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


Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Bankruptcy/Restructuring - Florida: North & Central

2
Band 2

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

  • Akerman acted as plan administrator in Bed Bath & Beyond's liquidation.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jules Cohen
S
Jules Cohen
S
Senior Statespeople
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.
Michael I Goldberg
1
Michael I Goldberg
1
Band 1

Co-chair Michael Goldberg is considered to be an expert in bankruptcy-related asset recovery and fraud matters.

Michael is an expert who gets along well with clients and uses his business judgment.

Michael has an outstanding reputation in Florida and nationally. He is hand-picked by judges and works on highly publicized and important matters.

Andrea Hartley
3
Andrea Hartley
3
Band 3

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 and practical lawyer.

Andrea is always available and is so knowledgeable.

Andrea is very thoughtful, unflappable and is a talented oral and written advocate. She has a strong aptitude for reading what judges are thinking and doing.

Eyal Berger
3
Eyal Berger
3
Band 3
Eyal Berger is a talented bankruptcy practitioner with a growing creditor-side practice. He offers notable expertise in Chapter 11 proceedings and in particular Chapter 5 cases.

Eyal is a smart lawyer who is a pleasure to work with.

Eyal is a highly recommended lawyer.

Brett Marks
4
Brett Marks
4
Band 4
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.
Esther McKean
5
Esther McKean
5
Band 5
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 an amazing attorney.

Esther is thorough, organized and has good depth of skills.

Steven Wirth
5
Steven Wirth
5
Band 5
Steven Wirth enjoys market recognition for his burgeoning practice. He regularly counsels distressed companies on their finances.

Steve is a great lawyer who is extremely bright and knowledgeable.

He thinks outside the box and comes up with unique solutions.

He is an amazing lawyer who gets things done very quickly.

Ranked Lawyers at
Akerman LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Florida

Bankruptcy Litigation

Michael I Goldberg
2
Michael I Goldberg
2
Band 2

Florida: North & Central

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

Jules Cohen
S
Jules Cohen
S
Senior Statespeople
Esther McKean
5
Esther McKean
5
Band 5
Steven Wirth
5
Steven Wirth
5
Band 5

Florida: South

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

Michael I Goldberg
1
Michael I Goldberg
1
Band 1
Andrea Hartley
3
Andrea Hartley
3
Band 3
Eyal Berger
3
Eyal Berger
3
Band 3
Brett Marks
4
Brett Marks
4
Band 4

Clients

Provided by Akerman LLP

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

Provided by Akerman LLP

Banks

Chemicals

Commercial & Professional Services

Energy

Financial Services

Health Care

Private Clients / Individuals

Real Estate

Real Estate Finance

Retail

Software & Computer Services

Sports

Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Transportation

Travel & Leisure