Joe D. Whitley

More than ever, companies face a constant evolution of health and welfare regulations for their employee benefit plans. Amy Heppner’s Fortune 500 clients rely on her experience and sound guidance on remaining compliant. Counsel in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group, Amy provides practical guidance to clients on how to comply with the myriad federal and state laws that impact employer-sponsored health and welfare benefit plans.

Nichole Hair is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Nichole practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Nichole Hair since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Nichole Hair is held by other lawyers.

A problem solver who puts her clients' needs first, Lindsay pulls from her background in journalism to identify creative solutions and get to the root of IP disputes effectively for clients. She focuses her practice on intellectual property litigation and counseling and has experience with matters involving licensing and F/RAND obligations.

Rebecca Merrill is a health care regulatory and operations attorney at Hall Render who advises providers, suppliers, health systems, research institutions and life sciences organizations on complex compliance, enforcement and business matters. She partners closely with legal, compliance, and operational teams, as well as senior leadership and boards, to navigate evolving regulatory requirements, manage enterprise risk and support strategic initiatives. She brings a practical, detail-oriented ...

Elizabeth Lindsey is a shareholder practicing in the Domestic Relations and Family Law section. Her practice is devoted to the representation of clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, custody, child support, pre-nuptial agreements, alimony, legitimation, and paternity.Elizabeth is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers. She is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, for which she serves on the Board of Governors. She is Chair of the Georgia Cha...

Shelly Jacobs Ellerhorst practices environmental law with an emphasis in complex water and hazardous waste related regulatory, enforcement, and litigation issues . Shelly is counsel to the State of Georgia in what is commonly referred to as the “Water Wars,” including litigation, interstate negotiations, and regulatory matters related to the disputes among Georgia, Alabama, Florida, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Her preeminence in the environmental litigation field is reco...

Kimberley Hale regularly advises industrial clients, developers, and local governments on state and federal environmental compliance , permitting and enforcement matters. Utilizing her environmental engineering background, Kimberley has a particular expertise with regard to solid waste management and stormwater compliance. Kimberley serves as outside counsel for various national lenders and real estate investment firms, aiding in the risk assessment of potential environmental impacts on real ...

Virginia L. Carron is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law and Trademark Law. Virginia L. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Virginia L. Carron since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Virginia L. Carron is held by other ...

Chesley S. McLeod is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. Chesley S. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Chesley S. McLeod since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Chesley S. McLeod is held by other lawyers.

John J. Dyer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. John J. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized John J. Dyer since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John J. Dyer is held by other lawyers.