Michael J. Riesen

Key players in the financial services industry, including banks, mortgage companies, and wealth management and investment advisory firms, rely on Chris to guide them through business combination and securities transactions, as well as ownership transition and succession planning transactions. His knowledge is also sought on corporate governance matters and new business formation and registration. Chris Frieden, former co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Financial Services & Products Gro...

Jason B. Yost is a Principal in the law firm of Mercer Thompson LLC. His practice focuses on representing both regulated and non-regulated energy companies in all aspects of domestic and international project development and finance, including the development, acquisition and sale, and ownership and operation of power projects. He has extensive experience drafting and negotiating equipment procurement agreements (turbine and balance of plant), engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) a...

Sean Fennelly’s clients know they can rely on him when it comes to getting deals done. As an experienced transactional attorney, his focus is on acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and creating joint ventures, in both the real estate and corporate fields. His driven, client-centered approach enables those he represents to close deals creating lasting value. Sean has represented clients in more than one hundred acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestitures over the last decade, many of...

Justin Connell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Justin, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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-...

William R. Poplin, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law, International Arbitration - Commercial and Litigation - Construction. William R., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jake Kaplan develops tax minimization strategies for families and tax-exempt organizations. Individuals come to Jake for estate and tax planning, while organizations seek Jake’s counsel on tax, governance, regulatory, and New Markets Tax Credit issues. Jake is a partner with Alston & Bird’s Federal & International Tax Group and co-leads the firm’s Tax Credit Transactions Team. He focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, exempt organizations, and New Mark...

Glenn Patton is a partner in the Labor & Employment Group. He represents management in all areas of employment-related litigation, including employment discrimination claims, wage/hour litigation and restrictive covenant disputes. Glenn also represents management in traditional labor matters, including contract negotiations, labor arbitrations and unfair labor practice charges. In addition to his litigation experience, Glenn counsels numerous clients on day-to-day HR and compliance issues...

Leslie K. Eason is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Leslie K., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leslie K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sara K. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Sara K., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.