John D. Ruffier

Laura Jo O. Thacker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Laura Jo O. practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Laura Jo O. Thacker since 2013. 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 Laura Jo O. Thacker is held by other lawyers.

MELVIN BOWEN WRIGHT was born in Albany, Georgia on August 1, 1959 and was raised on a family farm still in operation in Warwick located in Worth County, Georgia. He moved to Central Florida in 1985, is married and has two children. He received his Juris Doctor degree in 1985 and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1985 and the Florida Bar in 1986. Mr. Wright is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Mr. Wright is also a member of the Supreme Court Bar, the District Courts for the...

William N. Kirk is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Tax Law. William N. practices law in Vero Beach, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized William N. Kirk 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 William N. Kirk is held by other lawyers.

Paula Howell focuses her practice on litigation matters. Paula regularly counsels clients involved in complex commercial and construction litigation. Paula also has experience with matters involving torts, trademark infringement, and employment-related disputes. She has conducted numerous administrative hearings and trials, including several jury trials, resulting in favorable outcomes for her clients. Paula regularly engages in pro bono litigation, taking on matters including cross-national ...

David F. Leon is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. David F. practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized David F. Leon 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 David F. Leon 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...

Cindy Duque Bonilla focuses her practice in the areas of catastrophic injury, product liability matters, defense of healthcare insurers, construction law, and commercial litigation. She has extensive experience handling cases involving death and catastrophic injuries resulting from truck, automobile, and aircraft accidents. She defends manufacturers, suppliers, designers, and contractors against claims involving alleged manufacturing and design defects. She has across-the-board experience rep...

Robert E. Slavkin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of FDA Law and Health Care Law. Robert E. practices law in Orlando, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Robert E. Slavkin since 2021. 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 Robert E. Slavkin is held by other lawyers.

A first-chair trial lawyer, Megan Costa DeVault prosecutes and defends complex commercial, business, and real estate litigation in state and federal courts. On behalf of Fortune 500, publicly traded, and privately owned business, including builders, developers, investors, financial institutions, and corporate fiduciaries, she litigates contractual disputes, shareholder class actions, and derivative suits, including serving as lead counsel in dozens of trials and arbitrations. Owing to the com...

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 ...