Layli Eskandari Deal

Ms. Thompson’s practice since 1996 has been focused principally in the areas of commercial real estate development, leasing, and finance with a concentration since 2009 in representing both regulated and non-regulated electric power companies in project development and finance matters. Her recent work has involved representing parties in the solar, wind, and nuclear energy industries in the acquisition, development, financing and sale of various energy projects. Overall, Ms. Thompson ha...

Renae Bailey Wainwright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Patent Law. Renae Bailey, 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 Renae Bailey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joshua Weeks acts as a true resource for his clients, litigating patent cases nationwide in district courts and before the ITC. His deep knowledge of the USPTO post-grant proceedings enhances his ability to challenge or defend the validity of an issued patent before the PTAB. Joshua focuses his practice on the enforcement of intellectual property rights, including patents, trade secrets, and other forms of intellectual property. Joshua represents clients in disputes from inception through app...

Kristen M. Lewis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Kristen M., 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 Kristen M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

He takes the time to learn about the businesses he advises and tailor their employee relation strategies to promote a better workforce and a better workplace. For those clients with established union relationships, Mark has worked diligently to further his clients’ labor relations strategies, including successfully partnering with their union representatives. Clients appreciate the approach Mark takes in designing strategies that create internal response teams so that management and emp...

Heather Friedman focuses her practice on the resolution of complex environmental issues from a business and real estate perspective. Her practice includes both transactional and compliance work associated with the acquisition, development, disposition, management and financing of properties and companies with environmental issues throughout the country. Her practice involves both developed and underutilized environmentally impacted properties for use as industrial, retail, hotel, office, resi...

Of Counsel in the Healthcare and Food and Drug practice groups of Arnall Golden Gregory LLP. My practice focuses on regulatory and compliance issues, both in the proactive structuring of arrangements, policies, and procedures, and the reactive responding to government audits, investigations and litigation. I advise clients in the areas of federal and state healthcare regulatory compliance, compliance program audits, fraud and abuse issues, FDA regulatory compliance, Medicare and Medicaid cond...

Lucy’s litigation wins speak not only to big results – she has obtained over $300 million in verdicts, judgments, and settlements in the last ten years alone – but also to making things right. Lucy brings a compelling combination of intelligence, grit, sincerity, and compassion to the practice of law. A savvy and tough realist, Lucy understands that the most effective route to justice is through the courthouse. She works intelligently, thoroughly, and tirelessly to help thos...

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.

Sarah Ernst is chair of Alston & Bird’s Health Care Group, an interdisciplinary team of health care corporate, FDA, health policy, and health care compliance lawyers. Sarah focuses her practice on corporate transactions, and she represents public and private companies and private equity clients in complex mergers and acquisitions, carve-out transactions, securities offerings, restructurings, joint ventures, and spinoffs, with an emphasis in the health care industry. Sarah also couns...