(Main Office)

The law firm of Hawkins & Parnell, LLP was founded in 1963 as Freeman & Hawkins. In 1996, the Firm changed its name to Hawkins & Parnell. The Firm has a strong national, regional, and local litigation practice which includes product liability, toxic tort, environmental, professional negligence, business, insurance, governmental liability, motor vehicle, trucking, medical malpractice, nursing home litigation, and general litigation. Hawkins & Parnell is listed in Best's Directory of Recommended Insurance Companies. Hawkins & Parnell has the latest computer technology which enables the Firm's attorneys to provide effective and efficient legal services at competitive regional rates.

Statement of Practice

General Civil, Trial and Appellate Practice in all State and Federal Courts. Products Liability, Personal Injury, Professional Negligence, Insurance, Environmental, and Toxic Tort Law, Nursing Home Litigation, Entertainment Law. Municipal and Civil Rights Litigation.

Firm Affiliations

ALFA INTERNATIONAL

Representative Clients:

Ashland Oil Co.
Union Carbide
Bayer, Inc.
TRW Inc,
Monsanto
Johnson & Higgins
Ericsson, Inc.
Fieldcrest Cannon, Inc.
Grove Manufacturing Co.
National Car Rental
Abbott Laboratories, Inc.
Willis Carroon Corporation of Georgia
Kearney National, Inc.
Atlantic Richfield Company
A.H. Robins Co., Inc.
Georgia-Pacific Corp.
American General Life and Accident Insurance Co.
MEDMARC Insurance Company
CGU Insurance Co.
Cotton States Insurance Co.
Southern General Insurance Company
Home Insurance Co.
State Auto Insurance Cos.
Travelers Insurance Co.
Jefferson Insurance Company of New York
American International Group
Delta International Machinery Corporation
Suburban Manufacturing Company
HMK Enterprises, Inc.
Black and Decker (U.S.), Inc.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Square D Co.
J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.
The Dyson-Kissner-Moran Corp.
Smith Kline Beecham Clinical Laboratories
Global Van Lines
National Indemnity Company
Reliance National Insurance Company
Union Underwear Co.
Toys "R" Us
Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc.
CSR, Ltd.
Benjamin Sheridan Corporation
Quantum Chemical Corporation
U.S.I. Division
Dana Corporation
Van Liner Insurance Co.
Integon Insurance Co.
John Deere Transportation Services
TPLC, Inc.
Zurich-American Insurance Company
GAF Corporation
Corporate Express Delivery Service
Georgia Municipal Association
Zurich North American
St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company
Beverly Enterprises, Inc.
Hawley Insurance Company
RLI Insurance Company
RTM, Inc.

Address

4000 SunTrust Plaza
303 Peachtree Street, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30308-3243, (DeKalb & Fulton Cos.)

Phone

Phone: 404-614-7400
Fax: 404-614-7500

Website

http://www.hawkinsparnell.com

Firm/Affiliate Offices

(Freeman & Hawkins, 1963-1996)

MEMBERS OF FIRM

J. Bruce Welch (Senior Partner) born Asheville, North Carolina, January 14, 1942; admitted to bar, 1967, Georgia; 1995, Florida; 1996, Nebraska; 1997, West Virginia. Education: University of North Carolina (B.A., 1963); Emory Univeristy (J.D., 1967). Phi Alpha Delta. Member, Bryan Society. Adjunct Professor, Emory University School of Law, 1982-1986. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; The Florida Bar; Nebraska State Bar Association; West Virginia State Bar; State Bar of Texas; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1983—; Vice-President, 1988-1989; Secretary-Treasurer, 1990-1991; Executive Vice President, 1991-1992; President, 1992-1993); International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute (Georgia State Representative, 2005-2008); American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Products Liability; Toxic Tort Litigation.Email: J. Bruce Welch

Albert H. Parnell (Senior Partner) born Washington, D.C., December 24, 1941; admitted to bar, 1969, Georgia; 1989, Nebraska and West Virginia; 1994, Texas and Florida. Education: George Mason College of University of Virginia; Arkansas College (B.A., 1965); Vanderbilt University (J.D., 1968). Phi Delta Phi. Presiding Judge, Vanderbilt Moot Court, 1967-1968. Recipient, Louis Potter Annual Award for Professionalism, Defense Research Institute, 2003. Author: "Requests to Charge on Georgia Law: A Compendium," Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Private Printing, May, 1976; "The Coordinated Group Defense," For the Defense, Vol. 22, No. 6, November, 1980; "Industrywide Litigation - Where We've Been and Where We're Going," Insurance Counsel Journal, April, 1981, p. 296; "Litigation Poses Serious Challenge to Insurers," The Independent Adjuster, Vol. 46, No. 2; "Manufacturers of Toxic Substances: Tort Liability and Punitive Damages," The Forum, American Bar Association, Vol. XVII, No. 4, Spring, 1982; "The Effective Use of Demonstrative Aids in Closing Argument," For the Defense, Vol. 25, No. 12, December, 1983; "Medical Monitoring: A Dangerous Trend," For The Defense, Vol. 34, No. 4, April, 1992. Member: Atlanta and American (Vice-Chairman, Products, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee, Section of Tort and Insurance Practice, 1981-1982; Vice-Chairman, Committee on Toxic and Hazardous Substances and Environmental Law, Section of Tort and Hazardous Substances and Environmental Law, Section of Tort and Insurance Practice, 1985-1986) Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1974—; Vice President, 1977; President, 1979-1980); Defense Research Institute (Member, Board of Directors, 1992; Chairman, Industrywide Litigation Committee, 1979-1981; Chairman, Law Institutes Committee, 1982-1984; Southern Regional Vice President, DRI, 1989); International Association of Insurance Counsel (Member, Products Liability Committee, 1981-1982). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Products Liability Law; Toxic Tort Litigation.Email: Albert H. Parnell

A. Timothy Jones (Senior Partner) born Gary, Indiana, April 15, 1942; admitted to bar, 1967, South Carolina; 1968, Georgia; 1990, Indiana; 1992, Texas; Kentucky. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1963); University of South Carolina (J.D., 1967). Tim Jones, a senior partner in Firm and Partner in Charge of the Charleston, West Virginia office, concentrates his practice in complex product liability and toxic tort litigation. Most recently, his focus has been on asbestos and silica cases in West Virginia and Kentucky. Throughout 40 years with the Firm, Tim has served as trial counsel representing clients in a variety of areas including securities litigation, class action suits, attorney malpractice defense, refinery explosions, environmental issues, and various product liability cases. He has over 36 years of trial counsel experience in both state and federal Courts in Georgia and throughout the United States including the state and federal courts of New York City, state courts of Pennsylvania, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois and Texas. Phi Delta Phi. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; South Carolina Bar; State Bar of Texas; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; Indiana Bar Association; Kentucky Bar Association; West Virginia State Bar; International Association of Defense Counsel; American Law Firm Association (Former Member, Board of Directors). (Resident, Charleston, WV Office). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; General Products Liability; Toxic Tort Litigation; Medical Device Litigation; Environmental Litigation.Email: A. Timothy Jones

