Jie Tong

Mr. O ‘Neal is a shareholder in the firm. Mr. O’Neal has been with the firm since 2008. He is a certified specialist in the fields of both Taxation Law, and Estate Planning and Probate by The Supreme Court of South Carolina. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates Law. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Furman University, his Juris Doctor Degree from the University o...

Paul Varela counsels clients in contract planning, administration, and complex dispute resolution matters nationally and internationally in the engineering and construction industry. His broad range of legal experience includes government and private data centers, roads, bridges, tall buildings, nuclear and conventional power facilities, environmental remediation, biomedical centers, energy and chemical projects, airports, professional sports stadiums, pharmaceutical projects, mass transit, a...

As co-chair of the firm’s national consumer financial services practice , Chuck Washburn navigates the complex web of laws governing consumer financial services. Much of his work revolves around rules issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, created by the Dodd-Frank Act. In addition to proactively helping clients comply with laws, Chuck negotiates with CFPB staff attorneys and other representatives on behalf of clients who allegedly have violated compliance laws. He also int...

Karen Albence is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Karen, who practices law in San Diego, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Karen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Porteous' primary areas of practice are commercial real estate and mergers and acquisitions. He also practices in the areas of commercial lending, general corporate law, residential real estate, construction contracts, and tax-deferred exchanges. In the area of commercial real estate, he has represented both buyers and sellers of apartment complexes, office buildings, and hotels, and has represented both landlords and tenants in connection with commercial leases. He was editor-in-chief ...

Frank Barry is an experienced maritime and energy litigator with successes involving maritime property damage, marine insurance indemnity and coverage claims. Frank also has achieved successful outcomes in insurance broker E&O claims, and in oil and gas claims such as Legacy Oil, on shore blowouts, and operating agreement litigation. With over 30 years of experience, his reported cases include seminal Louisiana caselaw on gas balancing and preferential rights in mineral law (Fina Oil &...

G. Peter Nichols is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. G. Peter, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which G. Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven Backfisch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Steven, who practices law in New Providence, New Jersey, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul F. Novak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law. Paul F., who practices law in Detroit, Michigan, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven Connor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Steven, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.