John C. Yates

Brad Adler is the Practice Group Leader over FMG’s national Labor & Employment Practice Section and also serves on the Firm’s Executive Committee. Mr. Adler is a nationally recognized labor and employment lawyer that has represented employers in a diverse range of labor and employment matters in more than 26 states across the U.S. His labor and employment practice fully encompasses the issues that employers may face in managing and interacting with employees, including employm...

Wayne Melnick is a Partner and Vice-Chair of the firm’s Government Law practice section. He also is a member of the firm’s Tort and Catastrophic Loss practice section where he is Vice-Chair of FMG’s Transportation practice team. Mr. Melnick is an accomplished trial attorney and has tried over 50 jury trials to verdict in cases throughout the country. For every year since 2013, Mr. Melnick has been named a "Georgia Super Lawyer" in the areas of civil law defense and prior to ...

George C. Creal, Jr., P.C. is a law firm concentrating in DUI Defense and Personal Injury and Work Injury Prosecution. We have represented thousands of individuals arrested for DUI, secured over 100 not guilty jury verdicts for our clients and secured millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for those injured at work and through the negligence of others. As reflected in his client reviews across the internet, his dedication to customer service and the well-being of his clients are sec...

Kurt Peterson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kurt, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kurt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joyce Mocek is a Partner and practices in the Labor and Employment and Business Liability and Insurance National Practice Sections at Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP. Ms. Mocek is a nationally recognized litigation lawyer that has represented companies across the United States in a diverse range of labor and employment matters. Her areas of expertise focus on advising and representing major employers, insurers, manufacturers, hospitality companies, and health care providers, with particular st...

Duane Cochenour is a litigator specializing in medical malpractice claims, negligent security cases, and insurance coverage. He has a unique perspective, with 20 years of experience as an insurance claim professional prior to becoming a lawyer. He knows exactly what it is like to be an adjuster, supervisor, regional claim manager, and major case negotiator because he has worked in each of those positions. He draws on over 30 years of experience in the insurance and legal industry to defend an...

David Darden is a client-oriented attorney with two primary areas of emphasis: advocating for healthcare providers in the regulatory process and advising both healthcare and other clients during technology contract negotiations. David’s extensive historical litigation experience helps him provide his clients with a uniquely valuable perspective in these processes. On the healthcare side, David's practice centers on representing hospitals and other providers in Georgia's certificate of n...

Bill Shaughnessy is a partner on the Construction Team. He focuses exclusively on helping clients in all stages of construction projects, including contract review and negotiation, dispute avoidance and resolution, and litigation and arbitration. Bill’s legal practice focuses on helping clients navigate complex construction projects from beginning to end, throughout the United States and internationally. He represents owners, developers, general contractors, design/build firms, and larg...

George Abney offers his clients confident guidance through civil and criminal tax controversy matters. He honed his skills as a federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice, where he was recognized by former Attorney General John Ashcroft as a Tax Division Outstanding Attorney. George is a partner on the firm’s Tax Controversy Team, whose practice focuses on civil and criminal tax controversy matters. George has significant trial and appellate experience gained from years as a feder...

William L. Baggett, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. William L., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.