News & Insights
City of Fort Lauderdale Proclaims December 6 as "Sam Poole Day"
December 6, 2016
Berger Singerman Partner Receives Recognition in Honor of His 30-Year Career Specializing in the Development of Florida’s Cities
Bottom Row: Diane Poole (sister), Charles Poole (son), Carrie Poole (daughter), Sam Poole, Margaret (wife), Commissioner Bruce Roberts. Back row: Mayor Seiler, City Manager Lee Feldman.
FORT LAUDERDALE – December 7, 2016 – Berger Singerman, Florida’s business law firm, is pleased to announce that Samuel “Sam” Poole, III was honored by the City of Fort Lauderdale with a proclamation declaring Dec. 6 as “Sam Poole Day.” The recognition celebrates Poole’s storied career and vast contributions to the community as he prepares to officially retire at the end of the month.
More than 100 members of Fort Lauderdale’s City Commission, business community, Berger Singerman colleagues, family and friends joined Poole at Fort Lauderdale City Hall for the ceremony. Commissioner Bruce Roberts read the proclamation. During the presentation, both Roberts and Mayor Jack Seiler extolled on Poole’s outstanding career in the public and private sector, including the integral role he played in the development and redevelopment of Florida’s cities, most specifically in Broward County. Mayor Seiler also spoke of Poole’s and Berger Singerman’s dedication to community service.
Among those in attendance was James Berger, managing partner of Berger Singerman, who reflected on Poole’s accomplished career. “I’ve had the privilege of working with Sam for nearly two decades, and if anyone deserves such an esteemed recognition, it’s him. He is among the preeminent experts on development issues, has deftly served clients for decades and has tirelessly worked with community leaders to improve the cities in which we live, work and play. We have been privileged to work with him and are so grateful for his commitment and numerous contributions to Berger Singerman and the South Florida community. We wish him the best as he enters this next chapter.”
Poole has spent the last three decades advising clients on conventional and new urbanism development issues in Florida. He is renowned in the industry for his extensive experience in planning and zoning in the development and redevelopment of Florida’s cities, serving as land use counsel for projects including the Miami Worldcenter, and to business and civic groups, such as South Miami Hometown Inc. during the redevelopment of that city’s downtown.
Prior to joining Berger Singerman in 1999, Poole served as Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, where he directed a staff of 1,700 to help restore the Everglades and protect South Florida’s water supply.
An “AV-Rated Preeminent” attorney by Martindale Hubbell, Poole has been routinely recognized as a leader in the industry, most recently being included in the 2017 edition of Best Lawyers in America. He has also been recognized in Chambers USA’s “America's Leading Business Lawyers” list in the Environment and Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use categories, as well as Super Lawyers for multiple consecutive years.
