Daniel D. Akel

Michael R. Leas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Tax Law. Michael R., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As a native Floridian and an attorney in Florida for over 20 years, I am passionate about helping clients with their business and real property legal needs. I hold the distinction of being a Florida Bar Board Certified Condominium and Planned Development Lawyer and am AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale Hubbell. Since 2021, I have been recognized as one of Florida's and Northeast Florida's Best Lawyers in Real Estate and was honored as a Legal Elite in 2016. I am the shareholder responsible for...

Kristen Van der Linde devotes her practice exclusively to the defense of cases and appeals involving trucking liability, automobile liability, premises liability, wrongful death, bad faith, negligent security, and coverage issues. She is admitted to practice law in Georgia as well as Florida. Ms. Van der Linde is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by The Florida Bar, which means that she is an expert in civil litigation before state and federal courts, administrative agencies and arbitrators....

Steven L. Worley is a shareholder in the firm’s Jacksonville (FL) office. His practice focuses on complex matters involving transportation. He has extensive experience with all aspects of litigation including discovery, hearings, motions, arbitrations, mediations and trials. An AV Preeminent ® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell ® , Steve is also a member of the Florida Bar, the Alabama Bar, the Jacksonville Bar Association, and the Florida Defense Lawyers Association. Steve ha...

Daniel J. Kissane is a partner in the Jacksonville Office. His areas of expertise include: product liability defense litigation, personal injury defense, banking and financial, class actions, commercial litigation, construction defects, premises liability, consumer law, pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, wrongful death defense, insurance coverage issues and toxic tort (asbestos, Benzene and other exposures). Mr. Kissane is a 1984 graduate of the University of Miami (B.A.) and recei...

Mr. Diebenow is a partner at the firm. His primary focus is real estate, land use, zoning, and government law. As a registered lobbyist across a wide range of issues, Mr. Diebenow represents individuals, corporations, landowners and developers to secure business and development incentives as well as entitlements including land use, zoning, concurrency and mobility fee approvals. He also provides legal counsel in real estate transactions including the acquisition, entitlement, financing, and d...

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...

Michael is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and focuses his practice on complex business litigation and insolvency matters. He has many years of trial experience in cases involving business torts, bankruptcy proceedings, corporate governance issues, employment disputes, and litigation concerning contracts, secured transactions, fraudulent transfers, financial workouts, lender liability, banking relationships, and commercial paper. For 12 years, Michael was a senior executive wi...

Melissa A. Dearing is a partner with Rivkin Radler LLP, based in Jacksonville, Florida, and a member of the firm’s Immigration Practice Group. She advises employers on navigating nonimmigrant and immigrant visa processes in support of their workforce needs, with a focus on compliance and strategic planning. Her practice includes representing employers in Employment Law – Management matters related to workforce mobility, as well as Litigation – Labor and Employment issues tha...

Frank E. Morreale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Insurance. Frank E., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.