Akerman expands Charlotte presence by adding three new partners

Akerman has recently made significant strides in expanding its presence in Charlotte with the addition of three new partners to its office in the city. This development is part of the firm’s strategic plan to establish a comprehensive legal platform in Charlotte, a rapidly growing market in the commercial sector. The new partners, Amanda Pooler, Samuel Mann, and Greg Faltin, specialize in litigation and real estate, enhancing Akerman’s capabilities in high-stakes corporate litigation and complex transactions.

The Charlotte office of Akerman was first opened in November 2024 under the leadership of Josh DeBottis, co-chair of the Renewable Energy and Electric Power practice. Initially focused on project finance, renewable energy, and infrastructure, the addition of partners in litigation and real estate signals the firm’s commitment to further expanding its service offerings to meet the diverse needs of its clients in transactional matters, disputes, and regulatory issues.

Scott Meyers, Chairman, and CEO of Akerman, emphasized the significance of the Charlotte market as a hub for sophisticated legal work at both the local and national levels. He stated, “We designed this office as a full-service platform from the start. Amanda, Samuel, and Greg bring extraordinary talent, nationally focused practices, and deep local ties that strengthen what we’re building here.”

Amanda Pooler, a member of the Litigation Practice Group, has extensive experience representing a wide range of clients, including public and private companies, financial institutions, and their directors and officers. Her areas of focus include M&A-related disputes, fiduciary duty matters, securities litigation, and distressed company issues. Drawing on her background as a law clerk at the Delaware Court of Chancery, she is well-versed in handling high-stakes governance matters and appeals.

Samuel Mann, also in the Litigation Practice Group, brings over a dozen years of experience in complex litigation and regulatory matters, representing financial institutions, corporations, and hedge funds. He has appeared before key regulatory bodies and advises corporate clients on litigation and regulatory risk, internal investigations, and anti-corruption due diligence. Mann is committed to pro bono service, particularly in areas such as veterans’ benefits, domestic violence, and housing matters.

Greg Faltin, a new addition to the Real Estate Practice Group, has over 25 years of experience advising clients in various real estate and corporate transactions. He specializes in acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, and portfolio transactions across different real estate sectors. Faltin’s expertise includes supporting M&A transactions by providing counsel on real estate diligence, entity formation, governance, and operating structures.

Josh DeBottis, Charlotte Office Managing Partner, highlighted the importance of having a comprehensive legal team in Charlotte to address the increasing complexity of legal matters that clients face. The addition of these new partners will enable Akerman to provide local depth and expertise to handle multifaceted legal issues across different practice areas for its clients in the city.

Founded in 1920, Akerman is an Am Law 100 firm known for its reputable legal services. With over 700 lawyers and business professionals nationwide, the firm continues to expand its capabilities and presence in key markets like Charlotte to better serve its clients’ evolving needs.