Robert A. Williams

A former deputy general counsel of the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation (now DEP), Silvia Alderman is the chair of Akerman’s Water Task Force, a team of multidisciplinary legal professionals and consultants advising on the regulatory and environmental challenges facing our clients. Recognized by Chambers USA , Silvia is praised for her “wealth of knowledge representing utilities” as well as being “very strong on administrative law.” Silvia represent...

Levin Papantonio shareholder Timothy O'Brien is a board-certified civil trial attorney who concentrates his practice in the areas of mass tort litigation, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and transactional liability. Mr. O'Brien is rated "A-V Preeminent" by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell lawyer peer-rating service (the "A-V Preeminent" rating is the highest rating an attorney can receive). In September 2018, Mr. O’Brien was appointed by the United States Southern ...

David A. Theriaque is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. David A., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

JAMES W. GUSTAFSON JR . is a Shareholder with Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A., a member of the firm’s executive committee, and the managing partner of the firm’s Tallahassee office. He is a sixth generation Florida native who served with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division and studied at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford, before becoming a trial lawyer. Mr. Gustafson is a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a worldwide organization limited to ju...

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

Halley B. "Hal" Lewis, III, is an 11th Generation Floridian who is Board Certified in Personal Injury Law. He has obtained more than 55 verdicts or settlements in excess of $1,000,000 for his clients over his career, and his wrongful death verdict of $75,000,000 in 1997 was the third highest in the United States for that year. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and has been regularly selected to Best Lawyers in America and SuperLawyers.

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

Nathan A. Adams IV is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Education Law and Health Care Law. Nathan A., who practices law in Tallahassee, Florida, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Christopher E. Varner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Christopher E., who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emanuella Paulos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Emanuella, who practices law in Pensacola, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emanuella is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.