Neisen O. Kasdin

Co-Office Managing Partner, Akerman, Miami

With his long list of civic and business engagement, Kasdin, a former Miami Beach mayor, is known as a go-to player for urban revitalization in Southeast Florida. Whether the beach, Brickell, Little Haiti, the Design District, Faena or Wynwood, established or emerging neighborhoods, Kasdin knows the ins-and-outs of moving large, difficult projects to fruition. It helps that he led the creation of the Miami Downtown Master Plan. In community service, he’s supported work to safeguard children who have been abused or neglected. He’s been active in the Miami Downtown Development Authority. A significant client: Hong Kong’s Swire Properties in developing Brickell City Centre. Kasdin was born on Miami Beach, went to the University of Florida for law school and plunged into historic preservation efforts at a time when rundown South Beach looked more ready for the bulldozer than international stardom.