George I. Platt
Managing Partner, Fort Lauderdale Office, LSN Partners (gplatt@LSNpartners.com)
Known for his considerable experience in Governmental and Public Policy Law, George Platt’s skill helped him earn a reputation as a leading lawyer/lobbyist in Broward County. With more than 40 years in practice, he counsels clients on regulatory law, government contracts and procurement, land use, environmental law and related corporate issues. He is an “AV” or top-rated attorney in his field.
George has represented clients on some of South Florida’s major projects, including the Broward County Convention Center, Dolphins Stadium, development of Coral Springs and Parkland communities, the Bank Atlantic Center and the 450-acre Pembroke Pines Mitigation Bank as well as environmental projects across South Florida. He is heavily involved in government procurement issues and is known for his special expertise on Airport and Port matters.
George’s familiarity with local government is based not only on his legal work, but also on his years of government and civic involvement. As a Broward County Commissioner, Mr. Platt chaired the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Value Adjustment Board. He also served on the South Florida Regional Planning Council. He later served as a Commissioner on the Broward County Charter Review Commission. He currently serves as a Board Member and Chair of the Broward Performing Arts Center Authority.
George is widely respected for his lobbying work in state and local governments. He also served as Chairman (1984-1988) and State Committeeman (1996-2000) of the Broward County Democratic Party and as Treasurer of the Florida Democratic Party in 2000. Local, state and federal elected officials often call on him for advice and local publications consistently rank him among the 50 most influential people in Broward County.
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Curriculum Vitae
GEORGE I. PLATT
333 North New River Drive East, Suite 3100
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
954/522-3588 Office
(954) 522-3578 Facsimile
E-mail: gplatt@LSNpartners.com
PERSONAL DATA:
Married 48 years; 5 children
Born in New Haven, Connecticut; 50+-year Florida resident
Profession: Attorney (AV rated); Lobbyist; Wetlands Mitigation Banker
EDUCATION:
J.D., Northeastern University School of Law
Boston, Massachusetts
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Major: Political Science (Latin American Studies)
University of Notre Dame (Summer)
A.A., Broward Community College
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT:
Current LSN Partners, LLC – Manager, Broward (Government Affairs practice)
Shutts & Bowen, LLP, Of Counsel
Past
1998-2010 Equity Partner: Shutts & Bowen, LLP; Managing Partner of Fort Lauderdale Office
1993-1998 Equity Partner: Eckert Seamans
1988–1992 Equity Partner: Platt Haas
1981-1988 Equity Partner: Fine Jacobson
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT (continued):
1978-1980 Broward County Commission
1975-1978 Associate, Becker & Poliakoff
1974-1975 Florida Legal Services, Inc. – Tallahassee
1972-1973 International Legal Center Overseas Fellowship, Professor and Advisor
Universidad Catolica School of Law, Santiago, Chile
1973 Stringer correspondent for ABC News in Chile
1971-1972 Harvard Center for Law and Education, Staff Assistant
1969 Teacher, Special Education, Cleveland County, N.C.
1966-1969 U.S. Peace Corps – Republic of Panama
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Florida Bar; Massachusetts Bar; Member of the Environmental and Land Use Section, and the Local Government Section of the Florida Bar; American Bar Association Section of Environmental, Energy and Resources; Federal Judicial Bar and Community Liaison Committee (S.D. Fla); Northeastern University School of Law Dean’s Council.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS: Feb. 2009, The Environmental Forum of Environmental Law Institute, “What the Banks Value Most.”
