Akerman Appoints New Managing Partner in Denver Office
Clients of the firm's Denver practice will see a shift in local oversight as a veteran tax partner assumes the leadership role.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in People
Akerman has named tax partner Erika Labelle as the new managing partner of its Denver office. She succeeds Kevin Hein, who served in the leadership role for the past five years.
Why it matters
Law firm office leadership shifts often signal a pivot in regional strategy or local practice area focus for business operators and clients who rely on these firms for legal guidance.
Erika Labelle steps into the role with nearly two decades of tax law experience, succeeding Kevin Hein following his five-year leadership tenure in Denver.
The players
Erika Labelle
A tax partner at Akerman with nearly two decades of experience in tax law and corporate transaction strategies.
Kevin Hein
The outgoing Denver managing partner who served for five years and co-chairs the firm's Franchise and Licensing Sector Team.
Akerman
A national law firm providing corporate and regulatory legal services.
The details
Labelle moves into the managing partner position while maintaining her practice in tax law, an area where she has earned recognition from Best Lawyers in Colorado. Her background includes authoring chapters on corporate transaction tax strategies for the Practising Law Institute since 2017. The transition marks a change in oversight for the firm's Denver presence, which remains a key jurisdiction for the national practice.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: Akerman announced Erika Labelle as the new Denver managing partner.
2017: Labelle began authoring a chapter in a Practising Law Institute treatise.
Market Landscape
This transition aligns with the firm's standard five-year partner rotation cycle. It follows a period of stability in the Denver office, reflecting a common trend among national firms to rotate leadership to refresh regional market strategies.
Business operators in Denver should monitor whether this leadership shift to a tax-focused partner results in new service offerings or a stronger emphasis on corporate tax strategy. Evaluate your firm's current legal engagement to determine if these changes necessitate a meeting with your new primary point of contact.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at professional service firms often serve as an early indicator of shifting firm priorities. Review your existing legal counsel's leadership structure to ensure your business remains aligned with the firm's evolving focus areas.
Further reading
For broader insights on regional legal staffing, explore our People archives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ColoradoBiz.
