Florida’s first female secretary of commerce Laura DiBella joins Adams and Reese
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Former Florida Secretary of Commerce Laura DiBella was hired as Adams and Reese‘s new government affairs advisor.
DiBella will work in the law firm’s Tallahassee office in the company’s Intersection of Business and Government Practice.
“Florida is one of the most desirable locations for companies to grow and flourish – a gold standard for business freedom and prosperity,” DiBella said. “As a passionate ambassador to the business world, I look forward to this opportunity at Adams and Reese to connect all parties to drive economic development.”
DiBella was appointed as Florida’s first female secretary of commerce. She was also the former FloridaCommerce president of business development as well as Enterprise Florida president and CEO.
During her time as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, DiBella managed a budget of $21.8 million. Additionally, she held the position of president of the Florida Opportunity Fund, which serves as the state’s venture capital arm.
DiBella played a key role in enhancing partnerships with the international business community. During her tenure as secretary, she organized and led trade missions to several countries, including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Israel, the United Kingdom and South America.
Her efforts helped boost Florida’s stance to the 14th largest economy in the world and fastest growing economy by GDP, at $1.6 trillion.
“Laura epitomizes economic development in Florida and is one of the most well-connected, forward-thinking, and knowledgeable business ambassadors in our state,” said Herschel Vinyard, leading IBG partner at Adams and Reese and Jacksonville’s partner in charge.
Dibella has over 25 years of experience in economic development and government relations strategy. She has lobbied for legislative and executive branch clients and assisted them in site selection, recruitment and retention project assistance. She also works with domestic and international businesses who are looking to maximize investment opportunities.
“We view Laura as a game-changer for our clients and prospective clients throughout our footprint,” Adams and Reese IBG Practice Group Leader Brad Lampley said. “She understands business in Florida and the Southeast and understands how to get things done at all levels of government.”
Adams and Reese launched an aviation and aerospace practice earlier this month. According to an announcement, DiBella “continues significant growth” at the company’s Florida offices as she holds an aviation industry pedigree and serves as chair of the Aerospace Alliance.
DiBella has also recruited global aerospace and defense companies to the state, along with those in the niche eVTOL aircraft industry.
Furthermore, she is a certified maritime port executive, the former Florida Harbor Pilots Association executive director and Fernandina Ocean Highway and Port Authority Port director.
“Florida is at the forefront of aviation and aerospace development, and Adams and Reese is positioned to assist clients in this emerging industry with the addition of Paul, Marc, and now Laura,” Vinyard said. “Our Florida roster is consistently growing. We’re adding economic development leaders and agency executives who can connect business leaders to federal, state, and local government officials, where regulatory issues, business and political concerns, and legal questions all intersect.”
Adams and Reese was founded in 1951 and is a multidisciplinary law firm with more than 300 attorneys and advisors strategically located throughout the U.S. and Washington, D.C.
According to the company, the American Lawyer includes Adams and Reese on its distinguished list of the nation’s top law firms, the Am Law 200. The National Law Journal also includes the firm among the top 200 on the NLJ 500 list of the nation’s largest law firms.
