Jessica Stern

Richard Watts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Richard, 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 Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Janine Brown is an M&A and corporate partner who serves as partner-in-charge of the firm’s Atlanta office. She works with companies in a variety of sectors, including technology, media, telecommunications, renewable energy and manufacturing, and has been involved in a wide variety of domestic and international transactions, including capital raising transactions, corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, information technology transactions, joint ventures/strategic all...

As an experienced litigator, Michelle counsels corporate and individual clients regarding risk management and pre-suit strategy, in addition to providing representation at all phases of litigation in state and federal court, from commencement through appeal. Michelle represents clients in consumer and commercial arbitration proceedings. Michelle’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation, primarily in the areas of product and premises liability, insurance claims and coverage matters...

Liz Buckley represents banks and other financial institutions in single-lender and syndicated commercial debt financing transactions. Liz represents banks and other financial institutions in single-lender and syndicated commercial debt financing transactions, such as revolving and term loan credit facilities, and advises clients regarding structuring of financing transactions.

Wade's certification in health care compliance gives her a practical advantage in helping clients to navigate the complex terrain of health care law. She often conducts internal investigations on behalf of industry clients and defends them against government investigations, whistleblower actions, and False Claims Act suits. Wade represents a broad array of health care clients including health plans, hospital systems, medical device manufacturers, post-acute providers, physician practices, and...

William M. Joseph is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. William M., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jake Kaplan develops tax minimization strategies for families and tax-exempt organizations. Individuals come to Jake for estate and tax planning, while organizations seek Jake’s counsel on tax, governance, regulatory, and New Markets Tax Credit issues. Jake is a partner with Alston & Bird’s Federal & International Tax Group and co-leads the firm’s Tax Credit Transactions Team. He focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, exempt organizations, and New Mark...

Duncan Douglass heads Alston & Bird’s payment systems practice and focuses on transactions, product development and regulatory issues related to retail and wholesale payment systems and products. Payment Card Services Mr. Douglass regularly counsels payment card issuers and service providers in regulatory compliance matters, in structuring card issuance programs, and in negotiating co-branding, program manager, issuer processor and sales/distribution agent agreements. He also advise...

R. Briggs Peery is a partner with Swift Currie who has more than 32 years of experience representing clients in workers’ compensation and general litigation matters. Briggs handles both minor and complex matters for an array of clients from small, family-owned businesses to global companies in the automotive, textile, staffing, cable, food service and insurance industries. Briggs has a track record of success and prides himself on being organized, efficient, knowledgeable on the law and...

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