Alan F. Herman (Senior Partner) born Richmond, Virginia, January 7, 1949; admitted to bar, 1973, Georgia; Pro Hac Vice, U.S. District Court, District of Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. District Court, District of New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. District Court, District of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. District Court, District of Roanoke, Virginia and State Courts in New Jersey, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Utah, Arizona, Ohio, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and California. Education: Duke University (A.B., 1970); University of Virginia (J.D., 1973). Introduction: Alan F. Herman is a senior partner with Hawkins & Parnell, and is an experienced trial lawyer, who strives to provide personal attention to each of his clients. Alan's civil litigation practice concentrates on the representation of healthcare providers in professional medical negligence litigation, hospitals, physicians, nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, and medical device manufacturers; product manufacturers and product liability cases alleging errors in design, manufacture, assembly, testing and selling of all types of products to include industrial, consumer and medical products; the defense of trucking companies, their drivers, and insurers in catastrophic and other accident related matters; the defense of retail clients and premises owners in matters relating to premises liability, negligent security, and other premises related claims; legal malpractice cases; and general liability matters of all types. Alan believes in being personally available to his clients. He often visits hospitals, nurses, and healthcare providers to prepare them for depositions and other interactions when it is convenient for his clients, whether it be at 7:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. When clients need Alan due to trucking accidents in the middle of the night or problems which arise urgently, they know that they can count on him to be available and that he holds each matter entrusted to him as being very important, because it is important to each of his clients. Alan is personally committed to his trade and aggressively defends his clients in a respectful, well-prepared manner. Alan's forthrightness and integrity has earned him the esteem of his peers, including judges, opposing counsel and jurors. Professional Medical Litigation: Alan has successfully defended medically related lawsuits of every kind to include medical issues involving almost every portion of the anatomy, from head to toe, over the majority of his 35-year career. Representative matters include: Defense of brain damage claims; Defense of bad baby cases, obstetrical claims, and alleged wrongful deaths of mothers and children; Defense of healthcare providers in wrongful death and injury claims arising out of quadriplegia and paraplegia, anesthesia injuries, aneurysms, neurological compromises, closed head injuries, fractures of all types, ophthalmological injuries, surgical injuries, radiological claims, chiropractic and podiatric care, emergency care, and paramedic claims, and claims involving men's health; Defense of psychiatrists in cases involving suicide, the use or alleged misuse of psychiatric medications, and border violations. Product Liability Litigation: Alan has served as national counsel for over 20 years for a component manufacturer of recreational vehicle products which has made him knowledgeable on all aspects of recreational vehicles and their appliances to include furnaces, water heaters, and ranges. Alan's experience in these cases has involved nationwide participation in product related inspections and lawsuits involving fires, explosions, exposure to carbon monoxide, propane gas and natural gas related cases and other product related claims. Alan has defended claims on a national basis relating to personal care communicators designed to alert a call center in the event of emergency to elderly or disabled residents. Representative matters include: Defense of various manufacturers of lawn and garden equipment, including but not limited to lawn tractors and chipper shredders in fires, cases involving injured extremities to adults and children, and other product related actions; Defense of consumer products to include washers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, baby baths, exercise equipment, bicycles, trailers, and power tools, in claims involving personal injury and wrongful death; Defense of manufacturers of industrial equipment to include punch presses and other heavy equipment. Defense of Trucking Companies: Defense of national trucking companies in claims of personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage involving the companies themselves, their drivers, and insurers, to include claims for negligent hiring and retention and multiple accident situations where negligent driving, poor weather conditions, visibility or products claims are at issue. Premises Liability Claims: Alan has represented retailers and landowners in slip and fall cases, injuries due to alleged negligent security, pharmaceutical claims, alleged false arrests and imprisonments, as well as claims relating to assaults and batteries. Legal Malpractice: Defense of attorneys in professional legal actions arising out of underlying litigation and also real estate transactions. General Liability: Cases relating to construction, non-specific general liability claims, coverage and bad faith. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Society of Hospital Risk Managers; American Board of Trial Advocates; Propane Gas Defense Association; Trucking Insurance Defense Association. Reported Cases: Harris v. Leader, State Court of DeKalb County, Georgia; Poe v. Kadum, et al., Bartow County, Georgia; Clark v. Sutton, State Court of Fulton County, Georgia; McGrail v. Rouse, State Court of Fulton County, Georgia; Bartlett v. Louis, Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia; Mobley v. St. Mary's Hospital, Superior Court of Athens-Clarke County, Georgia; Wright v. Lafferty, Superior Court of Houston County, Georgia; Parham v. Blake, Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia; Ward v. Workcare Medical Group, et al., United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Rome Division; Murphy v. Symbas, Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia; Partain v. Soundappan, Superior Court of Houston County, Georgia; Donaldson v. Mann, Superior Court of Houston County, Georgia; Chapman v. Sears, State Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia; Koskoff v. Flow-Tron, Armatron International, Middlesex County, New Brunswick, New Jersey; Prelusion v. MGI, Superior Court of Fayette County, Georgia; Von Gal v. Suburban Manufacturing, et al, Circuit Court of Autauga County, Alabama; Sroka v. Suburban Manufacturing, Circuit Court of Oakland County, Michigan; Skinner v. East Manufacturing Corp., et al., State Court of Dougherty County, Georgia; Allstate v. Electrolux, State Court of Fulton County, Georgia; Newby v. Waddell v. Hennessy Cadillac, Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia; DeMott v. General Manufactured Housing, et al., State Court of Colquitt County, Georgia; Stanley v. First Coast Intermodal, Superior Court of Wilkinson County, Georgia; McCoy v. SAIA Motor Freight, State Court of Cobb County, Georgia; Ritter v. New Plan Realty, Inc., Superior Court of Polk County, Georgia; Brown v. Costco, State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Transportation Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Insurance Defense Law; Premises Liability; Legal Malpractice; Physicians Professional Liability.Email: Alan F. Herman

