Akerman LLP

Few facets of life are not touched in some way by the institutions of government and the people who constitute its bodies. Our clients, by virtue of their size or the broad public impact of the projects they undertake, are certainly no exception. In order to represent their interests properly, and to facilitate the progress they seek to initiate, Akerman Senterfitt has built a large and highly effective Legislative and Government Affairs Practice with points of entry into almost every governmental or quasi-governmental body in the state of Florida, and to many in Washington as well. It is a point of pride that we are as effective in our lobbying and dialog with them as we are in our administrative proceedings or litigation against them.

Cities often require their own representation in dealing with counties, counties with the state, and other governmental units with counterparts at all levels of administration. Therefore, we have developed a substantial practice providing specialized counsel to dozens of different governmental entities in a broad range of legal circumstances.

It may be a matter requiring our expertise on regional impact matters, or on election laws with charter amendment implications. The circumstances may involve public records laws or complex issues based on labor and employment law, or environmental policy. Whatever the scenario, whether the matter involves litigation, negotiation, or simply experienced legal counsel, we stand ready to help.

Akerman Senterfitt is the proud winner of the 2006 Thomas L. Sager Award for the South/Southwest Region, presented to the law firm that has demonstrated and sustained the highest commitment to improving the hiring, retention and promotion of minority and women attorneys. The firm has also been recognized as the Top Law Firm in the nation for Hispanic Americans by MultiCultural Law magazine, in both 2005 and 2006.

As a leader in the legal and business community, Akerman Senterfitt is proud of its commitment to ensuring equal opportunity generally and within the firm. Throughout its long history, the firm has successfully promoted diversity through vigorous recruitment and retention of minorities and women. The firm is committed to retaining and promoting its women and minority lawyers and staff.

To advance the firm's efforts in relation to diversity issues, Akerman Senterfitt appointed shareholder Joseph W. Hatchett to chair the firm's Committee on Diversity. Judge Hatchett's distinguished jurist career includes serving as Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and as a Justice on the Supreme Court of Florida. Judge Hatchett was the first African-American to serve on the Florida Supreme Court and the first African-American to serve as a Chief Judge of a federal appellate court in the Southern United States.

Akerman Senterfitt actively recruits women and minority lawyers to the firm. Many of its shareholders are women and minorities, demonstrating to associates that achieving shareholder status is a real possibility. Women and minority lawyers occupy top management positions in the firm, including service on the board of directors and the associate and paralegal evaluation committee.

The firm's workforce, including every staffing level throughout each of its offices, reflects the diverse cultures. In the delivery of legal services, the firm's lawyers bring all of their experiences, cultures, education, and rich backgrounds to the task. The firm values this diversity because it encourages the innovative thinking that results from a broad range of perspectives.

As Akerman Senterfitt continues to grow, it remains committed to providing a work environment that respects diversity, fosters employment opportunity, and is free from discrimination and harassment. Akerman Senterfitt continuously reviews its hiring, training, evaluation, and compensation practices to ensure that its commitment to diversity and equal opportunity allows its lawyers and staff an equal and ample opportunity to achieve excellence in service of its clients. The firm's mission in this respect is to develop professional opportunities and to foster an environment in which minorities and women may perform proudly and give the firm's clients the benefits of a law firm balanced fully in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender.

Akerman Senterfitt is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity. We consider candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law.