Meet Danielle Garno | Fashion & Entertainment Lawyer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Garno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I always laugh at the term “work life balance” because as a mother of four daughters and a lawyer in BigLaw for the last 20+ years, it’s a misnomer. For me, it’s about triage: what or who needs me most in that moment?

My practice has always demanded extensive travel, whether it was commuting to India for six months on a matter or bouncing from Miami to NY to LA to Europe and back to serve clients. My daughters understood early on that I was not going to make it to every school presentation or parent event, but I would be present for the ones that mattered most.

As I’ve progressed throughout my career, I’ve become more intentional and strategic about how I want to invest my time and energy. I have moved beyond the trial-and-error approach of my earlier years to focus on what generates the most return–whether that is deepening client relationships, teaching law students, or creating lasting memories with my family.

Now that I’ve transitioned out of BigLaw and started a new chapter as an entrepreneur and partner at Daniel, Ebeling, Maccia & Cohen, I have greater control over my schedule. This evolution means I can prioritize attending my daughters’ tennis matches and soccer tournaments while still delivering exceptional results for my clients. It’s not about having it all–it’s about being fully present for what matters most in each season of life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Nothing about building a fashion practice in BigLaw was easy. For that matter, nothing about BigLaw is easy. I wasn’t handed a book of business from a retiring partner–everything I built was on my own. It took a lot of extra time (on top of my billable hour requirement) and relentless hustle, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Some of the key lessons learned throughout my career are to really think through and be intentional about your business goals and strategies. I tried a lot of different business development techniques early on because no one was really doing what I was doing, so I didn’t have anyone to follow. Every experience taught me something, so I don’t want to call it a waste of time, but I finally know now what actually works for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting Miami for a week, I’d want to show them the perfect mix of energy, relaxation, and local flavor–basically, all the reasons I love living here.

Because I am a morning person, we’d start our days with a morning workout. The tennis court is my happy place, particularly Miami Beach Tennis Academy. On other days, we’d mix it up with Pilates at Tremble or a high-energy spinning session at SoulCycle Miami Beach or Brickell. After working up a sweat, we’d grab a smoothie at Pura Vida to refuel.

To experience the natural beauty of Miami we’d visit the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens. It’s a quiet, beautiful oasis in the middle of the city – a great place to relax and grab a cup of coffee. Walking Brickell Key is always an adventure between the manatees, dolphins, and stingrays — you’re guaranteed a dose of Miami wildlife. We’re truly blessed to live here.

For shopping, we would head over to my favorite spot: Beach Boutique in Miami Beach. The owner, Patricia, has THE BEST eye for fashion and sources the most incredible and unique brands. Barbara and Randee are incredible inhouse stylists who just instinctively know what works for you. Afterward, we would stop by SKN Elements for all things skincare, and then IGK for a quick hair refresh.

At night, we’d dive into the food scene. My all-time favorite restaurant is Osaka Nikkei in Brickell. The sushi is the best in the city and the service is unparalleled in Miami. I also love Mother Wolf, and the bar at Maple & Ash is always a scene. You can’t beat the energy, the people-watching, or the cocktails!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give a lot of credit to Cesar Alvarez, who was the Executive Chairman and CEO at Greenberg Traurig (GT) when I worked there. I started at GT as a young lawyer, and as I became more senior, I knew I needed to pick a lane. As a general commercial litigator, there were 40 other lawyers on my floor who did the exact same thing as I did. What was going to set me apart? Where could I become a subject matter expert? So when I decided to focus on the fashion industry and took my plan to management, Cesar was incredibly supportive of my business plan and gave me great advice throughout my career. I remember when I was extremely frustrated that my fashion law practice wasn’t taking off as quickly as I wanted it to and he told me, “Be patient. You’re just planting seeds right now. Continue to plant and to nurture your relationships and then you’ll see exponential growth. It may take a year or two, but I promise it will happen.” He was 100% right, and I’m forever grateful for his advice and support. The fact that he believed in me kept me going when I seriously questioned myself.

Website: https://www.demclaw.com/daniellegarno

Instagram: @dgfashionlawyer

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-garno-27b0174/

Twitter: @dgfashionlaw

Other: https://etrebrandmasterclass.com/