June 29, 2012

Akerman Senterfitt today announced that Maria Henderson, director of insurance services in the firm’s Government Affairs & Public Policy practice, has been appointed president of the Florida Bar Foundation, a charitable organization that works on behalf of Florida’s legal profession to expand access to justice. Henderson, based in Tallahassee, Fla., takes office on July 1 and is the first non-lawyer to serve as president of the foundation.

"Growing up, I watched my mother take time from her busy schedule raising five children to volunteer her time to those less fortunate. Her example planted in me the seed of caring for others who may not have the resources to help themselves,” Henderson said. “The Florida Bar Foundation allows me to do that. My service on the board has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career, and I am grateful to work at Akerman, where such service is encouraged."

The foundation provides legal aid and resources to thousands of low-income individuals and families across Florida giving them access to justice that they wouldn’t otherwise have, and helping them lead stable and productive lives.

“Maria serves as a shining example for all Floridians to follow," said Silvia Alderman, managing shareholder of Akerman’s Tallahassee office. "I am confident that The Florida Bar Foundation will benefit immensely from her leadership, vision and energy.”

Henderson has been associated with the Florida Bar Foundation since 2004, when she began serving on the foundation’s board as one of its public members. She has served on various committees at the foundation and is a member of the organization’s Legacy for Justice, which recognizes those who have made or facilitated major gifts or bequests to the foundation. Henderson is a fellow of The Florida Bar Foundation and also has served on the Capital Campaign Committee of Florida Legal Services. She previously served on the board of trustees of The Tampa Museum of Art, and on the Second Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee of The Florida Bar.

At Akerman, Henderson works with insurance companies and self-insured companies on regulatory issues, responses to market conduct examinations, and creating effective and compliant operations solutions to insurance problems. Maria has 16 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance business, having been a general manager with the third largest writer of automobile insurance in the United States.

About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman 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 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals and a network of 19 offices, it is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2012). Akerman also is ranked among the top 100 law firms for diversity by MultiCultural Law magazine (2012) and recognized as the Law Firm of the Year for Diversity – South by Benchmark Litigation (2012). More information can be found at akerman.com or twitter.com/akerman_law.