Akerman Expands Corporate Practice by Adding Two Partners

Akerman is delighted to announce the addition of partners Jeffrey A. Fickes and Christopher J. DePizzo, marking another milestone in the firm’s Corporate Practice Group’s expansion. Their arrival significantly bolsters Akerman’s capabilities in managing intricate domestic and cross-border private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and venture capital, empowering the firm to cater to clients involved in various industries and global markets. Both partners have transitioned from Blank Rome to join Akerman.

David Birke, co-chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Jeff and Chris bring unparalleled expertise in guiding private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and businesses on complex transactional matters.” With Jeff’s specialization in private equity transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate affairs, clients benefit from his vast experience in providing strategic advice to companies, boards, and executives in the United States and abroad. Jeff has served as the lead counsel on numerous significant transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, private equity deals, venture capital investments, recaps, and financial transactions across various industries.

Jeff’s diverse background in both law and finance, with an MBA in corporate finance from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, adds a practical and outcome-oriented dimension to his legal services. Christopher brings extensive experience as a transactional attorney focusing on advising private equity firms, portfolio companies, and public and private entities on diverse complex transactions. His portfolio includes platform and add-on acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, strategic mergers, investments in emerging companies, dispositions, and joint ventures. In addition to transactional activities, Chris offers legal advice on general commercial, corporate, and governance matters.

Throughout his career, Chris has represented key players in mergers and acquisitions across a range of sectors, such as manufacturing, consumer goods, biotechnology, energy, software, retail, and sports. His expertise spans the entire corporate life cycle, representing businesses from startups to established global leaders. Established over a hundred years ago in 1920, Akerman is a distinguished law firm with over 700 attorneys across 25 offices in the United States.

Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group advises public and private companies, including private equity funds, on various transactions, including M&A, capital markets, financing, and other corporate matters. The M&A and Private Equity team at Akerman is nationally recognized by The Legal 500 and is acknowledged as a top U.S. law firm by Best Lawyers for its corporate, M&A, private equity, securities and capital markets, securities regulation, as well as banking and finance practices. Akerman’s continued growth in its Corporate Practice Group underscores its commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to clients across diverse industries and geographies.