WINTER 2022 ¾A Great Deal to Celebrate! ¾The Proust Questionnaire ¾Office Updates ¾Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Alston & Bird ¾Reunions ¾Where Are They Now? ¾New Faces ¾Facts/By the Numbers In this issue
WINTER 2022 SPECIAL FEATURE The formation of Alston & Bird as we know it today can be likened to a jigsaw puzzle whose pieces were placed strategically over the years to create a masterpiece. In this section, we’ll share a bit of history of the mergers of Alston, Miller & Gaines and Jones, Bird & Howell in 1982 to form Alston & Bird, and the 1997 combination of Bell Seltzer Park & Gibson with Alston & Bird. Here’s a chance to hear from some of the attorneys involved in those crucial piece placements. Celebrating 25 Years The History of the Intellectual Property Practice at Alston & Bird – fromMartin J. “Marty” Elgison The Intellectual Property Group started in 1992 with four attorneys. By 1997, we had grown the group to over 20 lawyers and were competing with the IP boutique firms that largely dominated the IP practice. We realized we needed to add patent prosecution and patent litigation A Great Deal to Celebrate! Celebrating 40 Years
WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022 expertise to grow to the next level and were fortunate to hire Pat Flinn to help us do that. By that time, other large law firms were beginning to realize that intellectual property was a lucrative field of practice and that patent litigation in particular was a growth opportunity. Several of our national competitors began to acquire IP boutique practices to take advantage. The genesis for Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson joining Alston & Bird was a patent case for Goodyear, which we had successfully represented in a trademark case in Atlanta, that was filed in Charlotte. Goodyear recommended that we hire Bell Seltzer as local counsel, which we did. Bell Seltzer was the leading IP boutique in the Southeast by a wide margin. Our team had a great relationship with the Bell Seltzer team, and although there were differences, our core cultures were very similar. With several of our national competitors having recently merged with IP boutique firms, I thought that Bell Seltzer would be a great opportunity for us to expand our growing intellectual property practice and would also give the Bell Seltzer lawyers opportunities to market our broad range of services to their clients. The partners in the IP practice all agreed, and I brought the idea to Ben Johnson and the Partners Committee, who also recognized the opportunity. I got their goahead to explore the possibility with the Bell Seltzer leadership team, which was receptive to the idea. We began a series of face-to-face meetings in Charlotte and Atlanta to discuss the terms of a deal. There was some natural skepticism in both firms, but in the end, the leadership of the firms and the partnerships saw it as a win-win opportunity. I’d like to say the process was smooth and easy, but it wasn’t. There were lots of complex issues to sort out, including status and compensation, and there were some natural obstacles with a small firm joining a much larger institution. During the middle of negotiations, a number of partners in Bell Seltzer’s Raleigh office left to create their own firm. Fortunately, the remaining partners realized the benefits of coming together, and we eventually went forward. Although there were some growing pains, the combination was highly successful and resulted in the win-win situation we all hoped for. Alston & Bird’s client base proved to be a fertile ground to develop our growing intellectual property practice, and in particular our ability to handle major patent litigation. The Bell Seltzer lawyers were able to offer a broad array of legal services to the clients with whom they had long-standing relationships. I think it’s fair to say that the nationally recognized IP practice that exists today at Alston & Bird has largely been the result of Bell Seltzer joining the firm25 years ago. Leah Ward Sears Retired Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice, Former Partner, Litigation & Trial Practice Which living person do you most admire? My husband, Haskell Sears Ward. Not only is he the love of my life, but he’s been a good friend and mentor. What is your greatest extravagance? Transcontinental train rides. I’m a train buff and have taken long, relaxing train rides all over the world. When and where were you happiest? The day I saw the cover of the biography written about me a few years ago, Seizing Serendipity. I couldn’t believe someone thought my life story was worthy of a whole book. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d like tobe anextrovert, not the introvert that I really am. What is your most marked characteristic? My daughter Brennan says it’s the way I dress. I think it’s my energy – I have a lot of it, even at this age. What do you most value in your friends? Honesty. I want and need friends who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth, at least as they see it. