Michael J. Ernst

As a pragmatic creditors’ rights and litigation partner, Brian Levy represents financial institutions, non-traditional lenders, mortgage servicers, secondary debt purchasers, and other creditors in out-of-court loan workouts and restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings, and related litigation. Brian regularly represents creditors in loan workouts, suits on notes and guarantees, enforcing rights under the Uniform Commercial Code and real estate foreclosure law, and post-judgment enforcemen...

Charles Ruffin, shareholder in the Firm's Atlanta and Macon offices, has amassed over 30 years a wide array of litigation experience. He currently concentrates his practice in eminent domain and condemnation law, representing landowners and business operators of all sizes in eminent domain, condemnation and inverse condemnation matters. Mr. Ruffin's clients include a wide variety of national and international businesses from large multinational corporations to small individually owned busines...

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

Allison S. Dyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Allison S., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Allison S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian has specialized in fiduciary litigation for over 20 years, representing individuals and corporate fiduciaries involved in disputes concerning estates, trusts, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, and partnerships. Brian practices in Probate, State, and Federal Courts throughout the state of Georgia and has served as lead counsel in over 25 successful jury trials and hundreds of hearings. Brian’s representation includes personally advising clients through all phases of litigatio...

Harris helps clients solve the complex problems that arise in bankruptcy and out-of-court restructuring cases. He works with his clients to explore the range of options available to them and develop and execute a practical plan of action. Harris represents public and private companies, financial institutions, boards of directors, creditors, and other parties in all aspects of corporate restructurings, including workouts, bankruptcies, corporate governance matters, distressed asset sales and i...

Mr. Watson is chair of the Bankruptcy Group. His practice focuses on representing secured lenders in pre-bankruptcy workouts and Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. In addition, Mr. Watson represents several national franchisors in bankruptcy cases of franchisees and is a frequent lecturer on a variety of bankruptcy related topics. He is licensed to practice in Georgia and New York and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute. Mr. Watson is listed in Chamber...

Harrison Roberts is the firm’s Managing Partner and a skilled finance attorney. He combines industry experience with business insight to create practical solutions for lenders and borrowers. He has worked with banks, credit syndicates, and institutional borrowers to negotiate, structure, and close secured lending transactions across a wide variety of industries. He also frequently helps financial institutions develop loan programs to enter new markets and reach new customers. With two d...

Grace Blood focuses her practice on representing healthcare clients in civil and administrative litigation, with particular experience in payor-provider disputes, arbitration and mediation, and judicial appeals. Grace also advises providers on various regulatory and compliance issues, including fraud and abuse, EMTALA, and Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement. In helping clients navigate a highly regulated industry, Grace combines exceptional writing and analysis with a “leave no stone untur...

John Spangler is a former co-chair of the firm’s Construction & Government Contracts Group and has over 25 years of experience handling construction disputes and negotiating and drafting design and construction contracts. John’s practice focuses on representing owners, contractors and design professionals in construction disputes, including jury trials, arbitrations and mediations. John has defended and prosecuted all types of construction-related claims, including delay, inte...