Mr. Koslow is a shareholder in the Firm's Local Government Law & Lobbying Group and directs the Firm's Gaming, Hospitality and Entertainment Law practice.
Mr. Koslow is recognized for his substantial knowledge, creative thinking and extensive experience in gaming law, municipal law, land use, zoning, redevelopment, incentives, property tax relief and related issues. His clients include developers, entrepreneurs, hotels, restaurants, gaming companies, pari-mutuels and others, all of who value his insights and knowledge of governmental processes and the laws that govern them. He previously served as a municipal attorney, first as deputy and then city attorney for the City of Hollywood, Florida where he was responsible for directing all aspects of the City's legal matters, including litigation in state and federal court, legislation, land use, zoning, annexation and redevelopment, franchise and contract negotiations and general representation of the city commission, departments, and pension fund. As City Attorney, he also served as Legal Counsel to the City's Community Redevelopment Agency. Mr. Koslow has experience as Bond Counsel, Underwriters' Counsel and Issuer's Counsel on over $2 billion (in the aggregate) in tax exempt financings.
As the Firm's lead attorney for entertainment, gaming, pari-mutuel and sports law, he has represented national, publicly traded casino and lottery companies, gaming machine manufacturers and distributors, and pari-mutuel operators, such as Pompano Park Racing owned by the Isle of Capri Casino. He lead the negotiation and closing on the definitive acquisition agreements for the track and was successful in securing an agricultural tax exemption for half of all track land, thus saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in property taxes. He has drafted legislation to authorize new products for Florida's pari-mutuel industry and was instrumental in helping win passage of Amendment 4 in 2004 allowing for slot machines at pari-mutuel facilities in Miami Dade and Broward Counties and is working with industry leaders and developers to bring additional gaming products and “destination resorts” developments into South Florida. He has played a leading role in the renaissance of Hollywood Beach, including several high end hotels, condo-hotels and other luxury properties. His prominence in these areas has led him into other aspects of entertainment law, including sports, film, television and products licensing.
Activities & Memberships
Alan believes in “giving back to the community” in both qualitative time and fund raising for worthy charitable and not for profit causes. For example, after serving for 10 years as an active Board member of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (voted Florida’s best film festival by the industry), Mr. Koslow was voted and elected by the Board to serve as its Chair in for the next two years 2013 and 2014. Mr. Koslow is aggressively spearheading Fliff’s growth and capital campaign for its “branded” Cinema Paradiso expansion plans in Hollywood and Pompano. He has also served as past Chairman of the Broward Alliance's Film and Television Commission (1999-2001) that directs the County's efforts to attract and support movie and television projects. In 2011, Mr. Koslow established the Alan B. Koslow Endowed Scholarship in Entertainment, Gaming and Sports Law at Hofstra University School of Law, his alma mater. He has played a leadership role in many local business and charitable organizations, including as Past President and current Vice President and Membership Committee Chair of the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, past Chair and current Vice Chair and Legal Counsel of the Hollywood Art and Culture Center, past President and current Board Member and Legal Counsel of the Marti Huizenga Boys and Girls Club of Hollywood and Broward County Board of the Club, Past President and current Board Member and Legal Counsel of the ArtServe Board of Directors, Co-chair of the Capital Campaign for the Broward Outreach Center. As an active member on the Boards of these prestigious community organizations, Mr. Koslow demonstrates his strong passion to “give back” to the community as he has played a leading role in raising millions of dollars in the aggregate for these worthy causes and continues to do so.
Awards & Honors
Alan has been recognized by South Florida CEO magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful People in South Florida and by Florida Trend magazine among its "Legal Elite" in the area of Government Law. The “Legal Elite” designation was based upon a poll of Florida attorneys, who selected peers in the top 2% of their respective practice areas. He has also been selected for four straight years by The Best Lawyers in America® in the specialty category of Gaming Law in Florida, and has also been the only listed attorney in Gaming Law in Florida for several years, and is a member of the prestigious International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL). IMGL is an invitation-only organization for attorneys who have distinguished themselves through demonstrated performance and publishing in gaming law, significant gaming clientele and substantial participation in the gaming industry. He is also one of a handful of Florida attorneys to be selected as a member of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys and a featured speaker at gaming law seminars in the United States and abroad. In 2012, the Miami Herald as also featured Alan on its expansive article on Gaming Lawyers in Florida recognizing him as “the king of gaming lawyers in South Florida”.
Alan has been recognized for his service to the community with numerous awards including ArtServe's Professional ProBono Award, Broward Outreach Center’s Community Covenant Award and the Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit Award. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners recognized Mr. Koslow for his contributions to the Broward Cultural Council by issuing a proclamation that designated the "Alan B. Koslow Appreciation Day" in Broward.