JAMIE ALAN COLE

MANAGING DIRECTOR, FORT LAUDERDALE OFFICE, WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN, FORT LAUDERDALE

Describing itself as a firm “at the crossroads of business, government and law,” Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman represents governments, people dealing with local governments and private entities. It has about 140 employees, including roughly 100 attorneys, and serves as city attorney in 25 cities. Cole has been a leader there since 1999. “I have represented various local governments and elected officials in fighting to preserve home rule authority in Florida,” he says, “including successfully litigating numerous challenges to various state legislative enactments.”

EDUCATION: Wharton School of Business (BS), University of Pennsylvania Law School (JD)

DAILY RITUAL: I start every day triaging priorities and setting a realistic plan for the day. I ensure that I am always available and immediately responsive to clients — including returning all phone calls and emails the same day.

INDUSTRY TREND: Generative AI is reshaping legal services — from research and drafting to knowledge management and client communication. It speeds routine work, improves consistency and enables attorneys to spend time developing strategy. The firms that pair it with experienced oversight will deliver better value.

IN MY DOWNTIME: I'm an avid collector of presidential campaign buttons. It started when I was 13, working on a campaign, and a campaign manager gave me a vintage 1960 button. Since then, I've collected buttons from nearly every major-party presidential candidate from Abraham Lincoln to the present.