Thomas P. Willingham

Joyce Gist Lewis is a skilled and tenacious advocate for private companies and governmental entities in and out of the courtroom. Joyce’s two decades of experience includes serving as lead counsel for claims involving professional liability, director and officer liability, business divorce, real estate litigation, employment discrimination defense, and catastrophic injury defense. Her appellate experience includes arguing cases before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and successful...

Sean Kulka is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Sean, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Clients look to Leah Fiorenza McNeill to create practical and business-oriented solutions in complex bankruptcy cases and distressed circumstances. Leah is a partner with Alston & Bird’s Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Group. She represents lenders, investors, debtors, trustees, trade creditors, funds, and other parties in a range of restructuring matters, including Chapter 11 cases, out-of-court workouts, financings, and restructuring matters. Leah has experience handl...

Wes Achey is a member of Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property Litigation Team. Wes’s practice includes all areas of intellectual property litigation and counseling, with a particular emphasis on patent litigation and enforcement. He has represented clients in patent infringement lawsuits in federal district courts across the United States, including cases involving telecommunications, computer software and various mechanical devices. He is a member of the Georgia Bar and is a...

Duane Cochenour is a litigator specializing in medical malpractice claims, negligent security cases, and insurance coverage. He has a unique perspective, with 20 years of experience as an insurance claim professional prior to becoming a lawyer. He knows exactly what it is like to be an adjuster, supervisor, regional claim manager, and major case negotiator because he has worked in each of those positions. He draws on over 30 years of experience in the insurance and legal industry to defend an...

David R. Yates is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. David 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 David R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Natalie N. Turner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Natalie N., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Natalie N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Catherine E. Morgen concentrates her practice on the representation of real estate clients engaged in the acquisition, development, leasing and disposition of commercial real estate, with experience handling large multi-state transactions, hospitality properties, office, medical and industrial leasing, as well as complex restrictive covenant and easement transactions that deal with the operational aspects of projects which rely on shared facilities and amenities and fractional ownership struc...

Mark Goodman defends mid- to large-sized self-insured employers, insurance companies and governmental entities throughout the state of Georgia in workers' compensation claims. He also handles claims brought against nursing homes. A 35-year veteran of the practice, Mark has handled hundreds of mediations and hearings throughout his career. He currently serves on the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation Chairman’s Advisory Committee, providing input on legislation, rules and...

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...