Paul Waszink

Joyce E. Smithey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Joyce E., who practices law in Annapolis, Maryland, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joyce E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kimberley J. Hale is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Kimberley J., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kimberley J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brent Hannafan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Brent, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brent is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carl E. Metzger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Carl E., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carl E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mary B. Kuusisto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law and Tax Law. Mary B., who practices law in Boston, Massachusetts, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mary B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Having developed a successful high school speech and debate program, Randall Vaughan left education to pursue a career as a trial lawyer, a goal that guided his law school education and decision to join Pray Walker in 1985. Randall has tried numerous cases in federal and state courts, and written legal briefs and presented oral arguments at the appellate level. He has also served as an advocate for clients in private arbitrations. As a counselor, he assists large companies in managing their n...

Laura Nichols is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s San Diego office, and a member of the Tax, Benefits and Estate Planning practice group. Ms. Nichols is a Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is also certified as an Accredited Estate Planner® by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. Only approximately five percent of California’s attorneys are certified as specialists...

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

John J. Cranley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. John J., who practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Eric Acker is a partner and trial lawyer in the firm’s Intellectual Property Group. Mr. Acker has tried more than 50 trials (including more than 47 jury trials) in courtrooms across the country. Mr. Acker’s recent trials have involved a variety of technologies and significant legal issues. In the high-profile SCO v. Novell case, following a three-week trial, the jury affirmed our client Novell’s ownership of the copyrights to the UNIX software code and rejected SCO’s c...