In tech, speed is everything—until it breaks something. Roland Sanchez-Medina knows what happens when businesses scale fast but build weak. That’s why, from his legal desk in Coral Gables, Florida, he’s spent the last 30+ years helping companies get their foundation right.
“You can’t patch structure later,” he says. “You either build it right from the start, or you pay for it later.”
This mindset matters just as much in Silicon Valley as it does in South Florida. Whether you’re coding an app or managing a multi-million-dollar real estate venture, the risks are the same: unclear roles, bad governance, tax headaches, or worse—deal collapse. Sanchez-Medina has seen all of it.
His Start: Law, Numbers, and Big Deals
Born in Cuba and raised in Miami, Sanchez-Medina took the long route through education. He earned a business degree from the University of Miami in 1987, then went to Boston College Law School, followed by a master’s in tax law at NYU.
“I was always interested in how things worked behind the scenes,” he says. “Law gave me the tools. Business gave me the mindset.”
He started his legal career at Holland & Knight in Miami. Later, he became a partner at McDermott Will & Emery, where he focused on M&A and corporate governance. “At McDermott, I got to see billion-dollar moves up close. That’s where I learned the value of structure.”
Why He Built SMGQ Law
In 2005, he co-founded SMGQ Law in Coral Gables. The firm focuses on complex transactions—corporate deals, international tax structuring, real estate finance, and governance.
“We’re not in courtrooms. We’re in boardrooms. That’s where the real problems are solved—or created.”
His clients include both public and private companies, often navigating global markets. From tax structures for inbound U.S. investment to securities and compliance, Sanchez-Medina focuses on risk management before it’s needed.
Governance: The Quiet Killer
One theme keeps coming up in his conversations: governance. It’s the boring stuff that breaks companies. Sanchez-Medina has chaired audit and budget committees for public entities and served as president of The Florida Bar. He sees what goes wrong when organisations skip the basics.
“Governance isn’t paperwork. It’s clarity. If your board doesn’t know its role, or if you’re not tracking decisions, that’s not innovation—that’s chaos.”
In tech, where founders wear many hats and boards are often hands-off, this hits home. A 2022 Deloitte report found that over 70% of early-stage tech firms have no clear internal compliance framework. That’s a recipe for fines, funding rejections, or failed exits.
The Role of Mentorship
Outside of his legal career, Sanchez-Medina mentors younger attorneys and professionals. He’s also led organisations like the Cuban American Bar Association and the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“I’ve seen a lot of talented people burn out or mess up—not because they weren’t smart, but because no one showed them how to lead.”
He advocates for more mentorship in high-pressure industries like tech, where young professionals often learn by failure. “We can’t scale mentorship the way we scale software,” he says, “but we can be intentional about it.”
What Tech Founders Can Learn
So what can startup leaders and tech operators learn from someone like Sanchez-Medina?
- Build the structure early – Don’t wait until Series B to organise your governance or tax plans.
- Define board roles clearly – A board is a brain, not a stamp.
- Stay involved in your ecosystem – Leadership isn’t a solo act.
- Think globally, but plan legally – Cross-border growth means cross-border risk.
“Your product may change. Your market may shift. But if your foundation is steady, you’ll last longer than your competitors.”
Final Thought
In a world that moves fast, Sanchez-Medina’s voice is steady. His advice isn’t shiny or trendy—but it’s built to last.
“Everyone wants to go big,” he says. “But the smartest thing you can do is build something that doesn’t fall apart when you get there.”
Q&A with Roland Sanchez-Medina
- What’s the biggest mistake fast-growing companies make?
Roland: “They scale chaos. If your internal structure is messy, growing just multiplies the mess.” - How early should founders think about governance?
Roland: “Before they need it. By the time it’s a problem, it’s already hurting you.” - What’s one overlooked area that kills deals?
Roland: “Tax planning. Cross-border deals fall apart all the time because no one structured the transaction upfront.” - What did you learn early in your career that still sticks with you?
Roland: “At McDermott, I saw how serious boards take risk. That showed me real leadership is built on preparation.” - What’s your view on mentorship in business?
Roland: “It’s underrated. Everyone’s rushing ahead, but no one’s guiding. That’s dangerous.” - One piece of advice for tech founders?
Roland: “Think bigger than your product. Your company is more than code. It’s a system. Build it like one.”
Peyman Khosravani is a seasoned expert in blockchain, digital transformation, and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on innovation in finance, business, and marketing. With a robust background in blockchain and decentralized finance (DeFi), Peyman has successfully guided global organizations in refining digital strategies and optimizing data-driven decision-making. His work emphasizes leveraging technology for societal impact, focusing on fairness, justice, and transparency. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of digital tools, Peyman’s expertise spans across helping startups and established businesses navigate digital landscapes, drive growth, and stay ahead of industry trends. His insights into analytics and communication empower companies to effectively connect with customers and harness data to fuel their success in an ever-evolving digital world.
