Leon N. Patricios

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...

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,...

Melissa Tapanes Llahues has made her mark not only in the legal profession but also in the greater Miami community. She became a named partner at Bercow Radell Fernandez Larkin and Tapanes, PLLC in 2020. Melissa represents the interests of landowners, institutional clients, and developers seeking real estate licensing and regulatory approvals from governmental boards and agencies at the local, state and federal levels. She specializes in managing complex and politically sensitive legislative ...

Kevin C. Schumacher is a partner in the firm's Miami office. Mr. Schumacher focuses his practice in the areas of general commercial and civil litigation, with an emphasis in construction litigation, landlord-tenant law, condominium law, banking law and real estate litigation. Mr. Schumacher is a Board Certified Specialist in Construction Law. Mr. Schumacher actively participates in several organizations in the community. He is a former member of the United Way Young Philanthropist steering co...

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

Marissa Amuial focuses her practice on land use and development, representing clients in all aspects of the development approval process including zoning applications, special area plans (SAPs), historic preservation matters, code compliance and enforcement, and other administrative and quasi-judicial hearings. Additionally, Marissa assists clients throughout South Florida in navigating public/private incentive agreements and in drafting land use development regulations.

Andrea Hartley is the chair of Akerman’s Bankruptcy & Reorganization Practice Group, a nationally recognized team serving as bankruptcy counsel or receivers in many of the largest bankruptcy filings in the United States. An experienced bankruptcy and creditors’ rights litigator, Andrea counsels clients in the financial services, real estate, hospitality, restaurant, and retail sectors on business reorganizations and liquidations, assumption and rejection of leases, workouts, d...

Dale Hightower was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, a town between Tampa and Orlando. He grew up loving adventures on the water, paddling a canoe and fishing alone in nearby lakes. His leadership skills became apparent in his youth as he was an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, Senior Class President at Lakeland High School, and Student Body President at Florida Southern College. He also was elected Student Body President at Cumberland Law School in Alabama. After law school, he began worki...

Jared E. Dwyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jared E., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jared E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason R. Margulies is a board certified admiralty and maritime lawyer representing victims of cruise ship sexual assault and other similar cruise injuries. Mr. Margulies has received multiple awards throughout his years of practice including an AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 rating from Martindale, 10.0 Avvo score along with numerous positive reviews from clients. Jason Margulies is frequently interviewed by the media and quoted on cases relating to cruise safety and maritime legal issues. He is ...