Christina B. Vavala

Cliff C. Gardner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Cliff C., who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cliff C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven R. Director (Steve) is senior counsel at Bayard. Steve has over 40 years of experience in private practice in the areas of business transactions, tax, trust planning and administration (both personal and corporate), estate planning and administration, and business succession planning. Through a “hands-on” approach, Steve develops effective strategies and follow-through steps to assist his entity and individual clients form, acquire, and sell businesses, resolve significant ...

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

Stephen B. Brauerman (Steve) is a director at Bayard and member of the firm’s litigation group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate, commercial and intellectual property litigation in Delaware’s state and federal Courts. He has litigated a wide array of cases involving fiduciary duty claims, corporate and alternative entity control disputes, advancement/ indemnification, breach of contract, antitrust, securities, patent infringement, copyright infringement, and ...

Michele brings extensive experience to her practice which has resulted in recognitions and honors including being named by her peers in Delaware Today Magazine as a Top Lawyer in the area of Labor & Employment Law.While with Wier & Allen, P.A., Michele contributed to the firm being recognized by U.S. News and World Report with a Best Law Firm designation in the area of Employment and Labor Law. Michele was also recently honored by being selected by Speaker Pete Schwartzkopft to be a m...

John W. Paradee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. John W., who practices law in Dover, Delaware, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Mark is a member of the firm, practicing in the Bankruptcy, Insolvency, & Restructuring Practice Group. He is the managing partner of the Wilmington office and co-chair of his practice group. Mark has a broad commercial practice, focusing in the areas of Chapter 11 reorganization and general insolvency law. He has represented all constituencies in corporate restructurings both in and out of Chapter 11, including debtors, unsecured creditors' committees, plan trustees, secured creditors, t...

Ericka F. Johnson is the chair of the restructuring and reorganization practice at Bayard. She advises companies and creditors to maximize the value of assets/recoveries whether it is through an in-court or out-of-court financial restructuring or dissolution. Ericka also helps buyers navigate the purchase of distressed assets and directors and officers in understanding fiduciary duties in an insolvency setting. She is a top advocate with a diverse practice spanning a wide range of industries....

Heather A. Long is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Workers' Compensation Law - Claimants. Heather A., who practices law in Odessa, Delaware, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.