Handel M. Edwards II

Brian combines his competitive spirit with compassion, consistently aiming to deliver optimal results for his clients. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida State University in 2009 (achieving Dean’s List five semesters), Brian graduated in the top 25% of his law school class at Florida International University College of Law in 2012. During law school, Brian earned the CALI Book Award for the top grade in six of his law school classes, including awards for Fe...

James R. George practices in the areas of fiduciary litigation, including litigation arising from estates, trusts and guardianships. Mr. George often serves as an expert witness and as mediator in trust and estate matters. Mr. George earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto and his J.D., with Honors, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mr. George is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Est...

Janine Kalagher-McGuire is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Janine, who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

William R. Scherer, III is a Senior Partner in Conrad & Scherer’s Fort Lauderdale office. With more than 30 years of experience, he focuses his practice on commercial and real estate litigation, employment litigation, and personal injury cases. His extensive experience covers all phases of civil litigation, including jury trials. William has handled numerous complex commercial and real estate litigation cases. His work includes banking liability claims against financial institutions...

Dan McCawley focuses his practice on real estate matters. Dan represents several distressed asset funds acquiring distressed loan portfolios, bulk condo purchases, REO and other distressed real estate. He has broad experience in the sale, purchase and leasing of commercial and residential properties including shopping centers, office buildings, industrial warehouses, apartment complexes, restaurants, golf courses, hotel projects and undeveloped land. His practice also includes acting as lendi...

Jurate Schwartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jurate, who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jurate is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leslie Tomczak serves as managing partner of Akerman’s Fort Lauderdale office. She is a construction attorney, Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law, whose practice focuses primarily on the representation of lenders, developers, owners, landlords, contractors, subcontractors, architects and other design professionals, in a wide range of complex construction contract, project administration, lien, and construction litigation matters. Leslie is also a LEED® Accredited...

Andy Robins serves as the co-chair of Akerman’s Hospitality Sector Team, a multidisciplinary group providing an extensive range of legal counsel and services to lodging and lifestyle companies. In this capacity, he works on a broad variety of hotel and resort development, operations and regulatory matters, including the evaluation of litigation. Andy is recognized nationally by Chambers USA as a leading authority on the development and structuring of mixed-use real estate projects throu...