NEISEN O. KASDIN
OFFICE MANAGING PARTNER, AKERMAN, MIAMI
A former mayor of Miami Beach and a leader in the revitalization of South Beach, Kasdin resumed practicing law in 2001. He has headed Akerman’s Miami office, its largest with about 140 attorneys, for about a decade. Akerman is known for its corporate/M&A, business litigation, real estate and international practices. The Miami office houses the leadership of the corporate/M&A and international practices as well as a large real estate, land use and litigation group. Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the United States, with more than 700 lawyers and business professionals across 25 offices.
| EDUCATION | Northwestern University (BA), University of Florida (JD) |
| PROFESSIONAL EVOLUTION | When I returned to the full-time practice of law, I was able to utilize my experience from the public sector and apply it to my work as a land use lawyer. I like to say I give the same advice I gave when I was mayor, except now I am paid for my advice and people listen to it. |
| CIVIC EFFORT | Akerman attorneys have provided leadership in many organizations, including the New World Symphony, Orange Bowl Committee, Institute of Contemporary Art, Arsht Center Foundation, Beacon Council, the Miami-Dade County Bar Association and Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. |
| SOMETHING SURPRISING | My family moved to Miami Beach in 1939. |
| NEW HOBBY | Golf is a passion, and someday I may even get good at it. However, our new No. 1 interest is our first grandchild. |
| READING | A Promised Land, by Barack Obama |