Department profile
Akerman LLP

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

USA Guide 2026 : Florida: South


Akerman LLP

Rankings

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

Bankruptcy/Restructuring - Florida: South

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Akerman LLP's bankruptcy team is highly regarded for its experience in foreclosures, workouts and receiverships. It focuses primarily on the representation of creditors and trustees, including major national and international financial clients, alongside work for commercial landlords, suppliers, vendors and purchasers of distressed companies and assets. The team has a strong base across Florida and is also able to draw on wider nationwide bankruptcy capabilities in key hubs such as New York and Dallas.

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 respondentUSA
  • Akerman has an extensive pool of resources that is able to provide whatever legal services are needed during the bankruptcy process.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Akerman are business-oriented and practical.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleJules Cohen
    Senior StatespeopleJules Cohen

    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 1Michael I Goldberg
    Band 1Michael I Goldberg

    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 respondentUSA
    • Goldberg has an excellent practice.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
    • Michael is a master, he is another very skilled, very smart lawyer.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 3Andrea Hartley
    Band 3Andrea Hartley

    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 respondentUSA
    • Andrea has an impeccable reputation and is highly regarded.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 3Eyal Berger
    Band 3Eyal Berger

    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 respondentUSA
    • Eyal is excellent and understands how to meet the client's needs.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
    • I have great confidence in Eyal's ability to manage complex and sophisticated matters with skill.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 4Brett Marks
    Band 4Brett Marks

    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 4Steven Wirth
    Band 4Steven Wirth

    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 respondentUSA
    • Steven is a very knowledgeable, experienced and creative bankruptcy attorney.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 5Esther McKean
    Band 5Esther McKean

    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 respondentUSA
    • Her mastery of complex bankruptcy law is matched only by her strategic vision and ability to deliver results under the most challenging circumstances.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
    • Esther 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)

Florida

Florida: North & Central

Florida: South

Members

Provided by Akerman LLP

Akerman LLP has rankings in the following guides

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