Michael J. Goldman (Senior Partner) born Norfolk, Virginia, February 20, 1952; admitted to bar, 1976, Georgia and Virginia. Education: University of Richmond (B.A., cum laude, 1973); Emory University (J.D., 1976). Michael Goldman specializes in the defense of products liability, premises liability, professional liability, and general liability cases with an emphasis on catastrophic and high exposure cases for insureds and self-insureds. He currently serves as catastrophic injury counsel for a large carrier as well as national products liability trial counsel for another large carrier. Michael has tried approximately 75 cases to jury verdict in Georgia, New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio, Florida and Arizona. Additionally, he has handled numerous appeals in the Georgia Appellate Courts, as well as the United States Court of Appeals. He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha; Omicron Delta Kappa. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Virginia State Bar; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; Master, American Inns of Court. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Professional Negligence; Insurance Defense Law; Civil Rights Litigation; Governmental Liability; Bad Faith and Coverage Litigation; Premises Liability; Municipal Liability.Email: Michael J. Goldman

H. Lane Young, II (Senior Partner) born Fort Benning, Georgia, March 15, 1951; admitted to bar, 1976, Georgia; 1989, West Virginia. Education: University of North Carolina (B.A., cum laude, 1973); University of Georgia (J.D., cum laude, 1976). Phi Delta Phi; Blue Key. Judicial Assistant to Justice William B. Gunter, Associate Justice, Georgia Supreme Court, 1976-1977. Member: Atlanta (Member, Board of Directors, Litigation Section) and American (Member, Committees on: Products, General Liability & Consumer Law; Member, Sections on: Torts, & Insurance Practice) Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; International Association of Defense Counsel; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1990-1991); Defense Research Institute; Chairman, United States District Court, Northern District of Georgia Bar Council. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Environmental Litigation; Professional Negligence; Civil Rights; Insurance Coverage; Bad Faith.Email: H. Lane Young, II

Frank C. Bedinger, III (Senior Partner) born Richmond, Virginia, December 23, 1953; admitted to bar, 1979, Georgia. Education: Hampden-Sydney College (B.A., 1976); University of Virginia (J.D., 1979). Mr. Bedinger focuses his practice on traditional tort liability defense work, as well as insurance coverage analysis and the defense of 'bad faith' claims directly against insurance carriers. Mr. Bedinger has acted as lead trial counsel in numerous tort, contract, and federal civil rights cases. he has appeared in court representing clients in the States of Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Professional Experience: Mr. Bedinger has extensive appellate experience, having appeared before the Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court, the Tennessee Court of Appeals for the Western District (Jackson, TN), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court (December 1991). Omicron Delta Kappa. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: General Civil Litigation; Employment Litigation; Products Liability; Environmental Insurance Coverage and Litigation; Premises Liability.Email: Frank C. Bedinger, III

S. Christopher Collier (Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, 1973; admitted to bar, 1999, Alabama; 2001, Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia and Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Wake Forest University (B.A., Economics and Psychology, 1996); Emory University School of Law (J.D., 1999). S. Christopher Collier is a partner with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. Chris has represented individuals as well as businesses, ranging from family-owned businesses to Fortune 250 national and multinational corporations. Chris concentrates his practice in the areas of Premises Liability, Products Liability, Toxic Tort & Environmental Litigation, and Transportation. Chris focuses his practice in federal and state courts in Alabama and Georgia but has represented clients in numerous jurisdictions throughout the United States. In addition, Chris manages and coordinates litigation in Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Washington. Chris believes in being personally available to his clients. Likewise, he understands the time demands and financial constraints faced by his clients, as he previously served in the role of Counsel-Litigation & Environmental for one of the nation's Class I railroads. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Premises Liability; Products Liability; Transportation; Toxic Torts.Email: S. Christopher Collier

William H. Major, III (Senior Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, December 25, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.B.A., magna cum laude, 1979; J.D., cum laude, 1982). Bill Major is a senior partner with Hawkins & Parnell. Bill focuses his practice on issues pertaining to transportation, products liability, professional negligence, civil litigation, financial institution liability, and general liability. Bill has tried cases in trial courts throughout Georgia as well as in the federal courts and has appeared in the appellate courts of this State on many occasions. His trial experience includes cases arising out of trucking accidents, product liability, premises criminal assault, professional negligence, malicious prosecution, conversion, trespass, premises liability and chemical exposure claims. He has also participated in numerous mediations and other alternative dispute resolution methods over the years. He has spoken at seminars on a variety of topics to include cross-examination techniques, depositions, effective use of discovery techniques, damages, legal ethics, financial institution liability and alternative dispute resolution methods. Phi Kappa Phi; Beta Gamma Sigma; Phi Delta Phi. Member, Georgia Law Review, 1980-1981. Author: "Notice Requirements in Condemnation Proceedings - Does Mullane Still Apply?" 15 Georgia Law Review 516 (1981). Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; ALFA International (Product Liability, Retail, Transportation); Trucking Industry Defense Association; Old War Horse Lawyers Club (Brand Vice President). Practice Areas: Products Liability Law; Insurance Defense Law; Professional Negligence Law; Civil Litigation; Business Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation; Transportation; Premises Liability; Bad Faith and Coverage Litigation.Email: William H. Major, III

T. Ryan Mock, Jr. (Senior Partner) born Albany, Georgia, August 2, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.B.A., summa cum laude, 1979; J.D., 1982). Phi Kappa Phi; Beta Gamma Sigma; Phi Delta Phi. Member: Moot Court Executive Board, 1981-1982; American Bar Association Moot Court Team, 1980-1981. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute (Program Chair, 1999 DRI Law Office Economics Seminar); Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Professional Negligence Law; Insurance Defense Law; Employment Discrimination Law; Civil Rights Law; Civil Litigation.Email: T. Ryan Mock, Jr.

Jack N. Sibley (Member) born Atlanta, Georgia, July 15, 1948; admitted to bar, 1975, Georgia. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1970); University of Georgia (J.D., 1975). Notes Editor, Georgia Journal of International Law, 1974-1975. Co-author: "Breath of Fiduciary Duties," Model Jury Instructions: Business Tort Litigation, 3rd Ed., American Bar Association. Instructor, Criminal Law, National Center for Paralegal Training, 1980. Member: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta and American Bar Associations. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Business Torts; Fiduciary Law; Trusts and Estates Litigation; Contract Disputes.Email: Jack N. Sibley

