Judge Gerald B. Cope, Jr. to Join Akerman Senterfitt
July 15, 2010
Akerman Senterfitt today announced that Judge Gerald B. Cope, Jr., former Chief Judge of Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal and a member of the court for 21 years, will be joining the firm later this year as a shareholder and co-chair of its Appellate practice. He will be resident in the firm’s Miami office. Judge Cope was appointed by Governor Bob Martinez to the Third District Court of Appeal in December 1988 and was retained in office by merit retention elections in 1990, 1996, 2002, and 2008. He served as Chief Judge from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007.
“With over 21 years experience on the appellate bench, Judge Cope is a distinguished member of the judiciary and will bring significant experience and knowledge to our expanding appellate and trial practice,” said Andrew Smulian, Chairman and CEO of Akerman Senterfitt. “We are pleased to have Judge Cope join us and know that he will add immediate value and strategic litigation insight for the benefit of our clients."
Judge Cope will co-chair Akerman’s Appellate practice with Joseph Hatchett, former Florida Supreme Court Justice and former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Cope will also be available to serve as an arbitrator or mediator. James Joanos, former Chief Judge of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, is also a key member of the team which handles appellate matters and provides assistance to trial lawyers throughout all phases of litigation.
Judge Cope received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and J.D. from Florida State University College of Law. He received his LL.M. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a member of the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar.
Akerman's Appellate lawyers have served as counsel of record or lead counsel in hundreds of cases in both federal and state appellate courts, obtaining precedent-setting decisions. Akerman's Litigation practice has grown significantly of late, adding trial lawyers in offices in Florida and throughout the U.S. including the opening of offices in Denver, Dallas, and Las Vegas.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2009) in number of lawyers and is the largest firm in Florida. With 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, Akerman serves clients throughout the U.S. and overseas from Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, Texas, and Nevada. More information can be found at www.akerman.com or www.twitter.com/akerman_llp
# # #
Contact:
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
Patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.com
“With over 21 years experience on the appellate bench, Judge Cope is a distinguished member of the judiciary and will bring significant experience and knowledge to our expanding appellate and trial practice,” said Andrew Smulian, Chairman and CEO of Akerman Senterfitt. “We are pleased to have Judge Cope join us and know that he will add immediate value and strategic litigation insight for the benefit of our clients."
Judge Cope will co-chair Akerman’s Appellate practice with Joseph Hatchett, former Florida Supreme Court Justice and former Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Judge Cope will also be available to serve as an arbitrator or mediator. James Joanos, former Chief Judge of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal, is also a key member of the team which handles appellate matters and provides assistance to trial lawyers throughout all phases of litigation.
Judge Cope received his undergraduate degree from Yale University and J.D. from Florida State University College of Law. He received his LL.M. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a member of the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar.
Akerman's Appellate lawyers have served as counsel of record or lead counsel in hundreds of cases in both federal and state appellate courts, obtaining precedent-setting decisions. Akerman's Litigation practice has grown significantly of late, adding trial lawyers in offices in Florida and throughout the U.S. including the opening of offices in Denver, Dallas, and Las Vegas.
About Akerman Senterfitt
Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. by The National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2009) in number of lawyers and is the largest firm in Florida. With 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, Akerman serves clients throughout the U.S. and overseas from Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Virginia, Colorado, Texas, and Nevada. More information can be found at www.akerman.com or www.twitter.com/akerman_llp
# # #
Contact:
Pat Tucker
RF|Binder Partners, Inc.
(212) 994-7561
Patrick.Tucker@rfbinder.com
