Christopher D. "Chris" Avila

Carl Roston serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Chambers USA, which notes Carl does “very sophisticated, high-level deals,” he represents private equity funds, public and private companies and large family offices in domestic and cross border acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, joint ventures, co-investments, growth capital investments, debt and equity financings, and securities offerings. He represents portfolio companies of p...

Richard Alan Arnold is a nationally recognized trial lawyer focused on complex litigation, including antitrust cases for plaintiffs and defendants. During his more than 30 years of practice, Richard has handled numerous individual plaintiff antitrust cases as opposed to class actions or mass actions. He also has represented opt-out plaintiffs in many civil antitrust cases that have proceeded parallel to or following the U.S. government’s criminal prosecution of international cartels. In...

Barry A. Stein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Barry A., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Barry A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven I. Peretz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Copyright Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Steven I., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicholas Barshel practices in the area of land use and development, representing clients in all aspects of the development approval process including due diligence review, planning and zoning applications, submerged lands issues, dock and marina permits, historic preservation, code compliance, and other aspects of complex land use and zoning matters with federal, state, and local agencies. He has assisted clients in development of major projects across South Florida and beyond, including the ...

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

Alan T. Dimond offers more than 40 years of "first chair" experience in commercial and real estate related litigation. His clients range from local and regional real estate developers to multi-national corporations.

Clarke S. Sturge is a partner with the firm’s Miami office. He practices in all phases of civil litigation including insurance defense, product liability and toxic tort. Mr. Sturge attended the University of Central Florida where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Political Science. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law with honors. While in law school, Mr. Sturge was awarded double honors in the Universit...

Gary Guzzi serves as chair of Akerman’s Insurance Litigation Practice, a national team of 45 lawyers representing leading domestic and foreign carriers, self-insured corporations, municipalities, and related entities in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. He protects the interests of national and international insurance carriers in bad faith disputes, coverage claims, rescissions and ERISA-governed policies. With comprehensive experience in insurance disputes, Gary litigates li...

Luis Llamas is a partner in the Maritime Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation, admiralty disputes, trade secret and non-compete disputes, and international law. Luis co-leads the firm's Latin America working group and is the head of the firm’s Miami office. Luis is a highly respected litigator. Luis has handled cases across the United States involving marine casualties, trade secret and non-compete agreements, breach of contract, unfair trade pra...