Katherine O. Birnbaum

Phil Schwartz’s areas of practice include securities disclosure, private and public debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters. He also represents clients in enforcement matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission. Phil is an active participant in the activities of The Florida Bar Business Law Section and was Chair of the section in 1996-97. During the past 20 years, he has chaired or participated on many of the section committees that h...

Jared S. Baumwell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Jared S., who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jared S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

D. Brett Marks represents troubled companies, secured and unsecured creditors, asset purchasers, private equity groups, trustees, and creditors’ committees in Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court workouts, and litigation matters. Brett also has significance experience representing and counseling officers and directors of insolvent companies, including defense of alleged breach of fiduciary duty claims and other claims of malfeasance. Brett’s experience extends across a num...

Stephanie J. Toothaker, Esq. / Chairwoman & Chief Strategist TOOTHAKER.org Stephanie is a Martindale Hubbell AV rated attorney, and so much more. Regularly recognized as a SuperLawyer and by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, she guides clients with her sophisticated approach to governmental relations and procurement. Representing private equity firms, innovative companies, and entrepreneurial individuals seeking complex land development entitlements, her specific expertise on these matte...

Michael Freedland is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Michael, who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Philip J. Morgan is a Florida Bar board certified specialist in real estate law, concentrating his practice on commercial and residential transactions and the title insurance of those matters. He focuses primarily on working with lenders to successfully close commercial loans secured by real estate or other assets, in addition to loan workouts and foreclosures. As a member of the firm since its inception in 1975 and the managing partner since 1998, Mr. Morgan has received national recognition...

Carl S. Rosen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Carl S., who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carl S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, Scott Rostock has more than a decade of litigation experience in state and federal courts and arbitration tribunals. Scott’s practice is devoted to construction disputes, with particular emphasis on construction defects, Chapter 558 proceedings, and lien litigation on behalf of owners, developers, landlords, tenants, contractors, and subcontractors. Scott’s versatile experience also encompasses real estate litigation, busines...

Jurate Schwartz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jurate, who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jurate is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Martin Burkett serves as co-chair of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice. Martin represents public and private companies and private equity funds in a variety of corporate transactions, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions. Martin’s practice includes structuring and negotiating complex business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, going private transactions, venture and growth capital investments, debt and equity fi...