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Sojourner Truth, an American abolitionist and women’s rights activist. She led hundreds of enslaved African Americans out of bondage. Oscar Persons Retired Partner Securities Litigation Which person do you most admire? My wife, Virginia. What is your greatest extravagance? Fine, old French wines. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? No virtue is overrated. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I have been an excellent lawyer, husband, father, and good friend. What is your most marked characteristic? I listen more than I talk. The Proust Questionnaire
WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022 Laura Glover Thatcher Retired Partner Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Political correctness. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? “Is there any more in the kitchen?” When and where were you happiest? Anytime I am with friends, sharing a great laugh and a glass of something delicious. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Having more than my share of wonderful friends (including family). What is your motto? We’ve got to hurry! What if we miss something! Bernard Taylor Retired Partner Litigation & Trial Practice Which living person do you most admire? Sister Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Rio Grande Valley. Sister Pimentel and her colleagues provide hope and shelter to immigrant families on the U.S. southern border. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being allowed to helpmy children as they walk the path toward achieving their life goals. What do you most value in your friends? Candor and honesty. What is your motto? I borrowed this motto from a saying attributed to Shimon Peres, a former PrimeMinister of Israel: “You are as young as your dreams, not as old as your calendar” Pinney Allen Retired Partner Federal & International Tax Which living person do you most admire? The people of Ukraine (but if it must be a person, Volodymyr Zelenskyy). If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be less introverted. What is your most marked characteristic? Not being afraid to try. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Katharine Graham – she overcame barriers of a society not open to female leadership and persevered to success. What is your motto? Learn from your errors and then throw them over your shoulder andmove forward as that is the only direction you can move. Marty Elgison Retired Partner IP & Technology Transactions and past IP Area Co-Coordinator Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Recently, “WTF?” When and where were you happiest? Here and now. What do you consider your greatest achievement? It’s a tie – founding the IP practice at Alston & Bird and the renovation of the Bobby Jones golf course. What is your most marked characteristic? My sense of humor. What do you most value in your friends? Honesty, intelligence, and a sense of humor. Larry Jones Partner Trademark & Copyright What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Courage – it can be an excuse for lack of wisdom. When and where were you happiest? Dating my future wife, the birth of our son, and the wedding of our daughter. What is your most marked characteristic? Professionally and personally – my integrity. What do you most value in your friends? Being comfortable in their own skin. What is your motto? The significance of a person’s life is determined by his character, not who he is. Mike McCoy Retired Partner Patent Prosecution and past IP Area Co-Coordinator Which living person do you most admire? Considering the Alston & Bird context of your question, Ben Johnson came to mind immediately: Leadership, vision, compassion, emotional (and other) intelligence, and the list goes on…. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Allegiance, especially when it’s blind. When and where were you happiest? Too many to mention, but they all involve family or close friends: My wedding day, births of our children and grandchildren, their engagements and marriages, cruising the Intracoastal Waterway with friends. What do you most value in your friends? Their companionship and sense of humor. What is your motto? Don’t wait; move ahead. And do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Office Updates X Atlanta Atlanta Community Foodbank For the first time in over two years, a very enthusiastic groupof Alston&Bird attorneys, staff, and retirees volunteered at the new Atlanta Community Food Bank campus to assist with packing a total of 11,420 pounds of food that will be distributed in metro Atlanta and beyond. This food bank serves 29 counties in Georgia and is part of the