William L. "Bill" Ballard

Brian Teras is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Brian, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph W. Staley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Patent Law. Joseph W., 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 Joseph W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Luechtefeld is litigator with a strong technical tax background and a deep understanding of how the Internal Revenue Service operates. Jeff’s practice focuses on resolving tax disputes with the IRS, administratively or through litigation. He regularly represents clients before the United States Tax Court, U.S. District Courts, and in the Circuit Courts of Appeal. In his practice Jeff places significant emphasis on the interplay between administrative law and tax law in defending hi...

Jake Kaplan develops tax minimization strategies for families and tax-exempt organizations. Individuals come to Jake for estate and tax planning, while organizations seek Jake’s counsel on tax, governance, regulatory, and New Markets Tax Credit issues. Jake is a partner with Alston & Bird’s Federal & International Tax Group and co-leads the firm’s Tax Credit Transactions Team. He focuses his practice in the areas of estate planning, exempt organizations, and New Mark...

John D. Bennett is a Partner in Freeman Mathis & Gary's Atlanta office. Mr. Bennett represents both private businesses and local governments in employment and complex litigation matters, ranging from single plaintiff cases to high-exposure class and collective actions. Mr. Bennett’s labor and employment law practice focuses on representing clients in litigation and providing day-to-day counseling regarding federal and state employment laws, including Title VII, the Americans with Di...

John W. Alden 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. John W., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John W. 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.

Sean Jessee is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Sean, 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 Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lucy’s litigation wins speak not only to big results – she has obtained over $300 million in verdicts, judgments, and settlements in the last ten years alone – but also to making things right. Lucy brings a compelling combination of intelligence, grit, sincerity, and compassion to the practice of law. A savvy and tough realist, Lucy understands that the most effective route to justice is through the courthouse. She works intelligently, thoroughly, and tirelessly to help thos...

John E. Stephenson, Jr. is a trial lawyer and represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial litigation, including litigation arising from mergers and acquisitions, financial services transactions, intellectual property rights, and agency and fiduciary relationships. He also has substantial experience in corporate governance and financial fraud investigations. Mr. Stephenson served on the executive committee for the Enron Examination, where his leadership responsibilities included...