With its inaugural "Give Back" campaign, Akerman became the first law firm to partner nationally with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association and its local guardian ad litem (GAL) programs. The initiative has been part of the firm's philanthropic mission to support education and youth development. As the firm-wide campaign unfolded across the nation, the Tampa Bay Times reported on Akerman's local sponsorship of a staged reading of "Duck Hunter Shoots Angel" by Mitch Albom. The two-night event took place Sept. 19-20, 2014, at local theater company Stageworks and was in support of CASA's Voices for Children of Tampa Bay and its GAL program. Directed by Akerman's Karen Meyer Buesing, both performances raised money, as well as recruited and trained volunteers to serve as GALs for Hillsborough County's foster youth.