Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today announced the expansion of its national Real Estate Practice Group with land use partner Jim Porter in Tampa, Fla. and of counsel Tara Gould in Orlando, Fla.
“Jim and Tara are important additions to our Land Use and Development Practice,” said Eric Rapkin, chair of the Real Estate Practice Group. “Their arrival broadens our team’s experience in land use regulation, government relations, and environmental issues in cities where our clients need us the most.”
Jim Porter
Porter concentrates his practice on land use and zoning, as well as government relations, and also has experience with the wireless communications industry, including cellular tower zoning issues. Porter is also the current school board attorney for the Hillsborough County School Board, the eight largest school district in the nation. Board certified by The Florida Bar as an expert in City, County and Local Government Law, Porter formerly served as chief assistant county attorney for the Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office.
Tara Gould
Gould focuses her practice on local government, environmental and land use law. In addition to her private practice experience providing representation to municipal clients, Gould began her career as an assistant general counsel at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and served more than five years as an assistant county attorney for Orange County, Fla.
Porter and Gould are the latest additions to Akerman’s Land Use and Development Practice. In the last year, the team has welcomed former Broward County Attorney Joni Armstrong Coffey as partner in the Miami office, in addition to a leading team of four land use and zoning partners in Chicago headed by veteran lawyer John “Jack” George.
Source: www.akerman.com
