Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today continued the national expansion of its Litigation Practice Group with Partners David Jones in San Antonio, Texas, and Gerard Wimberly in New Orleans, La.
"Client needs continue to drive Akerman's growth in Texas and Louisiana where we have substantial bench strength in complex commercial litigation within the financial services, insurance, energy and other dynamic sectors. We are pleased to continue that momentum with David and Gerard," said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman's Litigation Practice Group. "With their combined experience in multi-state insurance litigation, white collar defense and government investigations, David and Gerard add important depth to our national trial platform, and bring valuable capabilities in government contract law."
David Jones
Board certified by The Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial Law, Jones is a seasoned first chair trial lawyer with a dedicated, multi-state insurance and complex commercial litigation practice. He represents leading U.S. and international carriers and related entities in insurance coverage issues, bad faith litigation, fraud disputes and property damage. He also has significant experience handling multi-million dollar nationwide class action disputes in the insurance and products liability space. Jones is highly-skilled in the preparation of apex witnesses for depositions and trials, and is routinely called upon to depose expert witnesses in the medical, insurance and engineering sectors. He has tried more than 150 jury trials to conclusion throughout the United States and has litigated more than 100 matters through alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Gerard Wimberly
Wimberly focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, as well as white collar defense and government investigations. He has been lead or co-lead counsel in numerous cases involving government contracts law, financial fraud and antitrust matters. He is experienced in False Claims Act qui tam cases, having been lead counsel for major companies in recent actions. He also advises corporate and business clients on the rules and regulations governing national and international business transactions. Additionally, Wimberly has substantial in-house corporate experience having previously served as a senior counsel for Motorola Inc., where he was responsible for U.S. and international government contracts matters. He is experienced in all aspects of government contracts law and has successfully handled numerous state and federal bid protests as well as contract claims.
Akerman adds Jones and Wimberly as part of its continuing growth in the region. Last summer, the firm opened four new offices in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and New Orleans with a group of 30 litigation and trial lawyers. Today, the firm has nearly 60 lawyers in Texas and Louisiana, with a strong concentration in Dallas and Houston.
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 650 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 24 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The American Lawyer (2016). Akerman also is ranked among the top 60 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2016).
Akerman's Litigation Practice Group has vast experience in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation, including class action defense, securities and corporate litigation, banking, white collar crime and government investigations, insurance, and real estate. The team is recognized nationally by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in several categories including Commercial Litigation and Appellate.