CIVIC AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Current – Civic and Professional
Broward College Advocacy Committee
The Florida College System Foundation, Trustee
Broward Workshop, Board; Chair, Transportation Committee
National Mitigation Banking Association, Legislative Committee
Broward League of Cities, Charter Review Committee
Broward League of Cities, Sustainability Committee
Nova Southeastern University, Trustee
University of North Carolina Global Education Advisory Board, Member
FEC Corridor Coalition, Member
Port Everglades Association, Member
Broward Cultural Tourism Committee, Member
Florida House on Capitol Hill, Board of Trustees
Broward League of Cities Charter Review Committee
Past – Civic
Broward Public Library Foundation – Board Member 2000 – 2010; Chair 2008-2009
Broward County Cultural Plan Steering Committee 2009-2010; Co-Chair Cultural
Tourism Task Force
Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art, Trustee and Executive Committee Member 2006-2009
State Board of Community Colleges, Member 91 – 00 (Chair 95-96)
Florida Atlantic University Foundation Board of Trustees, Member, 90-03, Chair 95-97
Past – Civic
World Class Schools Steering Committee, Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan Advisory Committee, SFWMD 94-98
Florida Education Facilities Study Committee, Chair 94-95
Education Accountability Commission’s Joint Committee on Articulation, Member 92-96
Florida Atlantic University Research and Development Authority, Member, 93-97
Broward Education Planning Initiative 93-94, Chair
Florida Education Commissioner’s Facilities Task Force 93-94
Summit of the Americas, Steering Committee Member, 94
Broward County Metropolitan YMCA, Board Member 77-93; President 92-93
Downtown Council, Chair 91-92
Broward Urban Wilderness Advisory Board – 1981-1984; Chair – 1984
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Gold Coast Chapter, Board Member, 1976-1980;
Chair 1977-78
Florida Atlantic University Presidential Search Committee, Member, (Brogan)
Broward Public Schools Superintendent Search Committee (Till)
Lecturer, National Conference on Mitigation Banking (Terrine Institute) 1998-2011
Lecturer for Florida Chamber Short Course on Environmental Permitting 1995-2006
Literary Feast, Underwriting Chair 03
Special Olympics Advisory Board
Broward County Urban Wilderness Advisory Board 1982-1986; Chair 1984
Broward Advisory Board for Transportation of the Handicapped, 1976-1978
PUBLIC OFFICE:
Broward County Performing Arts Center Authority – current Board Member and Vice Chair
Broward County Charter Review Commission 00-02
Broward County Commissioner 78-80
Chair: Metropolitan Planning Organization
Chair: Value Adjustment Board
Member: South Florida Regional Planning Council
Member: Florida Association of Counties, Energy and Environment Committee
Florida Board of Community Colleges 1991-2000
POLITICAL:
Democratic State Committeeman for Broward County, 1996 – 2000
Florida Democratic Party, Treasurer and Finance Chair, 1999-2000
Broward County Democratic Executive Committee, Chair 1984-1988
Coral Springs Democratic Club, President, 1977-1978
Awards and Recognitions:
1981 Good Government Award – Jaycees
1982 Distinguished Alumnus, Broward Community College
1985 Florida Democratic Party Service Award
1988 Broward Young Democrats Lifetime Member
1989 Jefferson Jackson Democrat of the Year – Broward
1990 Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Leadership Award
1990 Florida Atlantic University President’s Club
1991 Chair’s Award, Downtown Council
1993 YMCA Lifetime Board Member
1995 Downtowner of the Year, Downtown Council
1996 Broward Leader of the Year, Leadership Broward
- Broward AFL-CIO Businessperson of the Year
2003 Judge Learned Hand Award, American Jewish Committee
2005 Award as Outstanding Board Member, Broward Public Library Foundation
2007 Gold Coast Magazine List of 50 Most Powerful People in Broward County
2007-08 Chambers List of Leading Business Lawyers in the United States
2007 National Mitigation Bankers Association – Decade of Leadership Award
2008 South Florida Business Journal Diamond Award
2008 Florida Super Lawyers 2008-2009
2008 South Florida CEO Magazine Business Leaders
2009 Broward Public Library Foundation Literary Light Award
2010 South Florida Legal Guide’s recognition as South Florida Top Lawyers
2011 South Florida Legal Guide’s recognition as South Florida Top Lawyers
2014 South Florida Legal Guide’s recognition as South Florida Top Lawyers
2014 Florida Super Lawyers
2014 The Best Lawyers in America
2014 Legal Leaders South Florida’s Top Rated Lawyers
Private Company Involvement
LSN Partners, LLC, Manager, Broward
Florida Wetlandsbank, LLP, Chair and General Counsel
George I. Platt, P.A.