Jo Appleyard

John Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. John, who practices law in Little Rock, Arkansas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard A. Chajson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Howard A., who practices law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Howard A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Fred is a member of the Estate Planning Practice Group. He has been assisting his clients with their estate planning needs since he first began his practice, and he has during that time handled a wide variety of estate settlements and estate settlement issues. His particular focus is on counseling clients on techniques to minimize estate and gift taxes, and drafting the documents to accomplish that objective. Fred is also a trusted personal advisor to many of the families he has worked with o...

Pablo D. Hendler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Patent and Patent Law. Pablo D., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Pablo D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Derick W. Betts, Jr. is a member of Seward & Kissel’s Corporate Finance and Tax Groups. Derick has practiced law since 1970. Derick specializes in international corporate law, limited liability company, tax and ship finance matters principally related to mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and joint venture shipping transactions. He has particular expertise in taxation of the shipping industry, specifically the U.S. taxation of foreign shipping and joint venture shipping trans...

Elizabeth is a partner in the private client and tax team at Withers Bergman LLP. She focuses her efforts on estate planning, planned giving and tax-exempt organizations. Elizabeth represents clients in matters related to family wealth transfers for large estates, sophisticated estate and gift tax saving techniques, charitable planned giving, and complex probate and trust administrations. She also regularly represents tax-exempt organizations in formation, organizational and operational issue...

Justin Bernstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Justin, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Alexander served as the managing partner of Murphy Austin from 2012 to 2024. Scott practices business and commercial litigation throughout all California state and federal courts, with a primary emphasis in construction and real estate litigation, public contracts and complex contract disputes. Scott routinely represents public entities, private owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and architects and engineers on a broad array of issues within the construction industry, includin...

Mel M. Cole is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Mel M., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mel M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With a past as a securities regulator in the New Hampshire Bureau of Securities Regulation, Joel has deep expertise in the federal and state securities laws—and the practical insight it takes to navigate today’s financial markets successfully. Whether you’re an operating company seeking early stage or later round financing, Joel will help you structure capital-raising transactions and prepare disclosure documents that have every “i” dotted and every “t&rdqu...