Annie Elfassi

Trey Dowdey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Trey, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anne Knox Averitt has extensive experience in labor and employment matters and commercial litigation. She works in the Birmingham office and represents clients of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses in a number of industries, including retail, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profit, communications, construction, and financial services. She also handles cases before arbitrators, administrative law judges, and federal and state court ju...

John B. Thomas is the co-founder of Houston-based commercial litigation boutique Hicks Thomas LLP. Known for his deep experience in handling complex commercial litigation, Mr. Thomas and the firm’s lawyers represent both defendants and plaintiffs in lawsuits involving oil and gas, securities, environmental matters, banking, transportation, intellectual property and health care. Mr. Thomas has been named to Lawdragon’s 500 Leading Lawyers in America and Lawdragon’s 500 Leadin...

Jonathan Goebel is the managing attorney at Rosenstein Law Group based in Scottsdale, Arizona. He serves clients throughout the Greater Phoenix metro area and across Arizona, focusing on DUI and criminal defense. With nearly 20 years of practicing criminal law, Jonathan Goebel has litigated criminal matters ranging from misdemeanors to complex felony cases throughout Arizona. Jonathan is compassionate and genuinely cares for the well-being of his clients while being an aggressive advocate and...

Nathan L. Buller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Nathan L., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Chappell’s practice focuses on commercial bankruptcy, bankruptcy litigation, creditors’ rights insolvency, and business. He represents lenders in all facets of commercial credit transactions from origination to work-out and recovery. Recently, he has represented asset purchasers in complex bankruptcies, represented debtors in Chapter 11 cases selling real properties, helped restructure the finances of a continuing-care-retirement-community and assisted in the resolution of ...

Danielle M. Balczon is a partner in the firm’s Ft. Myers office. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology. She subsequently obtained her Juris Doctor Degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. While in law school, Balczon studied abroad at Cambridge University and served as an intern in Alabama State University’s Athletic Department. Prior to joining Cole, ...

Bradley V. Ritter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Bradley V., who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bradley V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian L. Duffy is a president of the firm and previously served as Chair of the firm’s 600-member Global Litigation Department from 2009-2013. He focuses his practice on trial and appellate work in the class action, employment, energy, commercial contract and product liability areas, serving as national, regional and local counsel in high-profile cases. Brian represents public and privately-held entities and their principals in complex business-related disputes arising from both interna...

Mike is a partner in the corporate practice group and served as the former Chair of the firm’s Policy Committee. His practice focuses on corporate governance, securities, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents several of the firm’s clients whose securities are traded publicly in corporate governance, securities law compliance and mergers and acquisitions. He has managed and led a variety of public equity and debt offerings for financial services and manufacturing companies. M...