J. Scot Kirkpatrick

Mark is the Chair of the firm's Financial Services & Products Group, focusing on the representation of banks and other financial institutions, as well as real estate investment vehicles, such as REITs. Mark assists these companies with private and public securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, underwritings, corporate formations and restructurings, recapitalizations, corporate governance and a host of related complex regulatory issues. In the current economic cycle, Mark has worke...

Abe J. Schear is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Abe J., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Abe J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patricia Griffith concentrates her practice on employment litigation, including individual and class action discrimination and harassment cases, employment contracts, wage/hour claims, and other employment-related actions. She tries cases in federal and state courts and before administrative agencies and arbitrators. Patricia has substantial jury and class certification experience. She is adept at mediating disputes, reducing the likelihood of protracted litigation, and serves as an arbitrato...

Nellie represents parties in the acquisition (owned or leased), financing, entitlement, development, re-development, operation and disposition of real property throughout North America, including projects involving corporate expansions, relocations and acquisitions, mixed-use developments and multi-family developments. She represents developers, investors, corporations, lenders and governmental entities with commercial real estate interests. Nellie has earned LEED Professional Accreditation, ...

Tim represents employers in state and federal court litigation involving employment discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other state and federal laws. Tim also regularly counsels and guides clients on employee relations issues, working with clients to develop strategies to deal with and resolve these issues. Tim also presents training sessions, including ...

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

Joseph W. Staley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Joseph W., 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 Joseph W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathryn Baldwin Hecker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kathryn Baldwin, 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 Kathryn Baldwin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Relentless. Skilled. Prepared. Tenacious. All of these words describe Robert’s work as a trial lawyer. He understands that painstaking preparation, careful analysis, and attention to detail win big cases. In an era when very few cases are decided in a courtroom, Robert takes pride in trying cases to a jury whenever and wherever defendants are unwilling to accept full responsibility for their wrongdoing. Robert’s skill and tenacity have been widely noted. He is board-certified as a...

Honors and Awards Best Lawyers in America: 2003 - 2026 Atlanta Magazine: Named one of the Top 50 Women Georgia Super Lawyers 2010 - 2014 Atlanta Magazine: Georgia Super Lawyers 2006 - 2026 Named a Fellow of the College of Workers' Compensation Lawyers - 2020 - 2026 AV rated Seminars and Publications ATLANTA MEDICINE - JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTA 2016 VOL. 87, No. 5 ”Keys to Success in Treating Injured Workers: The Patient’s View” ___________________________...