Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that Julie Sneed, a partner in the firm's Consumer Finance Litigation & Compliance Practice Group, has been appointed as United States Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of Florida.
"We are thrilled for Julie and the honor this appointment represents," said Akerman Chairman and CEO Andrew Smulian. "During her time at Akerman, Julie has contributed her extensive knowledge, skills, and integrity to the firm and its clients, and we know she will bring the same level of dedication to the Federal bench."
Sneed has focused her law practice on the representation of mortgage loan originators, servicers, and investors in class and individual lawsuits. She is experienced in handling complex litigation, including class actions, in state and federal courts throughout Florida. She has served as president of the George Edgecomb Bar Association and the Tampa Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, and has also held various leadership roles in the Hillsborough County Bar Association, The Florida Bar, and the American Bar Association.
Sneed has received various accolades for her work in the legal profession, including the Federal Bar Association's George C. Carr Memorial Award, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers "Leader in the Law," and Super Lawyers Magazine's "Top 50 Women Lawyers." Her commitment to promote diversity in the legal profession has also granted her the Tampa Bay Business Journal's Diversity & Inclusion Award and the National Diversity Counsel's DiversityFIRST Award.
In her new role, Sneed will serve as a judicial officer of the United States district courts and exercise the jurisdiction delegated by law and assigned by district judges. Her duties will include conducting preliminary proceedings in civil and criminal cases, pretrial matters, and evidentiary proceedings, as well as conducting trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases.
Akerman lawyers have a long tradition of public service, which dates back to the firm's founding in 1920. In recent years, the firm's professionals have received a number of high profile federal appointments, including: U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of Florida; U.S. Ambassador to Portugal; U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, the first woman ever to serve the Northern District as the Presidentially-appointed U.S. attorney; and Commissioner of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission in Washington, D.C.
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) and The National Law Journal NLJ 350 (2014). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2015).