Akerman today announced that it has expanded its national footprint to Wilmington, Delaware, the “Corporate Capital of the World.” The location opens with Litigation Partners Andrew Dupre and Brian Lemon. The expansion is part of Akerman’s continuing national growth strategy to meet increasing client demand across the United States.
As the legal home to more than a million business entities, including more than 66% of the Fortune 500, Delaware has long been the destination of choice for incorporating businesses and litigating complex disputes, including corporate governance, bankruptcy, and intellectual property matters. Akerman Delaware, the firm’s 25thoffice, will give Akerman an important presence in this vibrant market and will amplify the scope, power, and reach of the firm’s expanding national platform.
Akerman Chairman and CEO Scott Meyers said: “Establishing a presence in Delaware is a natural extension of our client-driven growth strategy. We have seen a significant uptick in client demand for boots on the ground in the Delaware courts, and an Akerman presence allows us to meet those needs with the seamless quality and deep experience that we deliver to our clients everywhere.”
Akerman has long served a diverse array of clients in Delaware-based disputes, and has also advised clients there in connection with capital markets, real estate, bankruptcy, and corporate needs, among others. With a permanent presence in Wilmington, Akerman is positioned to extend its nationally recognized reputation for outstanding client service and professional excellence in this pivotal jurisdiction. The firm expects headcount in the Delaware office to grow with exceptional lawyers serving clients in banking, bankruptcy, corporate, intellectual property, and litigation matters, among others.
Litigation Practice Group Chair Lawrence Rochefort said: “We have known and worked with Andy and Brian to serve our clients in the Delaware courts for years, and from a financial, cultural, and client-service perspective, this is a slam dunk. We look forward to growing our bench strength in the region with highly experienced lawyers like Andy and Brian who align with our strategic objectives and firm culture.”
Dupre, who will serve as the office managing partner, guides clients in navigating the complexity of Delaware corporate law and the Delaware Court of Chancery. A corporate litigator with national and international experience representing limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and other alternative business entities and investment vehicles, Dupre is known for his innovative strategizing in high-stakes Delaware business entity and investor disputes. Clients value his ability to craft creative solutions from challenging positions, resulting in a track record of significant victories in shareholder class actions and derivative, breach of contract, supply agreement, corporate governance, fiduciary duty, and M&A disputes.
Dual qualified in Delaware and England and Wales, and educated in Singapore, Dupre is frequently tapped by Delaware affiliates of UK and Commonwealth entities and their directors to handle corporate disputes and related matters. Outside of the courtroom, Dupre advises board special committees on litigation risk and compliance in M&A transactions, and special litigation committees on investigations of shareholder claims.
In addition to his Delaware and English corporate law work, Dupre focuses a significant amount of his practice on commercial arbitrations, often involving high-value supply agreements. Much of this work is rooted in Dupre’s earlier career as a management consultant in the chemicals and pharmachem sectors, where he principally worked on acquisitions, divestments, and strategic planning, including pharmaceutical joint ventures.
Lemon is a veteran litigator with vast experience managing commercial disputes in the Delaware Court of Chancery and intellectual property disputes throughout the United States, including before the International Trade Commission. Well versed in Delaware law, Lemon represents clients, including multinational corporations, limited liability corporations and their directors and officers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs, in a wide range of corporate and commercial disputes in Delaware and across the country. His clients turn to him to protect their interests in complex commercial and corporate disputes, including matters involving trade secrets, contractual issues, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, corporate governance, and corporate control, as well as disputes arising under agreements governing limited liability companies and partnerships.
A former research scientist for the United States Navy, where he focused his work on acoustics and laser vibrometry, Lemon obtained his B.S. in physics and is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. His intellectual property experience encompasses litigation involving a wide range of technologies and sectors, including chemical, life science, pharmaceutical, software, medical device, personal care, and consumer products. Given his experience, knowledge, and perspective in the District of Delaware, Lemon is frequently retained to serve as counsel in intellectual property disputes.
Dupre said: “For years, Brian and I have counseled clients and litigated matters for many prominent corporations and financial institutions. Through our mutual efforts for these clients in the Delaware courts, we have gotten to know and admire the lawyers at Akerman. Given its prestigious reputation, long history of success, commitment to excellence, and expansive reach, Akerman's platform is a perfect fit for our practices and our clients in need of comprehensive counsel. We are thrilled to join Akerman and look forward to helping it continue to grow and thrive in the region.”
The Delaware office, located in the center of Wilmington’s Central Business District at 222 Delaware Avenue, is the latest marker of Akerman's growth. In 2023, Akerman achieved its 13thconsecutive year of record revenue growth and outperformed the industry average in a number of growth metrics (click here for details). Additionally, the firm launched 10 new practice areas and sector teams and attracted notable laterals with significant and extensive experience across client industries.
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.