Attorneys & Professionals

Chanae L. Wood
Chanae L.WoodPartner
Chanae L.
Wood

Partner

Ft. Lauderdale
(954) 763-4242
cwood@wsh-law.com

Chanae represents developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning and general government matters. She has extensive experience counseling municipal clients on compliance with public records, sunshine law and ethics, and matters dealing with comprehensive planning, procurement, utilities, administrative, and constitutional law. 

Chanae also assists developers and private property owners as they navigate the intricacies of the development review process, including securing approvals for affordable housing developments. Her representation of clients often begins with pre-acquisition due diligence and extends through the permitting and legislative processes required to develop a property.

As an advocate for land use and affordable housing, Chanae is passionate about addressing housing challenges and helping her clients bring transformative projects to life. She is widely recognized for her strategic insights and unwavering commitment to supporting developers and entrepreneurs as they shape thriving communities.

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.

A graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law, Chanae’s professional and community involvement includes her current role as the 2026 President-Elect of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Miami-Dade County.

In addition to her legal practice, Wood is a strong advocate for wellness in the professional space. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, inspiring those around her to prioritize holistic well-being.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Miami Dade County, President-Elect, 2025; Presidential Advisory Board Director, 2024
  • 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

Awards & Recognition

  • Legacy Miami, 40 Under 40 Award, 2025
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2023-present
  • 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

Press Mentions

Presentations

  • The Hero’s Reward: Crafting a Legacy of Influence, 10th annual Black Professionals Summit, November 22, 2024
  • Real Talk, Real Estate, Something at the Table, August 2024
  • Webinar: State-mandated ethics training for Government officials, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, December 2023
  • 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
  • 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

Chanae represents developers and governmental entities in land use, zoning and general government matters. She has extensive experience counseling municipal clients on compliance with public records, sunshine law and ethics, and matters dealing with comprehensive planning, procurement, utilities, administrative, and constitutional law. 

Chanae also assists developers and private property owners as they navigate the intricacies of the development review process, including securing approvals for affordable housing developments. Her representation of clients often begins with pre-acquisition due diligence and extends through the permitting and legislative processes required to develop a property.

As an advocate for land use and affordable housing, Chanae is passionate about addressing housing challenges and helping her clients bring transformative projects to life. She is widely recognized for her strategic insights and unwavering commitment to supporting developers and entrepreneurs as they shape thriving communities.

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.

A graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law, Chanae’s professional and community involvement includes her current role as the 2026 President-Elect of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Miami-Dade County.

In addition to her legal practice, Wood is a strong advocate for wellness in the professional space. She emphasizes the importance of fostering a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle, inspiring those around her to prioritize holistic well-being.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Miami Dade County, President-Elect, 2025; Presidential Advisory Board Director, 2024
  • 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

Awards & Recognition

  • Miami Legacy 40 Under 40, MIA Media Group LLC, 2025
  • Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2023-present
  • 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

Press Mentions

Presentations

  • The Hero’s Reward: Crafting a Legacy of Influence, 10th annual Black Professionals Summit, November 22, 2024
  • Real Talk, Real Estate, Something at the Table, August 2024
  • Webinar: State-mandated ethics training for Government officials, Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman, December 2023
  • 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
  • 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

Practice Areas

Admissions

Florida, 2018

Education

St. Thomas University School of Law, J.D., 2018

  • CALI Book Awards: Legal Research & Writing, Advanced Legal Research & Writing, Advanced Legal Skills; Dean’s List (all semesters); Pro Bono Commendation, Over 100 service hours

University of Florida, 2013

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in Family, Youth, & Community Sciences and minors in Public Leadership and International Studies & Humanitarian Assistance

RELATED BLOGS,
PUBLICATIONS,
NEWS & UPDATES

MORE

Start typing and press Enter to search