Richard, a native of Hollywood, Florida, has more than 22 years of experience in law and trust services. He began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney in Orange County, Florida, prosecuting third-degree felonies. After that, he launched and managed a successful solo law practice focused on estate planning and real estate. He later earned a Master of Law Degree (LL.M.) in Estate Planning. He then joined Northern Trust Company, where he served as a Trust and Investment Officer for over five years. In 2007, Florida’s Governor appointed Richard DeNapoli as a Commissioner to the Florida Real Estate Commission (“FREC”). In that quasi-judicial role, he oversaw the industry and assessed violations of Florida’s real estate law. He remained on the Commission for over six years, with both of his appointments confirmed by the Florida Senate.
Leadership and Public Engagement
After working as Vice-President at a trust company on Florida’s west coast, Richard joined Coral Gables Trust Company in 2015. He currently serves as President and Chief Fiduciary Counsel and is a longtime member of the Tax Section and the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. He also recently served on the Probate Rules Committee. Richard is a past President of the Estate Planning Council of Broward County and sits on the Trust Executive Committee of the Florida Bankers Association.
Richard has been widely quoted in publications including the Miami Herald, “Palm Beach Society Magazine,” “Miami Today,” the “Wall Street Journal’s Mansion Global,” and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Throughout his career, he has appeared on both local and national television. He has also spoken regularly on estate planning and trust topics throughout South Florida. Richard currently serves as a Town Commissioner in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, a role he began in 2024. He has also served as State Committeeman for Broward County since 2016. From 2019 to 1014, he was a Supervisor and Chairman of the Broward Soil & Water Conservation District.