Feeding America food bank network. The volunteer team was excited to learn that their efforts will help provide 9,516 meals. Following a morning of volunteering, our team was rewarded with a private tour of the new Atlanta Community Food Bank facility. X Bay Area Second Harvest Food Bank Alston & Bird volunteers from the SiliconValley office helped pack food at the Second Harvest Food Bank benefiting the Santa Clara County community. The need for food donations has more than doubled this past year due to COVID. The experience was truly rewarding for the group, and they plan to volunteer at the food bank again soon. Great thanks to Jessica Arrington, legal support assistant in the Litigation &Trial Practice Group, who organized this event. X Charlotte Afgan Asylum Training On August 17, Charlotte held a pro bono training to assist with the Afghan asylum crisis in the Charlotte area. Approximately 80,000 Afghans have been resettled through Operation Allies Welcome throughout the United States. They have been granted a temporary immigration status as humanitarian parolees, which authorizes them to remain in the U.S. for one or two years but does not lead to permanent status. Notably, they are not designated as refugees and will need to apply to seek asylum on their own. Moreover, the parolees in the Charlotte area have been resettled through refugee resettlement agencies, which ordinarily assist refugees, not parolees, and these organizations do not have immigration attorneys on staff. This has left legal services organizations with the task of trying to fill the huge gap in legal services to assist our vulnerable neighbors in securing a safe and permanent home. WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022 Mike Connor Partner Intellectual Property – Litigation Which living person do you most admire? My father – I’m lucky to still have him. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Any virtue that is exercisedat thewrong timeor toexcess. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d like to be better at choosing and pursuing important goals over incidental busy-ness. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Learning (or at least trying to learn) to accept others for what they are. Still working on that! Which historical figure do you most identify with? Not sure what it means to identify with someone, but I admire many, among them the Apostle Paul for his perseverance and courage. What is your motto? Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Bruce Rose Partner Intellectual Property – Litigation When and where were you happiest? As a kid, going to a Detroit Tigers baseball game (in the original Tiger Stadium) with my dad. Also, times spent with my friends in undergraduate school. What do you consider your greatest achievement? While some may discuss academic or financial achievements, I’mmore happy knowing that I’ve helped raise two young daughters who I think are poised to do O.K. in supporting themselves on their own and are smart and confident but also humble. What is your most marked characteristic? I think I’m fairly easy going and try to get along well with those around me (and if they are a $#!+ then I move along). What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty. Period. I have some friends from whom I don’t hear or with whom I don’t speak for many years. But when any one of us is in need, we all can count on the others to be there in full support. What is your motto? It’s the Golden Rule. Treat others the way you would have them treat you. Something my mother drilled into me and my brothers, and something we all live by. Also something I try all the time to teach my kids. We are grateful for the time these participants took to respond to our selected Proust questions.
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy relies on pro bono attorneys to help meet the needs of these clients and the pending deadline. Alston & Bird has taken on several clients and will be helping meet the filing deadlines for applicants seeking asylum. X Dallas/Fort Worth Pat Sargent’s Involvement with Casa del Lago For the past six years, Pat Sargent, partner in the Dallas Finance Group, has been actively involved in a board leadership role and as a volunteer with Casa del Lago, an organization formed by Esperanza Ministries. The nonprofit is located in, and serves, the Bachman Lake community in Dallas, one of the highest density, lowest income neighborhoods in the city. The organization serves the community with faith-based educational programming, legal assistance, counseling, early childhood education, afterschool reading programs, and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. Pat serves as an ESL instructor and is looking forward to getting others involved with Casa del Lago. X International National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Congratulations