Kelly J. Koelker

Mr. Smith has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal ability and ethics for more than 20 years. He has been listed for the past 14 years as one of Georgia’s “Super Lawyers” by Atlanta Magazine in a peer-reviewed selection process utilized around the country as well as in its Corporate Counsel edition. He currently chairs the firm’s Professional Liability Practice Group and served as chair of the USLaw Professional Liability Practice Group from 200...

Adriana R. Midence is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Adriana R., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adriana R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian C. Ross, a South Carolina native, graduated from University of South Carolina Upstate with a degree in History and then went on to attend John Marshall Law School in Atlanta. While in law school, Brian was on the mock trial team and clerked for multiple private trial attorneys before interning at the Fulton County District Attorney’s office where he prosecuted felony crimes under the Third Year Practice Act. Brian stood out amongst his peers, often times volunteering for projects ...

Wes Achey is a member of Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Litigation Team. Wes’s practice includes all areas of intellectual property litigation and counseling, with a particular emphasis on patent litigation and enforcement. He has represented clients in patent infringement lawsuits in federal district courts across the United States, including cases involving telecommunications, computer software and various mechanical devices. He is a member of the Georgia Bar and is a...

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...

C. Knox Withers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. C. Knox, 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 C. Knox is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alycen A. Moss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Alycen A., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alycen A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Read's practice focuses upon representing employers in connection with lawsuits, charges, claims, arbitrations, grievances, and appeals filed by employees. He also proactively counsels and advises employers regarding various aspects of employment law (including non-competition and trade secret matters); assists employers in designing and implementing personnel policies and procedures, employee handbooks, employment agreements (including non-competition agreements), and employment dispute reso...

Grace Blood focuses her practice on representing healthcare clients in civil and administrative litigation, with particular experience in payor-provider disputes, arbitration and mediation, and judicial appeals. Grace also advises providers on various regulatory and compliance issues, including fraud and abuse, EMTALA, and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. In helping clients navigate a highly regulated industry, Grace combines exceptional writing and analysis with a “leave no stone untur...

With a background in mechanical engineering and industry experience with aerospace systems integration projects, Chris Lightner practices in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property – Mechanical Patents Team. Chris focuses his practice on patent solicitation and counseling, as well as on IP-driven due diligence efforts, licensing agreements, confidentiality considerations, and patent brokerage agreements. Chris prepares and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patent applications for wide...