Charles Watkins

Ricardo M. Martinez-Cid is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aviation Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Ricardo M., who practices law in Coral Gables, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ricardo M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Birke serves as co-chair of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice Group. David’s practice focuses on representing private equity funds, family offices and their portfolio companies in complex acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, restructurings, growth capital investments, and debt and equity financings. David’s wide ranging practice also encompasses representing other private and public companies with corporate governance, joint ventures, executive co...

Valerie L. Hooker is a principal in the Miami, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses on representing employers in workplace law matters, including preventive advice and counseling. Valerie advises and represents employers in a broad range of employment law matters, including those involving discrimination and harassment, wage and hour, wrongful termination, whistleblower and retaliation claims. She also advises managers and supervisors on preventive litigation practices, ...

Eric Gilbert focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures and general corporate matters. He routinely represents private equity clients in all aspects of their investments from acquisition through portfolio management/growth until their exit. Read full biography: https://www.mwe.com/people/gilbert-eric/

Brad Houser's primary practice areas include corporate and banking, with a focus on securities and mergers and acquisitions matters. He has extensive experience with real estate investment trusts (REIT's) and special purpose acquisition corporations (SPAC's). Brad formerly served as the chair of the firm's Miami Corporate practice. He began his career as an attorney at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. and has over 25 years of experience in handling a wide variety of ...

Jason R. Marks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Jason R., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Pedro A. Freyre is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Mergers and Acquisitions. Pedro A., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Pedro A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America , Chambers USA , and The Legal 500 as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan Awner advises clients in automotive retail, aviation, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, services, technology, waste management and other industries. Described by a client quoted in Chambers USA as a “top-notch” lawyer who is “smart, hard-working and practical,” J...

Richard B. Adams is a partner in the firm’s Miami office. For more than thirty years he has been one of the most active trial lawyers in South Florida. Mr. Adams' practice has encompassed all aspects of civil litigation, with a focus on the defense of personal injury, professional malpractice lawsuits, and insurance coverage issues. He also has experience in appellate practice, and carries an "AV" rating with Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Adams earned his Bachelor's Degree at Washington &...