to Rich Willis, Anna Nolan, Tom Dunn, and Dominic Olins of our London office for participating in the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge supporting the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in its commitment to protect children across the UK from abuse. X Los Angeles Alston & Bird Named a “Best Place to Work” by Los Angeles Business Journal For the 10th year, Alston & Bird has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as a“Best Place toWork in Los Angeles” in the large companies category (more than 250 U.S. employees). As noted in the survey, Alston & Bird is identified as one of Los Angeles’ elite employers that are “setting trends and redefining the employee experience.” Now in its 16th year, the “Best Places to Work in Los Angeles” survey ranks companies on their leadership, culture, communications, and other factors that are key to a highperforming workplace. It is conducted in partnership with workforce research firmBest Companies Group. X NewYork Operation Backpack In support of Operation Backpack NYC, the New York office teamed up with Volunteers of America to donate 185 new and fully stocked backpacks for homeless children in NYC for the upcoming school year. Over the last 20 years, Volunteers of America – Greater New York has given tens of thousands of children experiencing homelessness a sense of normalcy during the back-to-school season through Operation Backpack, a program that provides backpacks and grade-specific school supplies to every student living in a New York City homeless shelter. Shanell Cramer, partner in the Finance Group, andVanessa Dobson, human resources manager, led the effort on behalf of the firm. X Raleigh Guardian Ad Litem Custody Case Kelsey Kingsbery, senior associate in the Raleigh Litigation & Trial Practice Group, and Nick Young, associate in the Raleigh Litigation & Trial Practice Group, secured a victory in the North Carolina Supreme Court representing the best interests of two abused and neglected children as part of the North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem Program. The trial court adjudicated the children as neglected and dependent based on the mother’s repeated drug abuse and the children’s exposure to domestic violence. The children were placed in their aunt’s custody, who wished to adopt them. After the mother repeatedly failed to make progress toward reunification with her children, including continued drug abuse and instances of domestic violence, the trial court concluded that it was in the best interests of the children to terminate the mother’s parental rights and implement a plan of adoption for the children. On appeal, the Alston & Bird team successfully opposed the mother’s challenges to the court’s termination order based on ineffective assistance of counsel. The Supreme Court affirmed the termination order, finding that the mother’s rights were not violated and allowing the children to proceed with their plan of adoption by their aunt. X Washington, D.C. Legal Counsel for the Elderly During the firm’s Pro Bono Week, the Washington, D.C. office partnered with the Legal Counsel for the Elderly for a wills, trust & estates CLE training to assist low-income seniors with personal financial planning. This Life Planning Clinic returned to the in-person clinic format for the first time since 2019. Legal Counsel for the Elderly attorneys started off the day with a training attended by Alston & Bird attorneys and the DC summer associates. Following the training, four clients came in to meet with attorneys and complete wills, power of attorney documents, and transfer on death deeds. WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022
Alston & Bird achieves Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification Alston & Bird has achieved Mansfield Rule 5.0 Certification, a rigorous, yearlong certification program that aims to boost and sustain diversity in law firm leadership. Mansfield aims to increase and sustain diversity in leadership within law firms by broadening the pool of women lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, lawyers with disabilities, and underrepresented racial and/or ethnic lawyers who are considered for senior lateral attorney job openings, firm governance opportunities, equity partner promotions, other firm leadership positions, and client interface opportunities. To achieve Mansfield 5.0 Certification, firms must collaborate with Diversity Lab over a 12-month certification period with built-in measurement, transparency, and accountability mechanisms. Other firm diversity initiatives and achievements of note this past year D&I Leadership Billable Credit: In recognition of the importance of diversity and inclusionefforts by our attorneys, inMay 2022, the firmrevised its associate bonus policy to include up to 50 hours of D&I leadership activities toward the billable hours