me a community, introduced me to leaders across the market, and created a path to leadership roles that helped me grow professionally. Without that, it would have taken much longer to become part of the business ecosystem here.
That experience mirrors what I have seen at CohnReznick. Both environments create opportunities for people who are willing to take initiative. If you raise your hand, you can build a strong platform, develop leadership experience, and bring those skills back to your day-to-day role.
What challenges do women continue to face in commercial real estate in Miami?
One persistent challenge is earning a seat at the table and not being overlooked. That can depend on company culture, existing relationships, and where someone is in their career. Once you have that seat, what matters is how you perform, how you build credibility, and how you continue developing your network.
I also think the people you surround yourself with make an enormous difference. There are supportive environments out there, and when you find yourself in a place that is not supporting your growth, it is worth evaluating whether you are in the right setting. The right mentors and advocates can be pivotal.
What makes CREW an effective platform for advancing women in the industry?
CREW is a welcoming space, and it can be an easier environment for members to step into leadership roles, build confidence, and gain experience. It is a place where you can contribute, be heard, and develop skills that translate directly into professional growth. It is also a reflection of what you put into it. When members engage, join committees, and participate consistently, they gain connections, visibility, and leadership experience that can help accelerate their careers.
What should the local business community know about the CREW Network Convention coming to Miami?
Miami has been selected to host the CREW Network Convention in September 2026, and it is a major opportunity to showcase the city and the local commercial real estate community. As an international organization, it will draw more than 1,200 attendees from around the world. The convention typically includes educational programming, tours of local sites, dine-around events that build relationships, and keynote speakers. It is a strong platform for highlighting what makes Miami such an exciting place to live, work, and invest, and we are looking forward to welcoming the broader CREW community here.
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