Rick J. Burgess

Co-Chair of Akerman’s national Construction Practice, Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Construction Law, and a LEED® Accredited Professional, Stacy Bercun Bohm represents developers, contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in complex construction contract, project administration, and pre-suit matters. She is one of the first lawyers in Florida to achieve both Board Certification and LEED accreditation. Chambers USA states, “She understands the industry and b...

D. Brett Marks represents troubled companies, secured and unsecured creditors, asset purchasers, private equity groups, trustees, and creditors’ committees in Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court workouts, and litigation matters. Brett also has significance experience representing and counseling officers and directors of insolvent companies, including defense of alleged breach of fiduciary duty claims and other claims of malfeasance. Brett’s experience extends across a num...

Martin Burkett serves as co-chair of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice. Martin represents public and private companies and private equity funds in a variety of corporate transactions, with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions. Martin’s practice includes structuring and negotiating complex business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, recapitalizations, going private transactions, venture and growth capital investments, debt and equity fi...

Albert W. Gortz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Albert W., who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Albert W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Caran Rothchild focuses her practice on employment and commercial litigation matters. Her representations include corporations, municipalities, and individuals in a variety of employment, complex commercial, and civil related issues. As an employment advisor and litigator, Caran has represented local and national clients in numerous jury and non-jury trials and administrative proceedings involving discrimination, harassment, restrictive covenants, and wage and hour issues. Concentrations Comm...

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

Ross has focused his law practice on bankruptcy and insolvency since 1998. He represents parties in all aspects of the bankruptcy process including trustees, assignees for the benefit of creditors, receivers, creditors, debtors, committees, and purchasers of assets. Ross is a member of the Panel of Bankruptcy Trustees for the Southern District of Florida where he is routinely appointed as a chapter 7 and chapter 11 trustee. He also serves as a receiver and assignee for the benefit of creditor...

Avi Benayoun is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Avi, who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Avi is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James R. George practices in the areas of fiduciary litigation, including litigation arising from estates, trusts and guardianships. Mr. George often serves as an expert witness and as mediator in trust and estate matters. Mr. George earned his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto and his J.D., with Honors, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. Mr. George is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Est...

Lindsay B. Haber is a highly accomplished family law attorney and founding partner of Haber Legal in Boca Raton, Florida. She represents clients across South Florida in complex and emotionally sensitive matters involving matrimonial and family law , equitable distribution , alimony , timesharing and parental responsibility , paternity , prenuptial and postnuptial agreements , and complex financial issues , while also providing clients with comprehensive estate planning and probate counsel. Ms...