Charles E. "Charlie" Peeler

Lavern was named FordHarrison's first Talent and Recruiting Partner in 2018. In this new role, Lavern is responsible for recruiting and developing lawyers firm-wide. She will oversee the hiring and on-boarding of new lawyers, manage utilization and workflow, and design and implement talent development initiatives to support the career growth of our lawyers. Lavern concentrates her practice on defending employers in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, whistle-blower, retaliation, employ...

Tom Rebel is a partner who works in both the Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale offices. He has extensive experience in several industries, including education, healthcare, hospitality and automobile dealerships. He has been a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys for 30 years and co-chairs the firm’s Affirmative Action and Federal Contract Compliance Practice Group. He has assisted many companies in Title III access cases and advised clients on various complia...

Michael Egan is a Senior Member of the firm in the Atlanta office where he is a member of the Construction Service Group. His practice involves counseling owners, architects, sureties, construction product manufacturers, and builders on matters including design, finance, building, and fidelity and surety disputes. Michael is a member of the American Bar Association's Fidelity and Surety Committee on the Construction Industry. Recent News, Articles & Speaking Engagements Louisville law fir...

Nick Passarello is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Banking and Finance Law. Nick practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Nick Passarello since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Nick Passarello is held by other lawyers.

With more than a decade of experience focused on the construction of energy, manufacturing and commercial projects, Mike has the experience to guide owners and contractors through complex disputes. He is known for his work on troubled power projects involving high-dollar claims in courts and arbitration inside and outside the U.S. Mike Shanlever devotes his practice to stakeholders in complex capital projects, particularly in the energy, industrial and infrastructure sectors. Across the globe...

Representing companies in federal courts across the country and before the ITC, Federal Circuit and PTAB, Matthew enforces and defends his clients' IP rights, particularly patents, and in the chemical, biological and pharmaceutical industries. While Matthew has litigated a wide variety of technologies, he focuses on the chemical and biological arts, especially cases related to vaccines and pharmaceutical products. Matthew is also a member of the firm’s COVID-19 Response & Relief Tea...

Stephanie Friese Aron is involved in many different aspects of commercial real estate transactions, from acquisition of land, to leasing, construction, financing, and disposition. Her clients value high quality service and timeliness of delivery. Stephanie has also handled many types of real estate litigation and dispute resolution, including foreclosures, dispossessories (evictions), and federal enforcement actions. Stephanie's clients typically own, develop, and manage commercial office, re...

Tiffany D. Downs is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Employment Law - Management. Tiffany D. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Tiffany D. Downs since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Tiffany D. Downs is held by other lawyers.

Bill DuPré focuses his practice on returning money to its rightful owners. His pragmatic approach draws on over 30 years of experience in negotiating and, if necessary, litigating to get past opposing parties' unrealistic expectations and instead maximize the net recovery for his business clients. In addition to handling commercial loan workouts, bankruptcies and related litigation for one of the largest commercial banks in the world, Mr. DuPré has successfully represented corpo...

Michele Madison provides general legal advice to health systems on various regulatory and business matters. Michele has significant experience in managing legal issues arising in hospitals, physician offices or integrated health systems, including employment, investigations, risk management assessment and corporation management. She provides legal education for health systems’ medical staff, management teams and employees and often facilitates and manages implementation of compliance pl...