Sherrille Diane Akin

Sherrille “Sherri” D. Bailey Akin, a DeLand native and esteemed attorney, is renowned for her skills as a “fixer” and a “finder.” Over her 35-year career, she has consistently delivered results for her clients, specializing in estate planning, probate, contested estates and guardianships, and family law cases.

From a young age, Sherri was inspired to pursue a legal career, influenced by her father, T. Wayne Bailey, a prominent Stetson professor and community leader. At just 14, she began working in the law office of Bill Sherman, a respected local attorney, where she learned the fundamentals of legal practice and client relations. This early exposure solidified her commitment to the legal field, and she continued to gain experience as a paralegal in college and a clerk in law school.

After completing her education at Stetson University, Stetson University College of Law, and the University of Florida, Sherri further honed her skills clerking for the U.S. Tax Court in Washington, D.C. Despite a brief relocation prompted by personal commitments, Sherri maintained her legal practice in Florida, focusing on estate planning, guardianship, care planning, and fiduciary litigation. Her expertise as a Florida attorney is particularly valued by clients with ties to Ohio, where she is also licensed.

Sherri is adept in complex estate planning and tax law, emphasizing high net worth individuals and asset protection planning. Her Ohio licensure enhances the firm's ability to assist Florida residents with matters related to Ohio.

Sherri holds a J.D., cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law, an advanced tax degree, LL.M., from the University of Florida College of Law, and a B.A. in Political Science from Stetson University. Her father's legacy as the founder of Stetson's Department of Political Science continues to inspire her dedication to the legal profession.