Michael D. "Mike" Hobbs, Jr.

Dan Diffley serves as co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group. A courtroom veteran, he focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation, including class action defense, insurance matters, products liability, professional malpractice, and other commercial disputes. As lead trial counsel, he has extensive experience representing Fortune 500 companies at trial, arbitration, and every other facet of commercial litigation. In nearly 20 years of practice, he...

Mr. Smith has achieved Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for legal ability and ethics for more than 20 years. He has been listed for the past 14 years as one of Georgia’s “Super Lawyers” by Atlanta Magazine in a peer-reviewed selection process utilized around the country as well as in its Corporate Counsel edition. He currently chairs the firm’s Professional Liability Practice Group and served as chair of the USLaw Professional Liability Practice Group from 200...

Michaela Mericle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Michaela practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Michaela Mericle since 2024. 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 Michaela Mericle is held by other lawyers.

With a background in mechanical engineering and industry experience with aerospace systems integration projects, Chris Lightner practices in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property – Mechanical Patents Team. Chris focuses his practice on patent solicitation and counseling, as well as on IP-driven due diligence efforts, licensing agreements, confidentiality considerations, and patent brokerage agreements. Chris prepares and prosecutes U.S. and foreign patent applications for wide...

Alwyn R. Fredericks is a trial attorney with Cash, Krugler & Fredericks LLC in Atlanta, Georgia . His practice focuses on representing individuals and families harmed by negligence, with an emphasis on medical malpractice , personal injury litigation and product liability litigation on behalf of plaintiffs. Through his work, he helps clients pursue accountability from hospitals, manufacturers and other parties when preventable injuries cause lasting consequences. Mr. Fredericks is known f...

Duane Cochenour is a litigator specializing in medical malpractice claims, negligent security cases, and insurance coverage. He has a unique perspective, with 20 years of experience as an insurance claim professional prior to becoming a lawyer. He knows exactly what it is like to be an adjuster, supervisor, regional claim manager, and major case negotiator because he has worked in each of those positions. He draws on over 30 years of experience in the insurance and legal industry to defend an...

Joyce Gist Lewis is a skilled and tenacious advocate for private companies and governmental entities in and out of the courtroom. Joyce’s two decades of experience includes serving as lead counsel for claims involving professional liability, director and officer liability, business divorce, real estate litigation, employment discrimination defense, and catastrophic injury defense. Her appellate experience includes arguing cases before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and successful...

Lee B. Hart is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Lee B. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Lee B. Hart 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 Lee B. Hart is held by other lawyers.

Julie Bracker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Individuals and Qui Tam Law. Julie practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Julie Bracker 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 Julie Bracker is held by other lawyers.

Rick Horder has engaged in the practice of environmental law and litigation for nearly forty years. As an Assistant United States Attorney from 1974 to 1977, he represented the U.S. EPA in numerous water and NEPA cases. From 1978 to 1989, he was Regional Counsel, and later Associate General Counsel, for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, where he was responsible for all environmental and toxic tort compliance and litigation company-wide. In 1989, he joined Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, a large Atlanta l...