Peter Schorsch
Last Call — A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.
First Shot
Some news from The Process: Lawyer-lobbyist Dean Cannon quietly began work this week as the newest president of the state’s powerhouse GrayRobinson law firm.
Of course, the Republican Cannon also served in the House 2004-12, the last two years as Speaker. News that he would take over firm leadership from outgoing president Mayanne Downs was first announced in April.
The 51-year-old Cannon, a lawyer since 1993, had been the firm’s Executive Vice President and its Statewide Chairman of Government Affairs ever since merging his Capitol Insight lobbying firm with GrayRobinson. He was previously with GrayRobinson 1995-2007.
In an earlier interview, Cannon told us he had no plans to make any immediate changes at the firm. He will continue to be based in the Tallahassee office.
“I intend to be just as politically involved going forward as I am today, but with the broader emphasis on setting the strategic direction and leadership of the firm,” he said. Firm founder “Charlie Gray used to say that if you build your community, you build your law firm. I believe that still holds true today.
“So staying connected to the government leaders of our state and the leadership in the communities where GrayRobinson attorneys practice is something I expect to continue.”
That said, Cannon eventually intends “to increase our footprint within Florida, both expanding to some other communities where we don’t currently have an office, and adding additional practice areas to our existing offices, as well as in our Washington, D.C. office.”
The firm currently has 14 offices across the state, according to its website, as well as the location in the nation’s capital.
“ … One of the great things about GrayRobinson as a firm is that we have a diverse group of lawyers and professionals from a multitude of practice areas, from all across the political spectrum, and throughout all geographic regions of the state and now the nation’s capital, which enables us to offer our clients a complete palette of legal and government affairs representation,” Cannon said.
One of the other great traditions of GrayRobinson, he added, “is a minimum of bureaucracy and a maximum of freedom and flexibility for the individual lawyer or professional to practice however they find best serves the interest of their client. And that’s something we will definitely continue.”
Evening Reads
“Slow, intense and unrelenting: The science behind Hurricane Dorian’s most dangerous qualities” via Sarah Kaplan of the Washington Post
“Donald Trump defends his Alabama forecast as Dorian bears down on Carolinas” via Quint Forgey of POLITICO
“Ron DeSantis presses Trump to cover shelters costs for near-miss Dorian” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO Florida
“DeSantis feared Dorian was going to ‘buzzsaw’ across Florida” via Jim Rosica of Florida Politics
“Florida shifts into Dorian assistance mode” via Jim Turner of the News Service of Florida
“Democrats troll Jimmy Patronis’s New York fundraiser as Dorian loomed” via News Service of Florida
“All Florida Power & Light customers are back online post-Dorian” via Drew Wilson of Florida Politics
“John Morgan isn’t taking lead role in campaign after all” via Steve Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel
“State tax revenue could take $26M hit from assault weapon ban, economists say” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO
“Florida guardianship laws weakened by elder law attorneys’ lobbying. For some courts, exceptions have become the rule” via Jason Garcia and Monivette Cordeiro of the Orlando Sentinel
“Janet Cruz calls for state task force to identify remains at forgotten Zion Cemetery” via Janelle Irwin of Florida Politics
“Lobbyist sued by Ron Rubin wants lawsuit moved to Tallahassee court” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO Florida
Quote of the Day
“My theme song was the Byrds’ ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ … just like, can it please turn as quickly as possible?” — Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking at the final Emergency Operations Center media briefing after Hurricane Dorian narrowly missed the state.
Bill Day’s Latest
Breakthrough Insights
Wake Up Early?
The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban possession of assault-style weapons in Florida. That’s at 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building.
Staff members of the Florida Public Service Commission will hold a workshop on a proposal that could lead to an additional area code in north Florida. That’s at 1 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.