Warner S. Fox (Senior Partner) born Burnsville, North Carolina, March 31, 1955; admitted to bar, 1984, Georgia. Education: Valdosta State College (B.A., cum laude, 1977); University of Georgia (J.D., cum laude, 1984). Warner S. Fox has practiced with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP for more than 20 years. His practice focuses on catastrophic accident litigation of all types, including matters arising from transportation, retail and products liability. He has tried numerous cases involving all types of tort matters and frequently is called upon to handle catastrophic cases in other jurisdictions. He also has developed a subspecialty in the handling of traumatic brain injury cases as the result of his prior experience in numerous similar cases. Mr. Fox has defended a wide variety of clients including multi-national retailers such as The Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., Toys "R" Us, Inc., The TJX Companies, CVS Pharmacy and Rite-Aid Corporation. Additionally, he represents a number of trucking/transportation companies including Marten Transport, Contract Freighters, Inc., May Trucking, Laidlaw and Greyhound Lines. He also routinely represents insureds for a number of insurers, including Zurich North America and St. Paul Travelers. Mr. Fox currently serves as the President of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. He is also active in the Defense Research Institute and various practice groups of the American Law Firm Association. He was the co-founder of the Georgia High School Mock Trial competition. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Directors, 1999); Defense Research Institute; Georgia Defense Lawyers. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Products Liability; Environmental Law; Premises Liability; Transportation.Email: Warner S. Fox

Ollie M. Harton (Senior Partner) born Conway, Arkansas, March 3, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Tennessee; 1989, Georgia and West Virginia; 1990, Pennsylvania; 1991, Texas. Education: Tulane University of Louisiana (B.A., B.S.M., 1979); Memphis State University (J.D., 1982); Emory University (LL.M., 1987). Mr. Harton has tried toxic tort cases from Massachusetts to Florida to Oregon and in numerous other jurisdictions. He has managed as national counsel, regional counsel and local counsel for thousands of cases for various clients across the nation. In 2005, Mr. Harton tried several cases for clients across the country, which resulted in either the dismissal of the client during trial or defense verdicts. All of these claims were wrongful death, toxic tort cases where the plaintiffs were seeking millions of dollars. Law Clerk to Judge Charles E. Nearn, 1982-1983. Staff Attorney, Tennessee Securities Division, 1983-1987. Assistant Attorney General, Tennessee, 1988. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Tennessee Bar Association; West Virginia State Bar; Pennsylvania Bar Association; State Bar of Texas; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Products Liability; General Civil Litigation; Environmental and Toxic Tort Litigation.Email: Ollie M. Harton

David C. Marshall (Senior Partner) born November 27, 1957; admitted to bar, 1982, Georgia; 2001, Texas; 2006, Florida. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., magna cum laude, 1979; J.D., 1982). Mr. Marshall specializes in representing defendants in products liability, including toxic torts, and in the defense of long-term care facilities, assisted living facilities and related specialties. He has defended and tried a wide variety of claims including asbestos, many types of products, premises, trucking, long-term care, breach of warranty and disputes over commercial transactions. A former prosecutor, he has tried over one hundred cases to verdict. In addition to Georgia, he has tried cases in Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Texas and Washington. He leads the firm's Long Term Care/Assisted Living Litigation team. Mr. Marshall also serves as national coordinating counsel and national trial counsel to assist clients in managing and defending litigation nationwide. Professional Experience: Mr. Marshall has represented Beverly Enterprises, the nation's largest nursing home provider, as well as Sunrise Senior Living. He has defended many of the largest manufacturers and distributors of asbestos products. Mr. Marshall represents Sunbelt Rentals, a leading distributor of industrial and construction rental equipment. Mr. Marshall has defended numerous scaffolding, ladder and other industrial and construction equipment manufacturers and distributors. Mr. Marshall represents Volkswagen of America and Audi of America for claims arising out of breach of warranty and represents Arby's, one of the nation's leading restaurant chains. Mr. Marshall recently successfully defended a lung cancer wrongful death claim in a three-week jury trial in Kentucky. Additionally, Mr. Marshall was instrumental in obtaining a ruling holding that claims against contractors for asbestos exposure are barred by the real property statute of repose, resulting in the dismissal of hundreds of lawsuits. Mr. Marshall has been named as a Georgia Super Lawyer by Atlanta Magazine. Mr. Marshall has authored papers and spoken at the following seminars: Nursing Home Litigation, sponsored by Defense Research Institute, in Chicago, Illinois in 2002; Nursing Home Negligence, sponsored by PESI, in Atlanta, Georgia in 2004; Asbestos Medicine Seminar, sponsored by Defense Research Institute, in San Diego, California in 2004; Toxic Torts, sponsored by ICLE, in Atlanta, Georgia in 2005; Asbestos Litigation Conference, sponsored by Mealey's, in New Orleans, Louisiana in 2005; Mid-Year Convention, sponsored by Georgia Health Care Association, in Atlanta, Georgia in 2006; Asbestos Medicine, sponsored by Defense Research Institute, in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006; and Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS) in 2006. Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi; Phi Eta Sigma. Member, Moot Court Executive Board, 1981-1982. Assistant District Attorney, Clayton Judicial Circuit, 1983-1986. Member: American Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; State Bar of Texas; The Florida Bar; Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation; Defense Research Institute; Atlanta Claims Association. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Toxic Tort; Nursing Home; Long Term Care; Assisted Living Litigation.Email: David C. Marshall

Peter R. York (Senior Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, September 8, 1964; admitted to bar, 1990, Georgia. Education: University of the South (B.A., 1986); University of Georgia (J.D., 1990). Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia (Member, Editorial Board, Calendar Call for the General Practice Section and Trial Section, 1992-1993); Atlanta Council for Younger Lawyers (Board Member, 1996; Board Member, 1997; President Elect, 1998; President, 1999; Past President, 2000); Defense Research Institute; Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Association (Board Member, 1999, 2000). Practice Areas: General Civil Litigation; Insurance Defense; Premises Liability.Email: Peter R. York

Christine Lupo Mast (Senior Partner) born Plainfield, New Jersey, December 12, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Georgia. Education: University of Illinois (B.S., high honors, 1989); University of North Carolina (J.D., 1992). Building on Hawkins & Parnell's longstanding reputation in defending professional liability claims, Ms. Mast has spent her career successfully defending attorneys and other professionals in all types of claims, ranging from malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, and unfair debt collections practices to mortgage fraud, securities violations, defamation, and many other torts. Her cases have involved numerous areas of law practice, including personal injury, bankruptcy, real estate, securities, collections, domestic law, corporate transactions, criminal law, and estate planning. Ms. Mast also provides advice and counsel in licensing and disciplinary matters. She has represented various non-legal professionals such as accountants, TPAs, mortuaries, and surveyors. In addition, Ms. Mast handles insurance coverage disputes and business litigation matters. Ms. Mast won a dismissal of proposed class action claims against a real estate lawyer stemming from a series of commercial transactions performed for a real estate investment trust; the opinion is reported at In re JDN Realty Corp. Securities Litigation, 182 F. Supp. 2d 1230 (N.D. Ga. 2002). In the case In re InfoCure Securities Litigation, 210 F. Supp. 2d 1331 (N.D. Ga. 2002), she obtained summary judgment for a major Atlanta law firm alleged to have committed securities violations, malpractice and other torts. In a recent jury trial, Ms. Mast also won a defense verdict for an attorney relating to the disclosure and handling of boundary disputes in a real estate transaction. Ms. Mast earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She received her Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Illinois. Ms. Mast regularly lectures on the subjects of malpractice avoidance, ethics, abusive litigation, and trial procedures. She also has published related papers on legal malpractice, abusive litigation, and trial tactics. Ms. Mast also was named as a 2006 Rising Star in the Georgia legal community and as a Super Lawyer in 2007 and 2008 by Law & Politics Magazines publications. Ms. Mast is actively involved in the Defense Research Institute, having served in several leadership positions on the Commercial Litigation and Lawyers Professionalism & Ethics Committees. She is also a member of the ABA National Legal Malpractice Data Center, the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association, and the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. She is a member of Phi Delta Phi. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Association of Women Lawyers; Defense Research Institute; ABA National Legal Malpractice Data Center; Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Practice Areas: Professional Negligence; Legal Malpractice; Business Litigation; Bad Faith and Coverage Litigation.Email: Christine Lupo Mast

