For more than two decades, Matthew Fornaro has occupied an unusual position in Florida’s legal community: he’s both an attorney who advises business owners and a business owner who happens to practice law. That dual perspective shapes how his Coral Springs and Parkland-based firm approaches everything from contract disputes to entity formation.
Since 2003, Fornaro has focused on business law representation for South Florida companies, drawing on experience that began at two AmLaw 200 firms where he concentrated on civil litigation. But it’s his subsequent work as a solo practitioner that gives him insight into the challenges facing the entrepreneurs and small business owners who make up his client base.
“My understanding of what it takes to run a small business and bringing that knowledge to my clients” distinguishes the practice, according to Fornaro. It’s a perspective he’s carried into teaching roles as both a graduate and instructor of the Kaufman Foundation’s FastTrac NewVenture Program and Florida State University’s Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship Small Business Executive Program.
From Litigation to Business Formation
The firm’s practice spans the full spectrum of business legal needs. Fornaro handles complex commercial litigation, including contract disputes that can make or break a company. He also works in construction law and intellectual property, areas where small businesses often find themselves outmatched when disputes arise.
On the transactional side, the practice assists new business owners in selecting appropriate business structures and drafting the required legal documents. It’s unglamorous work that Fornaro approaches with an owner’s mentality—understanding that these early decisions have long-term implications for liability, taxation, and operational flexibility.
Fornaro holds licenses with both the Florida Bar and District of Columbia Bar. His credentials extend beyond traditional legal practice into dispute resolution, where he serves as a Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator, Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator, and arbitrator for FINRA, NFA, and USCIB.
Recognition and Future Direction
The practice has accumulated recognition from various legal organizations. Fornaro holds a Martindale Peer Review “AV” rating and has appeared on lists including Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star, South Florida’s Top Lawyers, and The Legal Network’s Top Lawyers in Florida. He’s also received recognition from industry publications, including awards from Avvo, CV Magazine, Legal Leaders, and Acquisition International.
Looking ahead, Fornaro plans to continue serving small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs throughout Florida and beyond. For a practice built on understanding the business owner’s perspective, expansion means maintaining that foundational principle while reaching more companies, navigating the complex intersection of commerce and law.
