Akerman Receives 'Litigation Department of the Year' Award for Second Consecutive Year

MIAMI, April 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced that the Daily Business Review has named Akerman winner of its "Litigation Departments of the Year" award for the second consecutive year. The firm was awarded in the general litigation category for its work as a large law firm, as well as in intellectual property category for its extraordinary success in the field.

Under the general litigation category, The Daily Business Review touted Akerman for defending six class actions opposing the merger to two biotech companies, OPKO Health and Prolor Biotech. The litigation team also led a complex investigation for State Farm Mutual Insurance Company and State Farm Fire & Casualty Company in a large scale scheme to defraud the industry. Akerman later represented State Farm in a federal lawsuit against the masterminds behind the scheme. In addition, Akerman was recognized for achieving a high-profile victory for a subsidiary of Fortune 100 company Raytheon Corp. The team helped Raytheon Anschutz challenge an arbitration award involving the delivery of navigation equipment on two Venezuelan submarines.

In the field of IP litigation, Akerman was recognized for defeating a patent infringement claim by Grant Street Group against its client, Realauction.com, over an online auction software. The IP team also successfully defended luggage manufacturer Travelpro International in a patent infringement suit brought by its competitor Briggs & Riley Travelware against many of Travelpro's product lines.

The firm's litigation teams were honored at an award ceremony on April 16 at the JW Marriott Miami.

About Akerman LLP

Akerman LLP is a leading transactions and trial law firm known for its core strengths in middle market M &A, within the financial services and real estate industries, and for a diverse Latin America practice. With more than 600 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 20 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States by The National Law Journal NLJ 350 (2013). Akerman also is ranked among the top 50 law firms for diversity in The American Lawyer's Diversity Scorecard (2013). More information can be found at akerman.com or twitter.com/akerman_law.

Akerman's Litigation Practice Group is recognized nationally by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in the Commercial Litigation category. The firm's team has vast experience in a wide range of civil and criminal litigation, including actions involving banking, securities, healthcare, insurance, real estate, and construction.

Akerman's Intellectual Property Practice Group is recognized nationally by U.S. News - Best Lawyers in the Intellectual Property Litigation category. The firm's lawyers are experienced counselors representing clients in all aspects of intellectual property litigation, intellectual property licensing, intellectual property transactions and due diligence, and entertainment and sports issues.