Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that Partners Beth Alcalde and Michael Marsh have been appointed to the firm's Executive Committee. The appointments reflect Akerman’s commitment to cultivating a culture of inclusion, enabling talented women and men of all backgrounds to advance the needs of clients. Akerman embraces the benefits of inclusion at the highest management levels, drawing on the broad perspectives of diverse professionals to more effectively collaborate and champion innovative solutions in support of the firm and the clients it serves.

In 2018, Akerman welcomed 20 female partners, accounting for 42 percent of all partner lateral hires through the year, surpassing the industry average. Eleven percent of the lateral partners who joined Akerman in 2018 are Hispanic, and 11 percent are Black. In addition, 11 women are among the 19 Akerman lawyers who were promoted to partners in 2018. Diversity Lab named Akerman as one of “41 trailblazing law firms” for achieving Mansfield Certification. Akerman is piloting the Mansfield Rule, which encourages law firms to consider at least 30 percent women and minorities for all equity partner promotions, lateral partner searches, and leadership roles, aimed at closing gender gap issues. 

Akerman is involved in numerous diversity recruiting programs aimed at advancing the next generation of Akerman leaders, including the Fellows Program of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity. Commercial and business litigation partner Kimberly Lopez Narbona currently serves as a 2019 Fellow. Partners Naim Surgeon, Enjoliqué Aytch, Larry Ross II and Corporate Practice Group Deputy Co-Chair Palash Pandya have served as Fellows in recent years.

Akerman continues to diversify firm leadership ranks with exceptional lawyers who bring a mix of talent and experience, including:

• Beth Alcalde, Executive Committee Member and Professional Development Partner
• Ginny Childs, Orlando Office Managing Partner
• Kasey Dunlap, Women’s Initiative Network, Chair
• Pedro Freyre, Equality and Inclusion Chair
• Irene Bassel Frick, Tampa Office Manager
• Meg George, Chicago Office Managing Partner
• LaKeisha Marsh, Government Affairs and Public Policy Group, Deputy Chair; Women’s Initiative Network, Deputy Chair
• Michael Marsh, Executive Committee Member
• Allison Nelson, Real Estate Practice Group, Deputy Co-Chair
• Francisco Rodriguez, Deputy Recruiting Partner
• Palash Pandya, Corporate Practice Group, Deputy Co-Chair
• Leslie Tomczak, Fort Lauderdale Office Managing Partner
• Sue Zabloudil, Los Angeles Office Managing Partner
• Beth Zafonte, Akerman Philanthropic Initiative Council, Chair

Alcalde is a noted employee benefits lawyer, author, and speaker, who represents Fortune 500 companies and other public and private entities throughout the U.S. She serves as Akerman’s Professional Development Partner, guiding the progressive development of the firm’s nationwide associates through targeted training and mentoring. Beth also managed the firm’s Palm Beach County offices prior to leading the Professional Development Council. 

Marsh is an experienced first-chair trial lawyer and trusted counselor, representing major clients in high-stakes business disputes nationwide. He is the immediate past chair of Akerman's Equality and Inclusion Committee, and under his leadership, the firm made great strides in the recruitment, retention, and development of a talented and diverse group of lawyers.

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.