Laurie Speed

Gregory M. Gaylis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Gregory M. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Gregory M. Gaylis 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 Gregory M. Gaylis is held by other lawyers.

Ken Menendez is a Partner in the firm's Atlanta office. His experience is in complex commercial litigation, with concentrations in employment, financial and construction litigation. Ken has extensive experience with mediation, arbitration and other forms of alternative dispute resolution and serves as a certified arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. He has a Martindale-Hubbell rating of AV (highest rating), has been selected for inclusion in Georgia Super Lawyers every year si...

Leslie K. Eason is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Employment Law - Management. Leslie K. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Leslie K. Eason since 2021. 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 Leslie K. Eason is held by other lawyers.

David J. Forestner is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. David J. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized David J. Forestner since 2025. 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 David J. Forestner is held by other lawyers.

Duncan Douglass heads Alston & Bird’s payment systems practice and focuses on transactions, product development and regulatory issues related to retail and wholesale payment systems and products. Payment Card Services Mr. Douglass regularly counsels payment card issuers and service providers in regulatory compliance matters, in structuring card issuance programs, and in negotiating co-branding, program manager, issuer processor and sales/distribution agent agreements. He also advise...

Lee Clayton is a founding partner of Marsh Atkinson & Brantley. He defends clients in litigation related to catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, insurance coverage and bad faith claims, professional liability, appeals and commercial disputes. He handles large, complex cases defending claims on behalf of his clients, which include large national insurers, financial institutions and corporations, as well as individuals. Lee is regularly consulted on problematic fact patterns and...

Key players in the financial services industry, including banks, mortgage companies, and wealth management and investment advisory firms, rely on Chris to guide them through business combination and securities transactions, as well as ownership transition and succession planning transactions. His knowledge is also sought on corporate governance matters and new business formation and registration. Chris Frieden, former co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Financial Services & Products Gro...

Anthony D. Lehman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Anthony D. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Anthony D. Lehman since 2021. 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 Anthony D. Lehman is held by other lawyers.

Terrell W. “Chip” Benton III is a Partner in the Atlanta office of Hall Booth Smith, and he specializes in general liability, professional malpractice and ethics, professional negligence, and medical malpractice. His primary focus is representing physicians, hospitals, and other health care workers in medical malpractice lawsuits, and he has represented physicians before the State Composite Medical Board and the State Dental Board. He also has extensive experience in handling prem...

Craig Cleland defends employers in litigation—including in class actions—and counsels them on compliance and risk management. He is also Co-Chair of the Firm’s Class Action Practice Group. Craig has served on several Atlanta-area nonprofit boards, including as chair. He is currently on the Advisory Committee for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society as well as on the Board of the Atlanta Bar Labor and Employment Section. Craig is also named in Best Lawyers in America, Atlanta Magazi...