Steven E. Brust

Clay B. Tousey III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Clay B., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clay B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bryan is the chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He has more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate law, with a focus on transactional finance, sales and acquisitions, leasing and title insurance. Bryan advises purchasers and sellers in all phases of contract negotiations and due diligence for property acquisition, development and sale. His work includes §1031 exchanges and large acreage agricultural propert...

Steven L. Cottrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Steven L., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Brigham is a third generation trial lawyer with experience in complex, high-profile cases involving real estate of many kinds. He is best known for work throughout Florida representing property or business owners in eminent domain proceedings. In 2008, Mr. Brigham was lead counsel in a case where he obtained the largest jury verdict in Florida state court eminent domain proceedings in the amount of $67,410,000 against the Jacksonville Port Authority. More recently, in 2013-2018, he was le...

Charles F. Mills III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Environmental Law, Government Contracts, Government Relations Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Environmental. Charles F., who practices law in Jacksonville, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geog...

Peter P. Hargitai is a trial lawyer, focusing on real estate and complex commercial litigation. Mr. Hargitai has extensive trial experience in both traditional and alternative dispute resolution tribunals, and has handled complex matters involving real estate disputes, business torts, restrictive covenants, trade secrets and anti-competitive practices. Mr. Hargitai also has developed a banking operations practice and currently represents many national and regional banks. Prior to entering pri...

Meg is an experienced advisor and litigator working in the firm’s healthcare, labor and employment, and litigation practice areas. For more than a decade, she has supported clients in managing a broad range of complex legal issues in employment and healthcare matters. A key focus of Meg’s practice includes counseling firm clients and businesses of all sizes in navigating personnel management issues like employee contracting, discipline and termination; employer best practices, pol...

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

Pete Larsen is the chair of Akerman’s national Tax Practice Group, a team advising clients in global tax compliance and controversy matters, including complex transactions in the middle market. The practice was recognized by Law360 as a “Tax Practice Group of the Year” for its precedent-setting work in the United States. Pete works closely with financial institutions, finance companies, vehicle and equipment lessors, retailers, and telecommunication, software, and technology...

Chris is Board Certified by the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education in construction law, a distinction that is unique to less than 400 attorneys in the state. During his career, he has worked with general contractors, sureties, subcontractors and specialty trade contractors, product manufacturers, architects, and engineers in matters ranging from defective construction or design, delays, contract disputes, lien and payment disputes, and construction-site personal injury. C...