Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today welcomed partner Mark Bernstein as a member of the Litigation Practice Group in Chicago. His practice enhances Akerman's core strength in complex commercial litigation within the financial services and securities sectors. He is the fourth partner to join the Chicago office since Akerman announced in January its plan to more than double its physical footprint in the region.
"Mark has a successful track record representing investment funds, securities issuers and money managers in a range of complex business disputes, including significant class action defense work for large institutional clients," said Lawrence Rochefort, Litigation Practice Group Chair. "His experience adds to our bench strength in the Chicago market as well as our national capabilities in the financial services and securities sectors."
Bernstein's commercial litigation practice focuses on financial services litigation and class action defense. He also has significant experience with securities fraud litigation, repurchase agreements, derivatives including futures and options, claims against lenders, alternative dispute resolution and litigation tied to The Employee Retirement Income Security Act. Bernstein counsels clients through all aspects of business including contract negotiating and developing best practices for litigation prevention. His clients include financial institutions, large public and private manufacturing companies, securities issuers and hedge funds.
Bernstein is listed among the top commercial litigators in Illinois by The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers and Leading Lawyers Network. He is a past president of the Illinois Spina Bifida Association and was on the board of the YMCA Camp Independence. He currently serves as an instructor for the University of Chicago Intensive Trial Practice Workshop.
Akerman continues to grow its Chicago office as part of its client-driven strategy. Headcount has grown nearly six times larger, from eight to 47 lawyers, in 26 months. Since 2016 began, the office has welcomed Bernstein, tax partner David Blum, corporate transactional partner Mason "Max" Drake, and commercial litigators Alyx Pattison and Jason Stiehl.
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). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2015).
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 Litigation team is recognized nationally by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in several categories including Commercial Litigation and Appellate.