Stephanie J. Toothaker, Esq. – Chairwoman & Chief Strategist TOOTHAKER.org
Stephanie is a Martindale Hubbell AV rated attorney, regularly recognized as a SuperLawyer and by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and known for a sophisticated approach to governmental relations and procurement. Representing private equity firms, innovative companies, and entrepreneurial individuals seeking complex land development entitlements, her specific expertise on these matters is focused on innovative activation of property rights, public/private P3
initiatives, mixed-use projects, land use plan amendments, zoning modifications and site plan approvals in the commercial, residential, hospitality, and sporting sectors.
Stephanie is an effective advocate at the Federal, State, and local level. Based in Fort Lauderdale, she regularly represents clients before governmental entities throughout South Florida. Stephanie is consistently recognized for her unique ability to seamlessly navigate multi-agency processes, efficiently manage the government relations environment, and achieve success with aggressive timelines. She is a recognized leader in Medical Marijuana permitting and approval, and was critical to the passage of Florida’s landmark legislation to change the legal boundaries of both Broward and Palm Beach Counties to enable more effective development patterns.
Stephanie’s practice also includes representation of global sporting and destination lifestyle brands. With clients that have included David Beckham’s InterMiami, Red Bull Global Rallycross, Swatch Volleyball World Championships, Key West Race Week, and Informa – producer of the Monaco, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach International Boat Shows – she has a proven ability to leverage resources to create profitable outcomes.
Her impressive understanding of public policy at the nexus of government and private entities has as its foundation her deep experience in the national political arena. Stephanie served as special counsel to U.S. Senator Bob Graham, where she was the first female and youngest in history to serve in that capacity. She served on the Kerry-Edwards legal team, was co-lead regional counsel for the Obama-Biden legal teams and more recently chaired Gwen Graham’s political committee in her race for governor.
The bottom line is Stephanie delivers on cutting-edge projects with transformational results:
- As David Beckham’s and Jorge Mas’ legal striker, Stephanie ensured InterMiami’s DRV PNK 20,000 seat soccer stadium and training facility was approved – and built – in 13 months. Today, Leo Messi plays there.
- Stephanie navigated the Tavistock team through approval of the landmark Pier 66 reimagining, and represented Lionheart and Fortune in their approvals of their Ritz Carlton Residences in Pompano Beach.
- Stephanie orchestrated One Stop/ArtsPark, a visionary $100 million public/private musical, cultural, culinary and community initiative.
- Stephanie secured for Moss Construction the winning RFP and groundbreaking of Fort Lauderdale’s new Police HQ.
- Stephanie broke height ceilings with Kolter’s groundbreaking Selene – the tallest buildings on Fort Lauderdale Beach, and Kushner Companies’ evolutionary Broward Crossing developments.
- Stephanie quarterbacked Cymbal Development’s Raintree Riverwalk Residences (formerly Marina Lofts) multi-jurisdictional project, and the adjacent Moderno’s Rivr Lofts.
- Stephanie co-created and is the President of the Tarpon River Entertainment & Design (“TREDD”) District.
- Stephanie led the team to victory on the approvals of Asi Cymbal’s Nautico District and Nautica development.
- Stephanie has represented Marriott, Hilton, OTO, Key Development and Summit with beach hospitality initiatives, and secured approval for Brookfield’s Marina Hilton stunning new event complex.
- Stephanie drove Roger Penske’s first South Florida Porsche Concept Dealership and the high tech F3 Boat Club – a $35 million state-of-the-art dry stack marina.
- Stephanie provided critical direction to secure the preservation and re-imagination of the historic Mai Kai.
- Stephanie led the multi-year and multi-faceted development of the Ritz Carlton Residences in Pompano Beach.
- Stephanie leads the development team for the groundbreaking development of the 35 acre Miami Gardens City Center slated to include the first of its kind F1 Museum and Simulator.
- Stephanie brought Naftali’s Viceroy and Dependable Equities’ Ombelle projects to life in Flagler Village.
She has been a regular contributor to Florida Trend and is involved with a broad range of civic organizations including board membership for the NSU Museum of Art, Jack & Jill, the Transportation Management Association, the Broward Performing Arts Center Foundation Board and is the Chair of the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority to name just a few. Stephanie serves on the Board of the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, and is the first and only woman to serve as Commodore and Governor of the Lauderdale Yacht Club founded in 1938. She was previously a Director and Head of the Land Use & Zoning Practice at Tripp Scott, and a partner with Ruden McClosky and Blosser & Sayfie after beginning her career at Greenberg Traurig. Known for her expertise in Real Estate, Stephanie is regularly sought after as a speaker at investor summits, real estate conferences, and real property entrepreneurship forums.
