Jonathan L. Awner

Jonathan L. Awner

Corporate Governance Law

5.0 (1 reviews)
Miami, Florida
40+ years experience
Akerman LLP
Updated:

Contact Information

Three Brickell City Centre, Suite 1100, 98 Southeast Seventh Street, Miami, FL 33131
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Bio

Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and The Legal 500 as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan Awner advises clients in automotive retail, aviation, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, services, technology, waste management and other industries. Described by a client quoted in Chambers USA as a “top-notch” lawyer who is “smart, hard-working and practical,” Jonathan focuses on middle-market domestic mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, public and private securities transactions, and corporate governance matters.Jonathan counsels in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, spin-offs, recapitalizations, joint ventures, private equity investments, and other business transactions. He has extensive experience representing strategic and financial buyers and investors, as well as corporate, individual and family sellers.Jonathan also represents public companies in public offerings of equity and debt securities, and securities law compliance matters. He has served as lead counsel to issuers in numerous underwritten offerings, including a $1.5 billion IPO. He also advises companies and investor groups in private placements of equity and debt securities, growth equity investments and joint ventures.Jonathan is a trusted advisor to boards of directors, audit and special board committees, and senior executives of public companies on corporate governance issues, management succession, relations with institutional and activist investors, compensation practices for directors and officers, conflict of interest matters, and change-of-control transactions. His committee representations include leading investigations of alleged management misconduct, whistleblower complaints, stock option backdating, accounting irregularities, auditor resignations, violations of securities laws including insider trading, and responding to shareholder activists alleging poor operating performance or excessive compensation. Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. Ranked by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, and The Legal 500 as a preeminent corporate lawyer, Jonathan Awner advises clients in automotive retail, aviation, distribution, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, services, technology, waste management and other industries. Described by a client quoted in Chambers USA as a “top-notch” lawyer who is “smart, hard-working and practical,” Jonathan focuses on middle-market domestic mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, public and private securities transactions, and corporate governance matters.Jonathan counsels in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, spin-offs, recapitalizations, joint ventures, private equity investments, and other business transactions. He has extensive experience representing strategic and financial buyers and investors, as well as corporate, individual and family sellers.Jonathan also represents public companies in public offerings of equity and debt securities, and securities law compliance matters. He has served as lead counsel to issuers in numerous underwritten offerings, including a $1.5 billion IPO. He also advises companies and investor groups in private placements of equity and debt securities, growth equity investments and joint ventures.Jonathan is a trusted advisor to boards of directors, audit and special board committees, and senior executives of public companies on corporate governance issues, management succession, relations with institutional and activist investors, compensation practices for directors and officers, conflict of interest matters, and change-of-control transactions. His committee representations include leading investigations of alleged management misconduct, whistleblower complaints, stock option backdating, accounting irregularities, auditor resignations, violations of securities laws including insider trading, and responding to shareholder activists alleging poor operating performance or excessive compensation. Jonathan Awner serves as Co-Chair of Akerman’s Corporate Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing strategic and financial buyers and investors, as well as corporate, individual and family sellers. Jonathan also represents public companies in public offerings of equity and debt securities, and securities law compliance matters. He has served as lead counsel to issuers in numerous underwritten offerings, including a $1.5 billion IPO.

Practice Areas

Corporate Governance Law

Awards & Recognition

  • Lawyer of the Year: International Mergers and Acquisitions, Miami (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Securities Regulation, Miami (2025)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Governance Law, Miami (2022)
  • Lawyer of the Year: International Mergers and Acquisitions, Miami (2021)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Miami (2020)
  • Lawyer of the Year: International Mergers and Acquisitions, Miami (2019)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Securities / Capital Markets Law, Miami (2019)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Governance Law, Miami (2018)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Securities Regulation, Miami (2017)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Corporate Law, Miami (2016)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Securities / Capital Markets Law, Miami (2015)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Securities Regulation, Miami (2013)
  • Lawyer of the Year: Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Miami (2012)
  • Recognized: Corporate Governance Law
  • Recognized: Corporate Law
  • Recognized: International Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Recognized: Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Recognized: Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Recognized: Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Recognized: Securities Regulation
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Rated
  • Daily Business Review 2009, Named "Top Dealmaker: Corporate"
  • South Florida Business Journal 2009, Key Partners Award Winner for Corporate Finance/Mergers & Acquisitions Law
  • Daily Business Review, 2014, Named "Top Dealmaker of the Year: Corporate Domestic"
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2012, 2014, and 2015, Listed for Business Law
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2006-2018, Listed in Florida for Business/Corporate, Securities & Corporate Finance, and Mergers & Acquisitions
  • South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers 2001-2018, Listed for Corporate and Business, Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Chambers USA 2003-2018, Ranked in top tier in Florida for Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
  • The Legal 500 2009-2018, Recommended for Mergers, Acquisitions & Buyouts: M&A National Middle Market

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007

Education

  • Boston University School of Law, J.D., graduated 1985
  • Swarthmore College, B.A., graduated 1982

Reviews

D

Debra Thomas

2 weeks ago

A Strategic Partner for Complex Corporate Transactions

When our company faced a high-stakes cross-border acquisition with intricate regulatory hurdles, we turned to Jonathan Awner. His four decades of experience, particularly his deep knowledge of international M&A and securities regulation, were immediately evident. Jonathan didn't just execute the legal mechanics; he provided strategic counsel that navigated complex corporate governance issues and anticipated challenges we hadn't considered. His leadership of Akerman's Corporate Practice Group means you benefit from a vast network, yet he remains personally hands-on. The recognition from Chambers and Best Lawyers is well-deserved. Jonathan is more than an attorney; he's a trusted advisor who secures results. Our deal closed seamlessly, thanks to his exceptional skill and steady guidance.

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