National law firm Akerman is pleased to announce that four partners were recognized for their professional excellence in the legal community during the Daily Business Review’s 2023 Florida Legal Awards held on May 17 at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami. Tax Special Counsel Elizabeth Hughes was selected in the On the Rise category, Healthcare Partner Betsy Hodge was awarded in the Distinguished Leader category, Fraud and Recovery Practice Group Chair Michael Goldberg was named Lawyer of the Year, and Litigation Partner Grasford Smith was honored in the Diversity and Inclusion category.
Elizabeth Hughes, Miami
Hughes focuses her practice on fiduciary litigation, with a particular concentration on disputes that arise from Florida estates, trusts, and guardianships. Her experience includes successfully litigating and resolving complex cases involving will and trust contests, fiduciary fee disputes, determination of heir disputes, disputes over appointment of fiduciaries, removal of fiduciaries, surcharge actions, elective share disputes, and breaches of fiduciary obligations. She regularly assists individuals and clients serving as fiduciaries in reforming and construing wills and trusts, determining rights in wills and trusts, modifying trusts, and terminating trusts. For more than 10 years, Hughes has served on the Executive Council of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar and in this capacity has been involved in crafting Florida Law relating to estates, trusts, and guardianship proceedings and has been involved in the legislative process for the section.
Betsy Hodge, West Palm Beach
The newly appointed chair of the American Health Law Association Health Information & Technology Practice Group, Hodge concentrates her practice on compliance and regulatory issues affecting healthcare providers, payers, and employer-sponsored health plans. She has significant experience with HIPAA and the HITECH Act and assists covered entities and business associates in complying with these laws through the development of policies and procedures, workforce training, analysis of data incidents and notification of breaches, and assisting with government audits and investigations. Hodge also advises clients regarding compliance with a range of other federal and state privacy and data security laws and associated transactional issues.
Michael Goldberg, Fort Lauderdale
A Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Goldberg chairs the firm’s Fraud and Recovery Practice, which is focused on unraveling high-profile investor fraud, including Ponzi schemes and EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa Program wrongdoing. Goldberg has served as court-appointed receiver in many cases over the past two decades, helping victims maximize potential returns by identifying, securing, and monetizing potential assets as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Grasford Smith, West Palm Beach
Smith, President Elect of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation matters and is certified by the Supreme Court of Florida as a Circuit Civil Mediator. He has experience representing a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, athletic leagues, technology companies, and a U.S. Congressman, in addition to a variety of small and medium-sized businesses. He handles local and national disputed matters concerning corporate governance, government enforcement actions, non-compete and confidentiality agreements, trade secrets, real estate matters, construction defects, franchises, products liability, intellectual property, eminent domain, and disciplinary/admission matters.
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.