Page 40 - Miami Vol 8 No 1

2019 RISING STAR
PRACTICING LAW IS AN INCREDIBLE RESPONSIBILITY, WITH DIFFICULT DECISIONS AT EVERY CORNER THAT SHOULD TUG ON ALL PARTS OF YOU. YOU CAN LOSE AND WIN, YOU CAN WIN AND LOSE.
PHOTO SUPPLIED BY LUKS, SANTANIELLO, PETRILLO & COHEN
Richards: Practicing law is an in- credible responsibility, with di cult decisions at every corner that should tug on all parts of you. You can lose and win, you can win and lose. Hav- ingtheabilitytothink“likealawyer” will only get you so far without hav- ing the presence of mind to under- stand what that means and how best to serve your client’s interests.
AALM: How would you describe your role within the rm?
Richards: I am so grateful for my role within the rm as it allows me to continue practicing construction law, an area that I am intensely pas- sionate about. Seriously, I am talk- ing that kind of love that makes you jump out of bed on a random Satur- day morning to stand as close as pos- sible to the installation of sheet metal panels with a vibratory hammer and 50-foot crane in connection with the construction of a new parking garage nearby. e rm has construction
Richards: Practicing law has trig- gered my entrepreneurial spirit. Earlier in my career, I was fortunate enough to get a glimpse into the busi- ness world as a General Counsel and Vice President of Operations for a leading residential roo ng contractor. at glimpse allowed me to appreciate the importance of total quality man- agement, while weighing potential legal issues from inception; truly an invaluable experience that propelled my development as an attorney and entrepreneur exponentially. I already see my practice as a business, and any successful entrepreneur will tell you to keep hustling!
AALM: Tell us about your involve- ment in the community.
Richards: I recently became in- volved with a charity that means a lot to me, the Construction Angels. As- sistance is provided to families that have lost loved ones in construction accidents. Under Florida’s current workers’ compensation law (absent
ADAM E. RICHARDS
Beyond the Legal Mind
extraordinary cir- cumstances), and in the event of death, a family is capped at $150,000.00, and may ultimately recover even less depending on the circumstances.
AALM: When did you rst know you wanted to become an attorney?
Richards: I’ve wanted to practice law as long as I can remember. As a matter of fact, a few years ago, when visiting my family up in Brooklyn, New York, I bumped into my rst grade teacher. A er learning about my career, she told me I was her only student that ended up doing what I said I wanted to do!
AALM: What drew you to this ca- reer?
Richards: Having to navigate through our legal system in the pur- suit of justice for your client always appealed to me. e practice of law requires the best version of yourself, and provides an opportunity to learn something new every single day.
AALM: How is the practice of law di erent than your expectations in law school?
lawyers in various o ces throughout the state of Florida, and I manage the construction practice for our Miami o ce. Several of our construction defect attorneys were former con- struction professionals prior to bar admission and they bring substantial industry experience to their position and serve as wonderful mentors. e rm represents owners, contractors, design professionals and subcontrac- tors throughout all phases of your typical construction project, ranging from contract dra ing and execution, project management/consultation, through pre-suit claims and litiga- tion. Part of my practice also involves preventing against, investigating, and handling claims/litigation aris- ing from construction site injuries/ deaths.
AALM: Where do you see your ca- reer going?
I am hopeful that increasing aware- ness, engaging the community on behalf of the construction industry, and providing more support to those a ected by tragic events will decrease the claims and litigation associated with most construction site accidents. LUKS, SANTANIELLO, PETRILLO & COHEN
ATTORNEY AT LAW MAGAZINE · MIAMI · VOL. 8 NO. 1 40
150 West Flagler Street, Suite 2600 Miami, FL 33130
(305) 377-8900
www.ls-law.com
Education: SUNY Binghamton, Binghamton, NY, 2003
University of Miami School of Law, Miami, FL, 2010
Favorite Quote: “Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” Marcus Aurelius