Matt G. Firestone

Jim McNeil serves as chair of Akerman’s Residential Development Practice, a highly experienced team representing national builders and developers of master planned and mixed-use residential communities throughout the real estate development process. Known for his ability to provide pragmatic, strategic, and forward-thinking planning advice, Jim represents developers, homebuilders, and private equity funds in all phases of the acquisition, entitlement, development, and sale of property. ...

Chris Hayes represents developers, homebuilders, and investors in the acquisition, development, and sale of real property in Florida and California. He has overseen numerous complex acquisitions and dispositions. As part of his transactional practice, Chris also represents clients in retail and office space leasing. Additionally, Chris works with investors and owners in acquiring and selling small and mid-market sized businesses, having worked on over 65 auto and motorcycle dealership transac...

Marilyn G. Moran has been representing employers for over 15 years as a trusted advisor and experienced litigator. She is passionate about learning her clients’ businesses from the ground up and working with management to solve problems and implement smart business solutions as efficiently as possible. Marilyn provides advice and training to employers on a wide variety of employment law issues, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour violations, non-competition ...

Laura Jo O. Thacker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Laura Jo O., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura Jo O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Travis Halstead is a partner in the firm’s Orlando office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of general and complex civil litigation with a focus in construction and financial services litigation. Travis typically represents architects, engineers, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in construction defect and contract claims. Travis also defends banking institutions in consumer debt litigation. Travis graduated the University of Florida and earned his Juris Doctor degree...

Glenn A. Adams practices in the areas of corporate and tax law. He advises clients on a variety of business entity issues during the life cycle of the business — beginning prior to formation, continuing as the business grows and succeeds, and forward until the business, or a unit of the business, is liquidated upon sale or other circumstances. Mr. Adams has substantial experience with the formation of corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships (including general partnership...

Kimberly Doud is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Kimberly, who practices law in Orlando, 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.

Joanne Braddock Lambert is a principal in the Orlando, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. Her practice focuses on representing management in employment litigation before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, as well as counseling management regarding ongoing employment and labor matters. Joanne is a frequent speaker on a variety of employment law topics and conducts compliance training for management on discrimination, harassment, and managing employee leaves of absence und...

Brian A. McDowell practices in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency litigation and receiverships. In bankruptcy, Mr. McDowell has primarily focused on representing debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, tenants, landlords, asset purchasers, defendants in adversary proceedings and trustees. These matters have arisen in both voluntary and involuntary Chapter 11 cases. Mr. McDowell has conducted two jury trials in the United States Bankruptcy Court. In addition to Mr. McDowell's debtor and cre...

Patrick Brackins received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida and, in 2006, his Juris Doctor degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. Patrick moved to Orlando in 2006, where he began his career as a staff attorney for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court. Prior to joining Shepard, Smith, Hand & Brackins, P.A., from 2008 to 2016, Patrick served as the career law clerk for a United States Magistrate Judge in the Orlando Division of th...