Robert S. Thompson (Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, April 20, 1967; admitted to bar, 1992, Georgia. Education: Washington & Lee University (B.A., 1989); University of Georgia (J.D., cum laude, 1992). Rob Thompson is a member of the Firm's Business Litigation Group, focusing on commercial and contract disputes, business torts, false advertising, unfair business practices, fiduciary duty disputes, products liability, construction litigation, and intellectual property disputes. He brings and defends cases on behalf of individuals and business in both state and federal courts in the State of Georgia and the Southeastern United States. Rob defended an officer and director of a building supply company in a complex suit brought by the company's lender in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on claims including negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. The lender sought damages in excess of $5.5 Million. Rob led the team that ultimately obtained summary judgment on behalf of the client on all claims. Rob represents many leading national and international corporations, including The Sherwin-Williams Company, Square D Company, ConocoPhilips Company, Great Southern Wood, Roto Rooter, Furukawa Company, Ltd, Gougler Industries, Osmose, Inc., and Valvoline Company, a division of Ashland, Inc. Rob is a member of Phi Delta Phi and served as a Clerk in the Supreme Court of Georgia, 1990. Member: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association; Lawyers Club of Atlanta; Defense Research Institute; ALFA (Business Litigation Group Steering Committee). Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Business Torts; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability.Email: Robert S. Thompson

Matthew F. Barr (Senior Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, May 25, 1972; admitted to bar, 1997, Georgia. Education: Georgia Institute of Technology (B.S., highest honors, 1994); Florida State University (J.D., cum laude, 1997). Matthew Barr is a senior partner with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. Matt has over a decade of experience as a litigator and trial lawyer. Matt's civil litigation practice concentrates on the representation of healthcare and other professionals, as well as retailers and landowners. Matt takes pride in his ability to work with his clients, other attorneys, and judges, in a respectful and professional manner. Matt has tried numerous cases throughout the state and federal courts of Georgia and has argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Professional Experience: Professional Negligence Litigation, Matt has successfully defended a variety of professionals in virtually every type of malpractice litigation. Matt has represented physicians, nurses, pharmacists, midwives, psychiatrists, physical therapists, counselors, architects, engineers, real estate brokers and agents, and numerous facilities, including hospitals and mental health treatment facilities. Representative matters include wrongful death cases, bad baby cases, obstetrical cases, radiological cases, and emergency medicine cases. Premises Liability Litigation, Matt has represented several of the nation's leading retailers and landowners in a variety of premises liability matters, including slip and fall cases, negligent security cases, assault cases, and false imprisonment cases. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Reported Cases: Woody v. Morin, et al., Rockdale Superior Court Defense verdict of certified nurse midwife in case alleging misdiagnosis; Smith v. Five Star, Cobb State Court Summary judgment granted in wrongful death case; Reed v. Walker, Bibb State Court Motion to Dismiss granted to midwife; Chachad vs. CVS Pharmacy and Georgia Clinic, Fulton State Court Plaintiff's verdict, reduced due to finding of comparative negligence; Goldman v. Clearvision Laser Centers, et al., DeKalb State Court Defense Verdict on Co-Defendant's Cross-Claim for indemnification in laser eye surgery case; Jackson v. Toys R Us, Fulton State Court Defense verdict; Myers v. CVS Pharmacy, Fulton State Court Defense verdict; Regina Stamps v. CVS Pharmacy, Gwinnett Superior Court Defense verdict; McCoy v. Simon Property Group, Cobb Superior Court Directed verdict granted; Nestadt v. Simon Property Group, United States District Court, N.D. of Georgia Judgment as a Matter of Law granted. Practice Areas: Professional Malpractice; Insurance Defense; Civil Litigation; Discrimination Defense.Email: Matthew F. Barr

Carl H. Anderson, Jr. (Partner) born Glen Ridge, New Jersey, July 8, 1962; admitted to bar, 1987, Georgia. Education: Phillips Universität, Marburg, Germany; Davidson College (B.A., 1984); Mercer University (J.D., 1987). Mr. Anderson has successfully defended and favorably prosecuted cases involving claims ranging from several thousand to several billion dollars. He concentrates his practice on business torts, including Fair Debt Collection Practice Act (FDCPA) and Fair Credit Reporting Act cases, commercial and contractual disputes and equitable relief. He also has considerable experience handling fiduciary, real estate, intellectual property, professional negligence, and product liability litigation. Recently, Mr. Anderson successfully defended a sole practitioner in a FDCPA and legal malpractice case arising from an alleged wrongful foreclosure. He also obtained summary judgment in a case, in which the plaintiff sought $4 million from an individual corporate officer based on negligent misrepresentation and breach of warranty. Further, Mr. Anderson obtained extraordinary relief from both the District Court and the Eleventh Circuit Court in a Section 1983 case involving excessive use of force. Delta Phi Alpha (German Honorary Society); Phi Delta Phi; The Order of Barristers. Law Clerk to the Hon. Frank C. Mills, III, Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, Cherokee and Forsyth Counties, 1987-1989. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Languages: German. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Corporate Litigation; Civil Rights Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability Litigation.Email: Carl H. Anderson, Jr.

