Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP has expanded its Litigation Practice Group with Of Counsel Ricky Patel in Miami.

Patel, who arrives from Farrell & Patel, Attorneys at Law, where he was name partner, has worked extensively on major litigation matters, representing more than 3,500 corporate victims affected by a major environmental disaster about a decade ago. His clients affected by the event included municipalities, government agencies, and tourism businesses, and particularly hotels.

He also worked on international class action litigation and arbitration and complex litigation in state and federal court. Patel has assisted clients with crisis management. His steadfast commitment to protecting human rights also has led him to create a foundation to assist children in need.

Over the years, Patel worked on several legislative projects at the state and federal levels, and assisted in getting bipartisan bills passed; these resulted in changes that benefited his clients.

Patel's work for the hotel brought him into close association with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, the largest hotel owners' association in the country. "The nearly 20,000 AAHOA members own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States," the group says, and its members are responsible for some $128 billion in property value, and 1.7 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

“It’s a privilege to work with this vibrant community that manages so much of the nation’s hospitality and tourism industry,” Patel said.

"With a national team of esteemed litigators who can collaborate with me on existing and new client work," Patel continued, "I know my practice and clients will benefit by my move to Akerman."

"Ricky is a dynamic and highly visible litigator with remarkably strong connections to his clients in the hospitality industry and across many other industries," said Larry Rochefort, chair of Akerman's Litigation Practice Group. "With our strong Hospitality Industry Group, already doing extensive work for hotels and related businesses, Ricky's arrival opens inviting additional opportunities for us, and for our common interests in this business."

Patel has served extensively a public voice for his clients and causes, appearing on such broadcast outlets as CNN, Fox TV, NBC, ESPN, and ABC.

His charitable efforts include work with his own family foundation, ITS4THEKIDS, which provides resources to children in need. He has also worked extensively with The United Way; on behalf of supporters of the Violence Against Women's Act (VAWA), Gracious Hands Haitian Orphanage, as a founder of Fashion Gives Back, Puerto Rico Relief, as a trustee of his alma mater, St. Thomas University School of Law, and for the Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami, where he served as chair of the Board of Trustees.

His many honors and awards include:

• Thomas University Black Law Student Association Martin Luther King Award, 2021
• Philanthropist of the Year, Little Lighthouse Foundation, 2018
• U.S. Patent Recipient, 2017
• The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers: 2014
• South Florida Business Journal 40 under 40: 2013
• Brioni & Neiman Marcus Man of the Year: 2013

Patel is fluent in Gujarati, spoken by some 55 million people in India, Pakistan, and around the world.

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 formidable team of more than 350 litigators is ranked Tier One in the United States in Commercial Litigation and Appellate Practice by U.S. News – Best Lawyers and as a leader in International Arbitration across Latin America by Chambers Global. The firm fields one of the largest and most sophisticated trial teams across the Americas.

Using a one-size-fits-one approach, Akerman lawyers craft practical, cost-effective strategies to achieve clients’ business objectives—whether they seek a quick and quiet settlement or a high profile, bet-the-company win.