August 19, 2026
GrayRobinson is pleased to share President and CEO Dean Cannon joined the Leadership Florida: The Leadership Exchange podcast, hosted by Leadership Florida President and CEO Wendy Spencer, for “Episode 18: Dean Cannon and GrayRobinson.”
As a member of Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class 19, Dean discussed GrayRobinson's growth from its 1970 founding in Orlando to its current 16 offices across Florida and one in Washington, D.C., including the firm's newest office in Pensacola. He described GrayRobinson as "the place where business, law, and politics converge with attorneys and advisors working together to accomplish our clients' most challenging business objectives." He also spoke about the firm's embedded lobbying practice, its expanding economic development and space law work, how artificial intelligence is reshaping the legal industry, and the people-first culture instilled by late founder Charlie Gray.
Based in the firm’s Tallahassee office, Dean is a fifth-generation Floridian and accomplished attorney and lobbyist who has spent more than three decades advising and advocating on behalf of Florida’s regulated industries, public authorities, and private-sector clients. He began his career as a government affairs attorney with GrayRobinson before being elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2004. During his eight years in the Florida Legislature, he played a pivotal role in education policy, property tax reform, growth management reform, healthcare and Medicaid reform, and major transportation infrastructure initiatives, among many other areas. Elected by his peers to serve as Speaker of the House for the 2010-2012 term, Dean is credited with leading the Florida House during a period of significant economic and political challenges. After leaving elected office in 2012, he established his lobbying practice, which he brought to GrayRobinson in 2016, and was named the firm’s president and CEO in September 2019.