Akerman LLP > Tampa, United States > Firm Profile

Akerman LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 1

Akerman LLP’s Florida-based corporate practice group is geared to handle a broad range of middle-market deals, including buy and sell-side M&A work, domestic IPOs, as well as leveraged recapitalizations and buyouts. In Miami, Jonathan Awner co-heads the practice and has a strong track record in transactional work connected to the automotive retail sector. Also in Miami, co-head Carl Roston's practice encompasses the representation of investors and companies in distressed situations and transactions. Fort Lauderdale-based David Birke completes the leadership trio and frequently assists private and public companies in matters ranging from executive compensation to corporate governance. Birke’s Fort Lauderdale colleague Martin Burkett is well-versed in acquisitions in the healthcare sector. Kenneth Wiggins, Santiago Assalini and Sergey Kotelnikov are further key contacts in the Miami office: Wiggins’ expertise in corporate mandates encompasses venture and growth capital investments as well as executive employment agreements, Assalini is frequently sought out by private equity and healthcare clients for transactional advice, and Kotelnikov is noted for his experience handling leveraged buyouts.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 1

Akerman LLP‘s national land use and development practice is reputed for its depth of experience advising on local zoning and land use regulations, process and policy. The team handles all aspects of real estate development and urban redevelopments: Miami-based practice co-head Spencer Crowley focuses on considerable land use and environmental permitting matters, including marina permitting, while Miami lawyer Neisen Kasdin assists clients with in obtaining approvals for rezoning in addition to advising on the development of large-scale, multi-use projects. In New York, co-head Joshua Rinesmith is a go-to advisor for property owners, developers, architects and engineers seeking advice on zoning compliance and property development potential. In the same office, Jaclyn Scarinci advises on the development of mixed-use and affordable housing projects. Chicago’s Meg George acts for municipalities, developers, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies, and Los Angeles-based real estate expert and development expert Lisa Kolieb regularly counsels on the regulatory aspects of real estate transactions.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 2

Working across a diversity of sectors, Akerman LLP provides a full-service immigration offering advising a range of clients on immigration strategies, compliance issues, pre-immigration tax and visa planning. The team are also adept at strategizing on corporate expansion and filing petitions in the EB-5 investor category. Recent standout work includes the filing of over 150 immigrant petitions for Adventist Health System. The practice is led by a triumvirate of experts, Eric Gordon chairs the labor and employment practice group from West Palm Beach, alongside Maria Casablanca, who serves as chair on the immigration and compliance practice in Miami. Third co-head, Denise Gavica Perez, also operates from Miami and represents a wide range of sectors on both investment-based immigration and employment-based immigration matters. They are supported by Anthony El-Hashem in Miami, a former trial attorney at the U.S Department of Justice, who brings extensive experience in handling nonimmigrant visas, employment-based immigration petition and I-9 compliance issues.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 3

Akerman LLP combines its expertise in EPC contractor terminations with strong advisory and non-contentious capabilities in contract drafting and negotiations, bolstering its construction counsel ability with Washington DC-based Daniel Miktus, who is heavily involved in the firm’s key mandates, including acting as lead counsel on large project developments. Head of the firm’s nationwide construction practice, Jeffrey Gilmore operates from the Washington DC office, and specializes in public-private partnerships and major projects in the renewable and conventional energy, and infrastructure arenas. Another key area of expertise for the team includes representing clients across the full range of design and construction-related issues. Project administration and litigation specialist, with a real estate focus, Fort Lauderdale-based Stacy Bercun Bohm acted as primary construction counsel on the design and construction of a mega cruise terminal at the Port of Miami. Other key members of the team include Los Angeles-based Brenda Radmacher, lead counsel in the Chaplain Towers Condominium collapse litigation case, and Washington DC-based Stephen Hurlbut, whose expertise spans government contract litigation and delay claims.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Akerman LLP maintains close relationships with clients from an array of industries, including the retail, technology, and financial sectors. The practice includes five dedicated SALT, federal, international, trusts and estates, and employee benefits tax sub-teams. Peter Larsen, who is based in Jacksonville, co-leads the practice with Chicago lawyer David Blum. Larsen has particular strength in tax challenges relating to emerging technologies, while Blum is a SALT specialist with prior experience as a state tax auditor. SALT sub-practice chair Michael Bowen, who is based in Jacksonville, acts for both national and international clients in relevant disputes. Stefi George, of the New York office, is another SALT expert who acts nationwide advising on tax compliance, controversy, and litigation. Miami lawyer Lorie Fale is also a key contact for clients facing state tax assessments.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 4

Akerman LLP‘s practice is sought after by healthcare, hospitality, aviation, financial services, retail, and tech companies for its employment litigation expertise. The group handles the defense of class and collective actions relating to wage and hour issues, discrimination and harassment claims, and wrongful termination. Eric Gordon steers the national labor and employment practice group from West Palm Beach and is experienced in class action defense, arbitration, and leading in-house training programs. Los Angeles-based Marissa Alguire acts as labor and employment group deputy chair and focuses on litigating discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, wage and hour, and PAGA cases. The team was strengthened by the October 2023 arrival of Emily Patajo from Epstein Becker & Green, P.C. to the LA office.

Real estate Tier 4

Akerman LLP assists a broad set of domestic and international groups including developers, private equity trusts, banks, REITs and asset management companies on developments and redevelopments encompassing industrial, retail, residential, and office space, among others. In addition to the Florida and New York markets, the firm also has a footprint in the Chicago, California, and Dallas real estate markets, advising on a multitude of transactions, sales and leasebacks, and land transactions as well as distressed situations and loan recovery. The practice also possesses a number of growing sub-groups, including those in the areas of energy and infrastructure, private equity, and data centers and digital infrastructure. Practice chair and transaction expert Eric Rapkin leads the national team, himself based at Florida’s Fort Lauderdale. The department’s co-deputy chairs are Chicago-based Lawrence Eiben, who advises REITs, funds, developers, and joint ventures on a range of transactions, and Denver’s Allison Nelson, noted for her transaction, lease work and M&A experience, especially in the healthcare space.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration