Laura Davis Smith

As Chair of Kluger Kaplan’s Trust & Estate’s Litigation Practice Group, Bruce focuses his practice on litigation of probate, trust and guardianship disputes as well as commercial litigation, including corporate matters, securities, accountants’ liability and stockbroker liability and FiNRA arbitrations. He has become particularly recognized for his work in the areas of financial fraud, franchise disputes, probate, trust and guardianship disputes, company purchase and sal...

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

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

Mike Segal is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Mike, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mike is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nancy B. Lash represents clients in broad aspects of commercial real estate, including the negotiation, documentation and closing of the sale, purchase and development of vacant land, office buildings, apartment buildings, and mixed-use hotel, condominium and retail projects, and the representation of borrowers in obtaining acquisition and construction financing. Nancy also has wide-ranging experience representing landlords and tenants in complex lease negotiations.

Carl A. Fornaris is Co-Chair of the firm's Financial Regulatory and Compliance Practice. With 20 years of legal experience, Carl concentrates his practice on the representation of financial services firms in all aspects of their business. In particular, he represents U.S. and non-U.S. firms on finance and corporate matters, and provides supervisory and compliance counseling for institutions regulated by the Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC, FinCEN, CFPB, SEC, FINRA, Florida Office of Financial Regu...

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

Carl Roston serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Chambers USA, which notes Carl does “very sophisticated, high-level deals,” he represents private equity funds, public and private companies and large family offices in domestic and cross border acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, joint ventures, co-investments, growth capital investments, debt and equity financings, and securities offerings. He represents portfolio companies of p...

John is board-certified in appellate practice by The Florida Bar, is a member of the American Law Institute, and has argued before all of Florida’s state and federal appellate courts—including the Supreme Court of the United States. In addition to representing parties, he has represented various amici curiae (friends of the court), and wrote an amicus brief in the landmark age discrimination case Smith v. City of Jackson, presenting an entirely novel textual argument that the Supr...

Brian Barakat is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Litigation - Real Estate. Brian, who practices law in Coral Gables, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.