Michael J. Ernst

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 ...

Tamara Serwer Caldas heads the firm's Pro Bono Program and leads the firm’s attorneys in providing pro bono legal services to low-income clients, community groups and nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Caldas served as Deputy Director of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) since 2011. She worked with AVLF in a number of capacities since joining in September 2005, including serving as Managing Attorney since 2007. At AVLF, she developed civil pro bono pro...

Dan Douglass is an attorney in the Atlanta office of Stites where he practices in the areas of construction law, business litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He has been a member of the Georgia Bar for more than 35 years and is admitted to practice in all Georgia courts and numerous federal courts. He is a member of construction and ADR sections of the American, Georgia and Atlanta Bar Associations, and a past president of the Atlanta Bar Construction Law Section. He has been an ac...

Jonathan P. Hayes is a nationally recognized Atlanta personal injury trial attorney and managing partner of Goldstein Hayes Trial Lawyers. Honored by Best Lawyers since 2017 for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs, he is widely regarded as a leading trial lawyer in Georgia for high-value, complex cases. Jonathan focuses on catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with an emphasis on truck accidents , commercial trucking c...

Edgar B. Callaway is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Edgar 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 Edgar B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William “Bill” T. Casey, Jr., is a Swift Currie partner with over 35 years of experience defending serious injury cases. He primarily works with large insurance companies and national retailers — many of which he has nurtured long-term relationships spanning decades — on claims related to premises liability, construction defect, transportation and automobile accidents and products liability. Bill has tried more than 100 cases to verdict, many of which involved wrongful...

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Garner represents financial institutions, investors and borrowers in a wide range of financing transactions, including syndicated, club and bilateral credit facilities. Lizzie has sharpened her skills as a finance attorney in law firms and while serving as internal legal counsel for a large regional bank. In-house practice has allowed Lizzie to develop a unique insider’s perspective. Having been a law firm client herself, she better understands the needs and priorities of ...

Kathleen Currey is an attorney with deep experience representing both financial institutions and borrowers in secured lending and restructuring matters. She has helped her clients structure, negotiate, and close numerous complex transactions. Kathleen's proactive and client-focused approach leads to excellent commercial outcomes in her deals. Kathleen's deal experience includes syndicated loan facilities, asset-based financings, lender finance transactions and debtor-in-possession financings ...

Ashley Gillihan is counsel in the Atlanta office and a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation and ERISA Litigation Groups. Ashley focuses his practice exclusively on health and welfare employee benefit compliance and litigation issues for employers, health plan administrators, and other health and welfare benefit plan service providers. He also has extensive experience assisting financial institutions and insurance companies who serve as Health Savings Accou...

Jonathan Golden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Jonathan, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.