Katie S. Buchanan

Karen D. Walker serves as executive partner of the Tallahassee office and practices in the firm’s Public Policy & Regulation Group. Ms. Walker’s practice encompasses all aspects of Florida administrative law, and she has a broad range of experience in Florida state and local government procurement matters and public utility law. Ms. Walker also regularly counsels clients on Florida ethics and election law issues. She practices before the Florida Division of Administrative Hear...

John R. Zoesch III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. John R., who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Levin Papantonio shareholder Timothy O'Brien is a board-certified civil trial attorney who concentrates his practice in the areas of mass tort litigation, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and transactional liability. Mr. O'Brien is rated "A-V Preeminent" by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell lawyer peer-rating service (the "A-V Preeminent" rating is the highest rating an attorney can receive). In September 2018, Mr. O’Brien was appointed by the United States Southern ...

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

Thomas F. Gonzalez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Aviation Law, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Thomas F., who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patrick Hagen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law. Patrick, who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Maribel Nicholson-Choice's practice focuses on various aspects of environmental, real estate, and financial institution representations, and governmental affairs. Maribel had more than 20 years of experience negotiating and resolving complex environmental regulatory, permitting, and litigation matters. Maribel's practice consists of environmental matters for financial institutions. She advises lending clients on environmental liability including permitting and remediation projects associated ...

A former deputy general counsel of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (now DEP), Silvia Alderman is the chair of Akerman’s Water Task Force, a team of multidisciplinary legal professionals and consultants advising on the regulatory and environmental challenges facing our clients. Recognized by Chambers USA , Silvia is praised for her “wealth of knowledge representing utilities” as well as being “very strong on administrative law.” Silvia represent...

Drew Bruner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Drew, who practices law in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Drew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Hayden R. Dempsey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law and Government Relations Practice. Hayden R., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Hayden R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.