Investor Spotlight: Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney

January 25, 2021

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney is a national law firm with a proven reputation for providing progressive, industry-leading legal, business, regulatory and government relations advice to our regional, national and international clients. Our 450 attorneys and government relations professionals across 15 offices proudly represent some of the highest profile and innovative companies in the nation, including 50 of the Fortune 100.

Steven C. Pratico, Shareholder

Steven is a commercial litigator with more than 15 years of experience solving and prosecuting complex business disputes on behalf of his clients. His practice focuses on business torts, breach of contract matters, disputes between commercial lenders and borrowers, real estate litigation and construction disputes in the banking/lending, construction and technology industries. He has also assisted individuals and businesses in tax contestment cases. Steven employs a comprehensive approach to litigation and dispute resolution, taking into consideration that what is best for one business or individual may not be best for another.

You’ve been involved with the EDC for quite a while now. Why is it important for the local business community to continue to support economic development efforts?

Across Buchanan’s entire platform, our lawyers are inherently involved in the communities in which we serve. The businesses that make up our communities are our clients, and we care deeply about their well-being and their success. As a shareholder at Buchanan, I regularly see the benefits of the Firm’s long-standing support of the Tampa Bay EDC. Since my colleague, Rhea Law, founded the Tampa Bay EDC with other Tampa business leaders, Buchanan has benefited from being at the leading edge of business development in Tampa Bay. I am fortunate to follow Rhea as a board member and business leader with the Tampa Bay EDC, where I can advocate for Tampa’s economic growth on behalf of the Firm.

Buchanan stands ready to help Tampa Bay businesses through a variety of legal and legislative issues including, healthcare, financial services, labor & employment, tax, litigation and state and federal government relations. At Buchanan we absolutely believe that when our community prospers, our clients prosper, and by supporting economic development we are not only supporting our clients but the local community as well.

What is the number one thing that you believe will impact Tampa Bay’s competitiveness in the coming decade?

Flexibility. The needs of new businesses are changing, the market factors that attract and retain talent are changing, and Tampa needs to evolve with them.  When organizations consider moving into an evolving market, they search for a location and infrastructure that are flexible to new and innovative businesses, corporate structures, and ideas. Our market is nimble and easy to work within. Buchanan is committed to supporting and nurturing new businesses because by fostering these new endeavors, the long-term impact on our community only gets stronger.

When you’re talking to friends or colleagues from outside the market, what do you tell them about the Tampa Bay market?

I tell outsiders about Tampa’s rapid growth and the fact that Tampa is exceedingly welcoming to new businesses and talent. I am also quick to mention our area’s pro-business mindset and the burgeoning community of new businesses sharing ideas and solutions to new challenges. I tell them about the large and growing number of young professionals in Tampa and how that group is shaping Tampa’s future in a very positive direction.

I tell outsiders that the Tampa Bay community is heavily invested in innovation and healthcare. One of the programs Buchanan is a proud supporter of is the University of South Florida’s Affinity Group, Leadership & Innovation Forum of Tampa. This initiative brings together a diverse group of local business and healthcare experts to collaborate and support the cutting edge breakthrough’s happening in medicine. Healthcare is a key part of the business ecosystem here. When we think about the talent that resides in our community, it is also important to mention that each year Tampa hosts the Synapse Summit that seeks to capitalize on Tampa Bay’s bourgeoning start-up market by connecting entrepreneurs and investors to accelerate the success of our local economies.

Last, I tell people about the accessibility of opportunity in our market, the low cost of living relative to other parts of the country, and the market’s flexibility to new and innovative businesses and ideas. Many large businesses are drawn to the Opportunity Zones initiative, which offers significant tax incentives to encourage investment in certain designated low-income communities. I can speak personally to the benefits of this program, as Buchanan has helped guide businesses through this specific investment tactic. It provides a unique opportunity to support a local community while also presenting significant cost-savings.