Ellen S. Smith

Maren Cave is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Maren, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Maren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John J. Dyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. John J., 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 John J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Drew Phillips is a commercial litigator whose practice focuses on defending clients in class actions and multidistrict litigation. His Fortune 500 clients come to him for defense and counsel on a wide range of issues, from product recalls in the food and beverage and manufacturing industries to putative class action litigation in a variety of contexts. Drew has extensive courtroom experience, ranging from dispositive motions hearings, class certification hearings, bench trials, and lengthy pr...

Chad V. Theriot is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and a member of the firm’s board of directors. He focuses on major public and commercial construction and infrastructure projects. Chad advises domestic and international clients across a broad spectrum of construction, contracting, and procurement activities. He represents owners, commercial and government contractors, major subcontractors, and original equipment manufacturers in construction litigation and construction clai...

David A. Kelly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. David A., 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 David A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa Cassilly is the leader of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group and concentrates on the representation of management interests with a special emphasis on litigated matters. She has defended against all types of employment claims in administrative proceedings, arbitrations and in trial and appellate courts throughout the country. Lisa has extensive experience conducting internal investigations and audits, handling SOX and other whistleblower claims and prosecuting and defending ac...

Carla F. Stern is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Carla F., 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 Carla F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew M. Brohm is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Health Care Law. Matthew M., 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 Matthew M. 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...

Mitchell G. Stockwell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Mitchell G., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mitchell G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.