Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, today announced that Jessica Shapiro has been appointed managing director of Gunster’s Family Office & Generational Wealth practice, where she will lead the firm’s expanded, integrated platform serving high-net-worth individuals, families, and their enterprises throughout Florida.
In her role as managing director, Shapiro will guide the strategic direction of this centralized hub for coordinating the legal needs of families and their operating businesses, investment vehicles, and philanthropic initiatives. The platform brings together a suite of services across estate and succession planning, corporate and transactional matters, real estate, tax strategy, and nonprofit advisory—delivering integrated counsel designed to preserve and grow multigenerational wealth. This expansion of Gunster’s Family Office practice takes a coordinated, long-term approach, helping clients navigate not only major transactions but also the practical and personal aspects of establishing and maintaining a presence in Florida.
“Gunster’s Family Office & Generational Wealth practice is built around the understanding that our clients’ needs extend well beyond any single transaction or discipline,” said Shapiro. “Families today are navigating complex decisions across their businesses, investments, and personal lives—often simultaneously. Our goal is to provide a coordinated, highly personalized approach that not only addresses those complexities, but also helps clients establish and manage every aspect of their enterprise, from business interests to real estate to the day-to-day considerations that come with building a long-term presence."
In August 2025, Jessica rejoined Gunster as a shareholder in the Real Estate practice. In addition to her role as managing director of Family Office, she will continue to practice as an attorney, advising on residential and commercial real estate transactions throughout Florida. Prior to rejoining the firm, Shapiro served as vice president and brokerage manager for Sotheby’s International Realty’s Palm Beach County operations, where she advised clients on high-value real estate transactions and relocations. She originally began her legal career with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and previously practiced at prominent national and global law firms.
“Jessica’s return and her appointment as managing director reflect the continued evolution of our firm and the way we serve clients,” said Bill Perry, CEO and managing shareholder of Gunster. “We are seeing sustained growth in individuals, families, and businesses relocating to Florida, often with highly complex and interconnected legal needs. Our Family Office & Generational Wealth practice is designed to meet that moment by bringing together decades of experience across private wealth, corporate, real estate, and nonprofit matters into a single, strategic platform that delivers long-term value and continuity for our clients.”
Shapiro earned her B.A. in architecture from Yale University and her J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
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Gunster. Florida's Law Firm for Leaders.
As a full-service law firm, Gunster, provides legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 330 attorneys and consultants, and 300 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the top 200 largest law firms by the National Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about its practices, industries, offices and news is available at www.gunster.com.
