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Miami Law Firms Go International

Miami international law firms are competing with New York City as the number one city to practice international law in. International Attorney George Rocky Harper sums it up with this statement: “Miami is viewed as a lower-priced alternative to New York with equally as sophisticated lawyers.”

The rise of lawyers practicing international law in Miami, for the past decade, has happened, in part, because of the economic hardship felt in the United States. Firms had to get creative due to the fluctuating economy and Miami was the perfect place from which to launch an international law fire due to large multicultural population that resides in the city with ties all over the world, especially in Latin America. Global firms based out of Miami serve international countries including Canada, Asia, Europe, Central and South America.

Firms based out of Miami  keep working to build up their international client base. One way a firm can build its client base is through a merger. This can allow an out-of-state office to stay in their current location but still retain the benefits of having ties with Miami. Law firms from out-of-state continue to move into Miami for the purposes of obtaining clients on a global scale. Firms out of Miami also represent foreign individuals and corporations who have ties to Texas and Georgia. The practice of this type of representation is referred to as “inbound law.”

People that know the law beginning to understand that the lawyers in Miami can handle it at an international level. These  Miami-based attorney’s speak several languages and have represented clients based in foreign countries that include international governments, affluent individuals and companies who span across several continents. Simply put, these clients want the expertise found in Miami based law firms such as Astigarraga Davis . However, they don’t want to pay the high prices currently seen in New York City.

Local, prestigious law firms continue to show excitement due to international growth. Ed Davis, a shareholder with Astigarraga Davis, indicates why everyone is finally getting Miami’s role on the international playing field: “Our international lawyers are being hired for legal work in cases that have nothing to do with Miami or the United States.” What he means is that lawyers based out of the city are working with clients on an international level. The goal of most firms involves the successful merging of cultures. They don’t want to start any fires with attorneys with practices in other countries. Joey Zumpano of Zumpano, Patricios and Winker law firm in Coral Gables, explains it like this: “The last thing foreign lawyers want is an American law firm telling they can do it better and coming in to take their market share.”

The international law firms in Miami know that lawyers in other countries don’t want their feet stepped on. That’s why some law firms are choosing to place satellite offices in foreign countries. From the point they are in operation the international law firm then hires lawyers from that country to represent the clients who live there but have interests in the United States.

Jim Vassallo: Jim is a freelance writer based out of the suburbs of Philadelphia in New Jersey. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, son Tony and dog Phoebe.

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