Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced the expansion of the firm’s litigation bench in Orlando with the addition of Partner George “Trey” Tate III. Tate, a Construction Law Florida Bar Certified Attorney and a former deputy district attorney, is skilled in complex construction litigation and contract agreement preparation.
“Trey is well-known and highly regarded for his understanding and competency in construction law,” said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group. “He has been instrumental in the assembly of construction agreements for many sophisticated construction projects. In addition, he is keen on the resolution of complex and intricate legal disputes that possibly arise during construction projects. I am thrilled to have him join Akerman’s nationally recognized litigation team.”
Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law, Tate focuses his practice on both contract preparation and negotiation and complex construction litigation. His work with complex construction litigation has a special emphasis on delay claims, construction defect claims, payment disputes, lien and bond claims, and bid protests for his construction clients. He handles construction contract negotiation and preparation on projects of all scale and type, from single family luxury homes and multifamily projects to horizontal and vertical projects. As a former Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles, Tate tried nearly 30 cases to jury verdict along with conducting numerous bench trials.
Tate has played a significant role in the development of some of Orlando’s highest-profile developments in recent years. He spearheaded the original design, construction and multi-party project agreements to begin construction of the multi-billion dollar Medical City project at Lake Nona, home to some of the nation’s leading hospitals, research institutions, and health and sciences companies. In connection to that project, Tate also handled the agreements for the Sanford-Burnham deal, which helped launch a world-class research facility dedicated to finding cures for cancer and rare children’s diseases. Additionally, Tate advised Tavistock Development Company on the design and construction of various projects in the Lake Nona area.
“Trey is among the most respected lawyers in Central Florida,” said Ginny Childs, Orlando Office Managing Partner. “He has left his mark on some of the most well-known projects in Orlando, assisting in the transformation of the city as a major hub for medical innovation. His addition strengthens Akerman’s focus to serve as the go-to legal adviser for clients in Central Florida.”
Tate’s hiring marks the 10thaddition to Akerman’s Orlando office since 2018. Recent notable hires include Partners Taylor Ward and Stacey Prince-Troutman, as well as Of Counsel Tara Gould and Michael Page Andersen.
Orlando Sentinel’s Top 100 Companies has recognized Akerman as one of the best workplaces in Central Florida. The firm’s Orlando office includes 54 lawyers and is top-ranked in 15 practice areas, including banking and finance, commercial litigation, and real estate among others (U.S. News – Best Lawyers). The firm is also recognized for its leading diversity and inclusion practices, and among the most innovative law firms in social responsibility for creating a first-of-its-kind partnership with the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (CASA).
About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized among the most forward thinking firms in the industry by Financial Times. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and help drive innovation and growth. Akerman is known for its results in middle market M&A and complex disputes, and for helping clients achieve their most important business objectives in the financial services, real estate and other dynamic sectors across the United States and Latin America.
Ranked Tier One in the United States in Construction Litigation by U.S. News – Best Lawyers, Akerman has served as lead counsel on some of the largest and most complex construction disputes in the sector. Representing clients throughout the Unites States in federal and state courts, administrative agencies, governmental tribunals, arbitration proceedings, and before Dispute Resolution Boards, we are particularly well-known for resolving complex delay and performance claims.