June 27, 2012

Akerman Senterfitt announced today that Karen Specie, of counsel in the firm’s Bankruptcy & Reorganization practice, has been selected by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Florida. Specie will take over the position from Lewis M. Killian, Jr., upon his retirement on July 24, 2012.

“It has been a privilege to have Karen as a colleague, and we are all proud of her appointment to the bench,” said Andrew Smulian, chairman and CEO of Akerman Senterfitt. “Her selection to serve in a judicial capacity is well deserved, and is an acknowledgement of her professional acumen, and vast and diverse experience in bankruptcy-related matters.”

Prior to her appointment, Specie served as a Chapter 7 panel trustee for the Northern District, which extends from Pensacola to Gainesville. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of South Florida, and a Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law. Specie also is a Fellow in the American College of Bankruptcy.

About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 19 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2012). Akerman also is ranked among the top 100 law firms for diversity by MultiCultural Law magazine (2012) and recognized as the Law Firm of the Year for Diversity – South by Benchmark Litigation (2012). More information can be found at akerman.com or twitter.com/akerman_law.