Tapio Väätäinen

Dan practiced at the firm between 1987 and 2005, before leaving to become General Counsel at GSI Group, a NASDAQ traded company with a highly diversified portfolio of laser, precision positioning, specialty optics and laser-based system products. He rejoined the firm in 2011 and manages the Litigation Practice. During his career, Dan has tried numerous cases throughout the country in both state and federal courts. His practice includes commercial business disputes involving mergers and acquis...

Erin Kolmansberger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Erin, who practices law in Miami, Florida, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Erin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alan Easterly is an Equity Member of Leitner, Williams, Dooley & Napolitan, PLLC. He practices out of the firm's Chattanooga, Tennessee office. His practice concentrates on transportation, product liability (including food liability), complex/ mass torts, insurance, premises liability, auto liability, construction, and general negligence matters. He has managed, tried, or otherwise successfully defended numerous significant product liability, transportation, toxic tort, and complex tort c...

John Augustyn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. John, who practices law in Chicago, Illinois, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Walter McKay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Walter, who practices law in Montgomery, Alabama, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Walter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Britt M. Gilbertson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Britt M., who practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Britt M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles is one of the firm's Managing Directors. His practice experience encompasses federal and state court litigation in various areas, including claims for wrongful death and serious personal injury. He has also litigated numerous cases involving complex insurance coverage issues, products liability, and professional malpractice. Charles is a frequent lecturer and has written extensively on a wide range of litigation topics, including "The Nuts and Bolts of Coverage Under the Homeowner Pol...

Ms. Montoya is a member of the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Ms. Montoya is a seasoned trial attorney who has tried over 30 jury trials and numerous bench trials. Ms. Montoya has a broad range of experience in criminal defense and corporate defense litigation. Ms. Montoya started her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Denver, where she served in the Family Violence Unit, prosecuting felony crimes against children and domestic violence cases. After serving 7 years with the...

Area of Emphasis Chip Babst is Chairman of the Firm and is a member of the Environmental and Energy and Natural Resources groups. Mr. Babst has more than 40 years of experience in providing counsel on environmental matters to both private and public clients. Mr. Babst is a nationally-recognized authority on Clean Air Act issues and has handled complex permitting and compliance issues at federal, state and local levels throughout the United States. His experience in dealing with federal and st...

Howard Williams has over 40 years of experience representing privately held companies and their shareholders. His diverse practice includes representation in connection with tax planning and litigation, general corporate work, employee benefits and executive compensation, and aviation matters. Howard has extensive experience representing businesses in tax disputes or controversies in district courts, the United States Tax Court, and before the Internal Revenue Service and North Carolina Depar...