Akerman Senterfitt today announced the expansion of its Litigation Practice Group and continued growth of its New York office with a team of commercial litigators, including shareholder David Bayne, of counsel Jim Maloney, and associate Steven Cordero.
Bayne focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters with a concentration in professional liability defense. An experienced trial attorney, Bayne represents clients nationwide in diverse matters in federal and state courts, both at the trial and appellate levels. Many of the professional liability cases he has handled have involved complex issues beyond assertions of malpractice including claims arising under RICO, trademark law, fraud, and other common law torts. In addition, Bayne also has experience handling employment litigation matters as well as insurance coverage and general commercial claims involving claims of fraud, breach of contract, and business valuation.
Maloney brings more than 40 years of trial experience to Akerman, representing clients across a variety of industries in diverse matters in federal and state courts and at the appellate level. His commercial litigation practice also focuses on professional liability defense, including legal and accounting malpractice. The cases he has handled have involved claims arising under RICO, antitrust law, real estate law, securities law, trusts and estates, trademark law, and common law torts. He also has experience handling general commercial claims involving insurance coverage, claims of fraud, breach of contract, and business valuation.
Cordero focuses his practice on commercial litigation in federal and state courts, mediations, and arbitrations. He has defended and prosecuted actions on behalf of clients pertaining to commercial, professional liability, insurance, real estate, and employment disputes. Cordero also has experience in patents, contracts, securities, environmental, immigration, and real property law.
"Our clients continue to look to Akerman for experienced trial lawyers with diverse litigation backgrounds to help resolve complex disputes," said James Miller, chair of Akerman's Litigation Practice Group. "The collective skills in professional liability defense and other areas that David, Jim and Steven bring will add great value and depth, and we are delighted to welcome them to the Akerman team."
The lawyers join Akerman from Kavanagh Maloney & Osnato LLP in New York. They are the most recent additions to Akerman’s New York office since the office moved to a larger location on Fifth Avenue last month. In addition to Bayne, Maloney and Cordero, the litigation team recently welcomed Robert Squire in Miami; Mark Bernet in Miami; Clint Corrie in Dallas; and Darren Traub in New York.
The Akerman Litigation Practice Group is recognized nationally by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in the Commercial Litigation category and as a national tier one law firm for International Arbitration. The team has vast experience in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation, including actions involving banking, securities, healthcare, insurance, real estate and construction.
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 550 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 350 (2013). 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.