Patricia O. Vella

Ericka F. Johnson is the chair of the restructuring and reorganization practice at Bayard. She advises companies and creditors to maximize the value of assets/recoveries whether it is through an in-court or out-of-court financial restructuring or dissolution. Ericka also helps buyers navigate the purchase of distressed assets and directors and officers in understanding fiduciary duties in an insolvency setting. She is a top advocate with a diverse practice spanning a wide range of industries....

Michael DeNote is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A lifelong Delaware resident with more than 25 years of experience practicing family law, Carl W. Heckert is a respected and long-time practitioner of divorce litigation and mediation. His family law practice includes divorce, property division, custody, child support, alimony, protection from abuse, as well as grandparent and stepparent’s rights. He is also a Certified Family Law Mediator in Delaware following the state’s inaugural certification program by the Family Court of the...

Chase Brockstedt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Chase, who practices law in Lewes, Delaware, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chase is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter B. Ladig is a director at Bayard and co-chair of the litigation group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate governance and commercial litigation, business divorce, stockholder litigation, fiduciary duties, partnership and limited liability company disputes, and class action and derivative litigation.Pete represents stockholders and directors in corporate litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery in a wide range of matters, including advancement of legal fees and exp...

Tammy Mercer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law. Tammy, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tammy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura Simon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Laura, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian L. Colborn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Brian L., who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Benjamin Strauss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Benjamin, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen W. Spence is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Stephen W., who practices law in Lewes, Delaware, has been recognized since 1997. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.