Christof Swaak

Known both as a gifted leader and a consummate team player, Joe Cancila is a highly regarded, experienced, and tenacious litigator who has dedicated his career to defending clients in complex commercial class actions. He is a creative strategist, thorough investigator, and effective communicator—all qualities that make him a worthy adversary in and out of the courtroom. And as the leader of many practice teams, he has mastered the art of working collaboratively with co-counsel to best a...

Jay Minus practices in the areas of municipal law, commercial litigation and labor and employment. His practice focuses on all aspects of employment law in the defense of union issues, Title VII ADEA, ADA, FLSA, FMLA, OSHA and civil rights claims. Mr. Minus also specializes in personal injury claims involving wrongful death, products liability, industrial accidents, and fraud. As general counsel for two cities, he handles all aspects relating to city operations including public meetings, muni...

Scott A. Cole is an AV Preeminent® rated attorney who provides counseling and defense to firm clients in a wide variety of civil litigation matters at both the trial and appellate levels in all state and federal courts in Florida, and many courts outside Florida. For the past 15 years, Mr. Cole has been the supervising partner of the firm’s appellate and legal issue group. During that time, Mr. Cole has handled or supervised over 700 appeals. Mr. Cole has also participated in over 1...

Samuel W. Beavers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Samuel W., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samuel W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Valerie T. Herring is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law and Utilities Law. Valerie T., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Valerie T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

T. Joshua R. Archer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. T. Joshua R., 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 T. Joshua R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James “Jim” W. Bannister is a managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 1992 as a Phi Beta Kappa and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995. After which, Jim served for two years as a law clerk to U.S. Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong and has been with Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey since that time. Jim is a criminal defense trial lawyer known for handling complex felo...

JIM O'SULLIVAN represents closely-held businesses, including law firms and other service professionals. Serving as general counsel and primary contact for businesses and their owners, Jim focuses on the ongoing legal needs of these clients, as well as strategic planning for growth and ownership succession opportunities. Jim leverages his considerable planning, negotiation and contract drafting experience to counsel clients through key events such as business formation, joint ventures, mergers...

Dennis is a partner in the 100+-year-old law firm of Naman, Howell, Smith and Lee, PLLC. Dennis is chair of the firm’s Regulatory/Infrastructure and Government Relations Sections. His practice has primarily focused on work for telecommunications, utilities, litigation, and government relations. Dennis has successfully led multibillion dollar matters as well as represented clients and litigated cases across numerous jurisdictions. Additionally, Dennis was appointed to serve as Convention...

Chris Whitson’s practice covers the areas of corporate, commercial, sports and entertainment, financings, executive employment, and land use planning. His primary concentration lies in general corporate representation with an emphasis on financings, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactions. He has acted as corporate counsel to numerous small, medium and large companies in commercial spaces ranging from charter schools to investment banking to automotive parts. However, ...