Chanae represents developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning and general government matters. She counsels municipal clients on compliance with public records, sunshine law and ethics, and matters dealing with comprehensive planning, general municipal, procurement, utilities, administrative, and constitutional law.
Chanae also assists developers and private property owners as they navigate the intricacies of the development review process. Her representation of clients often begins with pre-acquisition due diligence and extends through the permitting and legislative processes required to develop a property.
Having a passion for diversity and inclusion, Chanae has been involved in the firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives throughout her career at the firm and has served as the firm-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) Chair since its inception. She is a frequent author and speaker on DEI matters and leverages her DEI leadership experiences to further firm efforts and provide tailored representation for clients.
Prior to law school, Chanae worked for Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan as a Commission aide and for Florida State Senator Oscar Braynon, II as a legislative aide. She also interned for Congresswoman Federica Wilson in Washington D.C.
Professional & Community Involvement
- Selected to 2023 class of the ULI Southeast Florida/Caribbean Leadership Institute
- Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association, Group I Director, 2020-2021 Executive Board
- Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, 2016 – Present
- American Planning Association, Broward Section, 2019-2020 Member At-Large
- St. Thomas University School of Law Young Lawyer’s Division Council, 2019 – Present
- Miami Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Awards & Recognition
- Honoree for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, International Municipal Lawyers Association, 2021
- 2021 DBR Florida Legal Awards Honoree for Diversity and Inclusion
- University of Florida Association of Black Alumni South Florida Chapter, Gator Greats Gator First Award, February 2019
- First Black Law Review Editor-in-Chief, Certificate of Recognition, Miami-Dade County, 2017
Publications
- “Black and Poor: The Grave Consequences of Utah v. Strieff,” St. Thomas Law Review, 2017
Press Mentions
- How A Midsize Law Firm Is Making A Big Splash In DEI, Law360, December 1, 2022
- Weiss Serota D&I Chair On Launching Legal Pipeline Program, Law360, March 05, 2021
- Coral Gables Law Firm, Florida Memorial University Announce Joint Talent ‘Pipeline’ for Black Lawyers, Daily Business Review, March 04, 2021
- “Beyond Statements: A Call to Action After the Death of George Floyd”, Daily Business Review, June 2020
Presentations
- First Amendment Liability Concerns for Disruptive Public Meetings, International Municipal Lawyers Association’s 2022 Mid-Year Seminar, April 11, 2022
- Women’s History Month Luncheon, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, March 2022
- A Journey Through Black History, Miami Dade Bar, February 23, 2022
- How to create impactful and sustainable DEI Programs in law firms, International Municipal Lawyers Association, January 25, 2022
- “Virtual Hispanic Heritage Month Presentation with Florida Supreme Court Justice John D. Couriel,” Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, October 12, 2021
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Training Workshop, Florida American Planning Conference, August 31, 2021
- How Do We Mobilize? Understanding Your Right to Protest, Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, May 2021
- Women’s History Month Conference, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, March 2021
- Substantive Law Series: Municipal Law, Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. Bar Association, February 2021
- Legal Issues Surrounding COVID-19 Vaccination and Black and Minority Communities, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, February 2021
