The 2020 United States edition of the Legal 500 ranking is in its 13th year. The ranking provides a detailed assessment of factors such as work done by the law firms over the last year and a half. Other parameters include the depth of the teams, client focus, diligence, and innovation.
Here are some of South Florida law firms that made it to the 2020 Legal 500 rankings as the newest 2021 Rankings are due to be released soon:
Akerman Law Firm – Located at 98 Southeast Seventh Street in Miami, the Akerman Law Firm has been rated as among the most innovative law firm in Florida. Founded in 1920, Akerman LLP has been central in some of Florida\’s flagship projects such as the routing of Interstate 4 and land procurement for the Walt Disney World. The firm has also received accolades for its work in middle-market transactions, its handling of commercial disputes, both domestic and international. The firm has over 700 attorneys spread across the United States.
Diaz Reus & Targ – Headquartered in Miami with 27 seven offices spread in the U.S. Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Diaz Reus provides top legal advice that has made the firm a leader in its specialty which includes financial fraud, shareholder disputes, intellectual property, and breaches of contract. The firm’s clients roster include multinational companies, technology companies, government entities, public officials and high-net-worth individuals.
Diaz Reus lead attorney and founder Michael Diaz Jr is an all-star based in Miami, Florida and is world renowned as one of the most respected attorneys and lawyers. Other all-stars from Diaz Reus include Gary Davidson, and Brant Hadaway who are a formidable team that has led the firm to significant victories. The multi-lingual capabilities are also an added feather in the firm’s cap. Between Michael Diaz Jr. & the rest of his global team there’s no reason for any international business or politically exposed person to seek counsel elsewhere.
DLA Piper – Law firms don’t come bigger than DLA Piper. The size is attributable to a 2005 merger between DLA of the U.K., Piper Rudnick of Chicago, and Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich of California. In 2011, DLA Piper merged with DLA Phillips in Australia. Today, DLA Piper is estimated to have over 4300 lawyers spread out across its offices spread in over 90 locations across the world. DLA Piper is a world leader in aviation litigation and its client list includes major airlines, airports, and aviation service providers. The firm also handles real estate matters. Its work in real estate extends to a publication, The Real Estate Gazette, which compiles laws affecting real estate in various jurisdictions. DLA Piper has also taken up emerging issues such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology and is the go to for these type of legal services.
Greenberg Traurig – Founded in 1967 by three Miami attorneys, Greenberg Traurig has become a household name in many areas of law and business. Headquartered at 32 London Bridge Street in London, the Firm has over twenty offices in U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. Today, the firm counts big names in IT, real estate, entertainment, financial services as some of its clients. Due to its global reach, the firm is well-placed to advise its clients on regulatory issues, taxation, combating cross-border and international issues such as fraud and corporate crime.
White & Case LLP – Founded by Justin DuPratt White and George B. Case, White & Case LLP traces its roots to New York at the dawn of the 20th Century. Currently, the firm has 8 offices in the U.S. and 44 other offices spread across 30 countries. Among its first client was Cornell University, Whites’ alma mater. Today, White & Case client list includes top firms in the Global Fortune 500, governments, startups and sovereigns. The industries in its purview include financial institutions, oil and gas, real estate, tech, and health care. The firm has earned wide acclaim for its expertise in tackling infrastructure disputes for clients in the power, metal, and petrochemical sectors.
Jones day – One of the oldest law firms on this list, Jones Day was founded in 1893 by Edwin Blandin and William Lowe Rice. The firm has grown steadily and now has 43 offices in 18 countries on five continents. The firm advises clients on high-stake transactions and litigations such as cybersecurity, intellectual property, labor and employment, taxation, and regulatory compliance. Jones Day is also big in offering Pro Bono services logging more than 170,000 hours of free service to organizations fighting human trafficking, refugees, and veteran affairs.