Michael J. Ryan

Larry Rochefort is the chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group, a leading team of trial lawyers advising companies in complex litigation and arbitration across the United States and Latin America. Larry is recognized for Bet-the-Company Litigation by The Best Lawyers in America and as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation . He represents financial institutions, developers, owners, contractors, insurers, and retailers in real estate, lending, and other disputes. He...

Eric Gordon is the chair of Akerman’s Labor and Employment Practice Group, a national team representing employers in legal compliance, dispute prevention, and employment litigation throughout the United States. An experienced litigator, he represents Fortune 500 companies operating in the hospitality, healthcare, retail, and telecommunications sectors, with substantial experience in federal and state jury trials, class actions, arbitrations, and defending claims before administrative ag...

JOHN (JACK) SCAROLA graduated with honors from Georgetown University in 1969 and from Georgetown Law Center in 1973. Before joining the firm in 1978, he was Chief Felony Prosecutor in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s office, where he was lead counsel in the trials of more than 50 major criminal cases, including the nation’s first gavel-to-gavel televised murder trial. Mr. Scarola is Board Certified in both Civil Trial Practice and Commercial & Business Litigation. While ...

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

Keith B. Braun is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Keith B., who practices law in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Keith B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

KAREN E. TERRY is a Shareholder at Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. in West Palm Beach and has been with the firm for 25 years. Recently, Ms. Terry became Florida Bar Board Certified in civil trial law as well as in health care and medical malpractice, which are the highest honors one can achieve. For the last 10 years in a row, she has been named as one of The Best Lawyers in America. Recently honored as one of the top-rated lawyers in health care in the United States, Ms. ...

Mark Passler advises senior managers, brand managers, in-house counsel, technology transfer professionals, and inventors on intellectual property and entertainment law matters. He routinely assists clients in procuring, licensing, and enforcing patent, trademark, and copyright rights. Mark also conducts intellectual property due diligence for complex mergers, acquisitions, and other intellectual property transfers. In addition, he has extensive experience negotiating complex agreements with m...

Matthew Z. Zimmerman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Trade Secrets Law. Matthew Z., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew Z. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Roy P. Zachariah is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Roy P., who practices law in West Palm Beach, Florida, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roy P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.