Spotlight On: Eve Cann, Managing Shareholder, Fort Lauderdale, Baker Donelson
December 2024 — Invest: met with Eve Cann, managing shareholder at Baker Donelson in Fort Lauderdale, to discuss the firm’s recent milestones, industry trends, its growth strategies in Fort Lauderdale, and the broader legal market. “Continuing to grow our presence in South Florida remains a key goal. Though we’ve made significant progress since opening in 2013, there’s still substantial room for growth,” she said.
What have been some of the main highlights and key milestones for Baker Donelson in the last year?
The biggest milestone for Baker Donelson in Fort Lauderdale over the past year is that we moved offices in January 2024. We expanded our space and increased our footprint here in Fort Lauderdale and the South Florida area. This is notable because many major law firms have been downsizing their office spaces.
We’re now located at 200 E. Broward Blvd in the PNC Bank building, with about 11,000 to 12,000 square feet compared to the 7,500 square feet we had in our previous office. This move reflects our commitment to growth, expanding our presence, outreach, and bench strength in Fort Lauderdale.
The new space has been fantastic for hosting events, both internal and client-facing. We’re excited about utilizing our new common areas for more events and client interactions in the future.
What trends are shaping the legal landscape, and what general challenges are your clients facing?
We’re seeing an uptick in litigation, which is likely tied to economic uncertainty. Factors like inflation, potential job market shifts, and political changes have increased activity in commercial litigation. Common cases include debt enforcement, contract disputes, and partnership disagreements. I expect this trend to persist as economic concerns linger.
Real estate is another hot area, particularly in South Florida. The ongoing influx of new residents has driven significant construction in Fort Lauderdale, resulting in numerous new condos and apartments. While this creates opportunities, it also raises the potential for real estate and construction disputes.
Data privacy and cybersecurity remain critical concerns. The increase in online transactions and digital presence has heightened risks like phishing and malware attacks. Our firm has increased training on identifying suspicious communications, and we’ve observed more data breaches across various industries. These issues will remain significant into the coming year.
How has the economic environment influenced the legal advice you provide, particularly in real estate and litigation?
It depends on the client and their industry, but overall, there’s a bullish attitude in the South Florida market. Florida continues to attract people and businesses, especially from the Northeast and other parts of the United States, as they relocate headquarters or expand here.
This optimism presents opportunities for growth, but economic fluctuations could pose challenges. Our role is to help clients navigate these dynamics, whether they’re investing in real estate, addressing litigation, or managing compliance issues.
What are some common legal mistakes your clients make that could be avoided with the right counsel from Baker Donelson?
Many mistakes involve compliance, particularly with statutory and regulatory requirements. For example, I frequently advise clients on compliance with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and Florida’s Telephone Solicitation Act. These laws regulate telecommunications and unsolicited marketing, and non-compliance can lead to costly litigation.
Businesses often struggle with compliance when conducting customer outreach or managing communication with existing customers. By seeking early legal counsel, clients can avoid these pitfalls and ensure adherence to federal and state regulations.
How is Baker Donelson leveraging technology and AI to achieve its goals?
Baker Donelson has long been at the forefront of legal technology. Our Client Solutions Group has been leading efforts for over a decade, utilizing tools to manage large portfolios and streamline workflows for clients.
In recent years, we’ve integrated AI into our processes. AI helps reduce costs by automating repetitive tasks, ensuring consistency across cases, and synthesizing responses for clients involved in multi-state litigation. Our Client Solutions Group provides resources and training to ensure attorneys can effectively communicate these benefits to clients.
What opportunities for growth and innovation do you see for Baker Donelson and the broader legal industry?
The use of AI is a significant growth opportunity. Understanding its applications and safeguards is essential as both beneficial and malicious uses of AI become more prevalent. Staying informed about federal and state regulations around AI will help us differentiate ourselves and better serve clients.
We also see opportunities to expand our practice areas locally. For example, healthcare law is a growing field we aim to establish more firmly in Fort Lauderdale.
What challenges is the legal industry facing, and how is Baker Donelson addressing these issues?
Recruiting top talent is a significant challenge, especially in competitive markets like Greater Fort Lauderdale. Large firms from New York and Chicago have entered the area, increasing competition.
At Baker Donelson, we’re addressing this by focusing on strong relationships with local law schools like the University of Miami, Nova Southeastern, and FIU. We’re also actively recruiting experienced attorneys in the lateral market to strengthen our bench.
What are Baker Donelson’s top priorities in the region for the next two to three years?
We aim to expand our practice areas in Fort Lauderdale, particularly in healthcare and other fields where we currently serve clients across our broader footprint but lack local representation. Another priority is maintaining our client-first approach by delivering exceptional service and fostering strong relationships.
Continuing to grow our presence in South Florida remains a key goal. Though we’ve made significant progress since opening in 2013, there’s still substantial room for growth.
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