law firm
A law firm is a business entity formed by one or more lawyers to engage in the practice of law. The primary service rendered by a law firm is to advise consumer, clients (individuals or corporations) about their legal rights and Obligation, respon ...
. It is among the 100 largest firms in the United States, according to rankings by ''
Akerman was founded in 1920; it was formerly known as Akerman Senterfitt LLP and changed its name to Akerman LLP in 2013.Bloomberg Business Akerman LLP Profile Page accessed Feb 17, 2016 It was founded by former United States District Court Judges
John Moses Cheney
John Moses Cheney (January 6, 1859 – June 2, 1922) was a Florida attorney and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. A Republican, Cheney represented African American clients ...
and
Alexander Akerman
Alexander Akerman (October 9, 1869 – August 21, 1948) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
Education and career
Akerman was born on October 9, 1869, in Elberton, Georg ...
as Cheney & Akerman, with offices in
Orlando, Florida
Orlando ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...
.
Five years after its founding, in 1925, Alexander Akerman partnered with Hugh Akerman as Akerman & Akerman, after Cheney died. In 1936, Hugh Akerman and Billy Dial, who was instrumental in the founding of what is now known as
SunTrust Bank
SunTrust Banks, Inc. was an American bank holding company with SunTrust Bank as its largest subsidiary and assets of US$199 billion as of March 31, 2018. The bank's most direct corporate parent was established in 1891 in Atlanta, where it was h ...
, formed a partnership with William Akerman. These three men were largely responsible for the success of the firm through the 1950s, under the name Akerman, Dial & Akerman. George T. Eidson and American Bankers Association President Donald T. Senterfitt later became name partners and played significant roles in the growth and success of the firm from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Other recognition
''The Legal 500'': In 2022, Akerman was top-ranked nationally in middle market M&A and recognized nationally as a leading law firm for real estate, land use, construction, tax, and immigration law.
''U.S. News'' – Best Lawyers: In 2022, Akerman was recognized with 119 "Tier One" national and regional practice rankings; corporate, real estate, and financial litigation practices top-ranked nationally. The firm also achieved significant results with 276 lawyers named to the 2023 list of "The Best Lawyers in America".
''Law360'': In 2023, Akerman's Tax Practice Group and Bankruptcy and Reorganization Practice Group were recognized as Practice Groups of the Year. The annual lists honor practice groups that stand out based on the size, complexity, and consequence of client matters handled.
''Chambers'': In 2022, ''Chambers USA'' recognized Akerman in 28 practice areas and singled out 67 lawyers representing 18 practices and sectors. ''Chambers Global'' recognized the firm as a leader in General Business Law: International Firms. ''Chambers Latin America'' recognized Akerman for International Arbitration with its "Highly Regarded" honor.
''Financial Times:'' Akerman has been recognized as one of North America's most innovative law firms by ''
Financial Times
The ''Financial Times'' (''FT'') is a British daily newspaper printed in broadsheet and also published digitally that focuses on business and economic Current affairs (news format), current affairs. Based in London, the paper is owned by a Jap ...