Firm History
Where We Began
In 1979, four accomplished attorneys, each with incredibly diverse backgrounds and talents came together to form the law firm of Hopping Boyd Green & Sams. With a former Supreme Court Justice, a PhD, and several significant legal honors to their credit, they set out to be different. From its inception, the founders decided that the practice would be different in a number of ways.
We have had the rare opportunity to lock in on the cutting edge of an entirely new regulatory system--environmental law--and to 'grow up' with it and its participants both inside and outside of government.
Bill Green, Founding Member of Hopping Green & Sams
Environmental law and land use law were emerging fields when we began our practice. We set out to become leaders in this arena at a time when most others did not yet realize it existed.
I am very proud of our track record over the last thirty years. Our firm was created with the idea of a new business model – one focusing on innovation in addition to critical legal thinking. Such innovative thinking was particularly important in the emerging areas of law in which we developed our practice.
Bill Green, Founding Shareholder of Hopping Green & Sams
We combine specialization with imagination to create innovative, successful solutions to our clients’ issues and challenges.
The firm set out to develop unequaled depth and breadth of experience in its areas of practice. We have done so by keeping our focus on practice areas related to governmental law, especially growth, land use and environmental law.
Our Philosophy
Respect for the Land: Because I enjoy Florida’s native environment and natural resources, I am proud to work with a law firm that shares that same respect. That respect is evidenced not just in our work for our clients but in our commitment to our community, as well.
Respect for the Law: We understand the importance of the rule of law. We respect the process and the people who make the process work. As officers of the court, we are bound to uphold the laws of Florida, from the State Constitution to ordinances of local governments. I am proud of our firm’s track record in this area.
Respect for the Land: I am proud to call Florida home, and proud to be part of a law firm committed to preserving and protecting our home. With the full support of the firm, I have for several years served on the leadership of Keep Tallahassee-Leon County Beautiful, a local organization dedicated to preserving the environment of our hometown.
Respect for Our Clients: We respect our clients – enough to give them the hard answers or to question their proposed approach. Our mission is to provide the highest level of service to our clients. We do this through long-term relationships built on professionalism, trust, and candor.
Respect for the Law: Having served in government, I developed a deep understanding of how laws are developed. This firm respects the rule of law by helping clients to work within the confines of existing law or to change the laws and regulations which affect their business.
Respect for Our Clients: We understand our clients’ businesses. We focus on the clients’ long-term and short-term objectives. We help clients to understand the legal and regulatory framework surrounding their business – to solve not just today’s problems, but also to improve the way they do business and avoid problems in the future.
Since 1979, we have been a part of the legal landscape of Florida. As we have worked with clients, we have dedicated our practice to three key principles:
- Respect for the Land. We are proud to call Florida home. We cherish the natural beauty and the impressive array of natural resources that our state has to offer and we’ve been helping Florida thrive for decades. We are committed to ensuring that Florida grows in a manner that respects the natural resources that make Florida such a great and unique place to live. Our work in Florida is more than just a career; we consider it our legacy.
- Respect for the Law. How many law firms can say they were founded by a member of the Florida Supreme Court? We can. We are firmly committed to the principled practice of law and the long-term consequences of every decision we make. We have a fundamental respect for the process itself and the people behind the process. We have a deep and abiding respect for the rule of law, from local city ordinances to the underlying tenets of Florida’s Constitution. Our experience runs deep, from the courthouse to the state house, from federal agencies to local regulatory bodies.
- Respect for our Clients. We will always provide the highest level of service to our clients. We believe that long-term success comes from long-term relationships that grow through a sense of professionalism and trust. We respect our clients enough to give them the hard answers they may not want to hear. At Hopping Green & Sams, we bring that sense of trust, candor and respect to every case and every client.
Our Future
I believe that our firm is poised to remain a leader in our fields of environmental, land use, and administrative law. We have a firm foundation and many lawyers with unparalleled expertise in these areas.
It is an honor to work with so many lawyers with such unique expertise in our areas of practice. Many of our lawyers have been practicing in the area of environmental and land use law from its infancy. My work for clients is enriched by the expertise of the many lawyers who have preceded me in this area of practice.
As Florida continues to grow, the challenge of managing that growth will remain an important and developing area of law. Our lawyers have first-rate expertise in this important area, representing private and public clients on environmental, land use, administrative and public financing.
Mike Eckert, Shareholder
Our firm’s talented attorneys are the key to our firm’s future. We are proud of the talent of our attorneys and professional staff, the depth of our expertise, and the teamwork we employ in understanding our clients’ business objectives, resolving problems and disputes, and helping our clients reach their business goals.
Our firm has an established track record of helping clients to manage the challenges of Florida’s continued growth. This includes permitting of complex and innovative projects as well as rule-making and legislative changes as needed by our clients. Because of our talented attorneys, we are poised to continue that track record of success.
Our clients bring us the tough challenges because they know we can be trusted to produce results. We handle complex permitting and rule-making matters, including many cases of first impression in Florida.
When looking to the future, it is vital to look through the past. How many law firms have grown and adapted to an ever-changing landscape yet still have the same core leadership philosophy? How many can say they have worked in virtually every jurisdiction in their state? How many can say they have represented virtually every major client in their area of practice? How many have significant victories in the smallest agency conference rooms as well as the highest courts in the land?
We can.
As Florida continues to grow, the challenge of managing that growth will remain an important and developing area of law. With a deep respect for the land, the law and our clients, we believe that Hopping Green & Sams is poised to remain a leader in the areas of environmental, governmental and land use law.
