Aldo L. "Al" LaFiandra

Mark Williamson is a partner and chair of Alston & Bird's Wealth Planning and Exempt Organizations Group. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and practices in the areas of estate planning and federal taxation. Mr. Williamson practiced with the Milwaukee law firm of Foley & Lardner before joining Alston & Bird and has been an adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Georgia State University in Atlanta. He was on the facul...

Cristine Huffine is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Cristine, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cristine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Russell A. Arouh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Russell A., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Russell A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott E. Taylor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Scott E., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Watson is chair of the Bankruptcy Group. His practice focuses on representing secured lenders in pre-bankruptcy workouts and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. In addition, Mr. Watson represents several national franchisors in bankruptcy cases of franchisees and is a frequent lecturer on a variety of bankruptcy related topics. He is licensed to practice in Georgia and New York and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute. Mr. Watson is listed in Chamber...

As co-leader of the firm’s Financial Services Litigation Team, Chris Riley has been at the forefront of financial services litigation for many years. He represents financial institutions and financial services providers in a wide assortment of commercial and consumer disputes, including litigation, enforcement, and compliance matters. Chris is a trial lawyer who has represented clients in a wide assortment of litigation in state and federal courts across the country. Those clients inclu...

Michael Pavento is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Michael, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

J. Matthew Anthony is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. J. Matthew, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David R. Yates is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. David R., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason Cooper is a co-coordinator of the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice Area, with emphasis in mechanical, manufacturing and medical device technologies. Mr. Cooper manages patent portfolios of various domestic and international clients and helps monetize those portfolios. He counsels clients in avoiding the infringement of patents of others and opines with regard to infringement and/or validity of individual patents, or advises on strategy for avoiding the patent portfolios of ot...