Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced the growth of its Los Angeles office with commercial litigator Joshua Mandell. He joins the Litigation Practice Group as a partner and enhances the firm's core strengths in the real estate and financial services sectors.

"Client needs continue to fuel our growth across the United States," said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman's Litigation Practice Group. "Josh has considerable experience handling commercial real estate disputes on behalf of financial institutions, landlords, and property owners throughout California. His arrival enhances our ability to serve clients with commercial litigation needs across the state."

Mandell focuses his practice on commercial, financial services and business litigation. He represents clients in all aspects of commercial disputes, including breach of contract matters, fraud claims, lender liability issues and business torts. Mandell represents financial institutions, secured lenders, commercial landlords, property owners and real property receivers in real estate litigation matters. He also has experience handling matters in state and federal court through arbitration.

Akerman continues to grow its West Coast presence as part of its client-driven strategy. The firm welcome eight real estate lawyers and commercial litigators in the Los Angeles and Denver offices in the last year. In addition to Mandell, notable lateral hires include transactional partners Jane Hinton, Herman Enayati and Ankush Israni in Los Angeles; litigation of counsel Joseph McNabb in Los Angeles; and transactional partner Howard Gelt in Denver.

About Akerman LLP
Akerman LLP 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 600 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 20 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The American Lawyer (2015). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2015).

Akerman's Litigation Practice Group is recognized nationally by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in the Commercial Litigation and Appellate categories, among others. The firm's team has vast experience in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation and appeals, including actions involving banking, securities, healthcare, insurance, real estate and construction.