Ballard J. Yelton

Jonathan P. Hayes is a nationally recognized Atlanta personal injury trial attorney and managing partner of Goldstein Hayes Trial Lawyers. Honored by Best Lawyers since 2017 for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, he is widely regarded as a leading trial lawyer in Georgia for high-value, complex cases. Jonathan focuses on catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with an emphasis on truck accidents , commercial trucking c...

Stephen “Steve” M. Schatz is a skilled litigator with more than 30 years of experience handling an array of litigation matters that include first- and third-party coverage, construction defects, arson and fraud, bad faith, environmental law, property insurance disputes, products liability, toxic torts and general liability defense. Throughout his career, Steve has handled a multitude of complex coverage issues under commercial general liability, excess and umbrella, reinsurance, a...

Marc H. Bardack is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Transportation Law. Marc H., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Marc H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

R. Briggs Peery is a partner with Swift Currie who has more than 32 years of experience representing clients in workers’ compensation and general litigation matters. Briggs handles both minor and complex matters for an array of clients from small, family-owned businesses to global companies in the automotive, textile, staffing, cable, food service and insurance industries. Briggs has a track record of success and prides himself on being organized, efficient, knowledgeable on the law and...

Eric R. Magnus is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Eric R., 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 Eric R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer West guides developers and institutional investors in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions across the United States. She focuses on identifying practical solutions that move transactions forward while also keeping her client’s best interest in mind to facilitate building multiyear, multideal relationships with her clients. A partner in Alston & Bird’s Real Estate Group, Jennifer guides transactions including acquisitions, financings, leases, and disposit...

Ken Pollock is a public finance attorney with over 25 years of experience in public finance transactions. He regularly serves as bond counsel, as disclosure counsel, and as counsel to underwriters, issuers, borrowers, trustees, banks, and credit enhancers in tax-exempt and taxable financings for governmental and private entities.

Todd C. Duffield is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Todd C., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kara Gordon Silverman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Kara Gordon, 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 Kara Gordon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard Hays is the Managing Partner of Alston & Bird. Since 2008, he has led the strategic direction of the firm and played a key role in its growth and performance. Mr. Hays also chairs the firm’s Administrative Committee. The firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Silicon Valley, Research Triangle and Brussels. Prior to his election as the Managing Partner, Mr. Hays served as the firm’s Financial Partner and also headed the ...