When taking the temperature of the hottest US markets for Big Law activity in recent years, Southeast Florida, including Miami and surrounding areas of Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach, may be approaching its boiling point.

Large law firms have been flocking to Southeast Florida in the last five years because of the strong regional economy, which boasts a large Fortune 1000 client base and a growing start-up market flush with VC and foreign investment. The combined metropolitan area is home to 18 F1000 companies, including nine companies in the Fortune 500 and several of the largest private companies in the US.

Southeast Florida also saw a record amount of VC funding and deal volume for the second consecutive year in 2022, topping $5.8B across 426 deals. The combined statistical area now sits 8th in the US when ranked by VC funding, just behind Seattle and Philadelphia – and ahead of Austin and Washington, DC.