Michael Bailkin focuses in two value creation areas of real estate:  (i) development incentives; and (ii) structuring and helping implement real estate development projects.  Development incentives includes a broad range of programs that utilize public sector resources to add…

Michael Borovik draws on his more than 20 years of practical energy and sustainability experience to advise leaders and teams through major business initiatives and economic evaluation matters. Michael's clients include energy suppliers, municipalities, universities, and businesses. He also…

Described in Chambers USA as “an outstanding bankruptcy lawyer,” Jules Cohen represents banks and other lenders as secured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings in all types of businesses. He has represented clients in notable bankruptcy proceedings, including, the billion dollar Chapter 11 case of…

A Certified Public Accountant and tax lawyer, Steve Cottrell focuses his practice on representing finance companies, national retailers, internet retailers, banks, and other multistate business in state and local tax matters. He advises companies on multistate income and sales tax planning, M&A…

Having served as a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois and Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, Jack George is a valued leader who possesses a deep knowledge of real estate law. Jack focuses his practice on real estate, land use, and zoning matters. He is…

Stephen Glazier focuses his practice on patent and technology matters, including patent prosecution, litigation, transactions, licensing, strategic counseling, opinion letters, responses to demand letters, due diligence, equity transactions for technology companies, intellectual property…

For more than 55 years, Kenneth Gordon has concentrated his practice in all facets of real estate development, leasing, sales and acquisitions, 1031 exchanges, condominium development, construction contracting, license agreements, and financing, including workouts for lenders and securitized lending…

Bert Greenwell focuses his practice on the representation of private equity firms, institutional lenders, and companies in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, lending, and securitizations. Bert also represents investors in the acquisition,…

Maureen Hannon focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions with particular emphasis on domestic and international acquisitions and sales, and real estate finance for clients in the healthcare, affordable housing and construction, and hospitality industries. She regularly represents…

Melissa Harvey focuses her practice on commercial real estate transactions, with a special emphasis on retail leasing. Melissa spent more than a decade working in the in-house legal departments of retailers, where she gained a keen understanding of both the legal and business needs involved in real…

Melissa Hill assists the General Counsel with legal, ethical, and internal risk management matters.

Edward Machado focuses his practice on securing patent protection for client innovations. He has facilitated hundreds of patent applications from drafting, through office actions and examiner interviews, to issuance. He has handled patent applications across various industries, including related to:…

Jim McCann has devoted his career to helping clients resolve individual and business disputes. Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Business Litigation, he is recognized for his experience in bench and jury trials, appeals, and dispute resolution across a wide variety of cases for clients in the…

Kristen McMullen focuses her practice on insurance defense, counseling clients on matters of coverage disputes, and general liability. With extensive experience representing insurance companies and their insureds in a variety of first-party and third-party matters including breach of contract,…

Ed Murphy is an arbitrator and trial lawyer. He has extensive international and domestic experience in litigation and arbitration, as an advocator and arbitrator. He has tried to verdict numerous jury and bench trials throughout the United States and has participated in the defense of clients in…

Lisa Orrantia assists clients with real estate matters involving the New York City Zoning Resolution, New York City Construction Codes, and New York State Multiple Dwelling Law. Lisa helps clients obtain approvals from the City Planning Commission for zoning map and text amendments, special permits…

Ricky Patel focuses his practice on a wide array of issues, including complex litigation in state and federal court, crisis management for high-profile clients, and mass torts. Ricky regularly works with hospitality industry clients and has been actively involved with the Asian American Hotel…

Laura Premi assists the General Counsel with legal, ethical, and internal risk management matters.

Gideon Reitblat practices in the areas of insurance coverage and good faith claims handling. Gideon routinely advises carriers on compliance with good faith claim handling duties, including developing effective strategies to deal with proactive tenders, time-limit demands, multiple claimant/insured…

Akerman Remembers Our Friend, Colleague, and Former Chairman and CEO, Charles A. Schuette We are deeply saddened by the passing yesterday of Charles (Charlie) A. Schuette, former Chairman and CEO of Akerman.   Charlie was a giant at Akerman. He led the firm from 1994–2002, and was…

Donald Scotten is Of Counsel in the Consumer Financial Services, Data and Technology (CFS+) Practice Group, where he has represented numerous mortgage loan originators, servicers, and investors. Donald also is a professor of the practice of law at the University of Southern California’s Law…

A lawyer with a national construction practice, Owen Shean represents clients in a broad array of construction matters and disputes, including resolution of disputes on major infrastructure projects, government facilities, museums, multi-use/multi-family projects, hospitals, and military facilities.…

Phil Slinkard advises corporate officers, directors, and other decision-makers on opportunities and risks associated with various business opportunities, particularly mergers and acquisitions, contract and licensing negotiations, governance, and executive employment-related matters. Serving as…

Akerman Remembers Friend and Colleague, Mary A. Swayze We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague, Mary Swayze, Of Counsel in our Miami office. A kind and thoughtful friend and an ardent advocate for justice and equality, Mary was a talented lawyer who utilized her skills to help…

Karene Tygenhof focuses her practice on commercial litigation and legal malpractice defense. She has significant experience in both federal and state courts in complex commercial and financial services related litigation, real estate disputes, business torts, contract disputes, and community…

Jose A. Villalobos' legal career spans more than four decades and his practice includes state and local government affairs, representing cities before governmental entities. Jose focuses on legal issues involving land use and entitlements, representing Latin American clients in acquisitions and…

Richard Wilkes focuses his practice on contract and business tort litigation, and professional malpractice.

Andrea Zambrano is a member of Akerman's General Counsel's office. She is focused on protecting the firm and its clients with risk management, professional liability, compliance, contractual, employment disputes, and ethics issues.