David L. Pardue

Mr. Deering has extensive experience representing employers in successfully avoiding and defending a broad range of employment-related claims. His focus areas include employment discrimination, wrongful discharge, retaliation and harassment, whistleblower issues, restrictive covenants, wage-hour matters (including class and collective actions) and workplace safety. Mr. Deering has litigated such matters throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.In addition, Mr. De...

After graduating from Emory Law School, Frank worked as an Associate General Counsel for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in Washington, DC. In 1978, Frank returned to Atlanta to become a trial attorney with the NLRB, after which he was a Partner in the law firm of Shuster, King & King, representing unions and employees. Frank joined Constangy in 1992 and became a Managing Member in 1994. Frank currently co-chairs our Litigation Section in Atlanta.

Charles Ruffin, shareholder in the Firm's Atlanta and Macon offices, has amassed over 30 years a wide array of litigation experience. He currently concentrates his practice in eminent domain and condemnation law, representing landowners and business operators of all sizes in eminent domain, condemnation and inverse condemnation matters. Mr. Ruffin's clients include a wide variety of national and international businesses from large multinational corporations to small individually owned busines...

Craig Smith serves as counsel to the full spectrum of healthcare and life sciences organizations with a focus on transactional and business matters including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals and joint ventures. Craig frequently works with hospitals and health systems, physician groups, practice management companies, accountable care organizations (ACOs), ambulatory service centers (ASCs) and other providers to navigate the complex financial and regulatory issues that arise when ...

Max Zygmont has a broad-based litigation, enforcement defense, and compliance counseling practice. He combines strength in core environmental programs with a firm grasp of emerging environmental issues. Max routinely advises clients regarding the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and Superfund. Max's work in these areas has taken place at both the state and federal levels and in all contexts, from transactions and permi...

Joe All focuses his practice on commercial real estate development, investment and leasing.

Matthew B. Ames is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Matthew B., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nneka is a Partner in our Atlanta office, and she concentrates her practice on business litigation, general liability, professional malpractice, and ethics. She joined Hall Booth Smith after five years at another firm in Atlanta, where she was the lead associate in insurance defense litigation and developed case strategy, managed discovery, conducted dispositions, drafted dispositive motions and pleadings, and presented oral arguments at motion hearings. Earlier in her career, Nneka was a leg...

Zahra focuses her practice on whistleblower cases (False Claims Act/qui tam), white collar criminal defense, corporate internal investigations, and complex civil litigation. For 8 years, Zahra served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. As a veteran and former state Senator, she has extensive experience dealing with the government. Due to her experience and expertise, Zahra has been called upon numerous times to be a legal analyst in high profile cases. Zahra ha...

Michael W. Tyler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Michael W., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.