Ford J. Fegert

Christina Bredahl Gierke is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office. Mrs. Gierke focuses her practice in the areas of complex commercial and civil litigation, with an emphasis in construction litigation, community association law, and professional malpractice law, including representing attorneys, insurance agents/broker, design professionals, and real estate brokers. Additionally, Mrs. Gierke is a member of the firm’s Architects and Engineers, Construction, Real Estate and Title I...

Dan Mantzaris concentrates his practice in the areas of local government, land use and zoning, and general business. Since his admission to The Florida Bar in 1986, Dan has represented clients in matters related to real estate development, corporations, contracts, property rights and eminent domain, civil and commercial litigation, personal injury and casualty defense, personal injury claims, employment discrimination defense and international adoptions. Since 1997 he has served as the City A...

Christine A. Wasula is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office. She is an accomplished civil litigation attorney with over twenty-five years of experience. Her background includes tenures at several national law firms, and she also worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Economic Crimes Division of the Florida Attorney General’s Office. Prior to attending law school, she worked as a legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Bob Graham in Washington, D.C., where she advised the S...

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

Michelle Tatum-Bush provides advice and handles disputes for employers in Florida and with operations throughout the US. Her clients represent a wide variety of industries, including construction, brokerages, medical practices, management, insurance, and not-for-profit organizations. Michelle has particular expertise in FMLA and ADA accommodations matters. She is also passionate about helping clients throughout their litigation matters, whether the cases involve discrimination and harassment ...

Mariane's practice is primarily focused on insolvency and bankruptcy related cases. The insolvency practice includes the representation of debtors-in-possession in Chapter 11 proceedings, representation of Chapter 11 trustees, liquidating agents, and receivers, and the representation of secured and unsecured creditors in cases pending before the bankruptcy court. Mariane has also represented assignors and assignees in the statutorily created liquidation process known as an “Assignment f...

Amanda A. Simpson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Amanda A., 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 Amanda A. 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. ...

Hugo de Beaubien is a Founding Partner of our firm. He was raised in Birmingham, Michigan, and Ormond Beach, Florida. After receiving an undergraduate degree in business from Florida State University in 1970, he was awarded his Juris Doctorate from Stetson University in 1973. At Stetson, Hugo served as Exchequer of Phi Delta Phi and as President of the senior class. Hugo has been active in the Orange County Bar Association through his service as Chairman of the Criminal Law Section and Legal ...

Esther A. McKean is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Esther A., 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 Esther A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.