¾Alum Spotlight: Kandis Wood Jackson, McKinsey & Company ¾Around the Firm ¾Alston & Bird Partner Spotlights: Rob Vartabedian and Conrad Hester ¾New Faces Across the Firm ¾Charlotte by the Numbers ¾Tales From the Other Side with Recent Retiree Mary Gill ¾What’s New with You? In this issue SUMMER 2023 What Would be the Title of Your Autobiography?
SUMMER 2023 ALUM SPOTLIGHT Kandis Wood Jackson, McKinsey & Company Interview by Alex Barnett, Partner, Labor & Employment Group
SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 Q: What led you to choose the practice of law? You did Teach for America for two years before going to law school, so I would love to hear whether that influenced your decision to go to law school or practice law. If it didn’t, share with us what made you decide to go to law school. Yes, I did do Teach for America before law school, after graduating from undergrad. I think before starting that work as a teacher, I was pretty sure I was going to go to law school, and I think, if anything, teaching during those two years probably cemented the decision to go to law school for me for a variety of reasons. One of the reasons is that I didn’t think teaching itself was my calling, but I knew that working in a field that gives a lot of opportunity to effect change probably was more of my calling, and I thought a law degree was that field. I still believe that. So, I continued with my plan and went to law school. Q: Tell us a little about your career at Alston & Bird and what attracted you to the firm? I spent my summers at the firm as a summer associate and met a lot of people in different practice groups and practice areas. One that stood out both in terms of work and people was the Labor & Employment Group. From a Q: Let’s start with an ice breaker—what would the title of your autobiography be? It would be The More Things Change…. Q: Okay, The More Things Change…; can you elaborate on how that title’s significance reflects some aspect or aspects of your life? You know the phrase, “The more things change, the more they stay the same”? That phrase comes up in my head often as I hit changes or milestones in my life. Life, as we all know, has surprises and changes all the time. Some of them are good, some of them are bad, some of them, you don’t know until later whether it was good or bad but it’s always a change. Something’s always different as the days and weeks and years go by, but at the same time there are some constants. There are things that, for all intents and purposes, stay the same—that love is really important, that kindness is important, empathy and consideration, and that family is important. You know, those things don’t change and so it’s nice—at least, I should say, comforting to me—to have learned that over the course of my life so far. That the more things change (and they do change) maybe, in some ways, the more things stay the same. substantive work perspective, it’s fascinating. The nature of the law changes in a way that is somewhat unique to employment defense work. I frankly haven’t done any other type of work as dynamic and interesting and, dare I say, at times fun. But the people, present company very much included, really sealed the deal for me. And I hope that’s still the case that people hold Alston & Bird attorneys in high regard in terms of not only their work but also their humanity. That certainly is something that stood out to me and still does now and attracted me to the firm and to that practice, in particular. Q: So, tell me, what sorts of legal issues are you encountering at McKinsey? I picked a really good autobiography title, I must say! The more things change, the more they stay the same. For instance, the nature of our work is dynamic as workforces change and the economy changes, generations change and demographics change, but there are some fundamental pieces that are the same. And I’m certainly encountering those at my current job. Being in-house means you’re more focused on one type of demographic as opposed to what you and I used to do together, which is represent several clients who have very different demographics. But we’re still focused on the heavy hitters under federal laws. For example, the traditional federal and state employment work. And then again, responding to changing times, changing demographics, and the like is also part of the job. Q: You’ve mentioned having one client now versus having several that you were working for when you were at the firm. What are the most surprising differences you’ve experienced working in-house versus working at A&B? I think one way I’ve thought of it is like a primary care physician versus an emergency room doctor. Doctors are probably like, “Don’t compare yourself to me!” but I am. Being in-house feels more like primary care where you’re assessing, you’re auditing, but you’re looking around the corner. You know, you have the same patient and you want that patient to be successful now and not just responding to an emergency situation and triaging, but rather working holistically—prescribing things for the future and for what might come down the pipeline. I don’t know if it’s a surprising difference. I don’t think it’s brain surgery, but I do think it is a different way of thinking. Now I feel more like a business, a thought partner thinking more comprehensively about the patient as the entire firm, so we’re not so much in a vacuum, or in the emergency room area. You’re looking at a more holistic picture.
SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 Q: I do like that analogy. What do you like most about your work and what do you think the areas are that are most challenging? Is there anything else you want to share that you really enjoy about your work or that you think is particularly challenging about practicing in Labor & Employment or in McKinsey’s industry? I really enjoy, at the end of the day, that you’re helping to solve problems. No matter what type of “doctor”you are, you’re partnering, you’re collaborating. I’m partnering, I’m collaborating, being a thought partner. You know, sometimes as the adviser, I am learning as I’m listening to business folks or stakeholders informing me about their priorities and concerns that are outside of anything that I could find in a law book. So, I like that process of bringing people to the table, everybody having respect, listening, and learning from each other, and most importantly working out a solution. You know, I’m one of those people who thinks there’s a solution to every problem, and that’s the fun part of it. And that’s one of the things where it is different being in-house. Where is the line for my legal hat versus my business hat? You have to find that line or at least attempt to draw it. And sometimes you take one of those hats off intentionally and play a different role. And so, I think that is all a part of the problem solving and something I really enjoy. Q: How about a few“getting to know you” questions. What’s one family tradition you want to pass down to your kids? I grew up in a household where we honored and celebrated a Sabbath day from sunset on Friday night to sunset on Saturday. We weren’t allowed to watch TV or talk on the phone or, at that time, go on the internet on our computers. It wasn’t as hard as it sounds today, but, nonetheless, the point of that time was to spend it with family, eating meals together. We went to church on Saturdays, which was our Sabbath. We ate meals together after church and we spent a lot of time in nature together as a family going on walks or bike riding or hikes or just spending time outside. In my household now, we’re certainly not that strict or conservative, but I would like to pass down a similar tradition where you take some time, you dedicate time to each other, because as we all know, if you don’t make it or dedicate that time, it will pass anyway, right? Q: Yes! That’s so cool. And so again, staying on theme, what is a piece of advice that your parents or grandparents gave you that you want to pass on? My parents are two of the most hardworking people I’ve ever met. And as I reflect on this question and their advice generally, what I want to say is this: They’ve given me the best advice by doing, by leading as examples. They were never ones to sit me down and just preach to me about life’s mantras and the like. But the main takeaway I’ve gotten from watching them is to not be afraid of hard work. They have never been afraid of that, and I think that’s really good advice. It has been for me too. I mean, there’s going to be hard work, but don’t be scared to do it. Q: OK, one last question. If you were an athlete, what would your walkout song be? Mine would be Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train,” which I didn’t know was the name of it until this morning when I Googled it. But it’s that song that Chipper Jones walked out to for the Braves. So, back in the day, we used to be obsessed with the Braves. We’re from Atlanta, so everybody from Atlanta was obsessed with the oldschool Braves. It’s like that [hums song]. You know that song? So, like, every time Chipper Jones would walk out, it was just like the coolest thing ever. Around the Firm X Atlanta The Atlanta office hosted the Alston & Bird 2023 Annual Alumni, Friends & Client CLE, “SquawkTalk.”The podcast program featured attorneys from Corporate Transactions & Securities, Health Care & Policy, IP Litigation, Labor & Employment, Litigation&Trial Practice, and Privacy, Cyber &Data Strategy/Tech&Telecom. Thereweremore than 100 alumni attending in person, with over 200 virtual attendees. X Charlotte The Charlotte office hosted an in-person Corporate Trust CLE “Trusts and Custody” led by Matt Gauthier and Chip More. The seminar discussed trusts and custody arrangements, trustee and custodian concerns, and key points for reviewing trust agreements. X Dallas/Fort Worth Conrad Hester and Emily Fitzgerald discussed force majeure during their CLE webinar, “Force Majeure: Excusing Nonperformance in Chaotic Times,” hosted by the DFW Association of Lease & Title Analysts (ALTA). X Firmwide Alston & Bird was named a “Best Workplace” by Fortune for the 24th consecutive year and was placed in the top 50 companies for 2023. In addition, the firm increased the practices and attorneys recognized in Chambers USA 2023, with 68 practices rankings and 148 leading lawyer listings.
SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 X London BJ Stieglitz moderated a fireside chat with Vanessa Sisti, who served on secondment from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Criminal Fraud Section to the Serious Fraud Office, then moved on to a secondment to the Financial Conduct Authority. The chat covered topics including U.S./UK cooperation in white collar enforcement, the latest DOJ corporate enforcement policy updates, and cross-border compliance and risk mitigation challenges. X Los Angeles Jason Levin provided insight on the Los Angeles Superior Court update panel at the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel’s 62nd Annual Seminar. X NewYork The NewYork office hosted a seminar for CRE Finance Council’sWomen’s Network andYoung Professionals, “CRE Finance Council – Making Connections: Networking Fundamentals and Practical Skills.” The program focused on the most important aspects of networking, and Meryl Diamond moderated a panel of clients. X San Francisco Chaka Patterson was interviewed for his perspective as a former general counsel on some of today’s most pressing insurance issues for the “General Counsel Insurance Lunchtime Boot Camp Series: What Every GC Needs to Know About Insurance.” X Silicon Valley In February 2023, the Silicon Valley office moved to Palo Alto and has been settling into the new neighborhood the past few months. X Washington, D.C. The Washington, D.C. office partnered with GATT DC (LGBT Professionals in International Trade) to host a panel discussion and networking reception centered on U.S.-Brazil trade policy and partnership. Lucas Queiroz Pires joined the panel discussion. Q: What’s your guilty pleasure? Rob Vartabedian: Mozzarella sticks at Arby’s. But sometimes I order a four-count box and only eat three of them to show off my immense restraint. Conrad Hester: Horror novels. Reach out to me with a recommendation. Q: What’s your favorite movie quote? Rob: “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” The Godfather Conrad: “What if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.” Groundhog Day PARTNER SPOTLIGHTS Getting to Know the Dallas and Fort Worth Offices with Rob Vartabedian and Conrad Hester, Partners, Litigation & Trial Practice Group Interview by Angela Spivey, Co-Practice Group Leader for the Litigation & Trial Practice Group Q: If you were an athlete, what would you choose as your walkout song? Rob: “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. I think that would really throw off my competition. Conrad: “Here Comes the Hotstepper” by Ini Kamoze Q: What book do you wish you could read for the first time again? Rob: Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut Conrad: Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham Q: When was the last time you did something for the first time? Rob: In April I visited Europe for the first time. I also got sick of Italian food for the first time in my life. Conrad: I’d never eaten an avocado until last year. Q: What’s a piece of advice your parents or grandparents gave you that you want to pass on? Rob: Do the thing you want to do least first. Conrad: My father taught me that if you’re ever having a bad day, start thinking about how to help others and you’ll forget your own problems. That’s been pretty sound advice. Rob Vartabedian Conrad Hester
SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 Q: Why Alston & Bird? Rob: We wanted a firm that was high performing, gave us the flexibility to grow our practice, and was a pleasant place to work. We looked at a lot of great firms, but only A&B fit the bill. And A&B has exceeded our expectations on all of those fronts. Conrad: We chose Alston & Bird because it is an excellent firm with a great reputation that we knew would be a good place to launch our oil & gas dispute practice. A&B has the perfect blend of putting large-firm resources at our disposal while providing a generally open space to avoid client conflicts in the industry. The fact A&B has a famously collegial environment where lawyers check their egos at the door while still providing first-rate service to their client base made the choice an easy one. Q: What drew you to oil, mineral, and gas law? Conrad: When I first started practicing, I wanted to do any kind of commercial litigation. Through a stroke of good luck, two of the first cases I worked on as a junior associate went up to the Texas Supreme Court and turned into seminal oil & gas cases in the area of lease termination, where I now specialize. I’m fortunate, because there is a lot of case law and litigation activity in this arena in Texas, so it’s a good area to concentrate in. Rob: I started practicing law in Amarillo, Texas, and in Amarillo a lot of the major disputes are about oil. So I was assigned to oil & gas cases as a young attorney, developed some expertise, and before I knew it, I didn’t know how to do much else. Q: How has your practice evolved over the years? Rob: For the first five or so years, my practice was more general commercial litigation. I worked at a small firm and we’d do whatever walked in the door—a lot of oil & gas, but a grab bag of other things, too. Now my work is probably 90% oil & gas litigation. And my first 10 years of practice I was usually either the sole associate on a case or