David H. Wilson (Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, December 2, 1963; admitted to bar, 1996, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (A.B., 1986); Georgia State University (J.D., cum laude, 1996). Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Commercial Law; Corporate Representation.Email: David H. Wilson

E. Elaine Shofner (Partner) born Tulsa, Oklahoma, March 26, 1969; admitted to bar, 1995, Massachusetts; 1997, Georgia. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., 1991); Suffolk University (J.D., 1995). Elaine Shofner is a partner at the law firm of Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. She is an accomplished trial lawyer with twelve years experience in defense litigation. Elaine has tried, managed, and settled thousands of cases in complex toxic tort litigation involving asbestos, silica, and chemical inhalation cases. She is committed to delivering outstanding client service and results for her clients. Elaine practices in the states of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. She has acted as local and regional counsel for over 40 companies, ranging from family-owned businesses to multinational corporations. Professional Experience: Toxic Torts and Product Liability Practice, Elaine has defended toxic tort and environmental claims throughout her career, including a substantial number of asbestos lawsuits. She is instrumental in the Georgia asbestos docket and leads her litigation areas in aggressive motions practice, trial strategy, and enforcement of legislation beneficial to her clients. She participates in all phases of the defense of asbestos matters, from initial discovery through dispositive motions, expert discovery, medical issues, settlement negotiations, and trial. Elaine maintains an active litigation practice, having tried to verdict toxic tort and product liability cases during her career. She is extensively involved in the defense of products including, but not limited to, brakes and linings for automobiles, industrial boilers, gaskets, construction materials, roofing products, joint compounds, building wall panels and wall boards, floor tiles, cement pipes, pipe coverings, heat transfer products, pumps, and valves. Elaine has developed outstanding product knowledge and testing expertise which she applies in developing aggressive defense strategies, exhibits, witnesses, and trial preparation. This involves examination and knowledge of the intended uses of products, operating principles, maintenance schedules and procedures, applicable regulations, and industry standards. She is very successful developing experts, strategies, and defenses to counter plaintiffs' experts and allegations. She is able to provide her clients with favorable results. Elaine has also defended product liability cases involving chemical inhalation. She participates in the development of strategies and defenses for a component part supplier. Member: Atlanta, Massachusetts and American Bar Associations; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Products Liability; Toxic Tort Litigation.Email: E. Elaine Shofner

Margaret A. Droppleman (Partner) born Clarksburg, West Virginia, August 16, 1966; admitted to bar, 1991, West Virginia and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia; 2004, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Education: West Virginia University (B.S., 1988; J.D., 1991). Margaret Droppleman is a partner at the law firm of Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. Margaret's practice primarily focuses on defending manufacturers, suppliers, and premises owners in toxic tort and environmental litigation. In addition, she has substantial experience in handling a wide variety of contract and corporate law matters. Margaret is vastly experienced in managing thousands of complex toxic tort litigation cases from initial investigation through trial. For over a decade, she has acted as local and regional counsel for numerous companies with diverse product lines, as well as unique corporate histories, stories, and structures. Margaret provides proactive solutions to her clients and strives to reduce their liability and exposure while achieving optimal resolution of their litigation matters. She is committed to delivering exceptional and unparalleled client service and results. She is a member of Phi Alpha Delta and Golden Key. Member: West Virginia State Bar. (Resident, Charleston, WV Office). Practice Areas: Toxic Tort Litigation; Corporate; Contract.Email: Margaret A. Droppleman

M. Elizabeth O'Neill (Senior Partner) born 1970; admitted to bar, 1994, Wisconsin, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin and U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit. (Not admitted in Georgia). Education: Marquette University (J.D., 1994). Reported Cases: Dunigan v. Winnebago County, 165 F.3d 587 (7th Cir., 1999); Bethesda Lutheran Homes & Services v. Leean, 154 F.3d 716 (7th Cir., 1998); Perritt Ltd. Partnership v. Kenosha Unified School District, 153 F.3d 489 (7th Cir., 1998). Practice Areas: Litigation.Email: M. Elizabeth O'Neill

E. Tyron Brown (Partner) born Columbia, South Carolina, February 28, 1962; admitted to bar, 1988, Florida; 1999, Georgia. Education: Florida State University (B.S., 1985; J.D., 1988). Tyron Brown is a Partner with Hawkins & Parnell and has extensive litigation, arbitration and other dispute resolution experience in complex business, commercial and construction litigation including contract disputes, product liability, negotiable instruments, UCC Law, business torts, unfair trade practices, business fraud, and civil RICO. Ty has successfully represented some of the most recognizable Fortune 500 companies in lawsuits involving these legal fields. For many years now, Ty has also represented the nation's largest minority construction company. Ty represents clients in a proactive manner by keeping them apprised of best practices, and new and developing law that may affect the client, and by assisting clients in resolving disputes and potential disputes at an early stage. When a client is involved in litigation or arbitration, he vigorously represents the client in a professional, well-prepared manner. He personally meets with potential witnesses, visits sites that are at issue in cases, and researches every possible avenue to best present the clients' positions in cases. Ty's dedication to the law was recognized by Judges who awarded him the 2006 Attorney of the Year by the Judicial Council of the Gate City Bar Association. Phi Delta Phi; Florida Gold Key Recipient, Virgil Hawkins Fellowship Recipient. Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Assistant City Attorney, City Attorney's Office, Tampa, 1988-1994. Member: Hillsborough County Law Library Board; Florida Lottery Commission, 1994-1998; Tampa Bay Economic Development Corporation, 1994-1999; Hillsborough County School Board Bi-Racial Advisory Committee, 1992-1999. Member: Gate City, Hillsborough County, National and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Professional Liability; Business Litigation.Email: E. Tyron Brown

Ronald G. Polly, Jr. (Senior Partner) born Whitesburg, Kentucky, March 27, 1965; admitted to bar, 1991, Georgia; 1992, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia; 1995, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia; 1996, U.S. District Court, District of Illinois and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits; 1997, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. Education: University of Virginia (B.S., 1987); University of Kentucky (J.D., 1991). Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment.Email: Ronald G. Polly, Jr.

