Thomas A. Robes

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...

Peter J. Forman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Peter J., 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 Peter J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michele L. Stocker is a commercial litigator with a broad range of experience representing clients in the financial services industry including local and national banks, consumer finance companies, mortgage bankers, credit card companies, and third-party debt collectors. She also regularly advises clients in employment-related matters involving discrimination, harassment, severance agreements, restrictive covenants, and wage and hour issues.

Janna Peters Lhota is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Janna Peters, who practices law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janna Peters is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Board Certified in Construction Law by The Florida Bar, Scott Rostock has more than a decade of litigation experience in state and federal courts and arbitration tribunals. Scott’s practice is devoted to construction disputes, with particular emphasis on construction defects, Chapter 558 proceedings, and lien litigation on behalf of owners, developers, landlords, tenants, contractors, and subcontractors. Scott’s versatile experience also encompasses real estate litigation, busines...

Robert A. Chaves is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Robert A., who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eugene K. Pettis is a Founder of Osborne, Francis & Pettis, PLLC, and a Partner in the Fort Lauderdale office. For 40 years, Eugene has represented an impressive number of individual clients in civil trial matters. He handles a range of complex cases, with a primary focus on representing plaintiffs in the areas of medical malpractice, personal injury and commercial litigation. Eugene has the historic and laudable designation as the first African American President of The Florida Bar . In ...

William “Bill” R. Scherer cofounded the firm in 1974 with his late partner Rex Conrad. Over the past five decades, Mr. Scherer has grown Conrad & Scherer into one of Florida’s leading law firms and has expanded the firm’s presence with offices in New York, New York, Brevard, North Carolina, and Quito, Ecuador. AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® since 1987, Mr. Scherer is a seasoned trial attorney. He has litigated over 100 trials in bot...

Mr. Katz’s diverse practice covers federal and state income tax, estate and gift tax planning, and state corporate, limited liability company and partnership law. This experience provides him with the ability to structure transactions to meet the tax and business needs of the Firm’s clients. This representation includes the typical structuring necessary for partnership, joint venture and corporate transactions, as well as, structuring litigation settlements and pleadings (with particular emph...