Robert I. Chaskes

Robert I. Chaskes

Miami, FL recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013
Akerman LLP

246 Best Lawyers awards

Akerman LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Commercial Litigation

Biography

Robert Chaskes is an esteemed trial lawyer with more than 35 years of experience in a wide range of complex commercial litigation, including jury and bench trials in state and federal courts across the United States. Among other matters, Mr. Chaskes has defended numerous class actions and has tried cases involving securities fraud claims, trademark disputes, trade secrets, non-compete and other restrictive covenants, insurance coverage disputes, lender-liability claims, and shareholder disputes.

Mr. Chaskes has substantial experience in a number of business sectors, including banking and financial institutions, leisure and hospitality, healthcare, computer and internet technology, real estate, and aviation.

Prior to joining Akerman, Mr. Chaskes was Senior Counsel for Complex Litigation at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, where he represented the FDIC and RTC in actions that recovered more than $1 billion from various parties involved in the collapse of the junk bond markets. He now serves as co-chair of Akerman’s Distressed Property Practice, which represents lenders in commercial foreclosures, loan workouts, and related matters.

Numerous publications recognize Mr. Chaskes for his formidable litigation and trial work, including The Best Lawyers in America, South Florida Legal Guide, and Florida Trend.

Akerman LLP

246 Best Lawyers awards

Akerman LLP logo

Overview

  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1981
  • Michigan State University, BA, with high honors, graduated 1978

  • District of Columbia, District of Columbia State Bar
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • Maryland, Maryland State Bar

  • American Bar Association - Member
  • The District of Columbia Bar - Member
  • The Florida Bar - Member
  • The Maryland Bar - Member

  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Maryland
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • District of Columbia, District of Columbia State Bar
  • Florida, The Florida Bar
  • Maryland, Maryland State Bar
  • American Bar Association - Member
  • The District of Columbia Bar - Member
  • The Florida Bar - Member
  • The Maryland Bar - Member
  • The University of Michigan Law School, J.D., graduated 1981
  • Michigan State University, BA, with high honors, graduated 1978
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Maryland
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Securities
Awards:
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2008, 2013, 2015, Listed for Commercial Litigation
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2013-2016, Listed in Florida for Business Litigation
  • South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers 2014-2017, Listed for Corporate and Business Litigation, Class Action - Defense

Additional Information

  • Representative Experience
  • Representation of Huizenga Holdings and related entities in relation to construction defect claims, real estate disputes, and other business matters.
  • Representation of DHL Express (USA), Inc. and related entities in various business disputes, including the defense of class actions pending in state and federal courts in Florida and Ohio, respectively.
  • Representation of Sloppy Joe's Enterprises International, Inc. and other name brand companies, including Ryder System, Inc., in enforcement of intellectual property rights.
  • Representation of the National Football League and Super Bowl Host Committee in various litigation matters.
  • Enforcement of noncompete and confidentiality restrictions in connection with various business and employment relationships.
  • Representation of world's largest independent provider of aircraft maintenance programs against European marketing representative in ICC arbitration hearing in Vienna, Austria.
  • Representation of insurers, including Lloyd's at London syndicates, in insurance coverage litigation.
  • Representation of real estate developers and brokers in defense of securities fraud and other claims.
  • Prejudgment and final writs of replevin in matters involving aircraft and jet engines, citrus processing equipment, wholesale liquor inventory, commercial air conditioning equipment, and other chattels.
  • Representation in defense of corporate officers and directors in relation to SEC enforcement actions and D&O liability claims.
  • Representation in resolution of disputes among shareholders of closely-held corporations engaged in lodging, hospitality, healthcare, construction, and real estate development.
  • Representation of national banks and other major financial institutions in various litigation matters, including commercial loan foreclosures, secondary mortgage market disputes, and lender-liability claims.
  • Representation of owners and developers of real estate in connection with a variety of construction-related claims and contract disputes.
  • Remington Lodging & Hospitality v. Southernmost House, Ltd., 206 So. 3d 764 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016)
  • Beazley Ins. Co. v. Banerjee, et al., 2013 WL 5538714 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013)
  • Cohen v. World Omni Fin. Corp., 2011 WL 1810610 (11th Cir. 2011)
  • Cohen v. World Omni Fin. Corp., 2010 WL 4721294 (S.D.Fla. 2010)
  • Garcia, et al. v. Santa Maria Resort, et al., 528 F. Supp. 2d 1283 (S.D. Fla. 2007)
  • Galacticomm Techs. v. First Equity Corp. of Am., 751 So. 2d 1272 (Fla. 3d DCA 2000)
  • In re Michael Milken and Assocs. Sec. Litig., 1993 WL 413673 (S.D.N.Y. 1993)
  • Foremost Guar. Corp. v. Meritor Sav. Bank, 910 F. 2d 118 (4th Cir. 1990)
  • Nichols, et al. v. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, et al., 706 F. Supp. 1309 (M.D. Tenn. 1989)

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