Christopher C. Hazelip

Meg is an experienced advisor and litigator working in the firm’s healthcare, labor and employment, and litigation practice areas. For more than a decade, she has supported clients in managing a broad range of complex legal issues in employment and healthcare matters. A key focus of Meg’s practice includes counseling firm clients and businesses of all sizes in navigating personnel management issues like employee contracting, discipline and termination; employer best practices, pol...

Kathryn M. Oughton is a shareholder and Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Property Damage Claims practice area. Kathryn’s practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on the defense of cases involving first party property claims. Other practice areas include automobile liability, premises liability, wrongful death, and bad faith and coverage issues. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Oughton worked for a state-wide defense firm where she served as head of the civil litigati...

With an established record of creative and effective advocacy, Cindy Laquidara navigates complex litigation matters, from administrative hearings, to federal and state trials and appeals. Her practice serves municipal authorities, private corporations with long-term lease arrangements, companies submitting competitive procurement bids and proposals, general commercial litigation, and energy related matters in dispute resolution pertaining to bid disputes, land use, transportation, contracts, ...

Geoffrey D. Sessions is a Partner in our office in Jacksonville, Florida, and he has three decades of expertise in litigating and arbitrating all manner of claims, including aging services, medical malpractice, professional malpractice, and general liability claims. Geoff works with doctors, nurses and other health care professionals as well as hospitals and health care facilities to aggressively defend them in both claims that arise and other legal endeavors. He is a longtime member of the A...

Graham Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Graham, 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 Graham is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Donald W. St. Denis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Donald W., 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 Donald W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael has been practicing law for over 35 years, of which the last 20 have been devoted to insurance defense litigation. He tries significant product liability cases where there is catastrophic damage and/or serious injury or death. Michael also defends doctors, dentists, hospitals, and their employees, as well as other professionals such as lawyers, in malpractice suits and claims brought against them. To date, Michael has tried over 300 cases to verdict. Michael has also handled matters i...

Jennifer Hart is a partner in the Jacksonville Office. She practices in Bad Faith and Extra-contractual Liability, Vehicle Negligence, Premises Liability/Security Negligence, Insurance Coverage and Carrier Representation, General Civil Litigation, Catastrophic and Personal Injury, Legal Malpractice and Federal Practice . Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Hart clerked for the Honorable Judge Durwood Conque of the Fifteenth Judicial District Court of Louisiana. She also practiced at a defense firm...

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...