In this Legend Series installment of The Practice Podcast, Jeffrey P. Bast and Brett M. Amron sit down with Kendall Coffey, one of South Florida’s most respected trial lawyers and a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

This conversation goes beyond a traditional career retrospective. It is a candid, experience-driven discussion on what actually builds a lasting legal career: adaptability, trial experience, discipline, and a relentless commitment to doing the work the right way.

From an unexpected pivot away from journalism to leading one of the nation’s most prominent U.S. Attorney’s Offices, Coffey shares the inflection points that shaped his career and the practical lessons that continue to apply in today’s legal market.

Key Takeaways

• Careers are built through pivots, not straight lines
  Early setbacks often create better long-term positioning if you stay in the game.
• Your environment matters early
  The people you work with will shape your trajectory more than the title on your door.
• Trial experience is a differentiator
  For litigators, hands-on courtroom experience remains one of the most valuable career accelerators.
• Public service sharpens perspective
  Time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office provides a broader understanding of the law, government power, and decision-making that translates directly into private practice.
• Reputation drives business
  Do great work consistently. Business development follows performance.
• Relentlessness wins—when applied correctly
  Following through and owning outcomes is a competitive advantage, but knowing limits matters.
• Integrity is non-negotiable
  There is no margin for error. One misstep can define a career.

Topics Covered

• From journalism ambitions to law school at the University of Florida
• Early career and training at Greenberg Traurig
• Federal appellate clerkship experience and its impact
• The process and realities of becoming U.S. Attorney
• Leadership inside the Department of Justice
• Transitioning from public service back to private practice
• Founding and growing Coffey Burlington
• Business development and long-term career strategy

Quote Worth Noting

“The best thing you can do for your career is do a great job on your cases. Everything else follows from that.”

About the Guest

Kendall Coffey is a founding partner of Coffey Burlington and a nationally recognized trial lawyer focusing on high-stakes litigation, white collar defense, and complex commercial disputes. He previously served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and has built a career defined by leadership, courtroom excellence, and sustained impact in the legal community.

Bottom Line

Enduring legal careers are not built on shortcuts. They are built on experience, discipline, relationships, and a consistent commitment to excellence over time.

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