James "Jim" Gordon

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 ...

Patrick T. Christiansen is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Banking and Finance Law. Patrick T. practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Patrick T. Christiansen since 1997. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Patrick T. Christiansen is held by other lawyers.

Jack G. Abid is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Patent Law. Jack G. practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Jack G. Abid since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jack G. Abid is held by other lawyers.

Carolyn Haslam represents owners and developers in all facets of real estate developments, including entitlements and concurrency. Her primary focus is in land use, including office, retail, industrial, mixed-use, and residential, as well as large planned community projects. This includes counseling clients on all aspects of the land planning, zoning, and development process, from performing a due diligence analysis prior to purchase, to obtaining necessary zoning and permitting approval from...

Kelly Corcoran is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Construction Law. Kelly practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Kelly Corcoran since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kelly Corcoran is held by other lawyers.

Sara Brubaker’s practice focuses on complex commercial, real estate, and construction litigation with an emphasis on contract and business disputes, including franchisor-franchisee disputes and intellectual property disputes. Prior to joining Akerman, Sara interned with the in-house counsel department of a Fortune 500 international conglomerate, gaining valuable experience that has informed her emphasis on litigating efficiently to minimize costs. Sara represents plaintiffs and defendan...

Ryan Sawyer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Ryan practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan Sawyer since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ryan Sawyer is held by other lawyers.

Nate Balint represents private equity funds, strategic acquirers, and entrepreneurs on the purchase and sale sides of merger, acquisition, and leveraged buyout transactions, including associated equity and debt arrangements. His experience spans sectors such as business services, retail, restaurants, technology, consumer products, education, and energy. Nate also works with venture capital and growth equity funds, advising on the completion of early and growth stage investments. Related to hi...

Alan C. Sheppard, Jr. has wide-ranging experience in commercial real estate finance and development, with a particular emphasis on mortgage and construction financing, lease financing, mezzanine lending as well as asset-based finance and working capital loan transactions. His structured finance experience includes sale/leasebacks, synthetic leases, conduit lending, syndicated loans, Rule 144(a) exempt offerings and securitizations. Alan's practice has included both lender and borrower represe...

Julie P. Kendig-Schrader represents both the public and private sector in land use and environmental matters and administrative litigation. She works with clients to create public/private partnerships for infrastructure needs, particularly those related to transportation. With sustainability concerns and initiatives cutting across virtually all sectors of business today, Julie strives to keep her clients ahead of the curve to maximize opportunities and minimize unnecessary costs and risks. Pr...