Edward C. Akel

Andrew Sodl is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Andrew, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shaw Ashley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Shaw, 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 Shaw is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bryan E. DeMaggio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Civil Rights Law, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Bryan E., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bryan E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven L. Worley is a shareholder in the firm’s Jacksonville (FL) office. His practice focuses on the representation of self-insured companies, insurers and corporations in the areas of general civil litigation, insurance defense, transportation, premises liability, construction defect, and commercial litigation. Steve has extensive experience with all aspects of litigation including discovery, hearings, motions, arbitrations, mediations and trials. An AV Preeminent ® rated attorney...

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...

Melissa A. Dearing is a Partner in the firm’s Immigration Practice Group, where she assists employers in seeking non-immigrant and immigrant status. Melissa has extensive experience with H-1Bs and the PERM-based green card process, particularly with respect to information technology professionals, engineers and pharmacists, among other professionals. She also represents foreign nationals regarding family immigration matters and assists employers with I-9 and other immigration compliance...

Meg is an experienced advisor and litigator working in the firm’s healthcare, labor and employment, and litigation practice areas. For more than a decade, she has supported clients in managing a broad range of complex legal issues in employment and healthcare matters. A key focus of Meg’s practice includes counseling firm clients and businesses of all sizes in navigating personnel management issues like employee contracting, discipline and termination; employer best practices, pol...

Michael has been practicing law for over 35 years, of which the last 20 have been devoted to insurance defense litigation. He tries significant product liability cases where there is catastrophic damage and/or serious injury or death. Michael also defends doctors, dentists, hospitals, and their employees, as well as other professionals such as lawyers, in malpractice suits and claims brought against them. To date, Michael has tried over 300 cases to verdict. Michael has also handled matters i...

Giovanni Stewart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Insurance. Giovanni, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Giovanni is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel Gray Thomas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Daniel Gray, who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel Gray is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.