threshold to recognize, reward, incentivize, and track D&I work across the firm. Affinity Network Coordinators: The firm has had informal diverse affinity networks for many years. In an effort to bring more structure to these efforts, we recently appointed Diverse Affinity Network Partner and Associate Coordinators to host quarterly meetings with their networks and ensure their members feel seen, heard, and recognized. These attorney networks meet periodically to help create a sense of community and belonging for underrepresented attorneys as they navigate the challenges of the large law firm environment. Professional Staff D&I Advisory Committee (RISE): To ensure inclusivity at all levels of the firm, in March 2022, the Professional Staff Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, also known as RISE (Representation, Inclusion, and Staff Equity), was established to focus specifically on staff-related D&I issues. This advisory committee will present proposals, ideas, and best practices to the firm’s D&I partner for review and consideration. GC Bootcamp: The first inaugural General Counsel Bootcamp: Lessons in Leadership & Career Development was held at the firm in September 2022. Spearheaded by litigation partners BJay Pak and Chaka Patterson and Marketing & Business Development’s Monica Ulzheimer, the bootcamp was designed to help the upcoming generation of in-house leaders prepare to take the next step in their careers. The firm was particularly proud of the diversity represented in this first cohort and looks forward to contributing to the continued diversification of the GC ranks. Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO): As the firm continues its efforts to recruit outstanding diverse candidates, we are excited to announce Alston & Bird’s new partnership with SEO. Founded in 1984, the SEO Law Fellowship Programprovides talented incoming law students fromhistorically underrepresented backgrounds with the opportunity to work for a top firm during the summer before their 1L year begins. The Fellowship is a year-long program beginning with a 10-week summer experience that includes a twoweek intensive Law Institute program that provides training in legal analysis, legal research andwriting, and lawschool study skills and examstrategy before an 8–9 week paid internship with a corporate law firm. In 2023, Alston & Bird’s Los Angeles office will host the SEO Fellow. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Alston & Bird – Recent Developments WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022
Philip Cook, Federal & International Tax, 1972: Philip retired to Amelia Island, Florida. He hasn’t been back to Atlanta since COVID, but misses seeing everyone. He wishes his best to all – call if you are on the island. Thomas Crocker, International Trade & Regulatory, 1996: Tom’s third book, Captain Hale’s Covenant, was published in June 2022. See his author website at www. thomascrocker.com. Leah Feinman, Intellectual Property Litigation, 2012: Leah started a new position as VP and Chief Legal Officer at Plaid Enterprises. Kimyatta Holder, Health Care, 2008: Kimyatta was recently promoted to Associate General Counsel (Regulatory & Privacy) and Head of Compliance at Modern Health. Clifton Iler, Products Liability, 1991: In June, Cliff accepted the position of General Counsel at the University of Virginia. Mike Kenny, Litigation & Trial Practice, 1984: Mike publishedhis first novel this year, Life’s Illusions. It includes lots of jury trial stories and a candid look at modern law practice in Big Law. But, ultimately, it’s a story of love, introspection, and self-realization. Desirée LaSalle, Litigation&Trial Practice, 2018: Desirée now holds the role of North American Food Regulatory Risk & Compliance Director for Acquired Brands. Jason Levine, Litigation & Trial Practice, 2020: Jason launched and leads the growing D.C. office of Omni Bridgeway, a global and publicly traded commercial litigation finance company. Kristin Meister, Litigation & Trial Practice, 2007: Kristin has relocated with her family fromNewYork City (after 18 years) to Falls Church, Virginia, right outsideWashington, DC. She would love to connect with any alums living in the DMV. Feel free to connect on LinkedIn! Pete November, Health Care, 2000: On November 1, 2022, Pete assumed the role of CEO of Ochsner Health, Louisiana’s largest not-for-profit academic health system and its largest private employer. Jonathan Parness, Real Estate, 2001: Jonathan was promoted to Deputy General Counsel, Director of Legal Services at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. The Alston & Bird Class of 2002 held a reunion on November 18 at The Blue Room at Politan Row in Atlanta The Alston & Bird Class of 1986 held a reunion on November 5 at Le Colonial in Atlanta WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022 Where Are They Now?
