Former top legislator to lead area law firm

TAMPA — Former Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, has been appointed president and managing director of Tampa-based law firm GrayRobinson P.A., effective Sept. 1.

According to a press release, Cannon succeeds Mayanne Downs, who will remain with the firm and concentrate on her litigation practice.

Cannon first joined GrayRobinson while in high school, working as a runner at the firm’s Lakeland office, the release states. He began his law practice at the firm in 1995. After leaving the firm in 2007 to pursue a career in politics, he returned in 2016 and became executive vice president and chairman of its government affairs practice.

“I am extremely honored to have received Mayanne’s nomination and the unanimous support of my colleagues, many of whom have provided support and longtime friendship that has helped shape my legal and political career,” Cannon states in the release. “We have an incredible law firm, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and fully committed to our collective future success as I undertake the position of president and managing director.”