David E. Otero

David E. Otero


Akerman LLP

Recognized since 2007

Jacksonville, Florida

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Litigation - Bankruptcy

Litigation and Controversy - Tax

Securitization and Structured Finance Law

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Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation and Controversy - Tax Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation and Controversy - Tax Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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David Otero’s national practice focuses on bankruptcy and tax litigation and counseling. A partner in both the Tax and Bankruptcy & Reorganization Practice Groups, his clients include Citigroup, Capital One, Nissan, Santander Bank, Sears, Synchrony Financial, U.S. Bank, Venus Fashion, and professional athletes.

In his tax practice, David advises multistate businesses on state and local tax controversy matters throughout the United States. He represents institutions financing both credit cards and automotives, national retailers, and other companies in refund actions (including bad debt sales tax recoveries), audit defense, administrative appeals, litigation, including appeals, and related consulting and planning.

In his national commercial bankruptcy and creditor’s rights practice, David represents financial institutions and other secured creditors, unsecured creditors, and creditors’ committees, as well as trustees and debtors-in-possession. In addition, he represents financial institutions and other plaintiffs and defendants in related complex commercial litigation and bond defaults in federal and state court, and bankruptcy appeals. He advises financial institutions and other businesses with respect to bankruptcy and creditors’ rights matters, including loan workouts and restructurings, tax matters, bond defaults, and issues legal opinions on substantive consolidation and true sale and other bankruptcy related issues. David also frequently represents clients in acquiring or investing in businesses in bankruptcy.

Location
  • 50 North Laura Street, Suite 3100
    Jacksonville, FL 32202
Education
  • University of Wisconsin–Madison, J.D., graduated 1987
Bar Admissions
  • Florida, Florida State Bar
  • Wisconsin, Wisconsin State Bar
Affiliations
  • Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association - Past President
  • Jacksonville Bar Association, Sports & Entertainment Law Committee - Member
  • State Bar of Wisconsin, Bankruptcy Insolvency and Creditors Rights, Intellectual Property, Sports & Entertainment Law, and Taxation Sections - Member
  • The Florida Bar, Administrative Law, Business Law, Entertainment Arts and Sports Law, Taxation, and Trial Lawyers Sections - Member

Akerman LLP
Jacksonville, Florida

228 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

122 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation and Controversy - Tax Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation and Controversy - Tax Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Bankruptcy Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Jacksonville (2024)
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Jacksonville (2022)
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Jacksonville (2021)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Jacksonville (2017)
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Jacksonville (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation and Controversy - Tax
  • Securitization and Structured Finance Law
Special Focus:
  • Securities
  • Securitization
Awards:
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rated
  • Florida Trend's Legal Elite 2012, 2013, Listed for Bankruptcy & Workout
  • Jacksonville Magazine 2014, Listed in 904 Magazine's "Top Lawyers" for Tax
  • Chambers USA 2016, listed in Florida as a Recognized Practitioner for Bankruptcy/Restructuring
  • Board Certified in Business Bankruptcy, American Board of Certification
  • Super Lawyers Magazine 2008-2016, Listed in Florida for Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor Rights, Tax, and Business Litigation
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Tax Law

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Publications

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