Deborah L. Russell

Gary Wheeler has represented employers exclusively in both the private and public sectors since graduating from law school in 1997. His experience includes successfully defending employers in all aspects of labor and employment law. Mr. Wheeler is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, as well as the Florida state bar. Mr. Wheeler is a frequent lecturer at seminars for employers. He provides in-house training on workplace issues to su...

David advises clients on corporate and real estate matters, helping them navigate even the most complex deals across the Sunshine State. Prior to joining the firm, David founded his own practice in Nashville, Tennessee, focused on corporate and securities issues including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions and corporate governance matters. Prior to founding his own firm, David was an associate in the corporate and securities group at a large firm based in Nashville, where ...

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....

David Otero’s national practice focuses on bankruptcy and tax litigation and counseling. A partner in both the Tax and Bankruptcy & Reorganization Practice Groups, his clients include Citigroup, Capital One, Nissan, Santander Bank, Sears, Synchrony Financial, U.S. Bank, Venus Fashion, and professional athletes. In his tax practice, David advises multistate businesses on state and local tax controversy matters throughout the United States. He represents institutions financing both cr...

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...

Michael R. Leas is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Tax Law. Michael R. practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Michael R. Leas since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael R. Leas is held by other lawyers.

Andrew Sodl is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Andrew practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Andrew Sodl since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Andrew Sodl is held by other lawyers.

Beau Baker focuses his practice on real estate capital markets, securitizations, financial services, structured and commercial finance, creditors’ rights, loan portfolio management and servicing, and financial restructuring. He represents traditional and non-traditional lenders in a variety of transactions including warehouse/repo lending facilities, secondary market portfolio and single asset loan sales/acquisitions, joint venture and preferred equity investments, and bank and non-bank...

Richard W. Hawthorne is a partner at DMHD, where he focuses on real estate and banking law. He represents buyers and sellers in commercial and residential real estate transactions, landlords and tenants in commercial leasing and developers of multifamily housing and retail buildings. He also has significant experience representing buyers and sellers of debt obligations.Mr. Hawthorne previously worked for Arthur Anderson & Co. (Jacksonville, Florida) as a tax accountant, Foley & Lardne...

Francis Boyer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Francis practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Francis Boyer since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Francis Boyer is held by other lawyers.