Kellee A. Padgett

Lavern was named FordHarrison's first Talent and Recruiting Partner in 2018. In this new role, Lavern is responsible for recruiting and developing lawyers firm-wide. She will oversee the hiring and on-boarding of new lawyers, manage utilization and workflow, and design and implement talent development initiatives to support the career growth of our lawyers. Lavern concentrates her practice on defending employers in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, whistle-blower, retaliation, employ...

Billy is a “think-outside-the-box” attorney whose creative approach and hard work have resulted in beat-the-odds wins for his clients. A powerful combination of drive, resourcefulness, and intelligence is the hallmark of Billy’s work. He is one of the few attorneys at the firm that devotes equal time to both personal injury and business cases , and this diversity in his practice forms the foundation of his unique and focused approach to his clients' problems. Billy enjoys ha...

Doug Arnold is Co-Chair of the firm’s Environment, Land Use & Natural Resources Group. He has over 20 years of experience representing clients in environmental litigation, enforcement, and compliance matters. Doug also has client relationship responsibility for Electrolux North America, as well as for the firm’s environmental work for United Parcel Service, Inc. Doug is listed in Chambers USA , The Best Lawyers in America , and The International Who's Who of Environmental Lawy...

Brian has specialized in fiduciary litigation for over 20 years, representing individuals and corporate fiduciaries involved in disputes concerning estates, trusts, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and partnerships. Brian practices in Probate, State, and Federal Courts throughout the state of Georgia and has served as lead counsel in over 25 successful jury trials and hundreds of hearings. Brian’s representation includes personally advising clients through all phases of litigatio...

James J. McGinnis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. James J., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian Gardner is a shareholder at Asbury Law Firm, Tax Counsel. Mr. Gardner concentrates his practice on civil and criminal tax controversy and tax litigation, serving clients in Georgia and nationwide. Mr. Gardner has experience with a wide variety of complex issues in tax issues, including, among other things, defense of conservation easements, estate taxes, international tax issues, promoter penalties, net operating losses, passive activity losses, employment taxes, and captive insurance. ...

Glenn P. Hendrix is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Elder Law, Health Care Law and International Arbitration - Commercial. Glenn P., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Glenn P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael W. Tyler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Michael W., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen Reams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Stephen, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William Underwood is a partner on the Construction Team and head of the firm’s Atlanta office. He focuses on construction litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and contract drafting, review, and negotiation. William represents a broad array of domestic and international clients, including owners, general contractors, and design-build contractors, with issues related to large industrial and infrastructure construction projects located in the United States and abroad. He has represe...