John P. McDermott, Jr.

John is a trial lawyer in the firm’s litigation department. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, insolvency matters, sports litigation, and environmental litigation. For more than a decade, John has represented plaintiffs and defendants in contract, business tort, and corporate governance disputes in a variety of industries, including banking, construction, manufacturing, and real estate. He also represents creditors in federal and state courts throughout Florida. His ...

Jeffrey M. McFarland is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jeffrey M. practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Jeffrey M. McFarland 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 Jeffrey M...

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...

Mark Bryan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Construction Law. Mark practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Bryan since 2027. 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 Mark Bryan is held by other lawyers.

Jason E. Havens is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Nonprofit / Charities Law and Trusts and Estates. Jason E. practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Jason E. Havens 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 Jason E. Havens is held by other lawyers.

Kathryn M. Oughton is a shareholder and Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Property Damage Claims practice area. Kathryn’s practice focuses on civil litigation with an emphasis on the defense of cases involving first party property claims. Other practice areas include automobile liability, premises liability, wrongful death, and bad faith and coverage issues. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Oughton worked for a state-wide defense firm where she served as head of the civil litigati...

Mr. Eckels devotes his practice to the defense of employers and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation and Longshore claims. He practices throughout Florida and Georgia in the workers’ compensation context, while his longshore and Defense Base Act practice extends nationwide. He handles all facets of workers’ compensation and longshore claims from the initial reporting of an accident and its investigation, including site visits, through the discovery process to trial, a...

Casey W. Arnold is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Casey W. practices law in Jacksonville, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Casey W. Arnold since 2025. 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 ...

Ivan A. Colao practices in the area of corporate and securities laws, as well as in mergers and acquisitions, venture capital investments and loan transactions. Mr. Colao has represented public and private companies, businesses and individuals in various types of financings and commercial transactions. His experience includes securities offerings, corporate acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, reorganizations, syndication and finance, asset acquisitions and dispositions, venture capital inves...

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...