Press Release

Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, has moved its Los Angeles office to The CalEdison DTLA (The CalEdison) to accommodate the firm's continued growth in the region. The Los Angeles team has grown to 30 lawyers and business professionals, more than doubling in size since 2015.

Located at the corner of Fifth Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles' Financial District, the office space covering the entire third floor includes nearly 25,000 square feet and an outdoor collaborative team space. The move represents a nearly 80 percent expansion in office space from the 14,000 square feet Akerman previously occupied at 725 South Figueroa Street.

Akerman's new office space is in the building previously known as One Bunker Hill, which opened in 1931 as the headquarters for the Southern California Edison Company. The property is a locally-designated Art Deco landmark listed on the Register of the California Office of Historic Preservation.

"National, local and global client demand is driving our team's strategic growth in Los Angeles, and our move to this landmark building reflects Akerman's substantial commitment to the California market and our clients' needs," said Sue Zabloudil, Akerman's Los Angeles office managing partner. "We are moving into an innovative space that will accommodate even greater collaboration within the firm, and we will have more capacity to recruit top professionals across a diverse range of client sectors."

The office incorporates classical elements from its original Art Deco design with modern design concepts trending among entrepreneurial-minded businesses. Key features include:

  • Flexible and Efficient: Akerman created spacious, uniformly-sized offices to maximize the efficiency of the office space. The concept, trending among firms of size and distinction among financial gateway cities like London and New York, provides Akerman an immediate capacity for headcount growth and offers more collaborative space for client teams. The open floor plan boasts high ceilings, natural light, glass-fronted offices, and raw concrete floors, giving the firm further flexibility to structure teams in a way that is even more nimble and responsive to ever-changing client needs.

  • Collaborative and Forward-Thinking: Contributing to the firm's culture of collaborative innovation and ongoing R&D activities, the new office offers more adaptable, shared space for different uses. This includes substantial conference space that links to an outdoor working space on the third-floor of the building.

  • Technology Enabled: Akerman's office integrates technology that accommodates in-person and virtual collaboration, as well as individual work. The building touts best-in-class connectivity infrastructure from 5x5 Telecom. The CalEdison is also in the process of attaining Wired Score Platinum Certification.

  • Sustainability: The CalEdison is LEED Platinum certified by the U.S. Green Building Council and is one of 16 buildings across the United States where Akerman has offices that are LEED or Energy Star certified. Sustainability is a core element of Akerman's Social Impact Program, focused on reducing environmental impact, improving efficiencies, and providing healthy work places that enhance the experience of its employees, clients and communities.

Rising Realty Partners is the developer and property manager. Matthew Cheezem, Maureen Hawley and Mike McRoskey with JLL acted as broker for Akerman. Carle Pierose and Rob Erikson with Industry Partners served as The CalEdison's leasing brokers. Wirt Design Group led the interior design efforts for Akerman.

"We're proud to welcome one of America's premier law firms to The CalEdison. Their suite in particular, represents a blend of historic and modern interiors that we believe will suit them and their clients well." said Christopher Rising, President of Rising Realty Partners.

"Matt, Mike and I were incredibly fortunate to help Akerman achieve its innovative vision for its Los Angeles office," said Hawley. "Akerman was committed to building an office that would accommodate its continued growth in ranks as well as address the existing and future needs of its clients. The workspace is a forward-thinking paradigm shift in industry and will be one of the most unique law firm offices on the West Coast."

The Los Angeles office expansion is part of Akerman's national growth and success in key business centers across the United States, including New York, Chicago, Houston, Miami and Washington, D.C. Last year, the firm announced that it is more than doubling its physical footprint in Chicago to accommodate the firm's rapid growth in the region. Akerman also relocated its largest office in 2016 to downtown Miami's Brickell City Centre, becoming the largest law firm tenant at the epicenter of one of the country's leading financial districts. The office reflects many of the forward-thinking design elements seen in the Los Angeles office.

About Akerman
Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 650 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 24 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The American Lawyer (2017). Akerman also is ranked among the top 100 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2017).

About Rising
Rising Realty Partners is a full-service investment and operating platform specializing in creating world-class commercial and industrial properties. Rising executives have been creating value for investors in California commercial real estate markets for over four decades by striking the perfect balance between dynamic vision and trusted best practices. Rising currently manages over 3.8M SF of commercial property in Southern California and is headquartered in Downtown Los Angeles. For more information, visit risingrp.com

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