Akerman LLP

Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm. We are known for our core strengths in middle market M&A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 600 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 20 offices, Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 350 (2014). Clients engage Akerman to help them more confidently address their business challenges and opportunities across the U.S. and throughout the Americas.

The Akerman team is recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers (2014) as one of the best law firms in the U.S. in 30 practice areas. The firm also is ranked among the top 50 Law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard (2014).    

Corporate

"A national corporate group that serves clients across the U.S., and in Latin America, [with] a strong focus on middle-market transactional work. The partners combine good business acumen with excellent legal insights, and the senior partners are not only highly accessible, but they lead all deals." (The Legal 500)"

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for Corporate and International Trade and Finance Law
• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Mergers & Acquisitions, Private Equity, Securities/Capital Markets, Securities Regulation, Antitrust,

Franchise, Private Funds/Hedge Funds, and Venture Capital Law categories

The Legal 500: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts: Middle Market in the U.S.

• Chambers USA: #1 Corporate practice in Florida; recognized as market leader in Florida since 2003 for Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity
• Law360: Ranked among the top 100 law firms for M&A
• Corporate Counsel magazine: "Go To" law firm for corporate transactions/M&As

Litigation

"This solid team is well versed in handling complex commercial litigation. It is noted particularly for its expertise in matters relating to the financial services, insurance, healthcare and real estate sectors. With the backing of the firm's impressive national network, the team is able to handle nationwide class actions with ease." (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for Litigation - Banking & Finance, Litigation - Bankruptcy, Litigation - Construction, and

Litigation - Real Estate

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Appellate Law, Commercial Litigation, International Arbitration - Commercial, Litigation - Antitrust,

Litigation - Intellectual Property, and Litigation - Labor & Employment categories

• Chambers Latin America: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for International Arbitration across all of Latin America
• Chambers Global: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for International Arbitration across all of Latin America
• Law360: Ranked among the top 100 law firms for Product Liability
• Daily Business Review: Recognized as Litigation Department of the Year in the General Litigation and Intellectual Property categories
• Benchmark Litigation: Recognized as Florida Law Firm of the Year for Litigation
• Benchmark Litigation: Top ranked in Florida and recommended as a leading law firm in Virginia for Litigation
• Benchmark Appellate: Top ranked in Florida, Eleventh Circuit
• Chambers USA: Antitrust Practice ranked in Florida
• Chambers USA: Litigation Practice Group ranked in Florida since 2003

Real Estate

"[Akerman's] cutting-edge real estate practice is… 'excellent: my experience has been that they are extremely thorough, on top of their deals, put their clients first; we are getting the service we need and the attention we would require to get the job done.'" (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for Real Estate Law, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction, and Litigation - Real

Estate

• The Legal 500: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for Real Estate, Land Use/Zoning, and Construction in the U.S.
• Law360: Ranked among the top 100 law firms for Real Estate and Environmental
• Chambers USA: Construction Practice ranked nationally
• Chambers USA: Real Estate, Land Use, Construction, and Environmental Practices ranked in Florida since 2003

Financial Services

"Akerman has a long-standing presence in the market, with sources noting that it is well placed to handle complex transactions. Also notable is the group's work in the regulatory and public finance spheres." (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for Litigation - Banking & Finance
• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Insurance Law and Securities Regulation categories
• Law360: Ranked among the top 100 law firms for Insurance
• Chambers USA: Insurance Practice ranked #1 in Florida since 2004
• Chambers USA: Banking & Finance Practice ranked in Florida since 2003
• The Best Lawyers in America: Top listed in Banking and Insurance Law in Florida

Latin America & the Caribbean

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for International Trade and Finance Law
• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national International Arbitration - Commercial category
• Chambers Latin America: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for International Arbitration across all of Latin America
• Chambers Global: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for International Arbitration across all of Latin America

Bankruptcy & Reorganization

"This full-service national firm commands great respect for its creditor-side representation. The firm is also representing over 50 claw back defendants in the Madoff case in New York, demonstrating the team's aptitude in Ponzi-related matters. It also enjoys a strong reputation for its receivership work." (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized as a national tier one law firm for Litigation - Bankruptcy
• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law category
• Law360: Ranked among the top 100 law firms for Bankruptcy
• Chambers USA: Bankruptcy/Restructuring Practice Group ranked in Florida since 2003
• The Best Lawyers in America: Top listed in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law in Florida

Labor & Employment

"This trusted labor and employment practice is active in class actions and collective bargaining, and is also a major player in whistle-blower, wage and hour, noncompete and discrimination suits." (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor & Employment,  

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law categories

• The Legal 500: Ranked as one of the leading law firms for Immigration in the U.S.
• Chambers USA: Labor & Employment Practice Group ranked in Florida since 2003

Healthcare

"Akerman represents physicians, pharmacy companies and other healthcare bodies in a range of regulatory and litigation concerns." (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Healthcare Law category
• Chambers USA: Healthcare Practice Group ranked in Florida since 2005
• The Best Lawyers in America: Top listed in Healthcare Law in Florida

Intellectual Property

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Litigation - Intellectual Property category
• Daily Business Review: Recognized as Litigation Department of the Year in the Intellectual Property category

Tax

"This group boasts highly skilled tax attorneys. The team handles tax controversy and litigation, transactional tax matters and tax planning and employee benefits work on a nationwide scale." (Chambers USA)

• U.S. News - Best Lawyers: Recognized in the national Tax, Employee Benefits (ERISA), and Trusts & Estates Law categories
• Chambers USA: Tax Practice Group ranked in Florida

U.S. Law Firms

• The National Law Journal NLJ 350: Ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S.
• Law360: Ranked among the top 100 law firms in the world
• Am Law 200: Ranked 108 among the largest law firms in the U.S.
• Florida Trend: Ranked largest law firm in Florida
• Law360: Ranked as a Powerhouse Law Firm in Florida
• BTI Client Relationship Scorecard: Ranked among the top 25 percent of law firms in the U.S. with the best client relationships

Diversity

• Corporate Equality Index: Ranked among the "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality" with a 100% rating (2015)
• The American Lawyer: Ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity (2014)
• MultiCultural Law: Ranked among the top 100 law firms for diversity and women (2012)
• MultiCultural Law: Ranked among the top 25 law firms for Hispanic Americans (2012)
• Benchmark Litigation: Ranked Law Firm of the Year for Diversity - South (2012)

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

Using a multi-disciplinary approach, Akerman lawyers are able to assist entities seeking regional center designation as established regional centers, developers and other project sponsors, and individual EB-5 investors in understanding the obligations, implications, and responsibilities of all parties involved in this type of foreign investment.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor program allows a person, with qualifying immediate family members, to obtain permanent resident (green card) status by investing in a new U.S. commercial enterprise, and creating or saving 10 full time U.S. jobs.