Press Release

Firm Grows National Litigation, White Collar, Appellate and Gaming Practices; Bolsters Strengths for Corporate Clients

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today continued its record Chicago expansion, with headcount growing more than seven-fold since the office opened in 2014. Now reaching 56 lawyers in Chicago, the firm just welcomed three experienced partners in its national Corporate and Litigation Practice Groups.

The newest arrivals in Chicago are: Sergio Acosta, Akerman’s new co-chair of the White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice, litigation partner Joel Bertocchi and M&A partner Robert Winner. They join at a time when the firm recently doubled its physical space to accommodate further growth. Among their previous roles, Acosta and Bertocchi served as General Crimes Section Chief at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago and Illinois' Solicitor General, respectively. Winner joins Akerman’s national Corporate Practice Group.

“Our new partners are outstanding, seasoned lawyers who further Akerman’s commitment to client service by expanding the breadth and depth of our legal service offerings in areas of increasing significance to our clients,” said Scott Meyers, Chicago office managing partner. “These exceptional additions bolster our core strengths in Chicago and nationwide, advancing our capabilities in white collar defense, government investigations, gaming, appellate advocacy, and complex corporate transactions.”

Sergio Acosta
Acosta joins as co-chair of the White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice. A former federal prosecutor, including seven years as General Crimes Section Chief at the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, Acosta concentrates his practice on representing individuals and organizations in governmental and internal investigations throughout the U.S. and Latin America. He strategically advises clients in matters relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, complex financial fraud, criminal tax violations, export regulations and criminal forfeiture. Acosta’s practice also encompasses commercial litigation with a niche in gaming law.

Joel Bertocchi
Bertocchi is a former federal prosecutor and also an experienced appellate practitioner. He previously served as Illinois' Solicitor General and adds significant strength to the Appellate Practice as an appellate litigator. He counsels clients on white collar and compliance matters, including internal and governmental investigations. In addition to briefing and arguing civil and criminal appeals, Bertocchi also handles complex and critical motions in trial courts. He has argued in the U.S. Supreme Court and in various federal circuits and state appellate courts. Bertocchi provides advice on complex statutes and regulatory issues, including the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and various fraud-related statutes.

Robert Winner
Winner focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, corporate and finance, venture capital, private securities offerings and general commercial transactions. He has more than twenty years of transactional experience working with startups, developers, established privately-held companies and Fortune 500 companies. In addition to his representation of traditional manufacturing and distribution companies, Winner represents energy and clean technologies companies. He also has developed a specialty client base within the cannabis sector and in EB-5 financing. He has worked on various corporate and M&A transactions for clients holding, acquiring and/or developing cannabis cultivation and dispensary licenses and facilities. In addition, he has worked with some of the top EB-5 developers, regional centers and project sponsors on securities offerings and investment documentation.

About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a top 100 U.S. law firm recognized by Financial Times as among the most forward thinking firms in the industry. Its more than 700 lawyers and business professionals collaborate with the world’s most successful enterprises and entrepreneurs to navigate change, seize opportunities, and overcome barriers to 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.

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