Rhonda Patterson, Litigation & Trial Practice, 2006: Rhonda was recently appointed to the district court bench in North Carolina. A press release can be found here. David Smith, Litigation & Trial Practice, 1978: David is currently writing his second novel, working on the musical parody of a famous film, making a documentary film about opera, and enjoying being a father of five. William Still, Financial Services & Products, 2013: As Chief Compliance Officer at GreenSky, William helped his company through the due diligence, deal close, and integration phases of GreenSky’s acquisition by Goldman Sachs. William continues to serve as a Senior Compliance Officer for Goldman Sachs. Elliot Watts, Financial Services & Products, 2017: Elliot graduated in May from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with an MBA, having double-majored in finance and in marketing and operations management. He accepted an offer with Truist Securities, where he now works as an investment banking associate in the Technology Group in Atlanta. DanielleWhite, Health Care, 2014: Danielle was recently elevated to Senior Director of Federal Policy & Advocacy for Ascension. David Wohlstadter, Litigation & Trial Practice, 2015: David recently moved to Boca Raton, Florida, and is now in-house counsel for the beverage company Celsius to manage litigation and investigations. Markus Wuenschelbaum, Referendar, 2014: Markus published his dissertation on the role of collective bargaining agreements in the GDPR. He also passed the “second” German bar exam and is now an associate at a full-service law firm (CMS) for labor law and data privacy in Hamburg. The fund for the Habitat build in memory of Michelle Henkel has almost reached its goal. There is still time to participate – click here. As a result of raisingover $50,000, theoriginal designation of donations in Skip Fulton’s memory has now moved from the Andrew Page Pancreatic Cancer Fund to the Richard “Skip” Fulton Pancreatic Cancer Fund. Donations can be made here. Stefan Heinrich – On Mother Earth, the only one we have and which we should preserve very much. Hannah Hope – Split time between Traverse City, Michigan, and Tybee Island, Georgia! Mike Kenny – In the State of Suspended Animation. Desirée LaSalle – Right in our dream home in Middletown, New Jersey, where we moved as a family last year. Jennifer Meyerowitz – Anywhere that is beachfront with no hurricanes, earthquakes, or fires. Kristin Meister – Usually where I am at the moment. Jonathan Parness – Japan. William Still – Cody, Wyoming. Laura Thatcher – Milton, Georgia (I got lucky). DavidWohlstader – New York City. MarkusWuenschelbaum – Hamburg, Germany. We Asked: Where would you most like to live? Welcome New Faces Across the Firm New faces who have joined the firm in the period ending December 1, 2022. Brandon Abrams, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Washington, D.C. Previously: Baker Botts Mustafa Almusawi, Associate Financial Services & Products Washington, D.C. Previously: Stradley Ronon Ashton Andrews, Associate Litigation Area New York Previously: Vanderbilt University Shazell Archer, Associate Finance New York Previously: Fordham University Amir Askarian, Staff Attorney IP Patents Washington, D.C. Previously: The United States Patent and Trademark Office Zoë Atchinson, Associate Health Care Washington, D.C. Previously: Boston College Joseph Baillargeon, Associate IP Litigation Washington, D.C. Previously: Duane Morris, LLP Sarah Beach, Associate Health Care Atlanta Previously: Georgia State University Erin Beaton, Associate IP Litigation Charlotte Previously: Boston University Juan Bernal, Associate Financial Services & Products Atlanta Previously: Emory University Katie Bitting, Patent Specialist IP Patents Raleigh Previously: North Carolina State University Tyler Blake, Senior Associate Litigation & Trial Practice San Francisco Previously: Vinson & Elkins Andrew Boyer, Associate Environmental & Land Use Atlanta Previously: Georgia State University Liz Buckley, Counsel Finance Atlanta Previously: McGuireWoods LLP Sam Bui, Senior Associate Litigation & Trial Practice New York Previously: Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Sam Burdick, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Los Angeles Previously: Troutman Pepper George Cahill, Partner Financial Services & Products New York Previously: Jones Day Dylan Cassidy, Senior Associate Financial Restructuring & Reorganization New York Previously: Gibson, Dunn & Cutcher LLP Steven Chen, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities New York Previously: Brooklyn Law School Tim Cordova, Associate Health Care Washington, D.C. Previously: U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Peter Cornick, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022
