David Marple

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...

Thomas G. Sampson II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Thomas G., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffrey H. Fisher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Technology Law. Jeffrey H., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For more than 20 years, Dawnmarie Matlock has advised health care clients on complex regulatory issues, including Stark Law and anti-kickback compliance. She also counsels clients facing government investigations and other enforcement actions to mitigate risks and help resolve active matters. She serves as Alston & Bird’s HIPAA privacy officer and counsels clients on HIPAA compliance and breach response. Dawnmarie is a partner in the Health Care Group and is the firm’s HIPAA P...

Guinevere M. Christmann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Guinevere M., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Guinevere M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jay Farris concentrates his practice on commercial real estate investment, joint ventures, borrower financing, development and leasing involving all major property types. He represents institutional investors (including REITs and pension funds), well-capitalized developers and corporate owners. Jay has extensive experience in representing developers and owners of industrial distribution facilities and mixed use developments. Jay is featured as one of the leading Georgia lawyers for real estat...

John F. Sacha is a Swift Currie partner who defends businesses in general litigation matters, with an emphasis on handling workers’ compensation claims. John has counseled clients through hundreds of mediations and hearings before Georgia’s State Board of Workers’ Compensation (SBWC) to provide efficient and favorable resolutions in matters ranging from minor workplace injuries to catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims. He represents not only insurance companies and t...

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

Roy E. Hadley, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice, Government Relations Practice and Privacy and Data Security Law. Roy E., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roy E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David A. Stockton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law and Securities Regulation. David A., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David A. is held by other to...