Frank Achonye is an associate in Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology (CFS+) Practice Group. Frank represents a wide array of financial services companies in state and federal litigation, including class actions. He regularly defends financial services providers against…

Will Craven focuses his practice on complex litigation, strategy, and risk transfer matters. His clients often call on him for their toughest legal and business challenges, with Will representing insurers and insureds in high exposure defense litigation and claims management. Will’s practice also…

Rola Daaboul is a seasoned litigator and trial attorney who focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, business torts, and personal disputes in state and federal courts. She advises clients on a wide range of matters including intellectual property, employment, real estate, construction,…

Wes Davis is a commercial litigator focusing on insurance coverage and construction disputes. His insurance coverage practice encompasses first-party and third-party insurance coverage matters throughout the United States. Wes advises insurance companies on policy coverage issues during the claim…

Eduardo Espinosa is an experienced court-appointed fiduciary frequently recommended by regulators to serve in proceedings where there is concern that alleged fraudsters will dissipate the remaining assets. A former enforcement lawyer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Eddy has…

Christy Hawkins (CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPM, CIPT, FIP, PLS) focuses her practice on privacy, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. She advises clients on state, federal, and international data security and privacy issues, including compliance and risk management. She supports organizations of all…

Jason Heep has litigated and resolved commercial disputes, complex insurance-coverage issues, and environmental-remediation matters across the country for more than 20 years. He uses his environmental-engineering background to assist with environmental-regulatory compliance and preventive measures…

Michael Hess is an experienced litigator who focuses his practice on complex commercial and business litigation matters. Michael combines his strong written and oral advocacy skills with an energetic, detail-oriented and creative approach to every case his clients entrust him with no matter the size…

Byron Keaton is an associate in Akerman’s Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology (CFS+) Practice Group. Byron represents a wide array of financial services companies in state and federal litigation including class actions. He regularly defends financial services providers against…

Eric Levy focuses his practice in the areas of information privacy, data breach response, and insurance coverage. Eric’s counsel on privacy and cybersecurity compliance includes drafting privacy policies and notices, and negotiating contracts allocating data protection and data gathering risks. Eric…

Valerie Lott focuses her practice on commercial litigation in state and federal courts. As part of her practice, Valerie assists insurers with complex first-party and third-party coverage issues. She represents insurers in litigated coverage cases, claim negotiations, and coverage disputes. Valerie…

Anthony Lyons focuses his practice on complex commercial and business disputes. He represents corporate clients, including Fortune 500 companies and major hospital systems, in high-stakes employment, commercial, and contract litigation before both state and federal courts. Anthony has experience…

Mark McElree focuses his practice on real estate transactions, finance, and oil and gas matters. His clients include real estate developers, owners and investors, national and multi-national corporations and money center banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Mark also…

Esther McKean focuses her practice on business bankruptcy, creditor's rights, and commercial litigation. She helps creditors and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings recover assets, obtain relief from the automatic stay, and negotiate plan provisions. Esther also represents debtors in bankruptcy…

As a court-appointed receiver and counsel to receivers and trustees, Michael Napoli works to maximize the value of insolvent entities in order to make a fair and equitable distribution to creditors. His experience covers a variety of industries with an emphasis on life settlements. Outside of the…

Steven Paletz represents local, regional, and national developers throughout the lifecycle of a commercial real estate transaction. His clients represent a diversity of real estate sectors including residential, industrial, retail, office, mixed use, and hospitality projects. His…

Highly regarded for his skillful resolution of bankruptcy and insolvency matters, David Parham represents corporate and partnership debtors, creditor committees, equity holders, secured and unsecured creditors, lessors, and trustees in bankruptcy proceedings, litigation, and workouts. His…

Bryce Pilawski focuses his practice on commercial litigation and insurance coverage matters. As a litigation associate, Bryce represents clients in a variety of complex commercial disputes and high-stakes litigation in both state and federal court and as plaintiff and defendant. Bryce has experience…

Lanie Read advises employers on a broad range of labor and employment law matters, supporting clients navigate complex workplace issues with practical, business-focused guidance. She represents management in all aspects of employment law compliance, counseling, and litigation prevention. Lanie’s…

Matt Schroeder serves as the Office Managing Partner of Akerman’s Dallas office and is a trusted advisor to major national and international insurance companies facing high-stakes litigation and complex coverage disputes. He advises insurance companies not only on related policy coverage issues and…

Elliot Strader is a partner in Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group, where he focuses on complex, high-stakes disputes for insurers and companies. Elliot’s insurance practice centers on insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, with a particular focus on environmental claims, catastrophic losses,…

Laura Taveras represents debtors and secured and unsecured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings. She also has experience guiding clients in insolvency-related litigation, out-of-court restructuring, and workouts. Laura's work includes debtor representations in Subchapter V and Chapter 15 for…

Rob Weitzel has significant experience in all aspects of litigation, including strategy development, fact investigation, taking and defending depositions, discovery (including eDiscovery in complex matters), motion practice, preparing fact and expert witnesses, negotiating favorable settlements,…

A seasoned attorney, leader, and executive advisor, Jeremy Williams represents clients in all aspects of litigation and arbitration. Drawing on his almost two decades of experience as a law firm trial lawyer and deputy general counsel of a multi-billion dollar holding company with operating assets…

Charles Zerner is Akerman's Director of AI Development, responsible for building custom AI applications when commercial products cannot meet the needs of the firm's lawyers and clients. A member of the firm's Information Technology team, Charles works directly with attorneys and practice groups to…