Overview

Mr. Coaxum has advised clients on a broad range of transactions involving UCC–1 financing statements, joint ventures, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability company formations, in addition to private capital investments, stock purchases, and asset acquisitions. Additionally, Richard has significant experience involving information technology, executive and employee compensation issues, manufacturing equipment, feedstock supply and off–take, non–disclosure/non–circumvention agreements, commercial leases, and vendor contracts.

Mr. Coaxum has served as outside corporate counsel to a Fortune 500 company and affiliates for transactions throughout the United States and international development territories. Additionally, he has represented the second largest locally owned electric utility in Florida and 16th largest in the nation, and he has provided knowledge on matters involving sustainability, solar electric–voltaic, and alternative/renewable energy development.

Representative Engagements

• Serve as outside general counsel to an innovative self-serve and creator-centric brand and streaming media platform
• Serve as outside corporate counsel for an Orlando–based private equity firm
• Served as Florida outside corporate counsel to the largest grocer in in New York City, a cooperative of more than 200 independently owned supermarkets
• Worked for various clients raising capital in private placements and institutional financing

Previous Professional Experience

• General Counsel, Principal, and Member of the executive team to a Washington, D.C.–based alternative energy company developing a 7.5 million gallon/year waste vegetable oil biodiesel production facility
• Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary to a full–service, clean energy development company specializing in development and operations of 2GWh in projects throughout the United States in connection with the production of electricity from various alternative energy production sources
• Chief Business Development Officer and Florida Division Counsel to a national title services company
• Appointed as a neutral hearing officer for formal bid protests by executive director of the Orange County Expressway Authority
• Attorney, Orange County Government. Served as senior legal advisor to the County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners in the administration of the County’s $1 billion+ procurement budget. Served as lead counsel on bid protests, disbarment proceedings, certiorari appeals, and litigation matters
• Judicial Intern, Honorable Ursula Ungaro, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida

Courts & Bar Associations

• The Florida Bar
• U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
• United States 11th Circuit Court of Appeal

Professional Honors & Awards

• The Best Lawyers in America® - Corporate Law (2025)
• Lawdragon 500 Leading Dealmakers in America (2021-2022, 2024-2025)
• Martindale Hubbell® AV Preeminent® - Peer Review Rating (2025)
• The National Black Lawyers-Top 100 (2015-2016, 2021)
• Eagle Scout Award

Professional & Civic Affiliations

• Citrus Club, Board of Governors
• Boy Scouts of America, Central Florida Council Board of Directors (former)
• Community Coordinated Care for Children (4C), Board of Directors (former)