David Ackerman defends law firms in professional malpractice and legal ethics actions. In addition, David litigates a variety of commercial matters, including class actions, real estate, and business disputes. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, clients value his litigation experience…

With a practice focused on the laws governing alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cannabis, and other regulated products, Ian Bacheikov assists clients across multiple sectors, including entertainment, hospitality, and retail. He serves as chair of Akerman's Alcohol Beverage Sector Team, a…

Ellen Castillo is a Senior Urban Planning Consultant in Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group in Los Angeles. Her practice focuses on providing strategic real property development advice, land use diligence, planning analysis, and entitlement processing across all sectors of development. She offers…

Luis Cortes works with clients to secure regulatory approvals in the areas of land use and alcohol beverage law, with significant experience in state and municipal alcoholic beverage license requirements, tied-house laws, and enacted federal legislation. With a focus on the hospitality sector, Luis’…

Meg George has experience with real estate and municipal law matters, including the acquisition, and sale and development of real estate, land use and zoning, licensing, permitting, subdivision, and other real estate matters. In addition to her thriving practice, Meg is a member of Akerman’s…

Lisa Kolieb focuses her practice on land use and real estate development matters, guiding clients through the land use entitlement process from initial site diligence to ultimate project approval, construction and operation, and advising clients on the government and regulatory aspects of real…

With more than two decades of experience in zoning and land use matters, Chris Leach represents property owners, developers, and business owners in obtaining approvals of planned developments, zoning changes, special uses, variations, subdivisions, vacations, and dedications. Chris also works with…

Warren Lee Lewis serves as co-chair of Akerman's Franchise and Licensing Sector Team, a highly experienced group handling U.S. and international franchising, licensing, dealership and trademark counseling, registration and litigation matters for franchisors, licensors, subfranchisors, dealers and…

With more than 30 years of experience, Marc Lieberstein focuses his practice on intellectual property licensing and franchising, including the drafting, negotiation, and enforcement of license and franchise documents and agreements, as well as the implementation of branding and commercialization…

International Trade and Customs Felicia Leborgne Nowels is Board Certified in International law, and focuses her practice on international trade and customs law. Felicia assists domestic and foreign companies with cross-border movement of goods and services. Whether drafting international…

Mark Passler advises senior managers, brand managers, in-house counsel, technology transfer professionals, and inventors on intellectual property and entertainment law matters. He routinely assists clients in procuring, licensing, and enforcing patent, trademark, and copyright rights. Mark also…

Andy Robins serves as the co-chair of Akerman’s Hospitality Sector Team, a multidisciplinary group providing an extensive range of legal counsel and services to lodging and lifestyle companies, including those in the senior living space. His team is extensively involved in the branding of hotels and…

Cecilia Torres-Toledo practices in the area of land use and development and is a member of our Alcohol Beverage Sector Team. She represents real estate developers, landowners, institutional clients, lenders and other property owners in all aspects of local and state real estate permitting and…

Wayne Wald focuses his practice on corporate and securities law, including capital formation and M&A transactions, with a strong emphasis on middle market deals. Wayne is the Corporate practice group leader in the firm’s New York Office and he is the founder and Chair of the firm’s…