Kelsie Elmer

A former Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal and member of the court for 22 years, Gerald Cope is the chair of Akerman’s Appellate Practice. He represents clients in appellate litigation at the state and federal levels. Ranked by Chambers USA , peers say “He’s superb and doing great work.” He is a founding member of Akerman Bench, an innovative practice including former appellate and trial court judges providing the perspective of both sides o...

Since 1997, Lyle has represented businesses and individuals in complex business disputes. Lyle’s vast trial experience in federal and state courts includes representing clients in the fields of real estate, banking, insurance, manufacturing and technology. Lyle has also represented clients in arbitration proceedings, and in appeals in both state and federal courts. Prior to establishing Herskowitz Shapiro, Lyle was a partner at a nationally recognized Miami law firm. Representative Case...

Ron Kriss concentrates his practice in commercial real estate law. He has extensive commercial leasing and financing experience, as well as in construction and permanent real estate lending, sale leaseback and private placement financings. He has represented clients in the acquisition, sale, development and joint ventures involving raw land, office, multifamily, shopping centers, marinas, condominiums, residential subdivisions, condo hotels and sports stadiums. He chairs Stroock’s Distr...

Dan Jacobson advises private equity funds and mid-size public and private entities, family offices and high net worth individuals with respect to their material or non-routine business transactions including mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity financings and investments. His practice is both U.S.-based and international with extensive experience representing clients with their subsidiaries’ and affiliates’ transactions in Latin America, Asia and India. His work has been r...

James A. Gale focuses his practice in the area of intellectual property counseling and litigation. He is a registered patent attorney with over 33 years of experience and Martindale AV Preeminent© rated, Board Certified in Intellectual Property by the Florida Bar, an AAA Arbitrator and the former inaugural chair of the IP Board Certification Committee. Jim has represented clients in hundreds of cases involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, unfair competition, covenants not to compete,...

Jennifer V. Ruiz is a Partner in the firm’s Miami office and practices in the areas of General Civil Litigation, Employment and Labor, Condominium and Homeowners’ Association, Civil Rights, Directors and Officers Liability, and Professional Malpractice for the firm. She practices in state and federal courts, at both trial and appellate levels. Mrs. Ruiz Co-Chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Chairs the Committee’s affinity group: CSK WIN – Wom...

Luis A. Perez is the co-chair of Akerman’s Latin America and the Caribbean Practice, an internationally recognized team providing legal counsel across multiple disciplines. He handles commercial litigation and arbitration across the United States, and Latin America for clients in various sectors, including manufacturing, defense contracting, energy, technology, financial services, and medical device. Ranked by Chambers Global , which notes his “deep understanding of legal systems ...

Iris Escarrá is Co-Chair of Greenberg Traurig’s Land Use Practice and regularly recognized as one of the leading Miami land use and zoning attorneys advising major real estate developers across South Florida. Based in the firm’s Miami office, she focuses on land use law, zoning law, development entitlements, and complex municipal approvals for large-scale real estate development projects. Iris regularly represents some of Miami’s most prominent developers, property ow...

Brian A. Briz is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and International Arbitration - Commercial. Brian A. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Brian A. Briz 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 Brian A. Briz is held by other lawyers.

Shawn S. Amuial is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Shawn S. practices law in Miami, Florida Best Lawyers has recognized Shawn S. Amuial since 2026. 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 Shawn S. Amuial is held by other lawyers.