Evelyn M. Fletcher (Senior Partner) born Tallahassee, Florida, November 19, 1971; admitted to bar, 1998, Georgia; 1999, Florida; 2000, Alabama. Education: University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A., with honors, 1994); Florida State University (J.D., cum laude, 1998). Evelyn Fletcher Davis is a senior partner at the law firm of Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. One of the nation's leading toxic tort and product liability defense trial lawyers, Evelyn has tried, managed, and settled thousands of cases in complex toxic tort litigation involving asbestos, silica, benzene and other chemicals, as well as other transportation and product liability cases. Evelyn practices at the state, federal, and appellate court levels in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. She is committed to delivering outstanding client service and results for her clients. Evelyn has acted as local, regional, and national counsel for over forty corporations, including Bayer Cropscience, Inc, Central Refrigerated Service, Inc., CertainTeed Corporation, Dana Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, Flowserve Corporation (f/k/a Durametallic, Inc.), Foseco, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Total Petrochemicals USA, Inc, Union Carbide Corporation, and Zurn Industries, Inc. Evelyn maintains an active litigation practice, having tried to verdict numerous toxic tort and product liability cases during her career. She is extensively involved in the defense of products including, but not limited to, brakes and linings for automobiles, trucks, motors and cranes; gaskets in automobiles, trucks and equipment; construction materials; roofing materials; joint compounds; building wall panels and wall boards; floor tiles and sheetings; cements; sewer pipes; pipe coverings; heat transfer products; pumps and packing; valves; steam and gas turbines; silica, and benzene. Evelyn has developed outstanding product knowledge and testing expertise, which she applies in developing aggressive defense strategies, exhibits, witnesses, and trial preparation. This involves examination and knowledge of the intended uses of products, operating principles, maintenance schedules and procedures, applicable regulations, and industry standards. She is very successful developing product experts and strategies to counter plaintiffs' experts, providing her clients with a favorable result. Evelyn is also involved in the defense of national trucking companies for claims of personal injury and property damage representing the companies themselves, their drivers, and insurers. She also has handled cargo claims under the Carmack Amendment specifically cases arising from the transportation of produce. Evelyn actively litigates in the trial and appellate courts in Alabama and Florida for environmental toxic tort cases. She is instrumental in the Florida dockets and leads her litigation areas in aggressive motion practice and enforcement of new legislation beneficial to her clients. She tries multiple cases in different counties in Florida and pursues and defends appellate review for her clients, as necessary. See e.g., Genuine Parts Co. v. Parsons, 917 So. 2d 419 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006); Flowserve Corporation (f/k/a Durametallic, Inc.) v. Bonilla, et al., 952 So. 2d 1239 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007); Williams, et al., v. American Optical Corp., et al., 2008 Fla. App. LEXIS 12031 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008); Witkiewicz, et al v. ACandS, Inc., et al., No. 4D08-1170 (Fla. 4th DCA); American Optical Corporation, et al., v. Spiewak, et al., Nos. SC08-1616 and SC08-1640 (Fla. Sup. Ct. cases consolidated 2008); and American Optical Corporation, et al., v. Williams, et al., Nos. SC08-1617 and SC08-1639 (Fla. Sup. Ct. cases consolidated 2008). Georgia Super Lawyer, Atlanta Magazine, 2005 and 2006. Author: "New Plaintiff and Product Investigation - For the Novice, the Experienced, and In Between," Defense Research Institute Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2008; "In-Depth Discovery Issues," Mealey's Benzene Litigation Conference, July 2008; "Skits and Suds," Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar for Young Lawyers, 2008; "The Business of Practicing Law: The Hard Reality of What Law School Does Not Teach You About The Business of Law and Marketing," Florida State University College of Law, April 2007. Speaker: Defense Research Institute Preeminent Trial Lawyer Seminar, 2007; Defense Research Institute Asbestos Medicine Seminar, 2007; "Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty of a Silica Deposition," Defense Research Institute Silica Medicine Seminar, June 2006; "The Asbestos Deposition Primer - For the Novice, the Experienced, and In Between. What Makes a Great Plaintiff's Deposition When You Take the Time To Do It Right," DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar, November 2006. Member: State Bar of Georgia; The Florida Bar; Alabama State Bar; Atlanta Bar Association; Defense Research Institute (Member, Board of Directors; Regional Representative for Southeast Women in the Courtroom Committee; Member: Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee; Diversity Committee; Marketing Chair, Women in the Profession Seminar); Georgia Defense Lawyer's Association (Member, Board of Directors; Participant, Trial Academy); National Association of Women Lawyers; Atlanta Council Younger Lawyers. Practice Areas: Toxic Tort Litigation; Products Liability; Appellate Practice.Email: Evelyn M. Fletcher

Patricia M. Peters (Partner) born Stuttgart, Arkansas, January 5, 1956; admitted to bar, 1986, Missouri; 1990, Georgia. Education: DeKalb College of Nursing Clarkston, Georgia (A.A., Nursing, 1978); University of Missouri-Kansas City (B.A., Psychology, 1983; J.D., 1986). Delta Theta Phi. Registered Nurse: Georgia, 1978 and Missouri, 1980. Member, Georgia Chapter of Nurse Attorneys. Member: State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Premises Liability; Transportation Litigation; Nursing Home Litigation; Professional Liability.Email: Patricia M. Peters

Allen E. Lockerman, IV (Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, April 15, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., 1991); Mercer University (J.D., 1994). A partner in the firm, Mr. Lockerman has worked in three of its offices, Atlanta, Dallas, and Charleston, West Virginia, with the firm's clients in asbestos, silica and benzene litigation. In addition to representing a variety of national and multi-national corporations in asbestos litigation, Mr. Lockerman leads the firm's silica practice in state and federal courts. Mr. Lockerman has developed a system for managing large mass tort dockets and handling cases on a national and local level. Mr. Lockerman also defends the firm's clients in benzene litigation. Mr. Lockerman currently serves as proxy for the firm on the Defense Steering Committee in the Texas Silica Multi-District Litigation (MDL) and as Chairman of the MDL Defense Medical Committee. In addition to authoring two product liability articles, recent presentations include: Mass Tort: Determining Lung Impairment Under New Medical Criteria Statutes, HarrisMartin Asbestos and Silica Seminar, Houston, Texas, 2006. The Role of National Counsel in Silica Litigation, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2000. The Preparation and Use of the Industrial Hygenist at Trial, DRI Silica, Atlanta, Georgia, 2004. Product Liability: Legal Issues Related to Flame Retardancy in the U.S., American Fire Safety Council, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2005. Dealing With Flammability Standards in the Manufacture of Furniture and Textiles, ISPA Industry Conference, Nashville, Tennessee, 2003. Associate Training: Legal Writing: Thinking, Organizing, Writing, Associate Training Retreat, 2006. Law Firm Economics: Time and Resource Management, Associate Training Retreat, 2006. The Pathology of Lung Disease, Associate Training Retreat, 2004. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Personal Injury; Environmental Law; Toxic Torts; Premises Liability; Medical Malpractice.Email: Allen E. Lockerman, IV

