E. Allen Hieb, Jr.

Mr. Eckels devotes his practice to the defense of employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation and Longshore claims. He practices throughout Florida and Georgia in the workers’ compensation context, while his longshore and Defense Base Act practice extends nationwide. He handles all facets of workers’ compensation and longshore claims from the initial reporting of an accident and its investigation, including site visits, through the discovery process to trial, a...

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.

Biography: Matt Baggett founded Baggett Law in 2012, driven by his desire to deliver better and faster results for his clients. From the very beginning, his vision was clear: to create a law firm that delivers outstanding results for clients in the least amount of time possible. As the founder and managing partner of Baggett Law, Matt works alongside his law partner and life partner, Amanda Baggett , leading the firm together with shared purpose and dedication. Matt was born in Jacksonville, ...

Jill F. Bechtold practices in the area of civil litigation, where she focuses on medical and professional liability defense, employment disputes, product liability defense, business litigation, trucking litigation, and insurance defense. Jill’s clients include drug and medical device companies, business owners, physicians, hospitals, trucking carriers, and insurers. She represents clients in state and federal court actions as well as arbitrates matters under the Florida Arbitration Code...

Tim is the head of the firm’s Environmental Department. His practice focuses primarily on federal state and local environmental law. He has extensive experience representing clients before federal and state agencies, and in state and federal court on matters including the cleanup and cost allocation of Superfund sites, enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, and disputes with insurance companies regarding environmental indemnification. Tim also provides counsel regarding envi...

Kristen L. Wenger has experience in class actions and complex commercial litigation involving insurance matters, deceptive business practices and consumer fraud. Some of her representative areas of practice include defense of class actions on behalf of insurers, business entities, and management for alleged improper business practices. She also handles class actions involving data security breaches and related cyber security issues. Kristen has been involved in class actions and other complex...

Trevor S. Hutson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Trevor S., who practices law in St. Augustine, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trevor S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

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.

Lawrence C. Gierum is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Lawrence C., 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 Lawrence C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.