Paul Totten

Michael Brand is a partner in the firm’s Miami and Key West offices. He practices across all fields of litigation, including medical malpractice, personal injury claims and professional liability claims, premises liability, negligent security, legal malpractice, automobile and trucking claims, bad faith/extra-contractual liability and others. He has tried approximately 300 jury trials to verdict in his career. Mr. Brand received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in English at...

Gary Guzzi serves as chair of Akerman’s Insurance Litigation Practice, a national team of 45 lawyers representing leading domestic and foreign carriers, self-insured corporations, municipalities, and related entities in insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. He protects the interests of national and international insurance carriers in bad faith disputes, coverage claims, rescissions and ERISA-governed policies. With comprehensive experience in insurance disputes, Gary litigates li...

Gabriel Z. Coelho is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Gabriel Z., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gabriel Z. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

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

Lorie A. Fale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Lorie A., who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lorie A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Norman J. Benford counsels high-net-worth individuals and families in connection with estate planning and other complex tax issues, as well as business succession and other non-tax family matters. Norm also counsels individuals and institutions serving as fiduciaries of estates, trusts and guardianships in connection with administrative matters and disputes with the Internal Revenue Service.

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

Clarke S. Sturge is a partner with the firm’s Miami office. He practices in all phases of civil litigation including insurance defense, product liability and toxic tort. Mr. Sturge attended the University of Central Florida where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in Political Science. He then earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law with honors. While in law school, Mr. Sturge was awarded double honors in the Universit...