Marcelo is the Managing Partner of Marcelo Llorente, P.A. (“MLPA”). He brings more than 21 years of experience in public finance, governmental affairs, and public policy law to the firm. At MLPA, Marcelo advises clients on a broad range of matters, including government law and procurement, public-private partnerships, public finance, regulatory issues, emergency management, community relations, business development, and strategic communications.
With a strong legal background and eight years of service as a Florida legislator, Marcelo has a deep understanding of government at the local, state, and federal levels. This experience provides valuable insight for organizations seeking to navigate business opportunities across multiple layers of government. He is particularly skilled in developing public-private partnerships and assembling collaborative teams to advance complex initiatives.
Prior to founding MLPA, Marcelo served for more than ten years as Managing Partner of the law firm Llorente & Heckler, P.A. (“L&H”), as well as LSN Partners, LLC (“LSN”), a Miami-based full-service consulting firm. Earlier in his career, Marcelo practiced law at Bryant Miller Olive for ten years.
In 2002, Marcelo was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 116th District, and was subsequently reelected in 2004, 2006, and 2008. During his tenure, he passed landmark legislation and held several leadership roles, including Chairman of the Full Appropriations Council on General Government and Health Care, where he oversaw more than $30 billion of the State of Florida’s annual budget. He also served as Vice Chairman of the Joint Legislative Budget Commission, Chairman of the Policy Council, and Chairman of the Committee on Constitution and Civil Law.
In 2019, Marcelo served on Governor Ron DeSantis’ Transition Team as a member of the Advisory Committee on Government Operations. At the local level, he served as Chairman for Congressman and former Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez’s 2012 and 2016 reelection campaigns. Marcelo also served as Co-Chair of Miami-Dade Public Schools’ successful $1.2 billion Bond Referendum Program in 2012. In 2008, Senator John McCain selected Marcelo as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minnesota and as an Honorary Vice Chairman of the 2008 Republican Platform Committee.
Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, Marcelo is a graduate of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School. He attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and was a four-year letterman on the baseball team. Marcelo received the Jim and Loan LeBreton Award as Tulane Baseball’s Most Inspirational Player in 1997 and 1998. He earned his Juris Doctor from The Florida State University College of Law.
