Jeffrey S. Haut

Christopher Duke serves as managing partner of Akerman’s Palm Beach County Offices. With a diverse practice in employment law and complex commercial litigation, Chris represents clients in federal and state courts, as well as in various arbitration forums and before federal, state, and local administrative bodies. His clients operate across multiple sectors, including hospitality, travel/recreation, healthcare, retail, financial services, and alternative energy. Chris routinely represen...

David Spector has a broad based complex commercial litigation practice with an emphasis in the investigation and litigation of complex fraud schemes and unfair and deceptive practices on behalf of some of the nation's largest insurance companies. Through David's insurance litigation practice, he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry and regularly consults with his clients on best practices of fraud detection and investigation. Further, David defends professional neglig...

Esther U. LaBovick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Esther U., who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Esther U. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian F. LaBovick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Brian F., who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Hall primarily focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, insurance coverage disputes, management-side employment matters and federal court practice. The diversity of his practice is reflected in the diversity of the clients he represents – from Fortune 100 companies to small and up-and-coming businesses and individuals. Matthew has worked to obtain seven-figure recoveries on behalf of his clients in breach of contract and insurance coverage actions and successfully ...

DONALD J. WARD III is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he earned his degree cum laude. At age 26, in his first jury trial, Mr. Ward obtained a verdict of $824,200, which was more than thirteen times what the defendant had offered to settle the case. Since joining Searcy Denney, he has recovered in excess of $100 million on behalf of his clients. He currently serves as President of the Palm Beach County Justice Association, a countywid...

William S. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. William S., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Marci Ball Elordi concentrates her practice in the areas of Personal Injury and Wrongful Death claims stemming from automobile, motorcycle, bicycle and trucking accidents, as well as medical malpractice and premises liability matters. Ms. Ball Elordi’s legal experience is vast. Before representing victims of negligence, Ms. Ball Elordi gained valuable litigation experience working with a medical malpractice defense law firm representing physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice la...

Trent Swift is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Trent, who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trent is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tracy L. Gerber is a Shareholder in the firm's Palm Beach County offices where she is a member of the firm's National Securities Litigation practice group as well as the National Labor & Employment Practice. Tracy represents major broker-dealers in FINRA arbitrations, regulatory proceedings, and state and federal courts. As lead counsel in the defense of financial services firms, she has litigated numerous sales practice and employment cases involving millions of dollars in controversy. T...