With multiple offices from coast to coast, Akerman has a nationwide reach and a range of practices that includes consumer financial services, construction, intellectual property, and bankruptcy. The firm is routinely commended by clients, who point out its strengths in giving advice. One client appreciates the way the team “communicates with their clients,” and goes on to state, “Overall, I was very happy.”
Another client using the firm’s banking and financial services expertise shared several positive points: “[They have] great communication and follow-up on matters, a balanced approach to litigation, reasonable hours and billing, and all-around excellent service.” In the commercial litigation space, another says, “Akerman offers excellent advice and options.”
The firm has a particular concentration of strength in Florida, where the firm originated. In the Jacksonville office,
Christian George brings his expertise in bankruptcy and commercial litigation to clients who have expressed their appreciation for his leadership. A client who has tapped George for bankruptcy, commercial, and banking disputes notes that he “understands our model and approach to working out matters and litigation.” The same client commends George’s “excellent communication and follow-up, balanced approach... and good rapport with [the executive management] of our bank.” He is described as having a “great personality.”
The Miami office includes Robert Chaskes, a commercial litigator and co-chair of the distressed-property practice. One client says, “[He has] superb legal knowledge and [a] pragmatic approach to domestic and international business disputes.” Chaskes is described as having “excellent communication skills” and as being a “top-notch legal professional.” Chaskes defended Amicorp in a case that involved the contentious doctrine of conspiracy jurisdiction to assert personal jurisdiction in Florida. Chaskes successfully argued that the plaintiffs did not provide a sufficient basis to exercise personal jurisdiction pertaining to the tortuous activity allegations under either the state’s statute or the US Constitution. The Third Circuit affirmed the ruling, further clarifying the use of the doctrine of conspiracy jurisdiction.
Megan Costa DeLeon, based in the firm’s Orlando office, focuses largely on commercial disputes. However, she also serves as lead counsel in a product-liability case defending ProAmpac against a lawsuit filed by RCBA Nutraceuticals. The trial court allowed the plaintiff to file an amended complaint, which added ProAmpac as a co-defendant based on its acquisition of PolyFirst Packaging. (PolyFirst manufactured the alleged defective packaging.) Costa DeLeon appealed to the Fifth Circuit, which published an opinion agreeing with her arguments that the plaintiff failed to establish personal jurisdiction. Her motion to dismiss was reversed and remanded for further proceedings.
Beyond Florida, Mark Bernstein resolves commercial conflicts and lawsuits predominantly on behalf of clients in the financial and manufacturing industries. Working out of the Chicago office, Bernstein is praised by clients for his industry and practice-
area expertise. “Mark is always very timely and provides great insight into construction contracting,” says a client who sought out Bernstein for his commercial knowledge. “Mark has an excellent understanding of our business from both a commercial and operational perspective.” Bernstein is the lead partner representing MG East, which hired Premier Design & Build Group to construct three buildings in Miami Gardens, Florida. Shortly after substantial completion of the buildings, the roof edges and gutter systems began showing signs of rust and corrosion, leaving holes that allowed water to drain directly onto the buildings and the surrounding property. MG East sued Premier for breach of general contract for the failure to properly install the roofing and gutter systems. The claimed damages are more than $2 million. The case is in its initial phases of discovery.
Benjamin Joelson in Akerman’s New York office specializes in commercial litigation and intellectual property. He often represents commercial landlords, tenants, developers, and construction companies over real-estate disputes. He is currently on the team representing a potential joint venture to open a HALAL GUYS restaurant at the American Dream complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was uncovered that Dream Big Holding, LLC’s principal, through a new entity, had secretly opened a restaurant called Falafel Inc. at the American Dream complex. That same location had already been leased to the joint venture. In another pending case, Joelson is part of the team representing Vanderbilt Atlantic Holdings, the ground-floor lessor of a property in Brooklyn, New York, in a lease dispute with its tenant, McDonald’s Corporation.
