R. Wayne Thorpe

Damian M. Hovancik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law and Tax Law. Damian M., 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 Damian M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Edward P. Cadagin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Edward P., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anne Baroody is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on complex business disputes and franchise disputes before federal and state courts and alternative dispute resolution bodies. She enjoys guiding clients in numerous industries through franchise and distribution disputes, commercial contract disputes, business tort and unfair competition disputes, and trademark and branding disputes. While her prior clerkship experience helps her adeptly navigate...

Lavern was named FordHarrison's first Talent and Recruiting Partner in 2018. In this new role, Lavern is responsible for recruiting and developing lawyers firm-wide. She will oversee the hiring and on-boarding of new lawyers, manage utilization and workflow, and design and implement talent development initiatives to support the career growth of our lawyers. Lavern concentrates her practice on defending employers in discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, whistle-blower, retaliation, employ...

Duncan Douglass heads Alston & Bird’s payment systems practice and focuses on transactions, product development and regulatory issues related to retail and wholesale payment systems and products. Payment Card Services Mr. Douglass regularly counsels payment card issuers and service providers in regulatory compliance matters, in structuring card issuance programs, and in negotiating co-branding, program manager, issuer processor and sales/distribution agent agreements. He also advise...

Wayne H. Elowe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Corporate Law. Wayne H., 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 Wayne H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kristy McAlister Brown is co-chair of the firm's Litigation & Trial Practice Group and leads the firm’s Privacy and Cybersecurity Litigation Practice Team. Ms. Brown focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, with an emphasis on class actions and privacy and cyber litigation. She has defended putative class actions across the country and has a strong track record of defeating class certification—both at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Brown is an experienced pr...

Gary R. Sheehan Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental and Water Law. Gary R., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Todd Welty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Todd, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Todd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Craig Cleland defends employers in litigation—including in class actions—and counsels them on compliance and risk management. He is also Co-Chair of the Firm’s Class Action Practice Group. Craig has served on several Atlanta-area nonprofit boards, including as chair. He is currently on the Advisory Committee for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society as well as on the Board of the Atlanta Bar Labor and Employment Section. Craig is also named in Best Lawyers in America, Atlanta Magazi...