Keith Backer

Brent M. Reitman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Brent M., who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brent M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Abigail M. Cohen is a Senior Associate at Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. She is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Cohen earned her J.D. (magna cum laude) from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she was ranked 7 out of 238 in her graduating class. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Florida. Since her admission to the Florid...

Zachary Bazara is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Zachary, 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 Zachary is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James R. George practices in the areas of fiduciary litigation, including litigation arising from estates, trusts and guardianships. Mr. George often serves as an expert witness and as mediator in trust and estate matters. Mr. George earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto and his J.D., with Honors, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mr. George is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Est...

Cathy Stutin is a partner in the firm's Fort Lauderdale office. She represents employers throughout the United States in state and federal courts, as well as before the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and other state and federal agencies. In her 25 years of practice in management-side labor and employment law, Cathy has tried cases involving claims for sexual harassment, race, religious and disability discrimination, retaliation, and Emplo...

Heather L. Apicella is the Principal shareholder with the law firm of Apicella Law Group, P.A. Ms. Apecella is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law and a fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She is a member of the Family Law Section of The Florida Bar, Palm Beach County Bar Association, South Palm Beach County Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association, and South Palm Beach County Collaborative Law Group concentrating her practice in the area of ...

David Birke serves as co-chair of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice Group. David’s practice focuses on representing private equity funds, family offices and their portfolio companies in complex acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, restructurings, growth capital investments, and debt and equity financings. David’s wide ranging practice also encompasses representing other private and public companies with corporate governance, joint ventures, executive co...

David Pratt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. David, who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tracy H. Lautenschlager is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Tracy H., who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tracy H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian combines his competitive spirit with compassion, consistently aiming to deliver optimal results for his clients. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Florida State University in 2009 (achieving Dean’s List five semesters), Brian graduated in the top 25% of his law school class at Florida International University College of Law in 2012. During law school, Brian earned the CALI Book Award for the top grade in six of his law school classes, including awards for Fe...