Janis Lagzdins

Carl Roston serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Chambers USA, which notes Carl does “very sophisticated, high-level deals,” he represents private equity funds, public and private companies and large family offices in domestic and cross border acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, joint ventures, co-investments, growth capital investments, debt and equity financings, and securities offerings. He represents portfolio companies of p...

Michael Heimbold is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Michael, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Grant Lewallen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Grant, who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Grant is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Blake W. Bushnell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Blake W., who practices law in Honolulu, Hawaii, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Blake W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric Metz assists clients in all matters relating to employment relations, with his practice focused on preventive consultation and helping employers with federal, state and local employment law compliance, employment contract drafting and negotiation, as well as implementing and drafting personnel policies, employee handbooks, severance and release agreements, and noncompetition agreements. He also handles litigation before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, including clai...

Mr. Mlenak concentrates his practice in the areas of redevelopment, land use, zoning, and real estate development. His clients include property owners and developers engaged in mixed use, residential, industrial, commercial, office, retail and affordable housing development projects. Mr. Mlenak provides guidance from the initial project concept through to construction, including land use planning and approvals, permits and variances and appearances before municipal, county and state planning ...

Laura Hester is foremost a business lawyer with a practice centered on complex commercial real estate and corporate transactions. She builds long-standing relationships with clients by being attentive, learning about the complexities of their businesses, and providing concierge-level service on each deal, from the beginning of a project to the end. Laura’s clients look to her to help them solve intricate problems and to partner with them to achieve their short- and long-term goals. Repr...

Clint Morse is an experienced litigator who thrives in the courtroom. He represents a variety of clients on issues related to intellectual property, bankruptcy, and general corporate disputes. Clint represents state, regional and national businesses in various bankruptcy/financial restructuring matters. Clint enjoys challenging cases involving extensive court work, and thrives on first day motions in Bankruptcy Court where there is an evidentiary hearing on short notice that can decide the ou...

Rick Powers graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1975 and was Order of the Coif. He has more than 40 years of general civil trial practice experience with more than 350 jury trials. His practice areas now primarily include health care liability for hospitals, nursing homes, and physicians; insurance defense in trucking, automobile, and homeowners’ cases; and other commercial litigation. Over the last five years, Mr. Powers has successfully tried five ...

Rivers Lelong is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group and a member of the Jones Walker board of directors. He has a broad-ranging transactional practice representing clients across several industries. Rivers’ practice involves a variety of commercial transactions comprising secured finance, real estate, acquisitions and divestitures of privately held companies and their assets, and the negotiation of sophisticated commercial contracts. He is also general outside counsel to an inter...