Akerman LLP
 | |
| Headquarters | Downtown, Miami, Florida |
|---|---|
| No. of offices | 20 |
| No. of attorneys | More than 600 |
| Major practice areas | General practice |
| Key people | Andrew M. Smulian, Chairman and CEO [1] |
| Date founded | 1920 |
| Founder | Alexander Akerman and John Moses Cheney |
| Company type | Limited liability partnership |
| Website | Akerman.com |
Akerman LLP is a law firm based in Miami, Florida that was founded in 1920.[2] Andrew Smulian has been the Chairman and CEO since 2008.[1]
History
Akerman was founded in 1920; it was formerly known as Akerman Senterfitt LLP and changed its name to Akerman LLP in 2013.[2] It was founded by former United States District Court Judges John Moses Cheney and Alexander Akerman as Cheney & Akerman, with offices in Orlando, Florida. By 1925, Alexander Akerman partnered with Hugh Akerman as Akerman & Akerman, after Cheney died. In 1936, Hugh Akerman and Billy Dial, who was instrumental in the founding of what is now known as SunTrust Bank,[3] formed a partnership with William Akerman. These three men were largely responsible for the success of the firm through the 1950s, under the name Akerman, Dial & Akerman. George T. Eidson and American Bankers Association President Donald T. Senterfitt[4] later became name partners and played significant roles in the growth and success of the firm from the 1950s through the 1980s.[5]
Akerman acquired its first office outside of Orlando in May 1958 when the firm merged with Turnbull & Senterfitt. In 1982, a Miami office was opened.
Other recognition
The Legal 500: In 2016, Akerman was top-ranked nationally in middle market M&A and recognized nationally for the fifth consecutive year as a leading law firm for real estate, land use, construction, and immigration law.[6]
U.S. News – Best Lawyers: In 2015, Akerman was recognized with 83 "Tier One" national and regional practice rankings; corporate, real estate, and financial litigation practices top-ranked nationally. The firm also achieved significant results with 140 lawyers named to the 2016 list of The Best Lawyers in America.[7]
Benchmark Litigation: In 2016, Akerman's Litigation Practice Group was recognized for its multi-state capabilities and acknowledged for its litigation "stars and achievements."[8]
Chambers Global: In 2015, Akerman's Latin America & the Caribbean Practice was recognized for a third consecutive year as among the best in international arbitration. Chambers Latin America recognized Akerman as having a top Cuba practice, the lone U.S. law firm represented on the Cuba Practice ranking.[9]
References
- 1 2 Executive Profile: Andrew M. Smulian, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Akerman LLP; Bloomberg Business; Feb. 12, 2016.
- 1 2 Bloomberg Business. Akerman LLP Profile Page accessed Feb 17, 2016
- ↑ Michael, Kenneth; "Banker's Career Grew with Orlando: Billy Dial, an Original Architect of the City, Sees it as a Future Hub"; Orlando Sentinel; October 18, 1988
- ↑ Florea, Linda; "Donald Senterfitt left Indelible Mark in Law, Banking"; Orlando Sentinel; August 28, 2008
- ↑ "Akerman Law Firm -- Orlando"; posted at OrlandoMemory -- The Stories of Orlando as Told by its People; February 22, 2010.
- ↑ The Legal 500 rankings for Akerman LLP Feb. 2016.
- ↑ U.S. News – Akerman Profile and Rankings, Nov. 3, 2015.
- ↑ Benchmark Litigation, Akerman rankings Benchmark Litigation, Retrieved Feb. 11, 2016.
- ↑ "Akerman ranked top law firm in Cuba", by Latin Business Daily Reports; Latin Business Daily; Oct. 26, 2015.