Mikki Canton - In play

South Florida CEO, Dec, 2003 by Mikki Canton

LATEST PLAY: Canton recently left Miami firm Holland & Knight to become chair of West Palm Beach-based law firm Gunster Yoakley's corporate strategic counseling and public affairs practice in Miami. She was also recently selected to serve on the Women's Leadership Board at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government, a group that works on women's public-policy issues and helps women gain access to leadership positions.

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BACKGROUND: A self-described rainmaker, the Cuban-born Canton was with H&K for 17 years and had been head of its South Florida public-law practice. Her focus includes state and local governmental law, legislative affairs, regulatory matters and entertainment law. A graduate of St. Thomas University law school (1987), Canton is Florida chair of the Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.

AMBITION: Canton wants to help Gunster become the "go-to firm, not just for great legal help, but because we have the contacts to put people together and do it within the law," she says. As for the Women's Leadership Board, Canton says that as the first Cuban-American to be appointed, she will bring a different perspective to the table.

THE PLAYER: Attorney Mikki Canton