Florida Senate President Joe Negron has rejoined Akerman's litigation practice group as of counsel in West Palm Beach after leaving Gunster six months ago to avoid “even the possible appearance” of a law firm conflict with his legislative duties.

Negron left Gunster in January, shortly after assuming the senate presidency. One of Negron's legislative priorities concerned a bill that called for building a 78 billion gallon reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee in an effort to improve Everglades restoration. One of Gunster's major clients, U.S. Sugar, opposed the land buy required for the water storage. The company sold 26,791 acres to the South Florida Water Management District for $197.4 million in 2010.

Despite the opposition from the state's powerful sugar industry, the bill passed, and Gov. Rick Scott signed it into law last month.