by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
Representatives from Akerman Senterfitt say a merger with labor and employment firm Muller Mintz should be complete by the end of the year.
Through the merger — it has been under negotiation for several months — Akerman Senterfitt stands to gain more than 20 attorneys specializing in labor and employment issues, many of whom are board certified.
Prior to the merger, Muller Mintz, which was founded in 1968, operated as one of the premier labor employment firms in Florida, primarily representing management in various work related matters ranging from employee policy drafts to disputes involving non-compete agreements.
“We’re very excited about this addition,” said Patricia Hill, a shareholder and board certified attorney in Akerman Senterfitt’s Jacksonville office. “This is going allow us to provide a greater depth of service to our existing clients while also attracting new clients.
“Muller Mintz has a wonderful reputation and they are well respected in the legal community.”
Akerman Senterfitt managing partner Tim McDermott concurred.
“Our services are going to be
greatly augmented,” said McDermott of the joint venture. “Most interestingly, this merger will give us better access into the public sector area of labor and employment law because Muller Mintz already has a very strong presence there.”
“However, because [Muller Mintz] were focusing exclusively on that area of practice, they were referring many cases to other law firms. Now we can direct those referrals to one of our own attorneys skilled in that particular practice.
“I’m looking forward to enjoying a symbiotic relationship.”
While the local impact of the merger remains largely undetermined, Hill said the attorneys working out of Muller Mintz’ Miami and Orlando based offices will likely be relocated to Akerman Senterfitt branches in the same areas.
However, McDermott said the merger may prove itself part of a larger legal trend.
“[Akerman Senterfitt] is blessed to have attorneys across the state who are knowledgeable on so many issues,” he said, adding the firm has offices in eight cities throughout Florida. “But as we continue to become more of a wireless society, there isn’t much a need to fly an attorney across the state to handle a matter when you can easily have a telephone conference with them or send them an e-mail. That’s where I see the legal profession going in the future.
“Having said that, I think we’ll have an even larger pool to draw upon.”