Akerman, a leading law firm recognized for its innovative and collaborative culture, announces the appointment of Melody Burton as its inaugural Director of Connections. This strategic leadership position, a first among major law firms, underscores Akerman’s commitment to sustaining and advancing the firm’s culture of connectivity, engagement, and sense of belonging among its employees across all work arrangements — whether remote, hybrid, or in-office.
Driving Innovation in a Distributed Workplace
Nationally recognized for her experience in aligning talent with business operations and strategy, Melody will play a pivotal role in driving innovation and creativity in the firm’s distributed workplace. As Director of Connections, she will develop and implement best practices to ensure that all Akerman attorneys and professional staff have best-in-class tools to stay connected with each other and the firm. She will also ensure that training, development, and mentoring resources remain accessible to everyone, regardless of location. Her efforts will sustain and continually elevate the engagement, cohesion, and professional alignment that underpin Akerman’s culture.
Leadership Perspective
“Melody brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to this critical and transformative role,” said Scott Meyers, Akerman Chairman and CEO. “This appointment reinforces our high-trust culture rooted in integrity, respect, and fairness. By prioritizing meaningful connections across our workforce, we ensure that every member of the Akerman team is empowered with the tools, support, and culture to do their best work — no matter their location.”
Melody Burton’s Background and Expertise
Melody is a cutting-edge talent strategist and organizational development leader with more than two decades of experience aligning people, performance, and business operations and strategy. As founder of Melody Burton Talent Management, she has advised global law firms, professional services organizations, and corporate leadership teams on building scalable, results-driven talent frameworks that support long-term growth and innovation.
“I am honored to join Akerman and help shape the future of how we work together,” said Melody. “Akerman’s commitment to flexible work arrangements and focus on fostering a strong sense of belonging and engagement — regardless of location — is truly inspiring. I look forward to building on that foundation by advancing innovative strategies that ensure every team member feels connected, supported, and empowered.”
In prior roles at two AmLaw 20 firms and Nonprofit HR, Melody partnered with senior leadership to implement performance-driven solutions, launch leadership academies, and develop and deliver management programming. With her strong foundation in coaching, strategic communication, and data-informed decision-making, Melody brings a holistic approach to elevating workforces.
Key Initiatives as Director of Connections
As Director of Connections, she will spearhead initiatives to evaluate and enhance Akerman’s remote/hybrid work policies, train leaders to effectively manage distributed teams, and ensure opportunities for upskilling and advancement are available to all employees.
“Akerman has always been at the forefront of innovation in the legal industry,” added Scott. “This new position is another example of how we are adapting to meet the evolving needs of our people while staying true to our core values.”
About Akerman
Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the country’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States. Akerman leads the industry with a client-driven approach while fostering a collaborative workplace culture that supports its people and communities.