Ben Gaffikin

Carolyn E. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Carolyn E., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carolyn E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Practice Experience Jonathan is a leading global authority on international disputes and investment, as well as complex negotiations and crisis management. As head of Latin American arbitration, he has successfully advised on some of the most critical issues of the era in Latin America and beyond, such as the cultural patrimony of Machu Picchu, the new Ecuador international airport, the Argentine sovereign debt crisis, the development of the Peruvian energy sector and the Panama Canal expansi...

Elliot I. Kramer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Elliot I., who practices law in Madison, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Elliot I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Coats is the firm's co-managing partner and senior litigation partner. He has been recognized by and peer selected for each of the past 14 years for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ; Business North Carolina Magazine's Legal Elite ; and North Carolina Super Lawyers - and in a variety of areas including litigation, construction law, and insurance law. Since 1996, Martindale Hubbell has recognized David with its prestigious "AV" peer rating. In 2021 (as well as in 2019 and 2020), ...

Mike Hurst’s practice is concentrated in the area of intellectual property law. He has extensive experience in trademark prosecution, protection and portfolio management, copyright matters, domain names, brand management counseling, social media and Web 2.0 issues, as well as intellectual property licensing, both in the U.S. and internationally. Prior to joining Keating Muething & Klekamp, Mike served as Corporate Counsel-IP at Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Illinois. He serves as co-l...

Bud Ehrlich practices in all areas of intellectual property law, including patent, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. His emphasis is on worldwide patent protection, intellectual property portfolio development and management, patent infringement and validity opinions, technology commercialization and licensing, and litigation support. Bud represents a variety of intellectual property owners, including individual inventors, startups, manufacturers, privately held companies, and internat...

Andrew Pappas is a nimble advocate and trusted counselor whose practice focuses on appeals, complex commercial disputes, and governmental and regulatory matters. Before joining Osborn Maledon, Andrew served as general counsel of the Arizona House of Representatives, where he was the principal legal advisor to the Speaker and members of the majority caucus. In that capacity, Andrew provided legal, policy, and strategic advice on a vast range of issues, with a particular focus on elections, red...

Mary L. Kevlin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Mary L., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As the managing partner of the Atlanta office, Bert Brannen mentors attorneys in the Atlanta office and helps them serve the Firm’s clients. Bert advises employers on a wide variety of union-related matters and assists them with the administration, negotiation, mediation and arbitration of collective bargaining agreements. He also counsels employers who want to remain union-free with training, preventive strategies and counter-organizing educational campaigns. Bert helps employers avoid...

R. Michael Shickich is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. R. Michael, who practices law in Casper, Wyoming, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.