Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced Christian George has been appointed office managing partner of the Jacksonville office and Irene Bassel Frick has been appointed office managing partner of the Tampa office.
 
As office managing partners, George and Frick will continue to strengthen Akerman's ties in the Jacksonville and Tampa markets while guiding the firm’s strategic growth locally. Both lawyers will continue serving clients through their respective litigation practices.
 
"Christian and Irene are outstanding stewards of Akerman, who are helping us advance the needs of our clients and achieve impact in the community," said Andrew Smulian, Akerman Chairman and CEO. "They are valuable additions to our management team and we look forward to their many contributions."
 
George is a partner in Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group and most recently served as the local practice group leader for the Jacksonville office. He is a member of the Board of Governors of the Jacksonville Bar Association and is the president-elect of the Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar. George represents businesses and individuals in a broad range of commercial litigation issues, with an emphasis on counseling clients in the financial services sector. His work is recognized by Benchmark Litigation, Jacksonville Business Journal, and other publications.
 
Frick also is a partner in Akerman's Litigation Practice Group and is a member of the firm’s Client Experience Team. She previously served as a member of the firm’s Associate Professional Evaluation Committee. In the community, Frick is a founder and member of the Bay Area Legal Services Pearl Society and previously served as the president of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers. She represents businesses,  financial institutions and insurers in a variety of business disputes, with an emphasis on class action defense and ERISA litigation. She is recognized for her work by the Florida Association for Women Lawyers as well as The Best Lawyers in America and other publications.

About Akerman LLP
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 (2016). Akerman also is ranked among the top 60 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2016).