Stephen M. Forte

Mr. Sampson is the Managing Partner of Thomas, Kennedy, Sampson, & Tompkins LLP, Georgia’s oldest minority-owned law firm. Sampson graduated from Morehouse College and earned a Juris Doctor degree from the UNC at Chapel Hill. Throughout his distinguished career, Sampson has often been tapped to serve government, the Bar and the community. Former Governor Roy Barnes appointed him Vice Chairman on the State Judicial Nominating Commission. He has served as President of the Gate City Bar Asso...

Clark Calhoun represents clients in state tax controversy and litigation matters in Georgia, California, and other states before state taxing authorities, city and county boards, state trial and appellate courts, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He has secured a multimillion-dollar income tax refund in a Georgia Tax Tribunal action, received a refund of overpaid 911 taxes, defended companies against unjustified state transfer-pricing assessments, and earned property tax refunds for nonprofit entit...

Alison LeVasseur focuses her practice on general corporate matters, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions for private equity firms and other privately held businesses, as well as public companies. Her experience also includes advising both public and private company clients on drafting and negotiating complex commercial contracts, strategic partnerships, and master services agreements. Additionally, Alison counsels private equity and venture-backed clients on debt and equity financings...

Laura Frick is an attorney in the firm’s Commercial Finance practice group. She has represented national and regional banks and other financial institutions in syndicated, club, and single-lender transactions. Laura’s prior law firm experience and her many years as internal commercial lending counsel for a regional bank enable her to document and close transactions for her clients in a practical and efficient manner. Laura works closely with clients to help them navigate the compl...

Bob Alpert is a Partner in the Commercial, Class Action and Products Liability Litigation Practices. Mr. Alpert has represented clients in a wide variety of complex, high exposure litigation matters throughout the United States, including the following: National coordinating and lead trial counsel for national manufacturer in connection with its defense of public nuisance and personal injury claims arising from alleged exposure to lead paint. National coordinating counsel for one of the count...

Laura DeMartini is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants. Laura, 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 Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Colin M. Bernardino is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Colin M., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Colin M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

M. Diane Owens specializes in products liability, employment discrimination, premises liability, environmental and toxic torts. Ms. Owens has also handled a significant number of matters involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation. She practices in all state and federal courts in Georgia and is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. M. Diane Owens graduated from Mercer University with an A.B. degree, summa cum laude, in 1977, and her J.D. degree, magna cu...

Matthew R. Simpson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Matthew R., 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 Matthew R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.