Best Lawyers Near You in Atlanta, Georgia for Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Stephen Opler concentrates his practice on the distinctive characteristics of liquidity transactions by and with entrepreneurs. Stephen helps private equity funds, strategic acquirers and entrepreneurial buyers and sellers achieve their goals by leveraging his three decades as an M&A lawyer, entrepreneur, business founder, investment banker, in-house lawyer and CPA. Buying or selling entrepreneur-owned businesses requires a unique focus on the many ways these transactions and the post-clo...
Michael Todd Wade is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law. Michael Todd, 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 Michael Todd is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael E. Hollingsworth II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Michael E., 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 Michael E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Janine Brown is an M&A and corporate partner who serves as partner-in-charge of the firm’s Atlanta office. She works with companies in a variety of sectors, including technology, media, telecommunications, renewable energy and manufacturing, and has been involved in a wide variety of domestic and international transactions, including capital raising transactions, corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, information technology transactions, joint ventures/strategic all...
Richard Cicchillo, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Richard, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Justin Howard is co-leader of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group. He represents public and private companies across a variety of industries in complex mergers and acquisitions, including leveraged acquisitions and dispositions of portfolio investments by private equity funds. He also represents issuers and underwriters in public and private offerings of debt, equity and convertible securities and advises public companies regarding a variety of corporate governance matters. Mr. ...
Louis Barbieri III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Venture Capital Law. Louis, who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Louis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brian S. Galison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, International Mergers and Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Brian S., 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 Brian S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matthew T. Harris is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law, Real Estate Law and Venture Capital Law. Matthew T., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jonathan B. Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Governance Law, Information Technology Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Technology Law. Jonathan B., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographi...
Travis Carter is the consummate corporate M&A and tax lawyer. Representing buyers, sellers, and those forming businesses, Travis is there to help get the deal closed smoothly and on time. Experienced in all aspects of such corporate change, Travis guides his clients through the thicket of corporate, tax, and employment issues attendant to such deals. The breadth of his knowledge allows Travis to provide deeply insightful counsel to his clients. Many issues arise when buying, selling, or f...
Jason Goode guides REITs and real estate funds through their public and private securities offerings and M&A and other strategic transactions. They rely on him for advice on corporate governance and complex regulatory matters. Jason’s involvement in industry organizations provides awareness of emerging trends and makes him a frequent speaker on related topics. For more than 20 years, public and private companies have relied on Jason for fund formation, M&A, public securities off...
Chris Mangum is the head of the Global Services Committee, which oversees the international practice of Alston & Bird. He concentrates his practice on acquisitions, joint ventures and international business transactions, both outbound and inbound. On behalf of U.S., European and Latin American investors, Mr. Mangum handles acquisitions and joint ventures in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia...
Sean P. Fogarty is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Sean P., 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 P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Key players in the financial services industry, including banks, mortgage companies, and wealth management and investment advisory firms, rely on Chris to guide them through business combination and securities transactions, as well as ownership transition and succession planning transactions. His knowledge is also sought on corporate governance matters and new business formation and registration. Chris Frieden, former co-chair of Alston & Bird’s Financial Services & Products Gro...
Kelsey P. Donnalley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Kelsey P., 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 Kelsey P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.