Daniel Smith

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,...

Anthony Guettler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Anthony, who practices law in Vero Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anthony is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carlton Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Carlton, who practices law in Maitland, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carlton 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. ...

Jason Fraxedas was born and raised in the Orlando area and has devoted his entire career on helping individuals who have been harmed when large companies place profits over people, and when people in positions of power and trust wrongfully harm those who trusted them. His practice areas include personal injury, product liability, defective drugs and medical devices, medical malpractice, class action litigation, catastrophic injury claims, and wrongful death. With a passion for biological scie...

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...

Brooke W. Odom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brooke W., who practices law in Vero Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brooke W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David E. Cannella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. David E., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jack G. Abid is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Jack G., 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 Jack G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Described in Chambers USA as “an outstanding bankruptcy lawyer,” Jules Cohen represents banks and other lenders as secured creditors in bankruptcy proceedings in all types of businesses. He has represented clients in notable bankruptcy proceedings, including, the billion dollar Chapter 11 case of Braniff Airlines, serving as the court appointed examiner of the Sheraton Twin Towers case, and representing a lender group with a $114 million secured claim in the Gencor Industries case...