Akerman LLP has announced the continued expansion of its Chicago office with the strategic additions of Joel Sestito and Kevin Shortsle. Sestito is part of the real estate finance practice within the real estate practice group, bringing robust experience representing lenders, entities, and individuals in sophisticated real estate and commercial loan transactions. Shortsle joins the firm's intellectual property practice group with strong credentials advising high-profile pharmaceutical brands in the intellectual property (IP) aspects of drug treatments for serious health conditions, including prostate cancer, depression, and heartburn.

Akerman's Chicago office, founded in 2014, has grown to more than 50 lawyers. The expansion led Akerman to more than double the size of its Chicago office space while strengthening the firm’s deep bench in commercial litigation, IP, financial services, real estate, and other client-driven sectors.

Akerman's real estate finance practice and intellectual property practice group have each experienced significant national growth. In the last year, the real estate finance team expanded with notable hires in New York, Jacksonville, and Atlanta, including Alan Cohen, who currently serves as the firm's real estate finance practice chair. Akerman's intellectual property practice group has led a similar, strategic growth. Four partners have joined in Tampa, Chicago, and Austin, expanding the firm's IP skillset in highly technical disciplines, such as advanced software, artificial intelligence, mechanical devices, automotive products, and computer equipment.

Joel Sestito: partner, real estate

Sestito focuses his practice on the representation of financial institutions in connection with real estate and commercial loan transactions. He represents lenders during all stages of the loan process, including the negotiation and documentation of new loan transactions, the workout and disposition of troubled loan assets, and the exercise of various creditor’s remedies. Sestito represents clients with respect to secured and unsecured, single lender and syndicated loans, revolving lines of credit, mezzanine loans, A/B loans, loan on loan financings, and securitized loans. In addition, Sestito has extensive experience with loan transactions that involve EB-5 financings, new markets tax credits, historic tax credits, low income housing tax credits, and ground lease financings. 

Kevin Shortsle: partner, intellectual property

Shortsle focuses his litigation practice on pharmaceutical, chemical, and medical device technologies, with additional focus on broader IP litigation, patent prosecution, and counseling. He helps clients navigate all aspects of patent litigation, from pre-filing investigations through trial and appeal. His recent representations have involved treatments for prostate cancer, Eligard®; heartburn, Pepcid Complete®; benign prostatic hyperplasia, Rapaflo® (silodosin); depression, Pristiq® (desvenlafaxine); acne, Differin® (adapalene); actinic keratosis, Solaraze® (diclofenac); and knee, hip, and spine surgical implants and instrumentation.