Arnstein & Lehr LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Katie Edwards has joined its Fort Lauderdale office Of Counsel.

Ms. Edwards brings an extensive and respected background in agribusiness to the firm’s Land Use and Local Government practice. She previously served from 2002-2010 as Executive Director of Dade County Farm Bureau where she advocated for farmers and nursery growers on land use, regulatory and legislative issues at the federal, state and local levels. Ms. Edwards regularly handles procurement, permitting and regulatory matters before the South Florida Water Management District. Ms. Edwards also maintains a law office in Okeechobee where she represents cattle ranchers and sod farms in permitting, debt collection and local government matters.

“Katie is a terrific lawyer with remarkable credentials,” said Jeffrey Shapiro, Chairman of Arnstein & Lehr’s Executive Committee and Managing Partner of Arnstein & Lehr’s Florida offices. “She is well known and highly respected in the South Florida community. Her depth and level of experience is an excellent addition to our organization and good fit for our clients and the firm’s culture.”

A Broward native, Ms. Edwards was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2012 and has sponsored and passed significant legislation, most notably in the areas of criminal justice reform, private property rights protection and medical marijuana.

“I had the pleasure of being on the opposite side of one of Katie’s matters and knew she would be an incredible addition to our firm,” said Keith Poliakoff, a partner and co-chair of the firm’s Government Relations Practice Group. “Katie brings with her a unique and unparalleled knowledge of agricultural law and the inner workings of public agencies that impact agricultural interests.”

Ms. Edwards graduated from Clemson University with a B.S. in Agricultural and Applied Economics. She has a law degree from Florida International University.

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