Akerman is proud to share that GlobeSt. has selected Nora Martins and Paul Russo for its "CRE's Aspiring Leaders of 2024" list. The list recognizes "ambitious and talented professionals, under the age of 40, who hold solid track records of noteworthy transaction volume and significant contributions to their company’s overall success."

Martins is a partner in Akerman's Real Estate Practice Group and is based in New York City. Her work focuses on zoning and land use, particularly applications for discretionary approvals from the City Planning Commission and the Board of Standards and Appeals to maximize development potential and entitlements. She has led several Akerman teams in further shaping the Big Apple's cityscape while combating the affordable housing crisis. This includes providing counsel to ABM Community Partners LLC in its $120 million project to rehabilitate 557 units in a three-building public housing portfolio in Harlem as part of NYCHA's Permanent Affordability Commitment Together program.

Russo is a partner in Akerman's Real Estate Practice Group and is based in Chicago. He represents REITS, real estate funds, real estate joint ventures, and developers in commercial real estate matters throughout the country, with notable client matters collectively totaling more than $1 billion in value. He has experience in multi-jurisdictional transactions involving the acquisition, sale, financing, leasing, and development of retail, office, and industrial properties. GlobeSt. recognized Russo last year as well, naming him to its 2023 "Influencers in Retail" list.