An exclusive interview with Tripp Scott CEO Ed Pozzuoli

Ed Pozzuoli, president and CEO of law firm Tripp Scott, spoke with Invest: about what makes the firm successful in helping its clients, while also touching on the intersection of law, business, and politics. He talked about adapting to new technologies, helping in the community, and partnering with Fort Lauderdale’s educational institutions and government.

AS PUBLISHED IN CAA

What have been the significant milestones and achievements for Tripp Scott over the last 12 to 18 months?

We have delivered for our clients as a client-centric law firm. We have grown to over 70 lawyers here in Fort Lauderdale. After 50 years, we are enjoying a renaissance with the quality of young lawyers complementing our experienced partners. Our focus is on midsized businesses that have a tremendous impact on our community. We are here to address their issues, grow their business, and help them accomplish their goals.

What is the “secret sauce” that makes the firm different, and how has that helped maintain such a long-standing reputation in the legal industry? 

Our foundation is in Fort Lauderdale, but we also have strong ties to Tallahassee and Washington. We believe that there’s an intersection between the law, business, and politics. We immerse ourselves in the thought process of the client to meet their specific needs. Beyond negotiation, litigation, and arbitration, we also work with state, local, and federal governments to resolve disputes and help our clients overcome any legal obstacles they face.

Which areas are seeing the most demand, and what are some of the fundamentals that are driving that growth?

As a business law firm, we offer both litigation services — battling in court or resolving disputes — and commercial transactions to secure the best outcomes for our clients. Some of our clients intersect with governmental regulatory bodies, both at the local and state levels, and we are able to work administratively or legislatively with government leaders. We find the most efficient way to address our clients’ goals. The courthouse is but one place to solve a dispute. There are many ways to achieve the same goal. 

What are some challenges the legal industry is facing, and how is the firm navigating potential headwinds?

It’s important to look ahead two to five years, so that we can anticipate the needs of our clients and the business community, ensuring we are not caught off guard. From time to time, retooling and reeducating ourselves in certain areas is vital to best meet our clients’ needs. In Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and South Florida marketplaces, we analyze trends to forecast future needs and ensure we can adapt to meet them.

How is technology and innovation driving change in the legal sector, and at your firm? 

How we work is driven by technology. Tools like Zoom have replaced many in-person meetings. Even in courtrooms, hearings are being conducted remotely. Meetings are being conducted in the same fashion. Technology enables flexible schedules and allows lawyers to work partly from home. It comes with challenges as well. There still needs to be a human connection, and it’s important to be in the office because water cooler conversation between an older lawyer and a younger lawyer is a valuable learning exercise for both. A lot of our business is based upon personal relationships. That requires some level of face-to-face contact. You can’t develop that trust all by itself through technology.

What are some of the recent initiatives or partnerships that reflect your commitment to the community? 

We are involved in a variety of charitable, philanthropic, and community organizations, and we do pro bono work. It’s important for our lawyers to understand the community, and we encourage them to engage with community organizations and university-based organizations. We are also active politically. Over the past 50 years, the firm has been involved with local officials, including the sheriff and the county commissioners.

Is there anything you see changing in the area of educational law?

Jon Hage, one of my close friends and clients, runs Charter Schools USA, a Fort Lauderdale-based organization of over 100 charter schools. A significant number of those schools are in Florida. I sit on the board of Florida Virtual School, which is the state provider of virtual education. I was on the National Board for the University of Miami and Nova Law School, and Pinecrest Charter School. Education is a passion. I believe that parents should control the decision-making process around their children. It has become an area of the law that I assist clients with. We’ve been on the cutting edge of both the legal side as well as the legislative side. The federal government has only an indirect involvement with school choice, because it’s mostly a state-driven issue. But I see greater support coming out of the new administration. We’ve been working with the new administration and working through how they can best support school choice. 

How does the firm work with election law?

Election law is important as a cornerstone right, and our form of government constitutionally protects the right to vote. I believe that U.S. citizens should be the only ones who are voting in elections. There’s consideration for setting some federal minimum standards around federal elections. We advocate for voter ID requirements, as showing identification does not impair voting rights but strengthens election integrity. The right to vote comes with a set of responsibilities that we need to protect. It’s also essential that election results are timely and accurate to maintain confidence in our democracy.

What are the firm’s top priorities for the next few years?

Our primary goal remains the same. We’re here to service our clients, and we believe that there’s an intersection of law, business, and politics. We strive to position our clients the best we can, whether it’s in resolving their dispute or proceeding with an important transaction. We’re very excited about the future, not just because of the existing set of older lawyers, but for our young lawyers as well. Our future at Tripp Scott is very bright in large part because of the quality of the young lawyers we have. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

The legacy of our city, our community, and the law firm is dependent on how we act every day, making choices with integrity and character, and not just to lead today, but to prepare for tomorrow. Tomorrow includes bringing and nurturing future leaders. That’s what we try to do here. That is, in large part, an element of our long-term success here. We are fortunate to live in Florida, a state that offers unparalleled opportunities, individual liberties, and a unique lifestyle. South Florida embodies an optimistic and opportunistic spirit, making it an ideal place to grow both personally and professionally.