Joanne B. Erde

Rebecca Leon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions and International Trade and Finance Law. Rebecca, 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 Rebecca is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Velvel is a founding partner of Freedman Normand Friedland LLP. Vel is an experienced litigator known for finding creative solutions to complex problems. His practice focuses on high-risk litigation that includes consumer class actions, international disputes, and cryptocurrency/blockchain lawsuits. Vel’s clients value his responsiveness, creative solutions, and ability to achieve successful outcomes while balancing the needs of running a business. Vel’s practice spans a diverse a...

George Hooker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. George, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stevan Pardo, Chair, Construction, Hotel and Litigation Groups at Pardo Jackson Gainsburg, is a leading authority on Florida construction and corporate hospitality law. During his more than 30 years as a construction litigator, Stevan has represented companies involved in virtually all aspects of the construction industry including owners, contractors, design professionals, subcontractors, sureties, and insurers. His legal representations have included delay and defect claims arising out of c...

Elissa Gainsburg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Elissa, 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 Elissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Harold L. Lewis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Law. Harold L., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Harold L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven K. Deutsch is a graduate of New York University and earned his law degree from the University of Miami. He has continually practiced in Florida since 1974. He is recognized as a civil trial attorney by virtue of being currently certified with the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Civil Trial Law; certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial; and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Active in the profession, he has served on the Florida Bar Rules of Civil Procedure Committe...

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...

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...

George Mencio, Jr. is the firm wide Co-Leader of the International and Cross Border Transactions practice group. He practices principally in the areas of corporate and international law, with emphasis on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and joint venture transactions, dispute resolution, and administrative matters relating to international trade and commerce and the transportation industry. His clients include multinational concerns in the transportation, tourism, mining and agricultural...