J. Thomas Cookson

Marissa Amuial focuses her practice on land use and development, representing clients in all aspects of the development approval process including zoning applications, special area plans (SAPs), historic preservation matters, code compliance and enforcement, and other administrative and quasi-judicial hearings. Additionally, Marissa assists clients throughout South Florida in navigating public/private incentive agreements and in drafting land use development regulations.

Richard B. Adams is a partner in the firm’s Miami office. For more than thirty years he has been one of the most active trial lawyers in South Florida. Mr. Adams' practice has encompassed all aspects of civil litigation, with a focus on the defense of personal injury, professional malpractice lawsuits, and insurance coverage issues. He also has experience in appellate practice, and carries an "AV" rating with Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Adams earned his Bachelor's Degree at Washington &...

Marbet Lewis focuses her practice on the laws governing the alcohol industry and the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcohol beverage products. She represents clients in all aspects of alcohol and business licensing, alcohol licensee mergers and acquisitions, negotiation of asset purchase agreements and required alcohol use provisions, license transfers and licensing due diligence, trade practices, alcohol product advertising and review of marketing agreements, importation agreements, l...

Jose E. Sirven is a partner in Holland & Knight's Miami office and co-chairs the firm's Financial Services Practice Group. He has practiced in the financial services, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and cross-border fields for more than 30 years. A significant part of his cross-border work has involved Latin American and Caribbean jurisdictions, including Mexico and nearly every country in South and Central America. Mr. Sirven regularly conducts complex negotiations and drafts...

Mr. Needle, a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. Mr. Needle's courtroom victories include multi-million dollar verdicts in cases that have often pushed the outer boundaries of existing legal precedent. For six years he was a member of the Florida Bar's Board of Governors, which sets policy and discipline (under the auspices of the Florida Supreme Court), for all lawyers practicing in the state of Florida. Andrew Needle has been an editorial consultant to Matthew Bender Law Books: Florida Tor...

Aaron S. Podhurst is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Aaron S., who practices law in Coral Gables, Florida, has been recognized since 1983. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A former Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal and member of the court for 22 years, Gerald Cope is the chair of Akerman’s Appellate Practice. He represents clients in appellate litigation at the state and federal levels. Ranked by Chambers USA , peers say “He’s superb and doing great work.” He is a founding member of Akerman Bench, an innovative practice including former appellate and trial court judges providing the perspective of both sides o...

John H. Hickey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. John H., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan D. Bailine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Ryan D., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ron Kriss concentrates his practice in commercial real estate law. He has extensive commercial leasing and financing experience, as well as in construction and permanent real estate lending, sale leaseback and private placement financings. He has represented clients in the acquisition, sale, development and joint ventures involving raw land, office, multifamily, shopping centers, marinas, condominiums, residential subdivisions, condo hotels and sports stadiums. He chairs Stroock’s Distr...