Welcome New Faces Across the Firm New faces who have joined the firm in the period ending December 1, 2022. Josh Fox, Associate Technology & Privacy Atlanta Previously: University of Chicago Lauren Funk, Associate Litigation Area Atlanta Previously: Wake Forest University Andrea Galvez, Associate Litigation Area Atlanta Previously: Emory University Julia Gentile, Associate Litigation Area Charlotte Previously: Pennsylvania State University Danielle Goldstein, Associate Litigation Area Atlanta Previously: Emory University Walter Goss, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities Atlanta Previously: Vanderbuilt University Skyler Green, Associate Financial Services & Products Atlanta Previously: Cornell University Hirshel Hall, Associate Financial Restructuring & Reorganization Atlanta Previously: Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Gloria Han, Associate Financial Services & Products Washington, D.C. Previously: Duke University Reid Hansen, Associate Finance Atlanta Previously: Georgia State University John Harden, Senior Associate Federal & International Tax Atlanta Previously: Morris, Manning & Martin LLP Bennett Hardymon, Associate IP Patents Charlotte Previously: University of Virginia Ashleigh Harris, Associate IP Trademarks & Copyright Atlanta Previously: University of South Carolina Dylan Haversack, Associate IP Patents Washington, D.C. Previously: Rothwell Figg IP Professionals Krista Hernandez, Counsel Environmental & Land Use Los Angeles Previously: Doll, Amir & Eley LLP Luke Hiller-Addis, Associate Financial Restructuring & Reorganization London Previously: TLT, LLP Ytran Hoang, Associate Litigation Area Los Angeles Previously: Harvard University Matthew Hooker, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Raleigh Previously: Womble Bond Dickinson LLP Evan Hudson, Partner Financial Services & Products New York Previously: Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Jordan Johnson, Senior Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment Atlanta Previously: McGuireWoods LLP John Lex Kenerly, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: Supreme Court of Georgia Leila Knox, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: Supreme Court of Georgia Alex Krause, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities Atlanta Previously: University of North Carolina MaryKate Kustas, Associate Financial Services & Products New York Previously: Vanderbilt University Channing Lansdell, Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment Atlanta Previously: Vanderbilt University Harrison Lawrence, Patent Agent IP Patents Atlanta Previously: University of Mississippi Ed Leaf, Associate Finance Washington, D.C. Previously: American University Welcome New Faces Across the Firm New faces who have joined the firm in the period ending December 1, 2022. Claire Lieberman, Associate Finance Charlotte Previously: University of North Carolina Aldys London, Partner Financial Services & Products Washington, D.C. Previously: Weiner Brodsky Kider PC Daniel Lord, Senior Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment Raleigh Previously: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP Riven Lysander, Associate Litigation Area Washington, D.C. Previously: George Washington University Anissa Malik, Associate Finance New York Previously: Georgia State University Eric Mattingly, Senior Associate Financial Services & Products Atlanta Previously: Jones Day Joe McKernan, Partner Finance New York Previously: Hodgson Russ LLP Kimberly Miller, Senior Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment Atlanta Previously: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough Maria Merritt, Counsel Finance Atlanta Previously: McGuireWoods LLP Margaret Craib, Senior Associate Finance Washington, D.C. Previously: Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP Alison Davis, Associate IP Patents Charlotte Previously: Dority & Manning, P.A. Jason DiMedio, Patent Agent IP Patents New York Previously: HoustonHogle, LLP Erin Edwards, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Wevine Fidelis, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Washington, D.C. Previously: Cooley LLP Emily Fitzgerald, Senior Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Dallas Previously: Holland & Knight LLP WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022
