Michael W. Smith

Colin Baker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Colin, 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 Colin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Marc Sugerman's legal practice is exclusively focused on the representation of clients in issues related to traditional labor and employment law. Marc routinely handles labor arbitrations, collective bargaining negotiations, and impasse proceedings on behalf of his clients. He also represents clients in traditional labor litigation matters before the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. Although traditional labor is Marc's primary focus, he als...

Jonathan M. Perry's practice includes the representation of real estate owners, developers, investment firms, institutional and private lenders, and business entrepreneurs in virtually all phases of commercial real estate transactions such as the acquisition, development, finance and disposition of commercial office buildings, hotels and resorts, transit-oriented developments, mixed-use developments, tax increment, and downtown and historic redevelopment and financing.

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. ...

Patrick T. Christiansen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Patrick T., who practices law in Orlando, Florida, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Patrick T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shareholder Ava Doppelt is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Intellectual Property Law. She manages trademark and copyright portfolios, and has substantial litigation experience in federal and state courts and administrative agencies, advising clients on trademark, publishing, entertainment, and licensing, franchising, and copyright matters. Ms. Doppelt speaks frequently on intellectual property, publishing and entertainment law. She has served as an expert witness. Ms. Doppelt was former...

Sara Bernard has handled a wide range of transactions as counsel for developers, builders, institutional lenders, and public and private entities. She has experience in negotiating, drafting, and closing complex commercial and residential purchase/sale transactions and has handled aspects of the development (including infrastructure development and the formation of community development districts), management and operation of all types of real estate including retail shopping centers, office ...

Having successfully represented prominent developers and home builders, Robert Poppell maintains a vibrant real estate development and transactional practice. He represents developers of large scale, mixed-use planned developments, as well as residential home builders, in connection with acquisitions, sales, planning, operations, and governance structures for phased and jointly developed communities; developers of neighborhood to regional shopping centers; and end-user, out parcel, and retail...

Jessica DeBono Anderson is a Partner in the Orlando, Florida office. Since 2008, Ms. Anderson has represented management in employment litigation before state and federal courts in Florida and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Florida Commission on Human Relations, Department of Labor and other administrative agencies. Ms. Anderson has experience litigating issues such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, overtime and unpaid wages, leave and ...

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