đź“· Photo courtesy of Richard I. Segal
Hello, Richard! Tell us a little about who you are and what keeps you busy.
I am an attorney and a third-generation Miami Beach native (born at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach) with deep roots in the Miami community.
After over 10 years of commitment as a very active member of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce (MBCC), in October 2023 I took the lead as the 43rd chairman of the MBCC. During my two-year tenure as chairman, I will set the agenda of priorities for the MBCC and develop membership strategies for the organization, which represents the majority of businesses fueling the Miami Beach economy.
I am also a father of four boys and I coach them on their local baseball team. I am also the co-founder and co-managing partner of RFB+Fisher Potter Hodas’ new Downtown Miami office. I assist clients in a range of high-end dissolutions of marriage, matrimonial disputes, and business and corporate litigation matters. RFB+Fisher Potter Hodas, with offices in Manhattan and Palm Beach, is expanding its presence in South Florida with its now-open Miami office.
What neighborhood(s) are you reppin’?
I was born and raised in Miami Beach, and I work in Downtown Miami.
What brings you most alive about the 305?
The vibrancy and energy of many domestic businesses bringing their headquarters and main offices to the 305. The business buzzing is palpable.
What’s your favorite Miami memory?
Celebrating family milestones at the Forge on 41st Street. (Side note: I am overly excited for the Forge to re-open in late 2024 or early 2025.)
If you could eat only one meal from a local restaurant for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Easy — all of the Greek food at Santorini by Georgios. The food is so fresh, and the portions are huge and packed with delicious flavors. If I’m eating one meal for the rest of my life, I’m going with the Greek diet!
Outside of the obvious stop above, share your other top three destinations for where you’d go on your perfect Miami day.
I would start at the Miami Beach Marina and go for a boat ride. There is no better way to experience Miami Beach than from the waterside views of the bay and ocean. I would then get back and enjoy a classic traditional Miami Beach lunch at Joe’s Stone Crab (local tip: I enjoy going to the Takeout Restaurant). I would finish the night off by listening to live music at the North Beach Bandshell – a community gem.
What’s your favorite local social media account to follow and why?
@miamibeachbiz on Instagram. It provides the heartbeat and roadmap for networking on Miami Beach.
If you could give any one piece of advice to locals, what would it be?
Wake up each day and realize that we are blessed to live in a city that many in the world dream of traveling to for vacation. We get to live, work, and play in paradise.
How does Miami help you do what you do or influence your work?
Miami is filled with go-getters who want to network and meet business-minded professionals. My favorite part of my day is enjoying a cafecito and hearing about someone’s business or future economic plan. I find the Miami Beach culture inspiring.
If there was one thing you could change, address, etc. about Miami, what would it be?
I would change the perception that the City of Miami Beach is closed off or a separate community from Miami. I am currently working on this change with the CEO of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, Brittnie Bassant. Miami Beach is open to everyone, and we look forward to being a strong regional partner in Miami-Dade County.
What are you looking forward to in 2024?
An event I’m planning with the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Dave Grutman of Groot Hospitality. Dave continues to open iconic venues in Miami Beach, so I knew he’d be the perfect person for the Chamber to partner with for a unique networking event. Stay tuned for more details!
That’s a wrap on this week’s Locals to Know. Know someone who ought to be featured or would like to be featured yourself? Reach out by sending an email to [email protected] with the subject line “TNT Locals to Know 2024.” If chosen, you might just see yourself or a friend in a future newsletter.