September 14, 2010

Akerman Senterfitt today announced the continued expansion of its Healthcare practice with the addition of five lawyers in recent weeks, including additions to the firm's Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach offices. The practice continues its growth to help clients navigate the substantial regulatory changes that are reshaping the industry. Previously, Akerman added significant depth to its state and federal healthcare regulatory team, growing the practice by 20 percent in 2009, in response to anticipated industry reforms. 

“There is no question the healthcare industry is rapidly changing, both through transformative regulations and significant growth,” said Kirk Davis, Chair of Akerman’s Healthcare practice.  “Florida is one of the nation's largest healthcare markets and our clients are looking to Akerman to help them address the litany of challenges they are facing on both a state and federal level.  We have made strong additions to our team and we’re very pleased to welcome them aboard.”

Robert Slavkin joins Akerman as Of Counsel in the firm's Orlando office. He was most recently at Foley & Lardner LLP and brings important experience to the firm in working with companies in the pharmacy, pharmaceutical, and managed care industries, advising them on federal and state laws.  He has particular strength in advising clients with regards to the Medicare Part D program.  Mr. Slavkin has worked with clients with regards to federal anti-kickback, Stark laws, Medicare, Medicaid, HIPAA, and FDA regulations.  Previously, he was a Senior Attorney with Adventist Health System, one of the largest non-profit health systems in the U.S. Mr. Slavkin has also served as the Compliance and Privacy Officer to Priority Healthcare Corporation, a publicly traded specialty pharmacy and distribution company.

In the West Palm Beach office, Christopher B. Hopkins, Allison S. Bernstein, and Guy E. Quattlebaum have joined from Butzel Long, bringing additional depth to the firm's Healthcare Litigation practice and significant experience in handling litigation involving healthcare providers as well as skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Mr. Hopkins joined as a Shareholder and has extensive trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts throughout Florida. His practice includes professional malpractice, probate, commercial and personal injury litigation, and well as general civil litigation and appeals. Ms. Bernstein joined as Of Counsel and concentrates her practice in the areas of healthcare, major injury, professional malpractice, and probate litigation. Mr. Quattlebaum also joined as Of Counsel and devotes a significant portion of his practice to tort litigation, including products liability, wrongful death, toxic torts, and other personal injury matters.

In the Tampa office, Lindsay Dykstra has joined the firm as an Associate from Wicker, Smith, O'Hara, McCoy & Ford, P.A. She will focus her practice on healthcare litigation, including medical malpractice and general liability defense. Ms. Dykstra previously served as a Summer Associate at Dean Mead.

Akerman is recognized as a leading healthcare law firm in Florida by Chambers USA with Board Certified lawyers and a team of multi-disciplinary professionals. The practice represents many of the leading hospitals, health systems, and physician groups in Florida and nationally. Our lawyers also represent practitioners, pharmacies, managed care organizations, health insurers, and medical device manufacturers on a wide range of complex regulatory, risk management, and business matters.

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 leading Florida firm. 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_law.