Frederick H. "Fred" Kent III

Joseph D. Pickles is a partner with Orr | Cook and is a civil litigator with significant experience handling jury and non-jury trials, as well as matters in arbitration. Joseph has practiced in both Federal and state courts throughout the state of Florida. In addition to general complex litigation matters, Joseph focuses his practice on business and commercial litigation and probate and trust litigation. Joseph has represented clients in partnership, corporate, real estate, and contract dispu...

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...

Steve is a member of the firm’s Board of Directors and a corporate transactional lawyer in the firm’s Business and Healthcare practice areas. Steve’s practice for more than 20 years has focused on the representation of clients in their most important and complicated transactions, including the negotiation and documentation of mergers, acquisitions and stock and asset sales, joint ventures, private equity investments and financings. Steve also represents clients and executive...

Robert Schrader is a shareholder in the firm and has over 25 years of state and federal litigation experience. He concentrates his practice in the areas of general litigation and trial advocacy. He serves a diverse client base and maintains an active caseload throughout Florida in matters involving premises liability, general liability, automobile personal injury defense, trucking liability, negligent security, wrongful death, and products liability. Mr. Schrader has tried numerous jury and n...

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...

Mr. Vermut, a partner at DMHD, practices exclusively in the area of information technology law and intellectual property law. His intellectual property law practice includes patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and unfair competition matters. He represents clients on patent and trademark matters before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. He also assists individual inventors, start-ups, small businesses, corporations and universities in all aspects of intellectual property law. Informa...

Practicing law for over 20 years, founding partner Ray Driver focuses on corporate law (including mergers and acquisitions), business, contracts, venture capital and securities law. He represents clients in business acquisitions, dispositions and mergers, as well as providing ongoing counseling regarding business formation, corporate governance, contract law and ancillary legal issues. He also counsels clients in obtaining capital through private placements, venture capital investments and ot...

Graham Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Graham, 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 Graham is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tyler White is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Tyler, 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 Tyler 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.