2 min read August 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Tasha Dickinson, a partner at law firm Day Pitney LLP in West Palm, discussed the firm’s recent milestones. Dickinson highlighted the firm’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the impact of corporate relocations on the sector and provided advice for businesses and entrepreneurs.
What has been the firm’s focus and highlights in West Palm Beach over the past year?
The most exciting development recently is the relocation of our offices. Previously, we had a space located slightly outside the Central Business District. However, in January, we made a move to 360 Rosemary. This move has been exciting, especially considering that 360 Rosemary is one of the most prominent buildings in West Palm Beach. Our new location has generated a significant amount of interest and it seems like everyone wants to be a part of our building. To celebrate this milestone, we organized an open house event where we invited our friends and clients to come and explore our new workspace. Since then, we have received a lot of interest from individuals interested in joining us and occupying our offices, as they have been impressed by the environment we have created.
We also hosted Day Pitney’s annual invitation-only Palm Beach Family Office Forum this year in May that covered current issues, challenges and opportunities that impact the financial health, longevity and success of family offices.
What specific legal services are experiencing high demand among your clients, considering the practice areas and wide range of services offered by your firm?
Everything is in high demand here in South Florida due to the influx of people moving into the area. Both our Trusts and Estates practice and Private Client Department are working at full capacity because of the increased number of people. Additionally, we are noticing an influx in requests from clients who are considering making lifetime gifts before the exemption expires with the impending tax legislation in 2025. Real estate remains very popular due to the high number of people moving into the area and the Corporate department is also experiencing high demand. The Palm Beach County Business Development Board has been successful in attracting businesses to the area, leading to an increased need for legal services for these businesses. Additionally, there are always disputes and litigation arising from contract issues, real estate matters and other cases.
What opportunities emerged for the Palm Beach County legal sector and what are the top concerns among your clients?
Right now, the Private Client Department is operating at full capacity due to a surge in demand. Many individuals are seeking our services for tax planning, residency and domicile planning. I personally specialize in the latter. Additionally, there is a high volume of real estate and corporate transactions taking place, presenting significant opportunities in those areas. The overall increase in workload indicates a thriving market for legal services, particularly for businesses.
The top concerns of our clients are receiving efficient legal services with high quality service and reasonable fees. Day Pitney can easily deliver on both aspects; however, it has become more challenging to find such services in the current legal market because there are so many more people demanding legal services from a relatively unchanged pool of lawyers in the community.
What unique contributions does Day Pitney bring to the legal sector in Palm Beach that other firms in the area may not offer?
Day Pitney spans the East Coast with 13 offices, from Boston to Miami, showcasing our geographic diversity. We offer a wide range of services, including real estate, and are divided into three main departments: Private Client, Corporate and Business Law and Litigation. Clients have access to lawyers experienced not only in South Florida but also in locations like Washington, D.C., New York City, New Jersey, Boston, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island.
How does the firm actively cultivate an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community?
We prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion at our firm and we have a dedicated diversity and inclusion director working closely with firm leadership to ensure it remains a top priority. Many of our attorneys actively participate in various diversity-related groups. We organize special events for different aspects of diversity, such as LGBTQ+ celebrations, Black History Month and Women’s History Month. These events feature prominent speakers who educate and inspire us on important issues or simply bring some fun to the occasion. Gender diversity is something we excel at, with many women holding leadership positions, including a significant number of female equity partners. We strive to promote diversity in all its forms, not just gender, by ensuring that individuals from different backgrounds, including women and attorneys of color, have opportunities to take on leadership roles.
How do you envision the impact of the corporate relocations to Palm Beach County on the sector as a whole?
The increasing demand for legal services due to the influx of people moving into Palm Beach County, including corporations and individuals, is beneficial for our firm. This creates a diverse range of projects. However, the county is also facing challenges related to infrastructure, healthcare, education and other tangential issues resulting from this population growth. The Business Development Board, along with The Related Companies that constructed 360 Rosemary and has been actively involved in the community’s development, are collaborating with community leaders and others to address these problems. It is an ongoing effort to find solutions.
What are common legal mistakes made by businesses and how crucial is it to consistently seek legal counsel as a business?
The importance of setting up a business correctly initially cannot be overstated. When starting a new business, the choice of entity plays a crucial role. It is vital to understand the nature of the business, including its employees, services and products. Many people make the mistake of not considering these factors when structuring their business from the beginning. Another common mistake occurs when businesses move from one jurisdiction to another. This move should be done efficiently, both from a tax perspective and in terms of achieving their intended goals. Many businesses relocate to Palm Beach County to lower their tax burdens but this requires careful planning and legal counsel. Having good legal counsel is integral to avoid mistakes and ensure that the business’ goals are accomplished during the transition.
What is your outlook for Day Pitney’s growth and presence in the next three to five years as well as the outlook for the legal sector in Palm Beach County?
The future is bright for both the legal sector and Day Pitney. We have been in growth mode for quite some time and expect substantial growth in South Florida. Our offices in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Miami are experiencing tremendous expansion. Despite moving into our current office just six months ago, we are already outgrowing it, which is a positive challenge. We have clear strategic growth plans for the next three to five years and I anticipate that Day Pitney will have a significantly larger presence and stronger name recognition in South Florida. The legal sector will continue to thrive as people keep moving to Florida, providing us with ample work opportunities.
Regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal sector, it’s still early to determine, and extensive analysis is underway. AI will eventually serve as a tool for lawyers but will not replace the profession.
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