running the case myself. I now usually work on a team of at least three attorneys, sometimes much more, and my role is focused on client development, client relations, hearings, and trials. Conrad: Like a lot of practices, oil & gas litigation has a steep learning curve, so I benefited from reading a lot of deeds and lease instruments early in my career to get my footing on standard language and how the courts approach their interpretation. While we’ve always handled upstream (exploration and production of hydrocarbons) litigation, we’ve done more work on midstream (transportation of oil & gas) and water-rights disputes lately. Q: From your perspective (your practice area), what is the one area where people or companies are not paying close enough attention and putting themselves at risk? Rob: I think a lot of large public companies in the oil & gas space don’t pay much attention to who they use as litigation counsel. They tend to be irrationally rate sensitive. While bargain litigators make sense for some cases, I routinely see $100+ million disputes where a large oil company is using attorneys that are clearly out of their depth. Conrad: A lot of operators believe they can hold their oil &gas leases withminimal effort. But Texas law requires production in paying quantities to perpetuate a lease. Operators should be examining their leases to shore up vulnerabilities, and landowners should be monitoring production. Q: You started with Alston & Bird during the pandemic. How was that transition? Rob: It was weird! I’m still slowly meeting a lot of my coworkers in person for the first time. In terms of our client work, though, the transition was pretty seamless after some initial hiccups caused by our departing firm. Conrad: I couldn’t imagine it being any more seamless than it was. Although it took a while to meet my fellow partners in person, the team responsible for our integration did a great job of setting up Zoommeetings and phone calls to begin making connections and learning more about the firm. And once the firm shifted its policy to return to work, our team in Fort Worth is generally in the office every day. PARTNER SPOTLIGHTS
Welcome New Faces Across the Firm Milly Bartolome, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Atlanta Previously: Weil, Gotshal & Manges Eric Berardi, Partner Real Estate Atlanta Previously: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Steve Blevit, Partner Finance Los Angeles Previously: Sidley Austin Nicholas Brocklesby, Partner Litigation & Trial Practice London Previously: Reed Smith Gene Caiola, Partner Real Estate New York Previously: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Kristina Daniels, Associate Corporate Transactions & Securities Washington, D.C. Previously: Perkins Coie Nikki Fanous, Counsel Real Estate Dallas Previously: Dentons US Lane Folsom, Partner Financial Services & Products Dallas Previously: Dentons US Richard Galati, Counsel Litigation & Trial Practice New York Previously: Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton Jonathan Garforth, Partner Financial Services & Products London Previously: Dentons Christina Garrett, Senior Associate Finance Washington, D.C. Previously: Latham &Watkins Don Hammett, Partner Financial Services & Products Dallas Previously: Dentons US Caitlin Haygood, Associate Real Estate Atlanta Previously: Gray Pannell &Woodward Christina Heddesheimer, Senior Associate Financial Services & Products Dallas Previously: Dentons John Heflin, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Washington, D.C. Previously: Wilkinson Barker Knauer Hannah Hess, Associate Environmental & Land Use Los Angeles Raleigh Johnston, Partner Federal & International Tax Dallas Previously: Dentons Chris Juarez, Senior Associate Finance Los Angeles Previously: Sidley Austin Jonathan Kim, Senior Associate Litigation & Trial Practice Los Angeles Previously: Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz James Kousoulas, Partner Real Estate Los Angeles Previously: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Solmaz Kraus, Counsel Finance Los Angeles Previously: Sidley Austin James Litwinovich, Partner Real Estate Los Angeles Previously: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner Jonathan Manor, Partner Corporate Transactions & Securities Silicon Valley Previously: Kirkland & Ellis Steve Mindy, Partner Compensation, Benefits & ERISA Litigation Washington, D.C. Previously: Katten Muchin Rosenman Alvaro Montenegro, Associate Litigation & Trial Practice San Francisco Previously: Enenstein Pham & Glass Carlin O’Donnell, Senior Associate Real Estate New York Previously: Hinckley Allen Alice Portnoy, Associate Technology & Privacy Brussels Previously: AdaStone Simon Root, Partner Corporate Transactions & Securities Silicon Valley Previously: Kirkland & Ellis Charlotte By the Numbers 55,312 square feet of office space, which includes a 1,200 sq. ft. balcony with a great view of Uptown Charlotte 98 attorneys 9 practice groups 1st – South End was home to the nation’s first gold rush and Charlotte’s first railroad 4blocks from Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC 10craft breweries within 2 miles of the office SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023
SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 TALES FROM THE OTHER SIDE WITH RECENT RETIREE MARY GILL Interview by Liz Price, Chief Legal Talent Partner Q: Tell us a bit about your practice and time at Alston & Bird. My entire professional life was at A&B, starting with two summers at Alston, Miller & Gaines (1981 and 1982) and then joining in 1983 as part of the first Alston & Bird associate class. I became a partner in 1991 in the Securities Litigation Group and remained until retiring at the end of 2020. My practice evolved over the years, with a particular focus on representing public companies in internal and SEC investigations. Much of my time and energy was also invested in the firm, as the first chair of the Women’s Initiative, a member and chair of the Partners Committee, and a member of the Diversity Committee. Q: How did you decide when to retire? My timing for retirement was influenced by a confluence of factors. My husband had retired (from Woodward Academy) several years earlier, and the years of paying a mortgage and college tuition were behind us. I had recently completed four years on the Partners Committee, which was enormously satisfying. I had just turned 65, felt great, and was eager to have more time to ride my bike, travel, spend time with family and friends, and develop other interests. Q: What did you plan to do on day one? Did you do it? When I first contemplated retirement, I assumed that I would have a “plan,” with a position on a board or other meaningful commitments. At one point in 2020, I spoke with a consultant who provided me with advice on preparing my resume and other steps to seek out board positions. During the call, I took copious notes and, when the call ended, I promptly tore the notes into shreds. I realized that the reason for retiring was to reduce (or eliminate altogether) responsibility, commitments, and deadlines. That is what I have done and I have not regretted it for a minute, nor have I had a dull moment. I serve on the advisory board for Skyland Trails and volunteer at Second Helpings, but otherwise my daily commitments are to family, friends, and keeping myself healthy by biking, Pilates, and walking every day. Q: What has surprised you the most about retirement? How full and satisfying my days are and that every day/ week is different. We are generally out of Atlanta at least once a month—either going to our lake house, to visit friends or family, or on longer trips (usually cycling somewhere). I sent the following message to the SLG on January 1, 2022, and the words still ring true: On this first day of 2022, I am reflecting on 2021 and the fact that it has been a full year since I retired … hard to believe. And yet, the days of recording time, checking emails every five minutes, and stressing over advising clients, determining the best strategy or finding the next case seem more than just one year ago. As stressful as that life was, I loved the energy, the adrenaline, the mental challenge and, most of all, the comradery and communal blood, sweat and tears. But I have no second thoughts about retirement. People ask me (as I did of others before I retired), what do you with your time? It is hard to explain how the days fill up, but they do, and I have not been bored for a minute or in a quandary over how to spend my time. For now, I am enjoying the freedom and leisure of not having deadlines, responsibilities or commitments. Q: Tell us a funny story about working at A&B. Well, as you know, we had loads of fun duringmy working years at A&B. One that immediately comes to mind is our Thelma & Louise nights, when some of the A&B women would get together at my house, drink tequila, and watch the iconic movie … but that’s all I am going to say about that! This happened about 10 years ago. I represented the former officers and director of a failed community bank in Lexington, Kentucky, and needed to visit with a lawyer who had represented the bank. A first-year SLG associate was just getting involved in the new matter, so I asked her to accompany me on the trip. I asked her and my assistant to make flight arrangements to Lexington for us—assuming that the Brown Todd lawyer was in their Lexington office where the bank was located—and the following week arrived and asked for the lawyer with whom we were to meet. Much to my surprise (and embarrassment), the receptionist told us that the lawyer was in the Louisville office, which was 70 miles away. We asked about car rentals and found one just a few blocks away. Unfortunately, the only vehicle they had available was a Ford F-150 pickup truck. I asked the associate (or she offered) to drive, and intent upon making up for lost time, was well over the speed limit when we were stopped by a state trooper. When he approached the cab, he was quite surprised to see two women in suits and high heels, but we were unsuccessful in talking our way out of the ticket! Q: What piece of advice would you give your young associate self? Relax and enjoy the ride. Q: Any exciting travel plans to share? We have had some great trips. When I retired, we bought a Winnebago Sprinter and (with our dog) took a monthlong road trip to the Grand Canyon and Arches with other stops along with way. But our favorite form of travel is bike trips, and since retirement we have biked in Italy, Portugal (twice), and France, with Sicily planned for September.
