Bilzin Sumberg, one of Florida’s preeminent business law firms, has expanded its capabilities with the addition of accomplished attorney and respected public leader, Jimmy Morales, as Special Counsel. Bringing broad experience across complex development, governmental, corporate, regulatory and strategic matters, Morales joins the firm’s widely recognized Land Development & Government Relations Group.
Morales brings more than three decades of experience spanning senior government leadership and sophisticated private practice, having served as Chief Operating Officer for Miami-Dade County, City Manager for Miami Beach, and City Attorney for Doral and Marathon in Monroe County. Throughout his career, he has advised businesses, investors, public entities, institutions and community leaders on complex legal, commercial, regulatory and governmental matters in Florida, across the United States and internationally.
His arrival further strengthens Bilzin Sumberg’s ability to serve clients navigating consequential transactions, strategic initiatives, government matters, regulatory challenges and opportunities for growth. With deep roots in South Florida and extensive experience working across jurisdictions, industries and sectors, Morales brings a distinctive understanding of how legal, business, governmental and public-policy considerations converge.
At Bilzin Sumberg, Morales joins a multidisciplinary team representing developers, investors, multinational companies, family offices, financial institutions, public entities and other organizations across a broad range of industries, including real estate and development, housing, financial services and private capital, government and public infrastructure, transportation and aviation, technology and digital infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, higher education, and sports, entertainment and hospitality..
“Jimmy Morales’ decision to join Bilzin Sumberg speaks volumes about the firm’s position in the Florida market and where we’re headed,” said CEO and Managing Partner Albert E. Dotson, Jr. “As a public servant for three decades, Jimmy has done the job that most attorneys in our field only view from the sidelines—he’s run the government. What makes his perspective truly unique, however, is that he’s also spent decades as a trusted private counselor, giving him firsthand experience navigating transformative projects from every angle.”
Bilzin Sumberg has a longstanding history of representing leading companies and organizations shaping Florida’s landscape and economy, including Codina Development, Property Markets Group, Related Development, Terra, Gencom, Lennar Corporation, Brightline, Broward College, Miami Dade Community College, the Miami Dolphins, South Florida Motorsports, GL Homes, Hyatt Hotels, AMLI Development and 13th Floor Investments, among others.
Current and past representations of Bilzin Sumberg include the development of Brightline’s South Florida passenger rail system; the renovation of Hard Rock Stadium into a year-round destination for major sporting and entertainment events; Starwood Capital Group’s Miami Beach headquarters; the Liberty Square Rising mixed-income housing redevelopment in Miami-Dade County; the proposed redevelopment of Jungle Island and the Miami Seaquarium; the Tampa Housing Authority’s mixed-use Rome Yard development; the Miami Beach Convention Center hotel; Fort Lauderdale’s new City Hall; and HueHub, the largest housing development proposed to date under Florida’s Live Local Act.
“Bilzin Sumberg has built an exceptional platform by combining sophisticated legal counsel with a deep understanding of the businesses, institutions, and communities it serves,” said Morales. “Having worked across both the public and private sectors, I understand the importance of helping clients navigate not only legal issues, but also the governmental and commercial realities that shape successful outcomes. I’m excited to join a team with such strong Florida roots and national and international reach, and to help clients capitalize on new opportunities and achieve their strategic goals.”
Morales most recently served as COO for Miami-Dade County, a community of 2.8 million residents with a $12 billion annual budget where his portfolio included oversight of eight departments. During his six-year tenure, he directed capital initiatives including a $1.7 billion water and sewer improvement program, a $12 billion capital program at Miami International Airport, the $10 billion SMART Plan to expand transit countywide, and led contract negotiations with multiple labor and union groups. He also chaired the County Mayor’s Infrastructure Group, which secured more than $2 billion in federal and state infrastructure grants. During his tenure, Morales was also actively involved with preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the County’s rescue and recovery response to the Surfside building collapse in 2021.
Prior to his role at Miami-Dade County, Morales served as City Manager of Miami Beach, where he led a municipality of roughly 2,200 employees and a $625.6 million operating budget. Major capital projects that unfolded under his purview included the $620 million Miami Beach Convention Center renovation and more than $500 million in water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects.
Throughout his career, Morales has practiced at some of the nation’s largest and most prominent law firms, including Davis Polk & Wardwell, LLP; Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, P.A. In addition to his legal and public-sector leadership, Morales serves on the Board of Directors for the Leroy Collins Institute, is a past Chair of The Miami Foundation, a co-founder of the Miami chapter of Autism Speaks, a former Board Member for Leadership Florida, and is a member of the Orange Bowl Committee.
Morales earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College.
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