Ashlea A. Edwards

Beau Baker focuses his practice on real estate capital markets, securitizations, financial services, structured and commercial finance, creditors’ rights, loan portfolio management and servicing, and financial restructuring. He represents traditional and non-traditional lenders in a variety of transactions including warehouse/repo lending facilities, secondary market portfolio and single asset loan sales/acquisitions, joint venture and preferred equity investments, and bank and non-bank...

Christopher Commander is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Christopher, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sami R. Achem, Jr. practices in the area of general defense litigation, with an emphasis upon complex litigation involving premises liability, automobile negligence, products liability, trucking/transportation, indemnification disputes, insurance disputes, Lemon Law litigation, landlord/tenant litigation, and negligent security. Mr. Achem has been recognized by Best Lawyers of America since 2023. He was also elected to Florida Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for 2017-2021. He is as an AV Preem...

For more than 30 years, clients have relied on Earl’s pragmatic approach and strategic counsel to help them navigate their most complex legal matters. As a trial lawyer in the firm’s healthcare and litigation groups, he focuses his practice on medical malpractice defense and has handled numerous actions involving wrongful death, institutional medical negligence, and profound brain, spinal cord and other central nervous system injuries. In addition, Earl defends clients in business...

Bryan is the chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He has more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate law, with a focus on transactional finance, sales and acquisitions, leasing and title insurance. Bryan advises purchasers and sellers in all phases of contract negotiations and due diligence for property acquisition, development and sale. His work includes §1031 exchanges and large acreage agricultural propert...

Michael Korn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Michael, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and focuses his practice on complex business litigation and insolvency matters. He has many years of trial experience in cases involving business torts, bankruptcy proceedings, corporate governance issues, employment disputes, and litigation concerning contracts, secured transactions, fraudulent transfers, financial workouts, lender liability, banking relationships, and commercial paper. For 12 years, Michael was a senior executive wi...

Jeffrey M. McFarland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jeffrey M., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Pete Larsen is the chair of Akerman’s national Tax Practice Group, a team advising clients in global tax compliance and controversy matters, including complex transactions in the middle market. The practice was recognized by Law360 as a “Tax Practice Group of the Year” for its precedent-setting work in the United States. Pete works closely with financial institutions, finance companies, vehicle and equipment lessors, retailers, and telecommunication, software, and technology...