Joy D. Hoover

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Garner represents financial institutions, investors and borrowers in a wide range of financing transactions, including syndicated, club and bilateral credit facilities. Lizzie has sharpened her skills as a finance attorney in law firms and while serving as internal legal counsel for a large regional bank. In-house practice has allowed Lizzie to develop a unique insider’s perspective. Having been a law firm client herself, she better understands the needs and priorities of ...

Philip G. “Phil” Skinner is a partner in the Real Estate Practice area and leads the Leasing Practice and Cross-Border Practice. Mr. Skinner focuses his practice on the representation of owners, developers, investors, landlords and tenants in the acquisition, joint venture, development, financing and leasing of all types of commercial real estate, with a particular focus on office leasing, joint venture formation, representation of foreign investors, cross-border transactions, dis...

Mike Stevens is a partner in the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group. He focuses on executive compensation matters, with a particular emphasis on tax, securities and corporate governance issues relating to stock plans, incentive compensation arrangements, executive employment agreements and deferred compensation. Mr. Stevens frequently advises clients with respect to executive compensation issues relating to mergers and acquisitions and other corporate transactio...

Being a lawyer isn’t about flash and glory. Winning a case for your client takes work, focus, and discipline. The made-for-TV moments are few and far between. Winning your client’s case means doing the little things right, from the first time you shake your client’s hand until you hand them a check. Winning doesn’t depend on a single moment of creative brilliance – it isn’t that easy. Winning means grinding it out. Winning means digging deep into the facts ...

Cari Dawson is a creative problem solver, legal strategist and committed advocate. She chairs the Class Action Practice Team and has an established track record of successfully defending Fortune 500 companies as lead counsel in high-profile litigation nationwide. Cari has defended hundreds of class actions across an array of industries and regularly assists clients in commercial litigation, strategic counseling and crisis management. In 2015, Cari was named one of the country’s “M...

William J. Ching is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. William J., 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 William J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Erin R. Hines is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Erin R., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David A. Kelly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. David A., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura DeMartini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Laura, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ashley Brightwell is a partner in Alston & Bird's Labor & Employment Group. Ashley has extensive experience representing management in all areas of employment law, including litigating discrimination and harassment suits, counseling employers on their obligations under various federal and state statutes (such as the Family and Medical Leave Act) and litigating class-action cases alleging violations of the wage and hour laws. Ashley's practice also has a safety and health component tha...