Akerman Litigation Partner Sara A. Brubaker has been named a 2026 Florida Legal Awards "On the Rise" winner, presented by Law.com's Daily Business Review. The Florida Legal Awards celebrate the individuals and firms driving excellence, leadership, and innovation across Florida's legal community. The On the Rise category spotlights the state's most influential lawyers under 40 who are making their mark in Florida and beyond.
Sara's practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, including contract and business litigation, franchisor-franchisee matters, shareholder and partnership disputes among closely held businesses, and contested trust and estate administration for high-net-worth clients and family enterprises. Representing domestic and international clients across diverse industries, she is a trusted first-chair trial lawyer with extensive experience litigating cases through trial and appeal before juries, judges, and arbitrators, and she has authored amicus curiae briefs in state and federal appellate courts. She is also well-versed in e-discovery, having managed large-scale data collections, reviews, and productions, and leverages AI tools to streamline processes and minimize costs for clients.
Sara has also been recognized on Benchmark Litigation's "40 & Under" List (2024–2025) and named a Super Lawyers "Rising Star" for Business Litigation. Beyond her practice, she serves on the United Negro College Fund's Advisory Board and chairs an Akerman Community Impact Team, supporting local charities through the firm's national philanthropic initiative.
All honorees will be celebrated at the Florida Legal Awards ceremony on April 29 in Miami.