He read law in 1892 and entered private practice in Cartersville, Georgia the same year.

Akerman was an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia from 1901 to 1912 and was the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia from 1912 to 1914.

[1] In 1920, Akerman moved to Orlando, Florida and formed, with John Moses Cheney, a new law firm.

President Calvin Coolidge nominated Akerman to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on January 19, 1929, to a new seat created by 45 Stat.

Confirmed by the Senate on February 15, 1929, he received commission the same day.