Best Lawyers in America for Litigation - First Amendment

David earned his undergraduate degree summa cum laude at Mercer University in 1968 and his law degree cum laude at Harvard Law School in 1971. David’s first legal employment was as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Griffin B. Bell, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, from 1971-1972. He then served as a Captain teaching law in the Military Police School and trying court martial cases at Fort Gordon from 1972-1974. Since then, David has been a trial lawyer in the Augusta law ...

Alison Schary is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law. Alison practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Alison Schary since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alison Schary is held by other lawyers.

Kim Martin is the managing partner of the Firm’s Huntsville office and a member of the Firm’s Board of Governors. She serves as the Co-Chair of the firm's Life Sciences Practice Group and focuses her practice on general litigation with an emphasis on medical device and pharmaceutical products liability litigation. She has represented multi-national pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in litigation across the country. Most recently, she has been a national team member f...

Michael J. Grygiel focuses his practice on national media law, with an emphasis on defending news and entertainment organizations from news-gathering and publication-related claims, including defamation, copyright infringement and invasion of privacy matters. He also represents media companies and other clients in complex Lanham Act, trade secret and Internet-related litigation and counseling. Michael has served as lead trial counsel to media and other clients in bet-the-company litigation, i...

John represents both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court and has frequently argued before the South Carolina Supreme Court. He has a diverse litigation and appellate practice, handling matters related to the False Claims Act, health care, personal injury, and business litigation. He also represents governmental clients, such as county and state governments, and private clients before governmental bodies. John has been certified as a mediator since 2005 and serves by appointme...

Litigation Walter’s litigation work has been primarily in the civil area -- commercial disputes of all types, including trade secrets, real estate agreements, products liability, defamation claims, First Amendment access actions, business and employment contracts, non-competition provisions, wrongful termination suits, and discrimination and harassment cases. He has litigated numerous cases in the state and federal courts throughout the United States, including cases in Pennsylvania, Ne...

Thomas M. Clyde is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Communications Law, First Amendment Law, Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law. Thomas M. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Thomas M. Clyde since 2006. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Tho...

Michael Lewis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice and Litigation - First Amendment. Michael practices law in Concord, New Hampshire Best Lawyers has recognized Michael Lewis since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael Lewis is held by other lawyers.

Wallace is an experienced trial and appellate attorney, with over 60 jury trials in state and federal courts throughout the Southeast, and approximately 100 bench trials, jury trials, and arbitration trials, as well as numerous appeals in the South Carolina appellate courts and the United States Courts of Appeals for the First, Fourth, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits. His practice involves complex securities, corporate, and intellectual property cases, as well as news media and First Amendment d...

Dan Laidman is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - First Amendment and Media Law. Dan practices law in Los Angeles, California Best Lawyers has recognized Dan Laidman since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Dan Laidman is held by other lawyers.

Kevin H. Kono is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance and Litigation - First Amendment. Kevin H. practices law in Portland, Oregon Best Lawyers has recognized Kevin H. Kono since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kevin H. Kono is held by o...

Mark Davis, a graduate of Tulane University and Washington University School of Law, has focused his law practice over the last thirty years representing injured victims in cases involving serious personal injury and medical malpractice . Mr. Davis has been extremely active in civil rights litigation throughout the State of Hawaii. He was on The National Board of Directors of the ACLU and was one of Hawaii’s most active civil rights lawyers serving as lead counsel in numerous first amen...

Mr. Bice is a co-founder of Pisanelli Bice PLLC, a Las Vegas, Nevada law firm focused on commercial litigation and complex business disputes. Before forming the firm in 2010, he served as a shareholder at his prior firm, was part of its national litigation group, and led the Las Vegas office’s appellate practice. His practice includes Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation involving the First Amendment, Litigation related to Land Use and Zoning...

Jim Swanson was among Fishman Haygood’s founding partners in 1996. He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for 16 years, and he is the current Chair of its board of directors. As a commercial trial lawyer, Jim has particular experience in securities litigation, domestic and international arbitration, environmental litigation, and general commercial matters. Jim has handled numerous cases in which clients have received multimillion-dollar recoveries. Noteworthy matters include a j...

Bill Banowsky focuses his practice on complex business litigation and arbitration, securities litigation, and corporate governance investigations. He also represents national and international energy industry clients in various disputes involving contract rights and business torts. In recent years, he has become involved in numerous disputes representing healthcare providers including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, medical device suppliers, physician groups and ancillary providers. Mr...

A native of Coral Gables, Andy Marks joined Coffey Burlington in 2013 as a partner after more than 25 years of practice as a litigation partner in the Washington, DC firm of Crowell & Moring LLP. Andy also maintains a practice in Washington as the Law Offices of Andrew Marks PLLC. Following graduation from the University of Michigan Law School, Andy clerked for U.S. District Judge Charles R. Richey in the District of Columbia and also served as Executive Assistant to Ambassador Sol M. Lin...