Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that litigators Robin Johnson, Joseph Silver, and Philip Touitou have joined, expanding the national litigation bench in two key markets: Atlanta and New York. Johnson joins Akerman's growing office in Atlanta from Dentons LLP bringing extensive experience in commercial litigation, while Silver and Touitou join in New York from Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP with specialized skills in professional liability.
"We welcome these talented lawyers, who have earned reputations throughout their respective careers defending some of the most well-known companies and firms," said Lawrence Rochefort, Akerman Litigation Practice Group Chair. "Their experiences help expand our nationally ranked litigation bench in two fast-growing and strategic markets for our clients."
The three partners build upon Akerman's bench of more than 350 litigators and trial lawyers across the country, with particular strengths in the financial services, private equity and mergers and acquisitions, insurance, real estate, and construction.
Robin Johnson
Johnson focuses her practice on commercial litigation, insurance coverage, and bad faith litigation. She has experience litigating in state and federal courts across the country and has litigated a wide range of issues with a focus on insurance coverage and bad faith matters. Johnson advises insurance companies not only on policy coverage issues and disputes, but also monitors disputes and advises insurers attempting to avoid bad faith claims. Johnson has advised insurers on claims involving construction defect, first-party property loss, premises liability, and personal injury.
Joseph Silver
Silver evaluates professional liability claims against law firms and advises their general counsel on pre-suit, confidential resolutions, as well as leading the defense for AmLaw 100 and 200 firms in high-stakes legal malpractice matters. He works with clients to negotiate and draft settlement agreements, structured settlements, and general releases in multi-million dollar lawsuits, breach of fiduciary duty and judiciary law §487 actions, and insurance coverage and lender liability actions. Silver also handles breach of contract and declaratory judgment actions on behalf of domestic insurance carriers.
Philip Touitou
An experienced trial and appellate lawyer for more than 20 years, Touitou has regularly represented and defended law firms, including those listed annually in the AmLaw 100 and 200 rankings, in “bet the firm” malpractice claims, fraud and deceit claims, breach of fiduciary duty, fee claims, agency and internal investigations, partnership “business divorce” disputes, disqualification motions and ethics compliance matters.
Johnson joins Akerman in Atlanta at a time of tremendous growth for the office. Established one year ago, the headcount in the office has reached 12 lawyers, and most recently adding litigation partner Anthony Morris and labor and employment partners Sul Kim, Erica Mason and Peter Spanos. New York, Akerman's second largest office, has attracted several notable hires in recent months. The New York office is home to the Pro Bono Director Gina DelChiaro, who joined with nearly 15 years of experience spearheading pro bono efforts on behalf of legal organizations and other law firms. Akerman also recently welcomed veteran corporate lawyer Ricardo Hollingsworth from Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, where he served as co-chair of the private equity and real estate fund formation practice, as well as a five-member specialized finance team led by Real Estate Finance Practice Chair Alan Cohen from Duval & Stachenfeld LLP.
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.
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 ranked tier one nationally by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in several categories including Commercial Litigation and Appellate.