Melissa M. Coates Ph.D.

Michael Bruno focuses his practice on domestic and international tax planning for multinational companies, funds, and entrepreneurial families. Michael has written numerous articles on international tax planning and frequently submits comments on statutory & regulatory promulgations. As a strong proponent for pro bono legal services, Michael founded the Transactional Equal Justice Program with Legal Services of Greater Miami, which offers free legal advice to non-profits and low-to-modera...

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...

With decades of experience litigating complex commercial cases, Kevin Murray possesses exceptional skill, a deep knowledge of the law, a sense of people, and an arsenal of effective strategies to achieve winning results in and out of court. Admired for his talent, tenacity, strategies, and carefully crafted compelling arguments, Kevin has earned the respect of judges, juries, and opposing counsel. He is a strong and effective client advocate, able to get to the essence of each case, focusing ...

Albert A. del Castillo focuses his practice on public finance law, with an emphasis on bond issues throughout the state of Florida and Puerto Rico. Albert has served clients as bond counsel, underwriters’ counsel and disclosure counsel in a variety of issues, including general obligation, infrastructure, electric, water and sewer, health care, education, resource recovery, sports facilities, special assessment, community development district, and industrial development financing. He has...

Orestes Garcia is a bilingual (English & Spanish) business and real estate litigator who guides business owners, investors, and contractors through high-stakes disputes with a clear, strategic plan designed to achieve practical, cost-effective results. Born and raised in Miami to Cuban parents, he combines a deep understanding of South Florida’s business culture with rigorous advocacy and business-savvy legal counsel. Clients rely on Mr. Garcia not only for his skill in the courtroo...

A skilled litigator with over 25 years of trial experience, Courtney B. Wilson has tried employment cases before judges, juries and arbitrators throughout Florida, appearing in all state and federal trial courts and in administrative proceedings. In addition, he has handled multiple cases in the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and state appellate courts throughout Florida. Courtney’s expertise includes: Prosecuting and defending non-compete, unfair co...

Deborah Corbishley has been litigating complex commercial cases of all types in state and federal courts for more than 35 years, in bet-the-company litigation. She also has extensive experience representing lawyers and law firms in professional liability cases. Debbie’s cases have involved common law and statutory business torts, contract disputes, fraud and conspiracy claims, state and federal securities law violations, fraudulent conveyances, class actions, and corporate and partnersh...

Mark F. Raymond is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Securities and Public Finance Law. Mark F., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark F. is held by other top lawye...

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...

A commercial real estate lawyer, Michelle Ferreira routinely works with banks, institutional investors, private investors, developers and homebuilders on construction, permanent, bridge, and mezzanine financing transactions. She has navigated a variety of transactions, including the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and management of office buildings, single-family homes, apartment complexes, hotels, shopping centers, warehouses and mixed-use properties. In addition, Michelle has ...