M. Brandon Smith

John L. Gornall Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Economic Development Law. John L., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edwin J. Schklar is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Professional Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. Edwin J., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edwin J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clients dealing with distressed real estate loans and the disposition of commercial real estate turn to Eric Berardi for strategic counsel and guidance. Eric represents financial institutions, debt funds, and loan servicers in the acquisition, modification, and resolution of distressed commercial real estate loans, including the pursuit of foreclosure, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, and receivership remedies. Eric also represents a variety of companies on the disposition of hotel, office, retai...

John Hickman is head of the firm’s Health Benefits Practice, where he leads several attorneys devoted exclusively to health care reform issues under the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA privacy, health savings accounts (HSAs) and consumer-directed health care, flexible benefit plans and related health benefit issues. Mr. Hickman has worked closely with health plans, financial institutions and employers, as well as the IRS, Treasury and DOL, in addressing health benefit issues. Mr. Hickman has...

Joseph C. Staak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law. Joseph C., 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 Joseph C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David O'Neal is a former federal prosecutor, who defends companies and individuals in high-stakes federal investigations, False Claims Act litigation against the government and whistleblowers, and complex civil litigation. He is one of the few defense attorneys in the nation that has prosecuted criminal fraud cases and pursued civil False Claims Act investigations and litigation on behalf of the United States. He also has deep experience related to enforcement under the Controlled Substances ...

Darryl Scott Laddin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Darryl Scott, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Darryl Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nick Moriatakis is a native Atlantan and has lived in Atlanta all his life. He attended public schools in DeKalb County and then worked his way through Emory College and Emory Law School. He is the first in his extended family to have graduated college. Nick was fortunate enough during college and law school to earn internships allowing him to work in the Department of Natural Resources during Jimmy Carter’s governorship and then in the United States Congress in 1975. His exposure to th...

Kristy McAlister Brown is co-chair of the firm's Litigation & Trial Practice Group and leads the firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Litigation Practice Team. Ms. Brown focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on class actions and privacy and cyber litigation. She has defended putative class actions across the country and has a strong track record of defeating class certification—both at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Brown is an experienced pr...

Richard Hays is the Managing Partner of Alston & Bird. Since 2008, he has led the strategic direction of the firm and played a key role in its growth and performance. Mr. Hays also chairs the firm’s Administrative Committee. The firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Dallas, Charlotte, Silicon Valley, Research Triangle and Brussels. Prior to his election as the Managing Partner, Mr. Hays served as the firm’s Financial Partner and also headed the ...