William J. Peterfriend

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

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...

Nectaria Chakas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law. Nectaria, 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 Nectaria is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa A. McNelis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Lisa A., who practices law in Boca Raton, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lisa A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ian is a founding partner of Hersh Kirtman Injury Law. Throughout his entire career, Ian has dedicated himself to fighting for those who have been injured or lost loved ones due to the negligence of others. It is with passion, determination, and creativity that Ian pursues justice for his clients in cases involving motor vehicle accidents, unsafe premises, medical malpractice, and defective products. Ian recognizes the very serious responsibility that comes with the trust his clients place in...

Nicholas J. Roselli was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and grew up in South Florida. He attended Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida. Thereafter, Nick attended Auburn University, where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Sigma, pre- law honor society, and graduated with Cum Laude Honors, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. After college, Nick attended Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree. While attend...

Brian J. Sherr is Managing Shareholder Emeritus of the firm's Fort Lauderdale Office. Brian practices law in the areas of real estate, residential and commercial development, acquisitions, condominiums, development, acquisitions, complex negotiations, dispositions, partnerships and joint ventures, disputes, workouts, and transactional law. Brian served on the Executive Committee of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar. He is also a former Chairman of the Real Pro...

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...

Denise L. Schneider , Principal/Shareholder, is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Marital and Family Law and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Ms. Schneider earned her J.D. (magna cum laude) as well as her Bachelor of Science from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to joining the firm in 2007, Ms. Schneider worked in several Fort Lauderdale area boutique marital and family law practices. Following her admittance to The Florida Bar in 2002, Ms. Schneider has strictl...

Peter L. Gladstone is a Principal of the law firm of Gladstone, Weissman, Hirschberg & Schneider, P.A. He is Board Certified in Marital and Family Law (1999) and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2003), having practiced exclusively in this field since 1988. Mr. Gladstone is AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been repeatedly selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America (2005-2025 editions), Florida Trend Legal Elite magazine, Florida Super Lawyers (“To...