Biography
Attorney Sherrille “Sherri” D. Bailey Akin often describes herself as a “fixer” and a “finder,” and she has used those skills in crafting results for her clients throughout her 35-year career as a practicing attorney. A DeLand native and graduate of DeLand High School, Stetson University, Stetson University College of Law and the University of Florida, Sherri represents clients in the areas of estate planning, probate, contested estates and guardianships, and family law cases.
The daughter of prominent Stetson professor and community leader T. Wayne Bailey, Sherri knew by the 5th grade that she wanted to be a lawyer. In fact, at the age of 14, while attending DeLand Junior High School, Sherri started working in the law office of Bill Sherman, a well-known local attorney. Her work with Sherman started with sorting mail, filing, running errands and eventually grew with her, as she worked as a paralegal in college and a clerk in law school. According to Sherri, "Bill was a wonderful mentor and demonstrated to me the proper way to practice law and regard clients."
After law school and graduate tax school, a job clerking in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. Tax Court and a marriage proposal from an Ohio native drew her away, but Sherri always continued to practice law in Florida. As the go-to Florida attorney for Ohio snowbirds and business owners, Sherri worked continually on Florida matters, with a focus on estate planning, guardianship, care planning and fiduciary litigation. She brought that experience back to Florida and uses it now to assist Florida residents with their Ohio property and family matters.
Sherri draws on years of experience to practice complex estate planning and tax law, with emphasis on high net worth individuals and businesses, including tax minimization strategies, asset protection planning, business transition planning and unique planning for impaired beneficiaries. Her Ohio expertise and licensure adds an additional level to the many services provided by the firm, offering the ability to assist Florida clients with matters 'back home' in the Buckeye State.
Sherri holds her J.D., cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law and an advanced tax degree, LL.M., from the University of Florida College of Law. She holds her B.A. in Political Science from Stetson University, where her father founded the Department of Political Science in 1963.
Education
- University of Florida Levin College of Law, Gainesville, Florida
- LL.M. (Taxation) – 1990
- Stetson University College of Law, St. Petersburg, Florida
- Juris Doctor, cum laude – 1989
- Honors: Teaching Fellow, Research Assistant, Law Review Editor
- Law Review: Stetson Law Review, Articles and Symposium Editor
- Stetson University, Deland, Florida
- 1986
- Major: Political Science
Practice Areas
- Elder Law
- Estate Planning
- Probate
- Guardianship
- Fiduciary Litigation
- Family Law
Bar Admission
- Florida, 1989
- Ohio, 1992
- U.S. Tax Court, 1992
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, 1992
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2015
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 2020
- U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 2015
Professional Associations
- The Florida Bar
- Volusia County Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar Association
Honors
- "AV" Martindale-Hubbell Rating
Pro-Bono Activities
- Vice-President, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida
- Member, Lake Winnemissett Civic Association
- Member, Rotary Club of DeLand
- Member, New Covenant Baptist Church
- Vice-President, Family Health Source and Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Board of Trustees
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certified Family Mediator, Florida Supreme Court
Fraternities or Sororities
- Phi Mu
- Phi Alpha Delta
Past Positions
- Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A., Of Counsel Attorney, 2016 to 2016
- Isaac Wiles LLC, Partner, 2013 to 2015
- Isaac, Brant, Ledman & Teetor, Of Counsel Attorney, 2011 to 2013
- Akin Law Group LLC, Member Manager, 2001 to 2010
- National City Bank, Assistant VP, Trust Officer & Manager, 1999 to 2001
- Means, Bichimer, Burkholder & Baker LPA, Partner, 1992 to 1999
- United States Tax Court, Attorney Advisor, 1990 to 1992
Current Employment Position
- Attorney