Ryan Stottmann

Kara M. Swasey is a director at Bayard. She concentrates her practice in the area of family law, including divorce, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship and protection from abuse. She provides litigation support to Bayard’s bankruptcy, corporate and commercial law practices. Kara also represents landlords in commercial and residential landlord-tenant matters in Justice of the Peace courts throughout the state of Delaware. Kara is a member of the Executive Committee of the Mels...

Paul J. Lockwood engages in securities litigation in Delaware and throughout the country. He defends corporations, their directors or their advisers in derivative and class action lawsuits relating to accounting issues, mortgage-backed securities, proxy contests, public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Lockwood also has litigated disputes concerning bond indentures, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts and LLCs. A few of the cases that Mr. Lockwood has participated in have include...

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...

Brett M. McCartney is chairman of the Board of Directors of Bayard and a director in the firm's litigation group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of corporate governance and complex commercial litigation, stockholder litigation, fiduciary duties, alternative entity disputes, class action, and derivative litigation. Brett is also a member of Bayard’s Executive Committee. Brett represents stockholders, directors and officers in litigation in the Court of Chancery in a variety of...

Shawn Tucker is an accomplished and well-respected real-estate attorney who has successfully quarterbacked some of Delaware’s largest development projects – from negotiating complex purchase agreements to obtaining final land use approvals in short order. In fact, Shawn’s unique background makes him a natural choice for developers and business leaders looking to expand in Delaware. Prior to entering private practice, Shawn served as New Castle County’s First Assistant ...

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.

Diane Ibrahim is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Diane, who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Diane 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...

Thomas McGonigle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Thomas, 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 Thomas is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jennifer C. Voss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Securities. Jennifer C., who practices law in Wilmington, Delaware, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.