Akerman Executive and Leadership Team

Jacob Akerman, the Chief Executive Officer at Akerman, directs the firm's overarching strategic vision and long-term growth initiatives. By aligning legal expertise with the evolving needs of middle market enterprises, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the firm maintains its status as a top 100 U.S. legal practice. This leadership role involves fostering collaboration among 650 lawyers to overcome barriers to innovation. Jacob Akerman monitors market trends across the United States and Latin America to identify new opportunities for client expansion. Through rigorous oversight of firm-wide performance, the Chief Executive Officer drives the execution of complex M&A strategies and dispute resolution frameworks. Akerman maintains a focus on high-impact results, ensuring that the firm consistently delivers value to entrepreneurs and successful enterprises. By championing forward-thinking legal solutions, the Chief Executive Officer secures the firm's competitive position within the financial services and real estate sectors.

Scott Meyers, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at Akerman, governs the firm's board activities and executive decision-making processes. As the primary architect of corporate governance, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between firm-wide objectives and the needs of clients in dynamic sectors. Scott Meyers oversees the integration of legal services with business strategy, facilitating growth for entrepreneurs and large-scale enterprises. This role requires constant evaluation of the firm's market position within the United States and Latin America. By managing high-level stakeholder relationships, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer drives the firm's reputation for excellence in complex disputes and middle market M&A. Meyers maintains a commitment to forward-thinking practices, ensuring that the firm remains agile in the face of industry change. Through strategic leadership, the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer supports the firm's mission to navigate complex regulatory landscapes and achieve critical business outcomes.

Matt Squire, the Chief Financial Officer at Akerman, manages the firm's fiscal health and capital allocation strategies. Overseeing financial planning and analysis, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the firm possesses the resources necessary to support 650 lawyers in delivering high-value legal services. Matt Squire directs budgeting processes and financial reporting, providing the data required for informed decision-making by the executive team. This role involves optimizing the firm's economic performance across North American and Latin American markets. By monitoring revenue streams from middle market M&A and complex dispute practices, the Chief Financial Officer maintains the firm's financial stability. Squire collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align fiscal goals with the firm's growth objectives in the financial services and real estate sectors. Through disciplined financial management, the Chief Financial Officer supports the firm's ability to seize new opportunities and overcome barriers to innovation.

David Ristaino, the Chief Operating Officer at Akerman, executes the firm's internal operational strategies and infrastructure development. By streamlining workflows and enhancing administrative efficiency, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that the firm's 650 lawyers operate with maximum effectiveness. David Ristaino oversees the integration of technology and business processes to support the firm's work in middle market M&A and complex disputes. This leadership role involves managing the firm's operational footprint across the United States and Latin America to ensure consistent service delivery. Ristaino coordinates with the executive team to implement policies that drive growth and innovation. By focusing on the operational requirements of the financial services and real estate sectors, the Chief Operating Officer enables the firm to navigate change effectively. Through continuous process improvement, Ristaino ensures that the firm remains a top 100 U.S. legal practice capable of meeting the most important business objectives of clients.

Howard Janis, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer at Akerman, supports the execution of firm-wide operational initiatives and project management. By focusing on the tactical implementation of business strategies, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer ensures that the firm's daily operations align with long-term growth goals. Howard Janis manages specific administrative functions that facilitate the work of lawyers in middle market M&A and complex disputes. This role involves coordinating cross-departmental efforts to improve service delivery across the United States and Latin America. Janis monitors operational metrics to identify areas for efficiency gains and resource optimization. By assisting the Chief Operating Officer, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer helps the firm navigate change and overcome barriers to innovation. Through diligent oversight of internal projects, Janis supports the firm's mission to provide exceptional legal results in the financial services and real estate sectors. The Deputy Chief Operating Officer ensures that operational standards remain high across all practice areas.

Amy Mattos, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Akerman, directs the firm's talent acquisition, retention, and professional development strategies. By cultivating a high-performance culture, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the firm attracts top-tier legal talent capable of serving the world's most successful enterprises. Amy Mattos oversees the implementation of training programs that align with the firm's forward-thinking philosophy. This role involves managing human capital across the firm's regional operations in the United States and Latin America. Mattos collaborates with leadership to foster an environment that encourages innovation and growth among the 650 lawyers and business professionals. By optimizing performance management systems, the Chief Human Resources Officer supports the firm's ability to deliver results in complex disputes and M&A. Through strategic workforce planning, Mattos ensures that the firm maintains the expertise required to navigate the evolving demands of the financial services and real estate sectors.