Karen Persis

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

Jenny Kim Sullivan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Jenny Kim, who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jenny Kim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jim McNeil serves as chair of Akerman’s Residential Development Practice, a highly experienced team representing national builders and developers of master planned and mixed-use residential communities throughout the real estate development process. Known for his ability to provide pragmatic, strategic, and forward-thinking planning advice, Jim represents developers, homebuilders, and private equity funds in all phases of the acquisition, entitlement, development, and sale of property. ...

A Wealth of Experience While at the Florida State College of Law, Jed clerked for the General Counsel at the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), where he specialized in appellate issues. Jed later clerked at an insurance-defense law firm, Henry, Buchanan, Hudson, Suber, Carter, P.A., where he assisted on appellate and litigation-related matters. He also served as the Attorney General for the FSU Student Government Association and as a Fellow for the Speaker of the...

Tom Neal is a native Floridian who was born and raised in Orlando. He graduated from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1982. As an undergraduate, he played football for the legendary Coach Bo Schembechler and participated in two Rose Bowls, the Gator Bowl, and the Blue Bonnet Bowl. Tom graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Law in 1985. He holds the highest ranking an individual attorney can receive (AV – Preeminent) as designated by the Martindal...

Amanda Gunter is an experienced commercial real estate attorney who focuses her practice on complex commercial real estate transactions. She represents master planned community developers and residential homebuilders in the acquisition, sale, and development of residential and commercial property.

Jessica DeBono Anderson is a Partner in the Orlando, Florida office. Since 2008, Ms. Anderson has represented management in employment litigation before state and federal courts in Florida and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Ms. Anderson has experience litigating issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, overtime and unpaid wages, leave and ...

Ronald S. Gilbert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Ronald S., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ronald S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sara Bernard has handled a wide range of transactions as counsel for developers, builders, institutional lenders, and public and private entities. She has experience in negotiating, drafting, and closing complex commercial and residential purchase/sale transactions and has handled aspects of the development (including infrastructure development and the formation of community development districts), management and operation of all types of real estate including retail shopping centers, office ...

Jeff Mandel is the managing partner of the firm’s Orlando office. With over 30 years of experience, he has developed a reputation for being a reliable and efficient counselor and advocate for private and public-sector employers in all aspects of employment and traditional labor law. Jeff partners with businesses to solve their employment-related issues including: employment discrimination and retaliation, civil rights, disabilities, family and medical leave, military leave, employment p...