Alton C. "Al" Ward

Carol Rooney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Carol, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carol is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Troy Carnrite's practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions. He has represented both public and private companies from a wide range of industries in all aspects of commercial transactions including mergers, stock and other equity sales, asset sales, restructurings, joint ventures, financing and private offerings. His practice also includes sports and entertainment law, where he represents athletes and entertainers in a variety of matters, including team contracts and endorsement deals. Troy ...

Eric Almon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Eric, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Irene Bassel Frick serves as the managing partner of Akerman’s Tampa office. A trial lawyer with experience in state and federal court, arbitrations, and administrative proceedings, Irene has a multifaceted litigation practice encompassing contractual disputes, class action defense, fiduciary duty claims, business torts, non-compete litigation, construction disputes, and commercial foreclosure litigation. Her clients include employers, insurers, employee benefit plans, and third party p...

An aggressive litigator, Karina Perez Ilic has diverse expertise in civil litigation including catastrophic workplace accidents, contracts, commercial disputes, premises liability, and Tampa motor vehicle accidents. She is not afraid to be a fierce advocate for clients who have been wronged or injured. A Florida native, she ventured to New Orleans to receive her bachelor’s degree in business law with a minor in French language at Tulane University. She continued her legal education in N...

Jennifer Fulvia Meister is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jennifer Fulvia, who practices law in Riverview, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer Fulvia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Roberta Casper Watson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Roberta Casper, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roberta Casper is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melissa Kuipers Blake is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Melissa Kuipers, who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa Kuipers is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chester E. Bacheller is a transactional lawyer practicing in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions and finance including, venture capital financing. The majority of Mr. Bacheller's practice has centered on representing companies and investors in various corporate and financial transactions. He has substantial experience in a wide range of corporate, securities and banking matters, including: public offerings of securities registered under the federal and state securities laws; cor...

Tammie is an experienced labor and employment lawyer with a broad scope of practice that includes both litigation and traditional labor law. Tammie has represented clients in both union and union-free environments, providing legal counseling and support to meet the client's objectives. Her experience includes providing legal representation throughout collective bargaining, arbitrations, NLRB trials, and union campaigns. Tammie also frequently represents clients in employment litigation, havin...