Carina M. Leeson

Travis Halstead is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of general and complex civil litigation with a focus in construction and financial services litigation. Travis typically represents architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect and contract claims. Travis also defends banking institutions in consumer debt litigation. Travis graduated the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctor degree...

Phillip Joseph co-chairs Ball Janik LLP’s construction litigation practice, which is growing in national reach and prominence. He is a commercial litigator whose primary focus is construction and real estate litigation, including design and construction disputes, construction defect, general counsel for community associations, purchase/sale disputes, real estate disputes, commercial landlord/tenant, and collections. Mr. Joseph has received the AV® Preeminent™ Rating from Marti...

Paul M. Renner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Construction Law. Paul M., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Judith M. Mercier is a partner in the firm's Orlando office and concentrates in complex business and commercial litigation in trial and appellate courts. She represents companies in a wide range of industries, including technology, sports, financial services, hospitality and news and entertainment. Her practice focuses on contract disputes, business torts, intellectual property, media law and defending consumer claims. Ms. Mercier has defended consumer claims such as breach of fiduciary duty,...

Jessica T. Travers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jessica T., 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 Jessica T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

MELVIN BOWEN WRIGHT was born in Albany, Georgia on August 1, 1959 and was raised on a family farm still in operation in Warwick located in Worth County, Georgia. He moved to Central Florida in 1985, is married and has two children. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1985 and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1985 and the Florida Bar in 1986. Mr. Wright is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Mr. Wright is also a member of the Supreme Court Bar, the District Courts for the...

Roman Petra is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Roman, 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 Roman 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. ...

C. David Brown II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. C. David, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which C. David 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...