Press Release

Top 100 U.S. law firm Akerman LLP today announced Litigation Partner Carrie Ann Wozniak has been appointed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to serve as Judge on Florida's Fifth District Court of Appeal. She fills the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard Orfinger.

"This appointment is a significant honor and we could not be more proud of Carrie Ann," said Scott Meyers, Akerman Chairman and CEO. "I am confident that she will bring to her new role as a Florida appellate judge the same extraordinary level of legal ability, dedication, and fairness that she demonstrated as an Akerman partner.”

"It's been our privilege to watch Carrie Ann advance her career at Akerman over the last 14 years," said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman's Litigation Practice Group. "While Carrie Ann will be deeply missed by our firm, the State of Florida just gained an incredibly talented judge with impeccable ethics and temperament that are worthy of the Fifth District Court of Appeal."

After a clerkship with the Florida Supreme Court, Wozniak began her legal career at Akerman in 2007 and has been an integral part of the firm's national Litigation Practice Group ever since. Board certified by the Florida Bar in Appellate Practice, she is also a member of Akerman’s Appellate Practice, where she represents clients in appellate litigation at the state and federal levels, as well as in commercial litigation in the trial courts. She also serves as general counsel to the Florida Bankers Association, where she assists with drafting, revising, and commenting on myriad banking legislation and issues.  

Wozniak has served as Vice Chair of the Fifth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission via nomination by the Florida Bar and appointment by previous Governor Rick Scott, and as a member of the Florida Bar’s Appellate Practice Section Executive Council, Appellate Rules Committee, and Appellate Practice Board Certification Committee. A fierce advocate in the community as well, Wozniak is past chair of Akerman's Community Impact Team in Orlando, and her work on behalf of abused and neglected children earned her the Orange County Bar Association’s Elizabeth Susan Khoury Guardian Ad Litem Award of Excellence in 2016.  

Wozniak received her B.A. with honors from the University of Michigan in 2002 and a J.D. cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 2004.

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.

Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group has vast experience in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation, including class action defense, securities and corporate litigation, banking, white collar crime and government investigations, insurance, and real estate. The team is ranked tier one nationally by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in several categories including Commercial Litigation and Appellate.

 

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