Welcome New Faces Across the Firm New faces who have joined the firm in the period ending December 1, 2022. Welcome New Faces Across the Firm New faces who have joined the firm in the period ending December 1, 2022. Jason Sigalos, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Vitor Silveira-Vieira, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice New York Previously: Stanford University Jay Smith, Counsel Environmental & Land Use Los Angeles Previously: Steptoe & Johnson LLP Rory Smith, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Fort Worth Previously: Texas A&M University Dakota Sneed, Associate Compensation, Benefits & ERISA Litigation Atlanta Previously: University of California, Berkeley Garrett Stanton, Associate Environmental & Land Use Los Angeles Previously: Bowman and Brooke Chris Taylor, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities Charlotte Previously: Wake Forest University Brian Teague, Senior Attorney IP Patents Charlotte Previously: Patent Law of VA, PLLC Morgan Thaler, Associate Finance Washington, D.C. Previously: American University Ty Thomas, Associate IP Litigation Los Angeles Previously: University of Southern California Chris Thomson, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Dallas Previously: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Samantha Van Winter, Associate Environmental & Land Use Washington, D.C. Previously: Circuit Court of Chesterfield County Nikita Varman, Policy Advisor Health Care Washington, D.C. Previously: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Sidney Webb, Associate Litigation Area Dallas Previously: Texas A&M University Matt Welch, Associate IP Litigation Charlotte Previously: U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina Tracy Yao, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice San Francisco Previously: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California Jacob Young, Associate IP Litigation Dallas Previously: Southern Methodist University Ashley Yull, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Washington, D.C. Previously: Keller and Heckman LLP Krupa Zachariah, Associate Health Care Washington, D.C. Previously: American University John Zarrilli, Associate Litigation Area Atlanta Previously: Duke University Donald Zhang, Patent Agent IP Patents New York Previously: Anova Law Group Kalina Zhong, Associate Litigation Area San Francisco Previously: University of California, Los Angeles Kirby Shilling, Associate Finance New York Previously: Fordham University Mary Riolo, Associate IP Litigation Charlotte Previously: University of South Carolina Andrew Roberts, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Gina Russoniello, Senior Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment Charlotte Previously: Proskauer Rose LLP Lauren Scarantino, Partner Real Estate Finance & Investment New York Previously: Blank Rome LLP Antonio Sciarrotta, Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment New York Previously: St. John’s University Morgan Sexton, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities Charlotte Previously: King & Spalding Leigh Shapiro, Associate Labor & Employment Atlanta Previously: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia Arabella Murrison, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities London Previously: Reed Smith LLP Seol Namgoong, Associate Litigation Area Los Angeles Previously: Notre Dame University Aileen Ng, Senior Associate Financial Services & Products Los Angeles Previously: Ballard Spahr Beth Nordhorn, Associate Health Care Atlanta Previously: University of Florida Hyun Jai Oh, Associate Technology & Privacy Atlanta Previously: University of Virginia Janelle Owusu, Associate Financial Services & Products Atlanta Previously: New York University Christina Preminger, Associate Real Estate Finance & Investment New York Previously: Blank Rome LLP WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022
In the late 1950s, Phillip Alston Jr. met with Buster Bird and Arthur Howell to discuss the possibility of a merger between the Alston firm and the Bird firm. Due to the client configuration of the two firms, a merger was impossible. In October 1990, an American Lawyer survey ranked Alston & Bird among the five best places to work in the country. In 1947, associates were paid $150 per month. Long-time major clients of Jones, Bird & Howell: y The Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (Grady Hospital) y Prudential y Exxon y Georgia Tech Athletic Association y Atlantic Steel Company y John Deere Company y Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (3M) y Storer Broadcasting y Canton Textile Mills Inc. y Jones Mercantile Company Long-time major clients of Alston, Miller & Gaines: y C&S Bank y R.H. Macy & Company y CSX Transportation y Woolworths y Equitable Life Assurance Society of America y The Genuine Parts Company y Triton y Vulcan Materials y Printpack y Sears y GoldKist WINTER 2022 WINTER 2022
Alston & Bird Job Postings Liz Price Alumni Chair liz.price@alston.com 404.881.7264 Jessica Starr Program Communications jessica.starr@alston.com 404.881.7933 Update Information We want to hear from you. Share what’s new with your fellow alumni. New job or title? Relocation? Family news? Let Jessica Starr know. In-House WINTER 2022
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