J. Stephen "Steve" McDonald

Amanda Gunter is an experienced commercial real estate attorney who focuses her practice on complex commercial real estate transactions. She represents master planned community developers and residential homebuilders in the acquisition, sale, and development of residential and commercial property.

Jason L. Odom is an attorney with Gould Cooksey Fennell PA in Vero Beach, Florida. His practice includes Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. He serves individuals and families throughout the Vero Beach area and surrounding communities, handling a wide range of litigation-related matters. Jason has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2024 for his work in Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Litigation – Trusts and Estate...

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

Managing Shareholder Brian Gilchrist is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in the area of Intellectual Property Law. Certification is the highest level of evaluation by The Florida Bar for competency, experience professionalism and ethics in an area of law. He has substantial experience in all phases of intellectual property litigation, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, deceptive trade practices and restrictive covenants. Mr. Gilchrist has been attorney of record in ov...

Edward M. Fitzgerald is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Edward M., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Kimberly A. Mello is a member of the firm's National Appellate Practice. She has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in state and federal court, including the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and Florida's District Courts of Appeal. In addition to focusing on appellate matters, Ms. Mello has extensive experience briefing complex legal issues at the trial court level during both the pre-trial and post-trial phases. She regularly consults with trial la...

Jeffrey B. Jones is a highly experienced trial lawyer who represents employers on matters related to labor and employment. He has handled numerous proceedings before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Florida Commission on Human Relations. He has been active in the Orlando legal community for nearly 20 years. Jeffrey's vast body of work includes more than 30 jury trials as a former prosecutor, including many high p...

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. ...

Patrick T. Christiansen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Patrick T., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.