Ben A. Andrews

Bruce Wiener serves as managing partner of Akerman’s Tallahassee office. Board Certified by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education in Real Estate Law, he focuses his practice on transactional real estate law, commercial lending, and land use. He represents buyers and sellers in the purchase and sale of commercial, office, multifamily, student housing, acreage, and timberland property. His lender representation includes: preparing loan documents for commercial mortga...

Michael J. Cherniga is Co-Chair of the firm's Health & FDA Business Practice. On a regional and national basis, Mike's practice involves representation of a diverse client base consisting of health care organizations (and clients which support the business of health care), both for-profit and not-for-profit. He also has substantial experience serving health care professionals and allied health care personnel who serve or support those organizations. The types of clients involved in the bu...

Jason E. Merritt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Jason E., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sonya Penley represents clients in the health care sector with respect to corporate, regulatory, administrative and governmental issues. Her diverse clients include long-term care providers, physician group practices, assisted living facilities, hospitals, hospices, home health agencies, DME suppliers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). She has particular experience with health facility acquisitions, mergers and other cha...

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

Mike Papantonio is a senior partner with the law firm of Levin Papantonio. He has received numerous multi-million dollar verdicts on behalf of victims of corporate malfeasance. His award-winning work handling thousands of mass tort cases throughout the nation has helped make Levin Papantonio one of the largest plaintiff law firms in the country. Mr. Papantonio is a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer by the Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is a fellow in the Internation...

Fred Karlinsky is a Shareholder and Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Global Insurance Regulatory and Transactions Practice Group. Fred has over 30 years of experience representing the interests of insurers, reinsurers, and a wide variety of other insurance-related entities. He is a recognized authority on national insurance regulatory and compliance issues, has taken a leadership position in many insurance trade organizations, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America , Super Lawye...

Joseph Zarzaur is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joseph, who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristen M. Fiore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Kristen M., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hayden R. Dempsey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Government Relations Practice. Hayden R., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hayden R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.