
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
USA Guide 2026 : Florida: South
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Akerman LLP
Akerman represents creditors, distressed businesses, court appointed committees, and various fiduciaries, in complex insolvency matters. We have served as bankruptcy counsel in many of the nation’s largest bankruptcy filings, and as receivers and attorneys for receivers in suits filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to liquidate companies that have violated federal securities laws. Noted for our work on cases involving fraud, we have overseen several of the largest Ponzi scheme and EB-5 receiverships in the United States.
The team guides clients, which include creditors’ committees, through Chapter 11 proceedings. We also have extensive experience with Chapter 15 cross-border insolvency cases, liquidations under Chapter 7, and Assignments for the Benefit of Creditors. We have extensive experience in many sectors, with particular emphasis on private equity, healthcare, real estate, energy, hospitality, restaurants, cryptocurrency and digital assets, and staffing.
What We Do
- Chapter 11 reorganization for business debtors
- Secured creditors and debtors-in-possession financing
- Bankruptcy trustee representation
- SEC receiverships and Ponzi schemes
- Chapter 15 cross-border insolvency cases
- Commercial landlord-tenant bankruptcy
- Corporate restructuring and insolvency
- Creditors’ committee representation
- Buying and selling assets in Section 363 sales
- Distressed M&A transactions
- Preference and fraudulent transfer litigation
Clients (7)
- Buffets LLC
- Clawback Defendants (Bernie Madoff)
- Jay Peak Vermont Resort - Receiver
- Pilgrim's Pride Corporation
- Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, P.A. - Liquidating Trustee
- Samsung Electronics of America
- Worldwide Entertainment - Receiver
Industries (15)
- Banks
- Chemicals
- Commercial & Professional Services
- Energy
- Financial Services
- Health Care
- Private Clients / Individuals
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate
- Retail
- Software & Computer Services
- Sports
- Technology, Hardware & Electronics
- Transportation
- Travel & Leisure
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Akerman acted as Plan Administrator during the wind-down and liquidation of the remaining assets of True Value.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
All of the attorneys I have worked with at Akerman are extremely knowledgeable and professional.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAAkerman has an extensive pool of resources that is able to provide whatever legal services are needed during the bankruptcy process.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAAkerman are business-oriented and practical.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
Jules Cohen
Jules Cohen is a popular choice for clients seeking advice on Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases. He offers notable experience handling matters in the retail and real estate sectors. Has an incredible amount of wisdom that comes from years of experience.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
Michael I Goldberg
Co-chair Michael Goldberg is considered to be an expert in bankruptcy-related asset recovery and fraud matters. With commendable expertise acting as plan administrator on substantial bankruptcies.
Michael is one of the premier fiduciaries in the country.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAGoldberg has an excellent practice.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAMichael is a master, he is another very skilled, very smart lawyer.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Andrea Hartley
Co-chair Andrea Hartley is known for her participation in Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 bankruptcies. She represents a wide range of clients including trustees and corporations.
Andrea is a great attorney and will always take calls, no matter what time of day. She is practical and solution-driven.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAAndrea has an impeccable reputation and is highly regarded.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Eyal Berger
Eyal Berger is a talented bankruptcy practitioner with an established creditor-side practice. He offers notable expertise in Chapter 11 proceedings and in particular Chapter 5 cases.
Eyal is one of the smartest attorneys I know, he is someone who is very pragmatic and will look at the whole situation.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAEyal is excellent and understands how to meet the client's needs.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAI have great confidence in Eyal's ability to manage complex and sophisticated matters with skill.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Brett Marks
Brett Marks has built a diverse practice in the bankruptcy sector and is noted for his debtor, creditor and trustee representation. He is adept at counseling officers and directors of insolvent companies and defending them against fiduciary duty and other litigation claims. Brett is a great attorney, he provides an outstanding service.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Steven Wirth
Steven Wirth enjoys market recognition for his expert bankruptcy practice. He regularly counsels distressed companies on their finances.
Great at both bankruptcy and litigation, with a keen ability to think outside the box to find complex solutions.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSASteven is a very knowledgeable, experienced and creative bankruptcy attorney.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Band 5 
Band 5 
Esther McKean
Esther McKean is noted for her work in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases. Clients such as trustees and corporations benefit from her knowledge of bankruptcy proceedings. Esther is always a very good lawyer and is incredibly organized, she has a keen sense to get a result as efficiently as possible.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAHer mastery of complex bankruptcy law is matched only by her strategic vision and ability to deliver results under the most challenging circumstances.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSAEsther is a very knowledgeable, effective negotiator who responds in a timely manner. She is also a great strategist.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Akerman LLP (8)
Members
Provided by Akerman LLP

David E Otero

D Brett Marks

Michael I Goldberg
View profile of Michael I Goldberg
Eyal Berger
View profile of Eyal Berger
Jules Cohen
View profile of Jules Cohen
Brett Marks
View profile of Brett Marks
Esther McKean
View profile of Esther McKean
Steven Wirth
View profile of Steven Wirth
Andrea Hartley
View profile of Andrea Hartley
Akerman LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 USA 2026
Practice area: Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Location: Florida: South
View department profile for USA 2026Band 3 USA 2026
Practice area: Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Location: Florida: North & Central
View department profile for USA 2026Band 5
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