Akerman LLP > Palm Beach, United States > Firm Profile

Akerman LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

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

With extensive experience on both buy and sell-side mandates, Akerman LLP handles an impressive volume of middle-market deals ranging from M&A to buyouts, spin-offs, distressed company transactions and growth equity investments. Besides acting for privately held businesses, public companies and emerging clients, the Florida-based firm is also a go-to choice for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Jonathan Awner in Miami is nationally recognised for his track record in the automotive sector, where he represents clients on strategic M&A, private equity deals and corporate governance matters. He jointly chairs the practice with David Birke in Fort Lauderdale, who is a key contact for private equity firms. Other names to note in the Miami office include Carl Roston, who is routinely sought out by mid-market private equity clients and large privately-held companies, and Kenneth Wiggins, who is active in the industrial, IT, aerospace, and automotive retail sectors.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 1

The multidisciplinary land use and zoning practice at Akerman LLP features a team of experts that are well-versed in handling the full life-cycle of projects, advising a client roster consisting of real estate developers, investors, landowners and lenders on the entire suite of land use and development matters. Acquisitions, project and public finance, development incentives, land use entitlements and zoning issues are among the group’s core competencies in the space, alongside a track record for urban development and redevelopment projects throughout the country. Three partners jointly head the practice: Florida’s Eric Rapkin , Miami’s Spencer Crowley  and New York-based practitioner Joshua Rinesmith, while managing partner of the Florida office, Neisen Kasdin , is extensively experienced in civic work, alongside urban revitalization and complex, large scale multi-use developments. Chicago’s Meg George focuses her practice on real estate and municipal law matters, including acquisitions, land use and zoning, licensing, permitting and subdivision. In Florida, James McNeil is well-versed on the transactional aspects of complex real estate deals, in conjunction with due diligence and procurement of land use approvals and entitlements.  

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 2

Predominantly led out of Miami, Akerman LLP provides immigration, compliance, EB-5 and consular services to companies and individuals across the Americas with a focus on the healthcare and hospitality sectors. Maria Casablanca has extensive experience in immigration and nationality law with expertise in EB-5 matters. She serves as Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Mexico City District and jointly heads the practice with Denise Gavica Perez who handles family-based immigration matters and represents clients before federal agencies including the Department of Labor and Department of State, advising entrepreneurs and high net-worth individuals regarding investment-based US immigration and manages employment-based immigration cases for non-immigrant and immigrant visas.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 3

Akerman LLP oversees a wide spectrum of public and private construction projects, and often represents a breadth of clients including contractors, designers, as well as insurance carriers. Jeffrey Gilmore  in Washington DC advises contractors, design professionals, and public and private owners with disputes concerning design and construction contracts. Fort Lauderdale's Stacy Bercun Bohm negotiates and structures construction contracts for the design and construction of stadiums and arenas, airport projects, and healthcare facilities. Leslie Miller Tomczak is also located in Fort Lauderdale, acting as managing partner of the office and focusing on sustainable building issues, while DC-based associate Daniel Miktus represents clients in complex private and public construction and development disputes.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Akerman LLP represents national and multistate clients in SALT and federal tax disputes throughout the United States, with expertise across a broad range of industries, including the financial, automotive, and technology sectors. The team is also active on emerging tax issues in relation to digital marketplaces and goods. Peter Larsen, who has a background in high stakes tax disputes, and specializes in new technologies and telecoms, co-leads the group from Jacksonville, alongside former state tax auditor, David Blum, who is based in Chicago. Michael Bowen, in Jacksonville, is chair of the firm’s national SALT practice, and acts nationwide on major tax litigation cases. Other prominent names include Stefi George, who works from New York on a broad range of tax controversy and litigation matters, and Miami-based SALT controversy expert, Lorie Fale.

Real estate Tier 4

Acting for diverse mix of investors, developers, lenders, retailers, and corporate end users, Akerman LLP has a strong background in urban redevelopment, hospitality and retail real estate transactions, distressed real estate and commercial leasing. Fort Lauderdale based Eric Rapkin serves as chair of the department, and is assisted by Carol Faber in Miami and Richard Bezold  in West Palm Beach; Allison Nelson in Denver, and Lawrence Eiben in Chicago, who is an expert in acquisitions, sales, developments and financing of office buildings, shopping centers and mixed-use projects.