Michael J. Powell

Craig Smith serves as counsel to the full spectrum of healthcare and life sciences organizations with a focus on transactional and business matters including mergers and acquisitions, private equity deals and joint ventures. Craig frequently works with hospitals and health systems, physician groups, practice management companies, accountable care organizations (ACOs), ambulatory service centers (ASCs) and other providers to navigate the complex financial and regulatory issues that arise when ...

Dan Ennis is a lending attorney with a singular focus on closing lending transactions. He works with banks, finance companies, and other lenders to provide the secured debt necessary to power growing businesses across the U.S. and internationally. Dan’s energy and business-oriented approach creates the optimal environment for the success of his deals. Having a concentration in lending work, Dan helps his clients through transactions with a wide range of size and complexity. His deals in...

J. Grant Wilmer, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. J. Grant, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Grant is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rosemarie Thurston is a partner with the Financial Services & Products Group and leads Alston & Bird’s REITs & Real Estate Funds Team. Rosemarie also serves on the firm’s Management Committee. Rosemarie represents real estate companies, underwriters, real estate funds, and investment management firms in public securities offerings, private placements, mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, joint ventures, and ongoing securities law compliance. Rosemarie...

Will Sugden is partner with the Bankruptcy & Financial Restructuring Group at Alston & Bird. He represents debtors, bankruptcy trustees, creditors’ committees and other fiduciaries, as well as creditors and indenture trustees, in bankruptcy proceedings. Will has substantial experience advising parties on insolvency-related issues arising in workouts and insolvency-related issues in significant transactions. He also has significant experience advising clients on derivatives safe-...

Jeff Luechtefeld is litigator with a strong technical tax background and a deep understanding of how the Internal Revenue Service operates. Jeff’s practice focuses on resolving tax disputes with the IRS, administratively or through litigation. He regularly represents clients before the United States Tax Court, U.S. District Courts, and in the Circuit Courts of Appeal. In his practice Jeff places significant emphasis on the interplay between administrative law and tax law in defending hi...

Richard Watts is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Richard, 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 Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Brennan is who you want in your corner when the government comes calling. A former federal prosecutor, Bob’s work is informed by deep experience in healthcare compliance. He is known for his pragmatic, client-centric approach to the defense of civil and criminal investigations including False Claims Act matters, compliance counseling regarding potential exposure under the False Claims Act statute, the Anti-kickback statute, and the Stark law and complex civil litigation. Much of Bob...

John Hickman is head of the firm’s Health Benefits Practice, where he leads several attorneys devoted exclusively to health care reform issues under the Affordable Care Act, HIPAA privacy, health savings accounts (HSAs) and consumer-directed health care, flexible benefit plans and related health benefit issues. Mr. Hickman has worked closely with health plans, financial institutions and employers, as well as the IRS, Treasury and DOL, in addressing health benefit issues. Mr. Hickman has...

Joseph C. Sullivan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Joseph C., 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 Joseph C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.