Native Son Gives Back to The Community

Born at Jackson Hospital more than 70 years ago, Richard P. Cole has seen Miami grow and change in countless ways over the years. Growing up in Coral Gables where he still lives today, he fondly remembers the time when there were coconut plantations in Key Biscayne and there were farm fields as far as the eye could see in Kendall.

Today, Richard is a founder and the managing partner of the law firm Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A., which is the largest all Florida law firm in the state. What started out in 1997 with eight lawyers has grown to 430 today in eleven offices from Key West to Pensacola with a twelfth office soon to come in Tallahassee. Richard is recognized as a leading attorney in the areas of personal injury defense law, medical, legal and professional malpractice.

Richard has remained in the state of Florida for his whole life, having received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law where he was ranked sixth in his graduating class.

Richard was first introduced to United Way of Miami-Dade through the late Sue Miller as Richard's father was the general Counsel of Lennar. Richard has been a contributor to United Way for decades and is now currently a member of the Tocqueville Society. He said that United Way "is a very important resource in our community as there are tremendous social service needs in Miami".

Richard recently made a million dollar gift in his will to United Way. He stated that "everyone should look at the lives of the less fortunate and see how they can help".