Margaret Simpson

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...

David R. Yates is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. David R., 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 David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Barbara Kihumba is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Barbara, 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 Barbara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kirk Johnston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Kirk, 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 Kirk is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Krugler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. David, 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 David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

I am a former federal prosecutor and a co-founder of Chaiken Ghali LLP, a national boutique white collar litigation and government investigations law firm. The firm represents companies and individuals in white collar criminal matters, grand jury investigations, government investigations and enforcement actions, internal investigations, corporate compliance program counseling, and complex civil litigation in state and federal courts. We have significant experience with matters involving secur...

Elissa B. Haynes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Elissa B., 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 Elissa B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James Robson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. James, 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 James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew B. Ames is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Trademark Law. Matthew B., 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 Matthew B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris Mangum is the head of the Global Services Committee, which oversees the international practice of Alston & Bird. He concentrates his practice on acquisitions, joint ventures and international business transactions, both outbound and inbound. On behalf of U.S., European and Latin American investors, Mr. Mangum handles acquisitions and joint ventures in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia...