Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP is pleased to announce that is has expanded its Litigation Practice Group with partner Richard "Rick" Alvarez in Tampa. Alvarez represents businesses and individuals who are confronted with the likelihood of trial regarding challenging legal issues, troublesome facts, or both. He joins the firm after founding the civil litigation department at a Tampa-based law firm.
"Rick brings extensive litigation experience, with a particularly strong proficiency in torts, products liability, and risk management, which is of increasing importance to our clients," said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group. "We are thrilled to add him to our continuously expanding Litigation team and to enhance the level of service that we can provide to our clients."
Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law, Alvarez is a trial lawyer with versatility and decades of experience in cases involving catastrophic torts, complex commercial disputes, computer spying, unfair competition and trade practices, and the First Amendment. He practices in both state and federal courts throughout Florida and has been admitted pro hac vice in cases throughout the United States.
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’s Products Liability group assists clients with a broad range of legal needs. With a well-financed and formidable plaintiff’s bar developing increasingly sophisticated methods of generating cases, companies must be on constant guard against claims, identifying risks and adhering to strict compliance programs. When facing litigation, companies must be strategic in outlook, mounting a vigorous defense while remaining open to creative settlements that allow a timely return to normal operations.
Akerman represents clients in a multitude of product sectors in class actions, multi-district litigation, coordinated proceedings, mass tort litigation, and individual lawsuits. The firm's lawyers have trial-tested experience in state and federal courts and have served as both national and state coordinating counsel. They have defended claims involving a wide range of products, including motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, tobacco, medical devices, electronic transformers, and building and construction products. In handling these cases, Akerman attorneys work closely with their network of 25 offices nationwide, as well as local trial counsel and scientific experts to create a consistent and cost-effective litigation strategy and crisis management counseling.
In addition to litigation, Akerman works with clients to prevent future claims through product safety and liability counseling, including assessment and mitigation of risks as well as compliance with government and industry safety standards.