Best Lawyers in America for Corporate Law

Fred Fulton focuses his practice on the representation of public and private retail and distribution companies in connection with such general corporate matters as corporate governance, disclosure, and contract negotiation. He represents both purchasers and sellers in numerous industries in mergers and acquisitions and other significant transactions. Fred also represents issuers and underwriters in initial public offerings and other public and private offerings of equity and debt securities.

Arash Khalili is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Arash, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Arash is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gary Morris is a shareholder and economic development attorney in Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd's Columbia office. Gary is also involved in all aspects of real estate transactions, including acquisition, land use and financing. Gary advises on every aspect of corporate expansion and has represented clients in various LLC, partnership and corporate disputes, financial and banking litigation, defense of legal malpractice cases, environmental litigation, eminent domain battles, prosecution of insuranc...

Steven E. Gross is Chairman Emeritus of Sills Cummis & Gross. He has served as Chair of the Firm’s Securities and Capital Markets and Banking and Finance Practice Groups. His sophisticated approach to any legal matter has drawn clients to him on a national and international level. Mr. Gross has counseled public companies and senior executives in mergers and acquisitions and securities offerings involving multi-million dollar transactions. In addition, he has advised boards of direct...

Michael Smith practices business law and securities law at Carlile Patchen & Murphy LLP. He concentrates on business, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, technology transactions, technology licensing, and banking and securities. Mike joined CPM in February 1991. He currently serves as Chairman of CPM’s Business Law Practice Group.

Jerry Zaro, Chair of Banking and Real Estate Services Department, focuses his practice on banking and finance, real estate, corporate and government relations matters. He began his law career as a judicial secretary to the Honorable Thomas F. Shebell, Jr. in the Superior Court of Monmouth County. Prior to joining Sills Cummis & Gross, Mr. Zaro was the President and Managing Partner of Ansell Zaro Grimm and Aaron for 25 years and served as the Chair of the Commercial Real Estate and Financ...

Nate Balint represents private equity funds, strategic acquirers, and entrepreneurs on the purchase and sale sides of merger, acquisition, and leveraged buyout transactions, including associated equity and debt arrangements. His experience spans sectors such as business services, retail, restaurants, technology, consumer products, education, and energy. Nate also works with venture capital and growth equity funds, advising on the completion of early and growth stage investments. Related to hi...

David C. Eisman represents companies, investment banks and private equity funds in connection with a variety of corporate, securities and M&A transactions, including private and registered securities offerings, public and private acquisitions, strategic investments and joint ventures. He also represents private equity, hedge fund and other private fund sponsors in structuring and forming their funds, registering as investment advisers and dealing with regulatory issues. Transactions in wh...

Sandra Martin Clark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Sandra Martin, who practices law in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sandra Martin is held by other top lawyers in the same geo...

Tammy Mercer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law and Corporate Law. Tammy, 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 Tammy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Birke serves as co-chair of Akerman’s M&A and Private Equity Practice Group. David’s practice focuses on representing private equity funds, family offices and their portfolio companies in complex acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, restructurings, growth capital investments, and debt and equity financings. David’s wide ranging practice also encompasses representing other private and public companies with corporate governance, joint ventures, executive co...

Marcel Bernier has been involved in corporate and limited liability company law for over 40 years, assisting clients with navigating intricate legal landscapes to accomplish their goals. Situated in Hartford, Connecticut, Marcel is part of Harris Beach Murtha, where he acts as general counsel for numerous businesses. His practice includes offering guidance on forming new business entities, handling acquisitions, sales, mergers, reorganizations, deferred compensation plans, phantom equity plan...

David M. Calhoun practices in the areas of corporate finance, securities, private equity and mergers and acquisitions. David is very active in M&A transactions for public and private companies and represents both buyers and sellers in mergers, acquisitions, asset sales, stock sales, international and cross-border transactions, and leveraged buy-outs. In addition, he often handles Hart-Scott-Rodin (HSR) and antitrust matters in connection with M&A transactions. David also has significa...

J. Eric Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Oil and Gas Law. J. Eric, who practices law in Houston, Texas, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Erin Houck-Toll is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, Health Care Law and Tax Law. Erin, who practices law in Fort Myers, Florida, has been recognized since 2022. 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.

Joseph A. Probasco is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law. Joseph A., who practices law in Tampa, Florida, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.