NSU Horizons Spring/Summer 2009

33 horizons T o say that attorney Scott Rothstein has an entrepre- neurial bent would be an understatement. The 1987 graduate of NSU’s Shepard Broad Law Center emulates Wayne Huizenga, capitalizing on more than a dozen business opportunities while simultaneously supporting local charities with his generosity. Accordingly, Rothstein’s recent decision to have his firm become a cor- porate partner of the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship seems especially appropriate. Long-time NSU law professor Mark Dobson remembers Rothstein as an especially motivated student. “As a state- certified criminal court intern, Scott tried 10 or 12 cases in one semester. That’s the most we’ve ever had. He was so eager to learn and gain experiences.” The trial lawyer’s business card contains the title of chairman and CEO, suggesting that Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler (RRA) is not your father’s law firm. Another clue is that RRA’s upscale office in the Bank of America building in downtown Fort Lauderdale has no filing cabinets. Rothstein’s rise to prominence began with his and Stuart Rosenfeldt’s formation of a seven-person firm in 2002. Rosenfeldt previously served at NSU as an adjunct law lecturer. In seven years, the partners have grown the firm to 60 attorneys with additional offices in Tallahassee, Boca Raton, and New York. “There’s a buzz in the community about them,” said Christopher Neilson, president of the Broward County Bar Association. Robert Levine, assistant dean for career development at the NSU Law Center, says RRA’s rise is not about growth for growth’s sake. “They’ve shown very careful growth in key market segments by getting the best talent out there. The attorneys there I know are of high caliber, defined by a strong work ethic and the way they represent their clients.” Among RRA’s heavy hitters are 16 NSU Law Center graduates. “They’re dynamite lawyers, and they do the law school proud,” Levine said. Along the way, Rothstein and Rosenfeldt recruited partner Russell Adler, a 1986 NSU law graduate and technology guru who, upon his arrival, transitioned RRA to its completely paperless status. Adler is also a 1979 graduate of NSU’s University School. “Technology is one of the structural underpinnings of the firm—part of our secret sauce,” Adler said. He describes Rothstein as a “benevolent dictator” who eschews the typical law firm committee structure because it produces “slow decision making, dissension, resentment, politics, and factions.” At the same time, Adler adds, Rothstein “runs our law firm like a busi- ness,” exhibiting a flair for keeping lawyers and other employees happy through fair treatment. Scant turnover is a testament to the success of his methods. A traditional law firm “mothers you and gives you rules to follow,” Adler said. By contrast, Adler said RRA honors the entre- preneurial spirit by providing “a structure by which attorneys can run their own businesses.” In fact, one of RRA’s most cherished shareholder perks is having the opportunity to invest in various business ideas that come to the firm’s attention. One such investment took place after RRA installed innovative software for Qtask, a California-based company. The RRA partners see particular promise in licensing this collaboration tool, which brings teams of people together to manage projects, to other law firms. RRA investors led by Rothstein have also backed V Georgio Vodka, the Renato watch company, a bank, and three restaurants (Bova Ristorante, Mario’s of Boca, and the new Bova Prime on Las Olas Boulevard)—among other transactions. Despite uncertain market conditions, a variety of real estate purchases are currently being explored. Meanwhile, the investor-owned RRA Goal Line sports manage- ment agency represents a unique opportunity for Johnny Williams, a 2001 NSU Law Center graduate and 13-year president of Pro Series, Inc., which presented the Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea Show. Williams presently handles mergers and acquisitions for RRA, but is preparing to shift over to Goal Line after earning his certification to become an agent for NFL players. He says working on this ven- ture will give him “a spectacular opportunity to learn and grow.” Rothstein’s success has enabled him to amass $20 million in residential real estate, a fleet of luxury cars, and a growing reputa- tion as a Republican power broker. He is also becoming known as a benefactor for his reported $2 million in gifts to local charities in the past year, plus his encouragement to others to give. Rothstein chaired the Heart Ball in 2008 and 2009. “He is an extremely successful and powerful businessman with a big, giving heart. It is the dream of any nonprofit to have that kind of chair,” Maria Hunt, Heart Ball director, said. John “Footie” Kraus, CEO of Here’s Help, echoes this sentiment. Rothstein has generated nearly $400,000 in the past two years for Here’s Help to assist teens with substance abuse problems. “This is not about self-aggrandizement. Scott does it because he’s a good person,” Kraus said. RRA attorneys strive to become known as business people who practice law rather than just as members of a typical law firm. And being known as generous businesspeople also has its upside. Says Adler: “This is what makes potential clients want to associate with us.” n This law firm Means Business By Bob Ross (Left to right) Scott Rothstein, Stuart Rosenfeldt, and Russell Adler