Akerman was once again named a dominant Florida law firm in Law360's Regional Powerhouses series, which ranks U.S. law firms that have a sizable footprint in Florida and that have made significant accomplishments in the state and beyond. As an Am Law 100 firm and the largest law firm in Florida, Akerman serves clients from every major urban center in the state and 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.

In addition to the firm's expansive work across the Americas, Akerman has been at the center of many transformational moments in Florida's history, as well. The firm is noted for providing counsel to clients on foundational matters such as the formation of the bank that became SunTrust Bank, one of the largest bank holding companies in the United States; the funding of the first public rail system, SunRail, in Central Florida; and the development of Brightline, the nation's first privately owned passenger rail system. 

Akerman boasts one of the largest trial teams in Florida and throughout the United States, attributing to its powerhouse presence. With more than 350 litigators across 24 offices, the highly specialized group has vast experience in dispute resolution, class action defense, corporate litigation, consumer financial services litigation, fraud and recovery, white collar crime, and government investigations. Akerman also routinely represents victims of Ponzi and other investment fraud schemes, most recently obtaining the largest EB-5 fraud recovery in U.S. history.

Akerman's corporate practice has a reputation as a leader in middle market transactions across a range of sectors, including healthcare, retail, aviation and aerospace, light manufacturing, and logistics and distribution. "We've historically always done a lot of work in those [sectors], and that's easy to translate and do that work nationally," said Jonathan Awner. Recent successes include work for prominent Florida-based clients AutoNation, The GEO Group, Inc., HEICO Corporation, KLX Inc., Trivest Partners, The Beekman Group, H.I.G Capital, Comvest Partners, Branford Castle Partners, and BelHealth Investment Partners.

In real estate, Akerman is recognized as the go-to law firm in Florida for urban development and redevelopment projects and complex transactions, representing developers in landmark projects taking place across the state, most recently for Swire Properties in the development of Brickell City Centre, the Faena Group in the multi-million dollar development of the Faena District in Miami Beach, and Dacra Development's ongoing redevelopment of Miami's design district.

"I think our breadth and depth in real estate is something that really will play well given the long-term trends [in Florida]," said Neisen Kasdin, Miami Office Managing Partner.

Law360 also highlighted Akerman's north-south international strategy focused on the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. One example is the firm's work at the cutting edge of Cuba policy for more than a decade, most recently negotiating with government officials to construct a groundbreaking legal framework that enabled Musicabana to launch the largest, most historic music event of its kind in Cuba.

"[Our] Cuba practice, led by partner Augusto Maxwell, has established itself as a national leader, if not the national leader," said Pedro Freyre, International Practice Chair. "This is a phase where instead of talking about the potential of what we could do, the clients see the potential of what we can do and have done."

In addition to possessing deep resources in Florida, Law360 highlighted Akerman's commitment to entrepreneurism and innovation. A prime example is the Akerman R&D Council, which includes a select group of Akerman clients who serve alongside the firm's professionals to explore new ways to deliver legal services.

"Overall, I think our culture is defined by is marrying together stability and agility or creativity," said Alcalde. 

Law360's Florida Powerhouse report is below:

Law360: “Florida Powerhouse: Akerman”
Law360: “Fla. Powerhouses Attract Global Business in Diverse Economy”