Top 8 legal firms in Florida: A data-backed report

Ramp processes billions of dollars in business expenses across thousands of companies every month. Our unique position in the payments ecosystem provides visibility into actual spending patterns, including legal services expenditures across diverse industries and business sizes.

Florida's complex legal landscape demands strategic firm selection based on concrete performance data rather than reputation alone. The state's position as an international business hub, combined with its diverse regulatory environment spanning healthcare, real estate, technology, and cross-border commerce, requires legal partners who consistently deliver value across multiple jurisdictions and practice areas. By backing up your selection with real data, you can identify firms that understand Florida's unique market dynamics and demonstrate proven client satisfaction.

Understanding Florida's legal landscape

Florida's legal market generates over $27 billion in annual revenue, ranking among the top five largest state legal markets in the United States. The state's $1.4 trillion economy supports more than 3 million businesses, creating substantial demand for specialized legal services. Florida's strategic position as the primary gateway to over $1 trillion in Latin American markets drives unique cross-border legal needs, while leadership in industries such as aerospace, agriculture, tourism, defense, and international trade requires sophisticated regulatory and transactional expertise. The state's rapidly growing lawyer population, now exceeding 80,000 active resident attorneys, reflects the expanding legal demand fueled by business relocations, international trade, and a diverse economic base.

Top 8 legal firms in Florida by client spend

Based on our spend analysis, eight firms lead Florida's legal market, with Gunster, F&I Sentinel, and Goldsand Friedberg capturing the highest client spending volumes. These firms consistently attract and retain high-value clients, demonstrating their ability to deliver results that justify significant legal investments. We'll examine each firm's specializations, target clients, and distinguishing factors to help you identify the best fit for your business needs.

Gunster

Founded in 1925, Gunster operates as a full-service business law firm with singular focus on Florida clients. The firm maintains 11 offices statewide, including locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and West Palm Beach headquarters.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law
• Banking and financial services
• Business litigation 
• Construction law
• Environmental and land use law
• Healthcare law
• Immigration law
• Labor and employment law
• Private wealth services
• Real estate law
• Tax law
• Technology law
• Transportation 
• Customs and international trade
• White collar defense

Best for

Florida businesses seeking comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas. Companies requiring statewide representation benefit from Gunster's 11-office network and collaborative approach across 30+ specialized teams.

Notable facts

With over 220 attorneys and 200 support staff, Gunster ranks among the National Law Journal's 500 largest law firms. The firm earned recognition as one of Law360's Top 100 Diverse Law Firms and emphasizes collaborative culture for integrated legal solutions.

F&I Sentinel

Established in 2018, F&I Sentinel specializes in compliance solutions for the automotive finance industry. The company operates their flagship CITADEL® platform, the industry's most comprehensive finance and insurance product compliance management system.

Key practice areas

• Automotive finance compliance
• F&I product risk management
• Regulatory compliance solutions
• Vehicle service contracts 
• GAP waivers 
• Prepaid maintenance agreements

Best for

Auto finance companies, automotive lenders, and F&I product administrators requiring specialized compliance management. 

Notable facts

The CITADEL® platform maintains a repository of over 120,000 F&I products and serves 600+ product administrators. Founded by legal experts Stephen McDaniel and Matt Nowels, who bring nearly 2 decades of F&I regulatory expertise.

Goldsand Friedberg

Goldsand Friedberg operates as a premier national health law firm representing leading companies in digital health, value-based care, telehealth, and technology-enhanced healthcare solutions. The firm provides scalable legal support for healthcare organizations nationwide.

Key practice areas

• Outside general counsel services
• Multi-state telehealth and digital health compliance
• Regulatory and corporate compliance
• Payor contracting and value-based care
• Privacy and security counsel 
• Health regulatory and due diligence
• Corporate and clinical practice mergers and acquisitions

Best for

Venture-backed healthcare startups, digital health companies, value-based care organizations, large provider groups, health systems, and healthcare technology companies requiring specialized regulatory expertise.

Notable facts

The firm specializes in navigating complex healthcare compliance requirements including Medicare and Medicaid regulations, anti-kickback statutes, self-referral laws, HIPAA privacy requirements, and state-specific healthcare legislation across multiple jurisdictions.

Mass Torts Made Perfect (MTMP)

Mass Torts Made Perfect functions as an educational platform and seminar organization designed for plaintiff lawyers nationwide. Associated with the Levin Papantonio law firm, MTMP connects attorneys through year-round webinars and conferences.

Key practice areas

• Mass tort education and training
• Plaintiff attorney networking
• Litigation strategy seminars
• Expert witness training
• Mass tort case development resources

Best for

Plaintiff attorneys seeking to expand mass tort practice capabilities, law firms developing mass tort litigation strategies, and attorneys requiring continuing education in emerging mass tort areas.

Notable facts

The organization offers educational seminars featuring prominent speakers, free interactive webinars on AI in personal injury practice, litigation funding strategies, and mass tort settlement negotiations. MTMP Face to Face provides networking opportunities for attorneys to explore collaboration on mass tort projects.

Osorio Internacional

Based in Brickell, Miami, Osorio Internacional operates as a boutique international law firm founded by Carlos Federico Osorio Montealegre. The firm specializes in cross-border legal matters with multilingual capabilities across major business languages.

