Brian E. Smith

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

Jim McNeil serves as chair of Akerman’s Residential Development Practice, a highly experienced team representing national builders and developers of master planned and mixed-use residential communities throughout the real estate development process. Known for his ability to provide pragmatic, strategic, and forward-thinking planning advice, Jim represents developers, homebuilders, and private equity funds in all phases of the acquisition, entitlement, development, and sale of property. ...

Described in Chambers USA as “an outstanding bankruptcy lawyer,” Jules Cohen represents banks and other lenders as secured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings in all types of businesses. He has represented clients in notable bankruptcy proceedings, including, the billion dollar Chapter 11 case of Braniff Airlines, serving as the court appointed examiner of the Sheraton Twin Towers case, and representing a lender group with a $114 million secured claim in the Gencor Industries case...

Warren S. Bloom is Co-Chair of the Public Finance Practice and began his legal career with Kaye Scholer in New York City in the mid-1980s concentrating on the representation of lending institutions in leveraged buyouts and "going private" transactions. Upon his relocation to Florida in late 1988, Warren began to focus his practice on public finance and the representation of creditor entities in such transactions (e.g., indenture trustees, bondholders, bond purchasers and credit enhancers). Si...

Elizabeth H. Faiella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Elizabeth H., who practices law in Winter Park, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elizabeth H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

David E. Cannella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. David E., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David H. Simmons is one of the founding partners of DSK Law Firm in Orlando, Florida. As DSK Law’s financial managing partner, David is responsible for the firm’s overall practice, management, and day to day operations. David Simmons was born in Nashville, Tennessee. David graduated with highest distinction from Tennessee Technological University, where he was first in his class in Mathematics and received both the R. H. Moorman Scholarship and the Mathematics Award. At Vanderbilt...

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

Michael J. Sullivan is Co-Chair of the firm’s Hospitality Group. Mike has wide-ranging experience in the acquisition, development, finance and disposition of hotels, resorts, branded residences and condo-hotels, and health care-related properties; management, franchise and operating agreements for hotels; publicly financed hotel management agreements; seniors housing management and third-party lease agreements; construction and permanent financings (balance sheet and CMBS); and the purc...