About Lowndes

Florida-based, national reach

On January 2, 1969, John Lowndes along with three other partners started the Orlando-based law firm that would later become Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., one of Florida’s largest and most respected law firms. Walt Disney World was under construction when the four partners left another local firm to open their own downtown Orlando office and capitalize on the burgeoning real estate market.

While our real estate practice and deep-rooted involvement in that industry remains an integral component of the firm, we have grown alongside the dynamic needs of our clients and community at large. Today, we advise clients on almost every aspect of business: from copyrights and trademarks to high-stakes, high-profile litigation; from complex land use and real estate issues to wealth management; from labor and employment law to healthcare; from capital raising and entity formation to corporate growth and expansion locally, nationally and internationally.

Clients First

We are a full service firm, proud of our deeply personalized approach that puts our clients first. At the heart of our commitment lies an unwavering dedication to our clients, fostering open communication and unparalleled responsiveness to their needs. We firmly believe that each client is unique, deserving individualized attention and tailored solutions.

Moreover, our deep ties to the Orlando community reflect our commitment to not just serving but also actively engaging with the people and businesses here. This local connection allows us to better understand the specific challenges and opportunities our clients face, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted and accessible legal partner.

Clients include several publicly traded corporations, international private entities, small to mid-sized companies, family businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals. Often, we are called upon by some of the largest law firms in the world to serve as Florida counsel for their mega-clients. Clients benefit from our big-firm talent, sophistication, and service at reasonable rates.

Global Reach

With our firm, clients also have access to Meritas, a global alliance of thousands of experienced lawyers in nearly 200 full-service law firms around the world. Learn more

Diversity + Inclusion

As committed as we are to our clients, we are equally committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment that enriches the workplace and enables us to better serve our clients and our community. Learn more

Culture

The firm was founded on and continues to adhere to several guiding principles of conduct, professionalism, practice and collegiality that have provided the framework for our culture. These enduring principles – revolving around integrity, openness, trust, mutual support and cooperation, a strong work ethic, and client service orientation – define our relationships to each other, to our clients and to the community. It is why clients and community organizations alike view us as their trusted advisors. It is why so many want to work here - and stay here.

Community

While we are proud, year after year, to be named by the Orlando Business Journal among the top 10 most philanthropic companies in the area, the investment in our community is a fundamental element of our business philosophy.

The firm as a whole and our individual attorneys and staff have a long history of enthusiastically committing financial support and volunteer hours to charitable, civic, educational, industry, professional and trade organizations, thanks to the high standard for commitment to the community set by firm founder John Lowndes.

Many of our attorneys hold leadership positions on the boards and committees of over 100 organizations and our clients benefit as well from the introductions and connections we can provide through these strong relationships.

History at a Glance


1969	On January 2, 1969, John Lowndes and three of his partners from another local law firm opened the doors of Lowndes, Peirsol, Drosdick & Baker on the 4th floor of the First Federal Savings & Loan Association building on the corner of Magnolia & Church Street in downtown Orlando. Six months later, William E. "Bill" Doster becomes the first lateral to join the firm. The headlines in 1969 reflected a range of historic events from the first Concorde test flight to the first man to walk on the moon. Frank Sinatra’s hit single My Way topped the music charts while the Woodstock Music Festival attracted more than a half million people over four days in upstate New York.

1972	Hal Kantor joins Lowndes, Peirsol, Drosdick, Baker & Doster and later becomes a name partner. Bill Baker left to become a real estate developer, and Fred Peirsol left to pursue his fortune elsewhere.

1980	Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster & Kantor moves into its newly constructed French classical building overlooking Lake Eola. Two years later, sadly, Ernie Drosdick dies suddenly.

1984	John A. Reed joins the firm after stepping down from the federal bench where he served as U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of Florida since his appointment by Richard Nixon in 1973. The firm changes its name to Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed.

1996	The firm builds the Lowndes Conference Center and additional offices.

1997	Nicholas A. "Nick" Pope succeeds John Lowndes as Managing Partner.

2000	The firm opens its second office in the CNL Tower in downtown Orlando.

2008	William T. "Bill" Dymond, Jr. succeeds Nick Pope as President, CEO and Managing Partner.

2014	The firm expands its footprint to the Space Coast, opening an office in Melbourne. Later that same year, the firm expands into Lake County, combining with Mount Dora-based Potter Clement Bergholtz Alexander.

2018	Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A. rebrands as Lowndes

2021	Firm founder John F. Lowndes passes away in February. Three months later name partner William E. Doster passes away.