2025 Vault Rankings
About Akerman
Although Akerman LLP is recognized mostly for its expertise in dealing with middle-market M&A and complex disputes, this AmLaw 100 firm offers legal counsel across a broad range of practices for clients in multiple industries. Notably, the Financial Times rated Akerman as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking firms in the industry.
Star of the Sunshine State
Akerman opened its doors in 1920 when Alexander Akerman—son of former U.S. Attorney General Amos Akerman—partnered with Orlando lawyer John Cheney. Since then, the firm has been instrumental in Florida by assisting with milestone projects such as the establishment of Interstate 4, procurement of land for Walt Disney World, and founding of The First National Bank of Orlando (now SunTrust). The firm has expanded and now employs more than 700 lawyers in 25 offices in the United States, including offices in Los Angeles, Denver, New York, and Washington, DC.
A North American Leader
Akerman is widely recognized as a top firm for middle-market transactional work, handling deals ranging in value from $50 million to $500 million. The firm’s Corporate, M&A, and Private Equity practice attorneys advise public and private companies, private equity funds, and financial institutions on complex M&A deals, capital markets transactions, and finance matters. On the litigation side, the firm handles all stages of complex commercial disputes involving domestic or international financial institutions, insurance, real estate, employment, and other contested matters.
In terms of cross-border work, the firm has experience working in South America, Chile, Mexico, and the Caribbean and has been recognized as a leader in the Cuban legal world. The firm has been working with senior Cuban regulators and government officials shaping policy and law for more than a decade and has been at the forefront helping companies enter the recently opened Cuban market. The firm has been a presence at landmark events in Cuba, including the reopening of the U.S. Embassy.
An Initiator of Innovation
Akerman is a recognized leader in innovation. The firm’s unique initiatives include Akerman Bench, a mock oral argument program informed by former appellate judges ; Akerman’s Return to Work Resource Guide, an atlas of key reference materials, form documents, questions, concerns, checklists, policies, and procedures used to facilitate safe and orderly transitions to the workplace; and the Akerman TaxAbility Matrix, a compliance platform designed to help clients navigate the laws and regulations of over 100,000 local and state taxing jurisdictions in the United States.
News & Awards
- Appointed receiver for the Champlain Tower South Condominium Association following the tragic building collapse in 2021. Led negotiations in the $120 million purchase for site and was instrumental in obtaining $1 billion settlement from a class action lawsuit.
- Represented Lakeshore East LLC in the development of the $1 billion St. Regis Chicago, a 101-story, 1,198 ft supertall skyscraper adjacent to Lake Michigan.
- Represented aerospace and electronics company HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI) in its acquisition of Wencor Group for $2.05 billion.
- Obtained asylum and protection under the U.N. Convention Against Torture for Somali client facing torture and death at the hands of Al Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia due to his ethnicity.
- Ranked Among the ‘Best Law Firms’ in the country with 135 Tier 1 Rankings Nationally and in Key U.S. Business Centers, 2024—Best Lawyers
- Nationally Ranked Among Top U.S. Law Firms for Client Service by 2024 “BTI Client Service A-Team” report.—BTI Consulting Group
- 70 lawyers and 26 practices ranked among the best in the United States, 2024—Chambers USA
- Ranked among the top 10 large law firms (601+ lawyers) for diversity, including the #1 ranking for associate diversity, 2024—Law360
- Named ‘Practice Group of the Year’ for Cannabis (2024), Tax (2023), and Bankruptcy and Reorganization (2023)—Law360
71 South Wacker Drive
47th Floor
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 634-5700
Chairman & CEO: Scott A. Meyers
Total No. Attorneys (2024):
500 - 750
No. of Partners Named 2023:
15
Billable-Hour Requirement:
1,900
Varies by market
Danielle T. Shannon
Chief Talent Officer
(212) 880-3889
danielle.shannon@akerman.com
general recruiting Email: recruitingdept@akerman.com
No. of U.S. Offices: 25
No. of International Offices: 0
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Boca Raton, FL
Chicago, IL
Dallas, FL
Denver, CO
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Houston, TX
Jacksonville, FL
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Madison, WI
Miami, FL
Naples, FL
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Orlando, FL
Salt Lake City, UT
San Antonio, TX
Tallahassee, FL
Tampa, FL
Washington, DC
West Palm Beach, FL
Wilmington, DE
Winston-Salem, NC
Bankruptcy & Reorganization
Consumer Financial Services, Data & Technology (CFS+)
Corporate
Government Affairs & Public Policy
Health Care
Intellectual Property
Labor & Employment
Litigation
Real Estate
Taxation
*See firm website for complete list of practice areas and industries.