Mark D. Collins

Luke W. Mette is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Luke W., who practices law in Lewes, Delaware, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Luke W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shawn Tucker is an accomplished and well-respected real-estate attorney who has successfully quarterbacked some of Delaware’s largest development projects – from negotiating complex purchase agreements to obtaining final land use approvals in short order. In fact, Shawn’s unique background makes him a natural choice for developers and business leaders looking to expand in Delaware. Prior to entering private practice, Shawn served as New Castle County’s First Assistant ...

Brett M. McCartney is chairman of the Board of Directors of Bayard and a director in the firm's litigation group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate governance and complex commercial litigation, stockholder litigation, fiduciary duties, alternative entity disputes, class action, and derivative litigation. Brett is also a member of Bayard’s Executive Committee. Brett represents stockholders, directors and officers in litigation in the Court of Chancery in a variety of...

Steven R. Director (Steve) is senior counsel at Bayard. Steve has over 40 years of experience in private practice in the areas of business transactions, tax, trust planning and administration (both personal and corporate), estate planning and administration, and business succession planning. Through a “hands-on” approach, Steve develops effective strategies and follow-through steps to assist his entity and individual clients form, acquire, and sell businesses, resolve significant ...

Ericka F. Johnson is the chair of the restructuring and reorganization practice at Bayard. She advises companies and creditors to maximize the value of assets/recoveries whether it is through an in-court or out-of-court financial restructuring or dissolution. Ericka also helps buyers navigate the purchase of distressed assets and directors and officers in understanding fiduciary duties in an insolvency setting. She is a top advocate with a diverse practice spanning a wide range of industries....

Kara M. Swasey is a director at Bayard. She concentrates her practice in the area of family law, including divorce, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship and protection from abuse. She provides litigation support to Bayard’s bankruptcy, corporate and commercial law practices. Kara also represents landlords in commercial and residential landlord-tenant matters in Justice of the Peace courts throughout the state of Delaware. Kara is a member of the Executive Committee of the Mels...

Laura Simon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Laura, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas McGonigle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Thomas, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cliff C. Gardner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Cliff C., who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Cliff C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Curtis P. Bounds is a director at Bayard and is the senior attorney in its Family Law Group. He has practiced law at Bayard since he graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990. Curtis is experienced in all areas of domestic relations law –adoption, alimony, child support, custody, dependency/neglect, divorce, equitable distribution of property, petitions for protection from abuse, prenuptial agreements, separation agreements, termination of parental rights and visit...