Christina B. Vavala

Thomas McGonigle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Thomas, 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 Thomas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William E. Chipman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. William E., who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tammy Mercer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law. Tammy, 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 Tammy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jonathan I. Lessner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Jonathan I., 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 Jonathan I. 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 ...

Neil B. Glassman is a member of the firm’s bankruptcy group. Neil focuses his practice on commercial transactions, bankruptcy and insolvency law, and insurance and entity law. He joined Bayard in 1986. Neil regularly represents debtors, official committees of unsecured creditors or equity holders, secured lenders, banks and insurance companies, financial institutions and publicly and privately held businesses in large bankruptcy cases and other insolvency proceedings including insurance...

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...

Nathan E. Barnett focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, corporate finance and securities, and Delaware corporate and alternative entity laws. He also advises boards of directors, special committees and equity holders on fiduciary duties and other corporate governance matters related to Delaware corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies and statutory trusts, including in connection with conflict transactions. He has experience ...

A lifelong Delaware resident with more than 25 years of experience practicing family law, Carl W. Heckert is a respected and long-time practitioner of divorce litigation and mediation. His family law practice includes divorce, property division, custody, child support, alimony, protection from abuse, as well as grandparent and stepparent’s rights. He is also a Certified Family Law Mediator in Delaware following the state’s inaugural certification program by the Family Court of the...

Timothy P. Cairns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Timothy P., who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.