Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced LaKeisha Marsh in Chicago has assumed the role as chair of the national Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice Group, effective Feb. 1. She succeeds Richard Spees.

As chair of Akerman’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice Group, Marsh leads a bipartisan team of professionals providing strategic counsel on policy and regulatory issues in the United States. With a comprehensive legal background serving the higher education sector, including as an NCAA staff member, Marsh also serves as the chair of Akerman’s Higher Education and Collegiate Athletics Practice. She represents colleges, universities, and related institutions on federal and state regulatory compliance, accreditation, state licensure, institutional governance, and collegiate sports and NCAA compliance-related matters. She has structured and executed a broad range of transactional, restructuring, finance, and corporate governance matters for educational institutions.

With experience working on Capitol Hill, and decades of advocacy on behalf of clients before federal agencies, Spees will continue to focus his practice representing public and private entities in their interactions with the government, helping them secure funding from executive agencies and address issues raised by complex laws and regulations.

Akerman's Government Affairs and Public Policy Practice Group includes a bi-partisan team of lawyers and public policy advisors located throughout the United States. The group is experienced in federal appropriations and government funding, cannabis, environment and natural resources, transportation, hospitality, healthcare, education, Native American Affairs and federal and local government representation.

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.