Spotlight On: Michael Platner, Managing Partner, Lewis Brisbois
Key points:
- AI is reshaping legal risk, driving new governance, liability, and compliance demands across contracts and litigation.
- Fort Lauderdale’s business-friendly climate, infrastructure investment, and quality of life continue attracting companies and talent.
- Platner sees long-term growth ahead, with firms adding value by pairing tech-enabled efficiency with client-focused counsel.
February 2026 — Invest: spoke with Michael Platner, managing director at Lewis Brisbois, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal risk, why Fort Lauderdale continues to attract businesses and talent, and what leaders should prioritize as economic conditions evolve. “I tend to believe that the more successful your clients are, the more successful your law firm will be, and we like to play on winning teams,” Platner said.
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How has the legal space changed recently, and how is that shaping the kind of advice clients are looking for?
Immediately, what comes to mind is the involvement of artificial intelligence. We’re seeing many ramifications of AI and its pervasiveness, which might actually not be sufficiently well understood given how quickly it has penetrated nearly every aspect of the business and legal world.
Companies are coming to us now with newly proposed contractual provisions focused on managing the use of AI in delivering services. That includes questions around liability, disclosure, governance, and how intellectual property rights are treated when AI is involved. These issues aren’t limited to technology or media companies. They touch nearly every business that handles customer data or personally identifying information.
As a result, AI has triggered a need for additional contractual language across purchase orders, service agreements, website terms, and privacy policies. There’s a significant amount of legal work that exists not because of AI itself, but because AI has been introduced into daily workflows, risk management, and operational decision-making.
From a law firm perspective, we’re receiving AI-related questions every day that simply didn’t exist before. We also have to be mindful of how AI is being used by lawyers on both sides of litigation. If human judgment is not playing a meaningful role in important transactions or court filings, the consequences can be serious.
We recently had a case where pleadings filed by opposing counsel cited fictional cases or mischaracterized real ones. When reviewed, it became clear the material appeared to be generated by AI. We brought it to the court’s attention, and the judge independently called for sanctions. That dramatically altered the case dynamics.
It’s difficult to understand why competent professionals would rely on tools that produce inaccurate or fabricated work. We’ve seen similar skepticism from judges and juries when experts rely too heavily on AI without independently validating the results. This movement is easily one of the most significant developments affecting legal practice and client needs today.
Do you see AI as more of a risk or an opportunity for law and business?
It’s very positive in many ways. We’re at a point where AI can genuinely accelerate human intelligence and business insight. At the same time, it brings new precautions. Just like any powerful tool, it needs to be used thoughtfully, with strong governance and accountability. It’s not about rejection, but responsible integration.
You’ve described Fort Lauderdale as an increasingly attractive place to start and scale private companies. What trends are you seeing in the market today?
Florida continues to gain recognition as a great place to live and do business. The laws are business-friendly, the tax environment is favorable, and by most measures the state appears to be well managed.
You can hardly pick up a paper without seeing coverage of companies relocating or expanding in Florida. South Florida, and Fort Lauderdale in particular, offers unique advantages. Many people already know the area from vacations or cruises, which lowers the barrier to relocation.
The local government has invested in infrastructure like the convention center, strengthening the city’s appeal as a place where executives and employees want to live. We also benefit from a vibrant economy, strong schools, and an overall quality of life that supports both families and businesses.
What I’ve seen over decades practicing law here is that this trend hasn’t changed, it’s accelerated. You’ll often learn about a Broward County-based company with national or international reach that many people weren’t aware of. That consistency makes the region a great place for investment.
What distinguishes Fort Lauderdale from other major markets?
Every market is different. Miami, for example, is larger and more complex, with strong international ties to Latin America. Fort Lauderdale is international as well, but its connections are globally diverse.
What really stands out is that Fort Lauderdale is a user-friendly business environment. It’s easier to become part of the community, build relationships, and get connected. There’s an open, entrepreneurial culture that makes collaboration and growth more accessible.
That kind of environment is attractive to businesses of all sizes, from early-stage companies to large enterprises, because it lowers friction and encourages engagement.
How are leaders thinking about risk differently today, especially in high-growth or regulated industries?
Risk management has always been central to business. We have a substantial defense practice nationwide, including in Fort Lauderdale, helping clients manage claims and litigation risk. On the commercial side, good contract structuring and governance remain essential.
What has changed is the broader context. Leaders are cautious, perhaps more so than several years ago, but they’re also operating in a more favorable business climate. Lower taxes, reduced regulation, and a business-friendly environment influence how risk is evaluated.
When people are doing well, risk feels less like an obstacle and more like a manageable part of growth. And of course our deep corporate finance bench is here to help companies get the capital they need to grow and lenders and investors the companies they need to help them thrive.That mindset supports continued investment and expansion, particularly in regions like Fort Lauderdale.
What is your outlook for the firm and the legal industry over the next few years?
The right lawyers always add and protect value. We have over 1,650 attorneys nationwide, with Fort Lauderdale serving as our largest Florida office. Across the state, we continue to grow rapidly well past 100 lawyers statewide.
Demand for high-quality legal talent remains strong, and recruiting the right people is as challenging as ever. Fit matters. We’ve invested heavily in recruitment and lateral growth, and the outlook remains very positive.
Efficiency and value delivery are top priorities. Technology, including automation and AI, helps us provide services faster and more effectively. For example, we now use systems that allow clients to track their multiple business entities and stay compliant in real time.
Even in a profession that bills by the hour, faster and better service ultimately benefits both firms and clients. I tend to believe that the more successful your clients are, the more successful your law firm will be.
Of course, clients also need counsel during difficult situations. In those moments, the role of a lawyer is to help define what success looks like and work toward that outcome in a practical, business-oriented way. As long as people do business, there will be disputes, but good lawyers can often help resolve them efficiently and professionally and help define and achieve winning in each matter.
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