Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, is pleased to announce that Scott Meyers, managing partner and member of the firm’s Executive Committee, was elected by a partnership vote on August 22 to succeed Andrew Smulian as chairman and CEO. Meyers will serve a three-year term commencing on February 1, 2020.
"Scott is the embodiment of Akerman's collaborative and client-driven values, and he will lead the firm toward a future of continued growth," said Smulian. "He has been prepared for this position having effectively led the growth of the Chicago office and having jointly served as the firm’s managing partner and a member of the Executive Committee. It is clear that Scott is the right leader for Akerman's future."
Meyers joined Akerman in 2014 as founding office managing partner in Chicago. Under his leadership, office headcount grew nearly seven-fold from 8 to 55 lawyers in four years. The rapid expansion led Akerman to more than double the size of its office space while strengthening the firm's deep bench in commercial litigation, intellectual property, financial services, real estate, healthcare and other client sectors. In 2018, Meyers was appointed firm managing partner. He has since helped execute firm strategy, including the launches of Akerman's 24th and 25th offices in Atlanta and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Meyers also is a member of the firm's Board of Directors and one of eight members of the Executive Committee.
"I am honored by the confidence my partners have placed in me to serve as Akerman's next chairman and CEO, and I look forward to building on the remarkable progress we've made throughout our 99-year history and, particularly, over the last decade," said Meyers. "We have tremendous momentum, with client relationships that continue to flourish, the highest quality lawyers who continue to join our firm, and an enterprise of 25 offices that continue to support our increasing work throughout the United States and Latin America."
Meyers' practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation of business disputes involving securities, trade secrets, restrictive covenants and unfair competition, with a client emphasis on hedge funds, investment advisers, private debt and equity funds, money managers and insurance brokerage companies. He has represented institutional and individual clients in significant litigation matters around the country. In addition, Meyers has represented clients in investigations and regulatory proceedings involving the SEC, Department of Justice, New York Attorney General, NYSE and FINRA, as well as various state securities regulators.
Meyers earned his law degree from Georgetown Law Center in 1991, cum laude, and his Bachelor of Science in economics and finance from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1988, cum laude.
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. Akerman 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.