Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP is pleased to announce that Miami Office Managing Partner Neisen Kasdin has been named among Florida Trend's “Florida 500” for the second consecutive year. This list is a special publication that highlights the 500 most influential executives in different economic sectors throughout the state.

In explaining its criteria for the list, Florida Trend writes: “Our high standards have remained the same: We organize our selections using broad economic categories from the U.S. Department of Commerce, with the number of influentials in each sector roughly proportional to a category’s share of the state GDP. Rising to the top job at a big company won’t get you on the list. Longevity matters and visibility doesn’t necessarily mean influence.”

“We look for individuals who appear to be the kind of people who others in their communities or industry sectors look to for leadership...We do a lot of reading and informal consultation with businesspeople all over the state,” Florida Trend adds.

Kasdin, who served as mayor of Miami Beach from 1997-2001, has been a leader in the private sector in the revitalization of South Beach and working on urban revitalization and the development of complex, large-scale, multi-use projects throughout the Miami area. He is one of more than 160 attorneys in Akerman’s highly ranked, national Real Estate and Construction practice.

Respected as a leader in urban development, Kasdin served as vice chair of the board of directors for the Miami Downtown Development Authority and was responsible for leading the creation of Miami’s Downtown Master Plan. Many of his clients’ projects – from Brickell City Centre to Miami’s Design District and the Faena District – have been groundbreaking, transforming Miami’s urban spaces with a blend of retail, office, and residential properties. In addition to large-scale projects, Neisen has represented clients in developments in emerging Miami neighborhoods such as Little Haiti and Wynwood.

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.