Key practice areas

• International litigation and arbitration
• Corporate law
• Outside general counsel services 
• Immigration law
• International matrimonial disputes 
• Domestic fraud and asset recovery litigation
• Shareholder and corporate dissolution disputes 
• International intellectual property disputes 
• Foreign judgment enforcement

Best for

Multinational corporations with Latin American operations, international businesses requiring cross-border legal services, companies involved in international disputes, and clients needing legal services in multiple languages and jurisdictions.

Notable facts

The firm maintains 6 attorneys, foreign legal consultants, and advisors with admissions across Florida, Spain, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Every attorney speaks at least 2-3 languages with native fluency. Founder Carlos Osorio holds board certification in international law from The Florida Bar and served as Chairman of The International Law Section from 2018-2019.

MGM Protection

MGM Protection provides specialized security services throughout Florida, focusing on highly trained security officers with comprehensive situational management capabilities. The company serves diverse clients requiring professional protection services.

Key practice areas

• Event and venue security 
• Individual protection services  
• Celebrity security 
• Business conference security 
• Storefront protection 
• Comprehensive security consulting

Best for

High-profile individuals requiring personal protection, event organizers needing professional security services, businesses with valuable assets requiring protection, and companies hosting conferences or special events.

Notable facts

MGM Protection officers receive specialized training to protect clients with dedication and professionalism. The company emphasizes high service standards for clients, guests, associates, and property protection, positioning itself as a trusted security partner for businesses and individuals.

Greenberg Traurig LLP

Founded in Miami in 1967, Greenberg Traurig has grown into a global legal powerhouse with more than 2,850 attorneys across 49 locations worldwide. In Florida, the firm maintains 7 offices including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa, and West Palm Beach.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law and securities
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Private equity and venture capital
• Commercial finance
• Securities litigation 
• Antitrust litigation
• Appellate work
• Business litigation
• Class actions
• Environmental litigation
• Intellectual property litigation
• White-collar defense
• Real estate law
• Healthcare law
• Immigration law
• Tax law
• Government relations

Best for

Large corporations requiring comprehensive legal services, multinational companies with Latin American operations, private equity firms, public companies, complex commercial litigation matters, and businesses requiring global legal support.

Notable facts

The firm's corporate practice includes over 700 lawyers specializing in complex transactions and cross-border deals. Greenberg Traurig maintains recognition in Chambers & Partners Guides across multiple jurisdictions and holds the distinction of having more lawyers listed in The Best Lawyers in America than any other law firm since 2008.

ShuffieldLowman

ShuffieldLowman serves Central Florida through 5 offices in Orlando, Tavares, DeLand, Port Orange, and Lake Nona. The full-service business law firm employs approximately 50+ attorneys providing comprehensive legal services across multiple practice areas.

Key practice areas

• Corporate law
• Tax law
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Trusts and estates planning
• Commercial real estate development
• Business litigation
• Probate and guardianship administration
• Association law
• Banking and lending services
• Securities law
• Intellectual property
• Labor and employment law
• Environmental law

Best for

Central Florida businesses requiring full-service legal support, individuals and families needing estate planning services, community associations and homeowners' associations, financial institutions, and companies involved in real estate development projects.

Notable facts

The firm maintains an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell representing the highest professional and ethical standards. ShuffieldLowman attorneys receive consistent recognition as "Best of the Bar" by Orlando Business Journal and "Legal Elite" by Florida Trend magazine, demonstrating sustained excellence in Central Florida's legal market.

What to consider when choosing a firm in Florida

Spend data provides valuable insight into which firms businesses trust with their most significant legal investments, but there are additional factors that can guide your selection process, as your specific needs may require different expertise or service approaches.

Practice area expertise forms the foundation of effective legal representation. Evaluate firms based on demonstrated experience in your industry and specific legal challenges. Review recent case studies, client testimonials, and attorney credentials within your sector rather than relying on general firm rankings.

Geographic presence significantly impacts service delivery and costs. Firms with offices in your operating markets provide local knowledge, established court relationships, and reduced travel expenses. For businesses operating statewide, consider firms with multiple Florida locations to ensure consistent service across regions.

Firm size and resources should match your legal complexity and budget. Large firms offer comprehensive resources for complex matters and global reach, while boutique firms provide specialized expertise and personalized attention. Mid-size firms often balance both advantages effectively.

Fee structures and billing practices vary significantly across firms and practice areas. Understand hourly rates, alternative fee arrangements, expense policies, and billing frequency before engagement. Request detailed fee estimates for anticipated work and establish clear budget parameters.

Communication protocols ensure smooth working relationships. Clarify response time expectations, preferred communication methods, reporting frequency, and primary contact assignments. Strong communication prevents misunderstandings and project delays.

Track record and references provide insight into firm performance. Request references from clients with similar business profiles and legal needs. Verify outcomes in comparable matters and assess client satisfaction levels.

When making your final decision, start by matching practice area expertise to your specific industry challenges, then assess geographic coverage relative to your operational footprint. Consider scheduling initial consultations with your top 2-3 candidates to evaluate communication style, strategic thinking, and cultural alignment. This methodical approach ensures you select a legal partner capable of supporting your business objectives while delivering the value that justifies significant legal investments.