David Cannady is the founding partner of Cannady & Associates, a boutique Florida law firm with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Indian Harbour Beach and Orlando. He leads the firm's work in corporate law, real estate law, cannabis law and estate planning.
Before founding the firm, David served as a Florida prosecutor. That experience in the courtroom is the thread that runs through how he practices today.
Education and admission
- Juris Doctor, Florida State University College of Law.
- Admitted to The Florida Bar in September 2014.
- Member, Florida Justice Association.
- Former Florida prosecutor.
From the courtroom to the drafting table
As a prosecutor, David saw firsthand how cases turn on what was written down, what was left out and how words read to someone who was not in the room. A vague sentence in a contract, a missing signature or a loosely drafted clause is exactly the kind of detail that decides a dispute.
He brings that lesson to every document the firm prepares. When the firm drafts an operating agreement, a partnership agreement, a commercial lease or a trust, the question is not only whether it says what you want today. It is also how a judge, an arbitrator or an opposing lawyer would read it years from now, and whether it will hold up. Drafting for the courtroom is how the firm tries to keep clients out of one.
The same thinking applies across practice areas. In a business deal, it means spelling out what happens when partners disagree or an owner wants to leave. In a real estate matter, it means reading the title and the lease with a possible dispute in mind. In an estate plan, it means following Florida's signing formalities exactly, so a will or trust is not open to challenge when your family needs it most.
How David works with clients
David built Cannady & Associates as a boutique firm on purpose. The firm limits its caseload so that clients work directly with an attorney. In practice that means:
- Every matter starts with a free consultation, where the goal is to understand what you want before recommending anything.
- Legal terms are explained in plain English, so you can make decisions with confidence.
- The attorney who knows your file stays involved, from the first draft to the final signature or the end of a dispute.
Practice areas
David leads the firm's four practice areas:
- Corporate law: entity formation, governance, contracts, intellectual property, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and business litigation, mediation and arbitration.
- Real estate law: transactions, commercial real estate, land use and zoning, landlord and tenant matters and title litigation.
- Cannabis law: regulatory compliance and growth for cannabis and hemp businesses across local, state and federal rules.
- Estate planning: wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care documents and probate administration.
Who David works with
David and the firm advise a range of Florida clients:
- Founders and owners of closely held companies who need sound governing documents and contracts.
- Companies and owners facing business disputes in litigation, mediation or arbitration.
- Buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and investors in residential and commercial real estate.
- Cannabis and hemp businesses and their investors.
- Individuals and families planning their estates, and personal representatives handling probate.
What to expect at your first meeting
The first consultation is free. You will be asked about your goals, the people involved and any documents you already have, such as contracts, leases, deeds or an existing will. You will leave with a clear explanation of your options and what the next steps would involve, so you can decide how to move forward without pressure.
In the press
David and the firm have been featured in outlets including the Miami Herald, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, South Florida Business and Wealth, The Washington Post, CNN, CBS News, Al Jazeera and iHeartRadio. David has also appeared on The Conversation with Carroll Show. See our press page for more.
Where to meet David's team
The firm meets clients at three Florida offices:
- Fort Lauderdale, 101 NE 3rd Ave, Suite 1500.
- Indian Harbour Beach, 1790 Jimmy Buffett Memorial Hwy, Suite 209.
- Orlando, 815 N Magnolia Ave.
To schedule a free consultation, call (954) 707-0530 or contact the firm online. You can also read more about the firm and what clients say.
