Janeen Kirch

Terrance E. Schmidt is a Florida-based mediator, arbitrator, and retired civil litigator with over 50 years of legal experience. A Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and longtime member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, he has mediated more than 6,000 cases and served as an arbitrator in dozens more. Mr. Schmidt’s career as a commercial litigator spanned a wide range of complex disputes—including business torts, securities, employment discrimin...

Edward B. Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Edward B., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Otero’s national practice focuses on bankruptcy and tax litigation and counseling. A partner in both the Tax and Bankruptcy & Reorganization Practice Groups, his clients include Citigroup, Capital One, Nissan, Santander Bank, Sears, Synchrony Financial, U.S. Bank, Venus Fashion, and professional athletes. In his tax practice, David advises multistate businesses on state and local tax controversy matters throughout the United States. He represents institutions financing both cr...

Sean Mulhall is a Partner in the Jacksonville office. Mr. Mulhall has twenty five years of experience defending clients in civil litigation. He has represented clients in state and federal trial courts throughout the State of Florida during his career, and has handled appeals in Florida and Federal appellate courts. Mr. Mulhall is a member of the Florida Bar, and is admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, all of Florida’s federal distri...

Steve is chairman of the firm and head of its Litigation Department. Steve is a trial lawyer, with his practice centered on complex commercial litigation and insolvency matters. Steve has a successful record in extended jury trials in major business disputes. Steve represents plaintiffs and defendants in contract, business torts and corporate governance disputes. His insolvency experience includes lead representation of debtors and creditors in chapter 11 reorganizations of publicly held comp...

Christopher Commander is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Christopher, 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 Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clay B. Tousey III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Clay B., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clay B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey Allan Hirsch offers more than five decades of experience in resolving disputes through general civil litigation and arbitration. Jeffrey represents high-net-worth individuals and companies in matters involving a wide range of business-related problems. Throughout his career, Jeffrey has represented his clients in disputes involving contracts, estates, trusts, title insurance, insurance coverage, real estate transactions, financial institutions, fraud, lender liability, and business to...

Robert A. Dawkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Robert A., who practices law in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...