John Anderson, Compensation, Benefits & ERISA Litigation, 2008: John was promoted to Vice President & Associate General Counsel at Fidelity Investments. Doug Chalmers, Litigation & Trial Practice, 1996: Doug is the managing member of Chalmers, Adams, Backer & Kaufman, a litigation and political law firm with 18 lawyers. With the exception of getting hit by a car while working on a brief on Fathers Day in 1999, he fondly remembers his time at A&B. Steve Collier, Real Estate, Finance & Investment, 1983: Steve graduated in May 2023 from Mercer University with a master of theological studies. Bob Edge, Wealth Planning, 1965: Bob is the 2023 recipient of the University of Georgia’s President’s Medal. Lindsey Geihsler, IP Litigation, 2012: Lindsey and her family welcomed son Graham Watson Geihsler on May 24, 2023. He joins older brothers Liam (11), Teddy (9), and Avery (2). Elizabeth Willoughby Harrell, Litigation & Trial Practice, 2009: Liz was appointed to serve as Vice Chair for the American Bar Association’s Healthcare Facility Operations Group. Robyn Ice, Construction & Government Contracts, 1991: Robyn, the Senior Professor of Practice and Director of the Legal Studies and Business & Leadership Programs at Tulane University, received the 2023 Emily Vokes Faculty Award for lifetime leadership and service to the school. Cynthia Patton, Health Care, 1986: Cynthia was named General Counsel and Secretary of Tessera Therapeutics in April 2023. Tessera is the biotechnology company pioneering a new approach in genetic medicine known as Gene Writing™. Abraham Pollack, Financial Services, 2004: Earlier this year, Abe’s legal search firm celebrated its fifth anniversary. PBG works with law firms and in-house departments throughout the country to source top legal talent. Ron Reid, Litigation &Trial Practice, 1963: Just trying to grow old gracefully. Phil Sandick, Environment & Land Use, 2014: Phil’s family is well and his work is mostly in energy transition, both on the federal permit defense side (mostly offshore wind) and transaction side (siting batterymanufacturing & other facilities, M&A/cap markets deals for facility conversions & carbon capture, etc.) Kathryn Scully, Corporate Transactions & Securities, 2012: Kathryn welcomed daughter Lillian Patterson Scully on December 21, 2022. We asked you: In honor of a good summer read, what would be the title of your autobiography? For this summer edition, we decided to honor the tradition of a good beach read and ask our alumni not only for their updates but also what their autobiography titles would be! The Steadfast Love of the LORD Never Ceases Steve Collier A Life in Three Acts Robyn Ice The U.S. Banking Business Is Getting More Interesting Than Ever Douglas McClintock Anonymous Ron Reid Festina Lente (Latin for “Hurry Slowly”) Phil Sandick Lipitor & Me: The Culinary Adventures of a Restaurant Lawyer Glenn Viers SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 Wtih You?
Alston & Bird Job Postings Liz Price Alumni Chair liz.price@alston.com +1 404 881 7264 Candace Spencer Marketing Director candace.spencer@alston.com +1 202 239 3150 Update Information We want to hear from you. Share what’s new with your fellow alumni. New job or title? Relocation? Family news? Let Candace Spencer know. In-House SUMMER 2023 SUMMER 2023 InMemoriam This section includes notices of recent losses in our alumni community and immediate family. Samuel “Sam”Taylor Our Los Angeles Litigation & Trial Practice partner Samuel “Sam”Taylor died peacefully on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at home following a courageous battle against cancer. Sam joined the firm in 2008 and practiced with us until 2012. Sam was known for his generous spirit, love of life, caring nature, and sense of humor. Homer “Lee”Walker II We are saddened by the recent passing of our friend and colleague Homer “Lee”Walker on March 17, 2023. Lee excelled in his profession as a real estate development attorney and was in the Alston & Bird alumni class of 1986. A graduate of the University of Georgia and Emory University School of Law, Lee will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to know him.
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