Akerman LLP
Akerman is a United States–based law firm. It is among the 100 largest firms in the United States, according to rankings by The American Lawyer. The firm has across the United States and approximately 700 lawyers, with its largest office in New York City. The firm is ranked by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, Benchmark Litigation, and U.S. News-Best Lawyers as among the top practices in the United States.
History
Akerman was founded in 1920; it was formerly known as Akerman Senterfitt LLP and changed its name to Akerman LLP in 2013. It was founded by former United States District Court Judges John Moses Cheney and Alexander Akerman as Cheney & Akerman, with offices in Orlando, Florida.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, 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 named partners and played significant roles in the growth and success of the firm from the 1950s through the 1980s.