Akerman

With more than 700 lawyers and business professionals throughout the United States, Akerman combines the reach and sophistication of an Am Law 100 platform with the collegiality and agility of a unified firm. The firm’s work spans litigation, transactions, regulatory matters, and strategic counsel across the most dynamic sectors of the economy. 

A Century of Expansion

Founded in 1920 when Alexander Akerman partnered with John Cheney to form a firm in Orlando, FL, Akerman has grown with its clients, adapting to their changing needs and anticipating the legal and regulatory shifts shaping their industries. Today, the firm advises clients operating in all 50 states and more than 35 countries. 

Top Practice Areas

Akerman’s litigation group is home to more than 350 litigators—many of them first-chair trial lawyers—who handle complex disputes across sectors, including class action, fraud, securities, internation property (IP), white collar, and cross-border matters. The firm’s litigation group is recognized for both Commercial Litigation and Appellate Practice by Best Lawyers and for leadership in International Arbitration in Chambers Global. 

The real estate practice, consistently top ranked by Best Lawyers and the Legal 500, spans transactional, development, environmental, and land use counsel. Akerman real estate lawyers have helped shape major urban projects, energy corridors, and infrastructure developments nationwide. The firm’s corporate group advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors, and entrepreneurs on transactions, financing, and capital markets matters. Named 2026 Law Firm of the Year for Leveraged Buyouts & Private Equity Law by Best Lawyers, the group consistently ranks among the most active law firms in the United States for M&A and private equity deals by PitchBook and the Legal 500. The firm’s lawyers also handle tax, labor and employment, bankruptcy and reorganization, IP, government strategies, healthcare, and consumer financial services, data, and technology. The firm’s groups collaborate seamlessly across offices and practice boundaries. 

Akerman Intelligence

Akerman has established itself as a forward-thinking voice on the legal and business implications of AI. Through its Akerman Intelligence platform, the firm delivers thought leadership on emerging AI risks, from agentic AI and autonomous systems to evolving state-level regulatory frameworks. CEO Scott Meyers has been particularly active in shaping the conversation, authoring widely circulated alerts on topics such as AI consciousness as an enterprise risk and the governance challenges posed by next-generation AI agents. This work reflects the firm's commitment to helping clients navigate a rapidly shifting technological landscape with practical, actionable guidance.

Prioritizing Connection

Akerman institutionalizes connection as a leadership priority—appointing a director of connections to unify remote, hybrid, and in-office teams. The firm’s philosophy is “culture without badge swipes.” Associates work where they thrive, supported by state-of-the-art tech, curated mentorship, and meaningful collaboration. Professional development is central: Associates receive robust training, early leadership opportunities, and exposure to firmwide strategy. Akerman also empowers associates to engage in pro bono, innovation, and community work, fostering growth beyond the billable. The result is a career platform where serious lawyers can thrive without sacrificing authenticity or balance.

• Appointed receiver for the Champlain Tower South Condominium Association following the tragic building collapse. Led negotiations in the $120 million purchase for the site and was instrumental in obtaining a $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-foot 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.
• Represented various clients with data center campus development and finance projects with total project values of more than $135 billion.

• 157 Tier 1 rankings nationally and in key business centers throughout the United States, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, and Washington, DC—Best Law Firms
• 344 lawyers ranked for excellence, including more than 100 Ones to Watch, 2026—Best Lawyers
• Ranked a top firm with 75 lawyers and 31 practices recognized, 2025—Chambers USA
• Prestige Leader, 2023-2025—Law360
• Consistently named to the A-Team—BTI Consulting