Akerman represents global financial institutions, special asset and distressed property groups, and special servicers in large commercial foreclosures, including Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) foreclosures. Our litigation team is experienced in all aspects of foreclosures, receiverships, workouts, restructuring, and commercial lending, including enforcement of loan agreements and guarantees, asset seizure, as well as defense of lender liability claims and intercreditor disputes. In addition, our bankruptcy team assists lenders throughout the U.S. in the restructuring of loans and in obtaining relief from the automatic stay.

Regularly handle complex commercial mortgage foreclosures and workouts on virtually every type of real and personal property

Structure forbearance/workout agreements to provide the lender with maximum protection while adhering to the terms of the deal

Handle the appointment of receivers, periodically represent receivers, and serve as receivers in various matters

Co-drafted, and then pioneered the use of, Florida’s streamlined statutory show cause foreclosure procedure, that is used to speed up the foreclosure process

Serve as outside general counsel to the Florida Bankers Association, for more than 50 years

Experienced in foreclosures concerning multiple properties in multiple venues

Represent foreclosing lenders in participation loans, including negotiations with objecting participant banks

Advise clients on a range of related issues, including title examination, title claims, alternative sale procedures (including sales by receivers), construction lien law, survey law, land use, condominium law, development rights, entitlements, zoning, environmental compliance, and permitting

Prosecute deficiency claims against borrowers and guarantors

Aid in the enforcement and collection of deficiency judgments with the use of proceedings supplementary, levies, and garnishments

Represent lenders in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy cases

Protect priority of lender’s secured claims in disputes involving post-petition financing, cash collateral, and adequate protection payments

Obtain relief from the automatic stay or represent lenders through the sale of assets by Section 363 or through a Chapter 11 plan

"This solid team is well versed in handling complex commercial litigation. It is noted particularly for its expertise in matters relating to the financial services, insurance, healthcare and real estate sectors. With the backing of the firm's impressive national network, the team is able to handle nationwide class actions with ease." (Chambers USA)

U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for International Arbitration - Commercial, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Litigation - Construction, and Litigation - Real Estate

Chambers Latin America: Ranked as one of the leading International Arbitration law firms across all of Latin America

Chambers Global: Ranked as one of the leading International Arbitration law firms across all of Latin America

U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Banking & Finance, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Labor & Employment, and Litigation - Securities categories

Law360: Ranked among the top 100 Product Liability law firms

Benchmark Litigation: Recognized as Florida Litigation Law Firm of the Year

Benchmark Litigation: Top ranked in Florida and recommended as a leading Litigation law firm in Virginia

Benchmark Appellate: Top ranked in Florida, Eleventh Circuit

Chambers USA: Ranked as one of the leading Litigation law firms in Florida since 2003

Chambers USA: Ranked as one of the leading Antitrust law firms in Florida