Akerman today announced the launch of its Equine Sector Team. This new service offering combines the experience of one of the largest legal teams in the equestrian community by an Am Law 100 firm with the national platform to serve clients in key equestrian centers across the United States, including California, Colorado, Florida, and Texas.
Led by intellectual property and corporate litigation partner Adam Massaro, the multistate and multidisciplinary team is comprised of former collegiate equestrians and ranked amateur equestrians who are as adept in the legal arena as they are in the riding arena.
The Equine Sector Team serves as trusted advisors to clients on the wide range of issues impacting the sector, from legal advice on the purchase and sale of multimillion dollar horse properties to securing HB-1 visas for polo professionals and horse trainers. Representing horse owners, trainers, and athletes; equestrian centers, including boarding and training facilities; and professional equine associations, Akerman's team of skilled lawyers uses its deep ties to this sector to deliver exceptional service on matters relating to litigation, immigration, trusts and estates, transactions, real estate, and franchise and licensing, among others, across the United States and internationally.
“Equestrian law is a multidimensional practice that has its own traditions, customs, and conventions, and our team is embedded within that community through our own passion as equestrians, horse owners, and breeders,” said Massaro, an amateur polo player in his spare time. “We intimately understand the day-to-day operations and livelihoods of entities and individuals in the equine world, and are now even better positioned to support their diverse business needs through the formation of our Equine Sector Team.”
“Our Equine Sector Team combines our lawyers’ passion for the industry with their vast legal knowledge and experience in this complex and highly nuanced area,” said Scott Meyers, Akerman’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Leveraging our platform, as well as our breadth of resources, industry knowledge, and nationally recognized client service, Akerman provides our clients in this space with the highest levels of professional excellence.”
The Equine Sector Team formation follows the firm’s recent launch of three specialized energy and infrastructure teams: Electric Vehicle Infrastructure; Project Finance and Development; and Telecommunications, Fiber, and Wireless Facilities Infrastructure. Led by James Grice, they build upon the existing capabilities of Akerman’s Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure Practice and Renewable Energy and Electric Power Practice. In recent months, Akerman also launched its Japan Sector Team with the arrival of international M&A veteran Hiroshi Sarumida, who serves as Japan Transactional Team Co-Leader with Michael "Mike" Doherty, alongside Japan Litigation Team Leader Richard Brosnick. The new offerings are a result of the firm's continued growth, with notable partner hires and an aggregation of long-standing experience in these areas to meet the evolving needs of clients.
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.