Kim M. Jackson (Partner) born Lexington, Kentucky, August 28, 1969; admitted to bar, 1994, Kentucky; 1995, Georgia. Education: Wabash College (B.A., magna cum laude, 1991); University of Kentucky (J.D., Order of the Coif, 1994). Kim Jackson defends attorneys and other professionals in malpractice claims, represents companies and professionals in various types of complex commercial litigation, handles coverage disputes, defends catastrophic injury cases and defends employers in employment discrimination claims. Kim also has extensive experience defending individuals and companies in automobile and premises personal injury, food product liability, pharmaceutical liability, wrongful death, and motor carrier liability. Kim authored a successful amicus curie brief to the Supreme Court of Georgia on behalf of a client that was facing a legal malpractice action had the Supreme Court not ruled as it did; and won summary judgment in a legal malpractice case on an issue of first impression involving the application of res judicata against a corporation with a complex corporate structure. Kim has represented many insurers and their third-party administrators in coverage analysis, coverage opinions, the preparation of coverage denial and reservation of rights letters, serving as coverage counsel in cases where a reservation of rights was issued but declaratory judgment was not filed, and serving as counsel in cases where coverage was litigated in either a declaratory judgment or bad faith actions or where insurance companies sought contribution or indemnity. His experience in coverage litigation includes the representation of insurers in dozens of declaratory judgment and bad faith cases. He was counsel of record in the following published opinions: Meadows Motors v. USAA, 230 Ga. App. 387, 496 S.E.2d 355 (1998) (summary judgment for insurer affirmed) Ga. Farm Bur. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Russum, 250 Ga. App. 39, 550 S.E.2d 441 (2001) (lower court's opinion for claimant reversed, no coverage found) Ga. Farm Bur. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Burch, 222 Ga. App. 749, 476 S.E.2d 62 (1996) (Court of Appeals found no coverage) Additionally, Kim's coverage work has included the analysis and litigation of the following types of policies: (1) automobile; (2) homeowners; (3) general commercial liability; (4) personal and business umbrella; (5) tractor-trailer insurance regulated by Ga. Dept. of Public Safety; (6) professional liability E&O coverage, including accountant policies, attorney policies, and broker policies; (7) construction company commercial liability policies; (8) Multi-media liability policies; (9) D&O policies; (10) governmental liability policies; and more. Rising Star in Georgia (Super Lawyer), 2005, 2006, 2007. Participated as a speaker on Legal Ethics and Abusive Litigation in Multiple CLE seminars. Published multiple times in For The Defense, a DRI publication. Delta Theta Phi. Recipient, Wall Street Journal Award for Top Economist. Associate Editor, Kentucky Law Journal. Member: Atlanta, Kentucky and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Atlanta Lawyers Club. Practice Areas: General Civil Trial Practice in all Courts; Motor Carrier Law; Insurance Defense; Employment Discrimination; Professional Liability; Professional Licensing Defense; Insurance Coverage Litigation; Legal Malpractice.Email: Kim M. Jackson

Todd E. Schwartz (Partner) born Flemingsburg, Kentucky, August 17, 1965; admitted to bar, 1991, Pennsylvania; 1992, New Jersey and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; 1993, Georgia. Education: University of Kentucky (B.B.A. in Finance, 1987); Rutgers University School of Law (J.D., 1991). Watts Honor Society. Member: Savannah and American (Member, Sections on: Taxation; Business; Insurance and Litigation) Bar Associations; Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Asbestos Litigation; Transportation Litigation; Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Bankruptcy.Email: Todd E. Schwartz

Assunta S. Fiorini (Partner) born 1963; admitted to bar, 1998, Georgia; 2002, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia and Georgia Court of Appeals; 2003, Georgia Supreme Court; 2004, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia. Education: Ithaca College (B.F.A., 1985); Georgia State University (J.D., 1998). Assunta Fiorini (formerly Deevey) is a Partner with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. She focuses her practice in the areas of medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, and general liability. On behalf of firm client Aegis Mortgage Corporation, Ms. Fiorini sued two individuals and a real estate company for various fraud related claims arising from the sale of a piece of property financed by Aegis. She obtained a judgment of over $300,000.00 against all defendants for Aegis that included all damages plus an award for attorney's fees. In an earlier action, Ms. Fiorini obtained judgment on behalf of Aegis over the sale of another piece of property which garnered the client over $700,000.00. Managing Editor, Georgia State University Law Review, 1997-1998. Outstanding Law Student of the Year, Georgia State University, 1998. Author, "Income Taxes: Provide for No Income Taxation and No Withholding Tax on the Distributive Share of a Nonresident Member of a Resident Limited Partnership Which Derives Income Exclusively from Buying, Selling, Dealing in, and Holding Securities on its Own Behalf," 14 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 271 (1997). University/Regional Theatre Association National Finalist, 1995. Revised American Bar Association Model Rule 1.7 and Formal Opinion 05-436. Co-author, Open Ended Waiver of Future Conflicts of Interest, Prof. Persp. (Defense Research Institute, Chicago, IL), Fall 2005, at 10 (with Jeffrey N. Mykkeltvedt). Member: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Georgia Hospital Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Products Liability; Premises Liability; Municipal Liability; Legal Malpractice.Email: Assunta S. Fiorini

William T. Wood, III (Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia, 1968; admitted to bar, 1994, Virginia; 1997, District of Columbia and Georgia. Education: College of William & Mary (B.A., 1990); Pepperdine University (J.D., 1994). Mr. Wood focuses his practice on general civil litigation with emphasis on complex litigation, product liability, and commercial litigation. Mr. Wood represents corporate clients in successfully defending product liability, toxic tort, and personal injury claims brought against the manufacturers and distributors of consumer products. Mr. Wood also defends corporate clients in breach of warranty claims involving the purchase and lease of consumer products. Member: Atlanta Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Litigation; Products Liability; Commercial Litigation; Civil Litigation.Email: William T. Wood, III

C. Shane Keith (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, June 28, 1975; admitted to bar, 2000, Georgia, U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, Georgia State and Superior Courts. Education: Auburn University (B.S., summa cum laude, 1997); Emory University School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2000). Throughout his career, Shane has exclusively represented corporate clients, both plaintiff and defendant. His practice focuses on premises liability, products liability, professional negligence and the representation of corporate clients in commercial settings. Shane has successfully argued numerous motions for summary judgment at both the federal and state level, all of which have been affirmed by the Courts of Appeal. Recently, he successfully argued one of the first Daubert challenges in Georgia to experts in a toxic mold case, in which the Plaintiff alleged that she experienced a series of long-term and serious physical maladies caused by exposure to mold in an Atlanta apartment. Shane has also tried numerous cases in both bench and jury settings. He is a member of the Order of the Coif and Phi Alpha Delta. Member: Atlanta Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Premises Liability; Municipal Liability; Labor and Employment; Business Litigation.Email: C. Shane Keith

Christian Lang (Partner) born South Plainfield, New Jersey, 1969; admitted to bar, 1995, New Jersey; 2004, Georgia; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. Education: Clemson University (B.A., 1991); Quinnipiac University (J.D., 1995). Mr. Lang is a partner in the Long-Term Care and Assisted Living Litigation Group. He concentrates his practice on defending nursing homes, assisted living facilities, home health care agencies, as well as all of their caregivers. He also represents clients in other aspects of medical malpractice, premises liability and toxic tort litigation matters. Mr. Lang completed his undergraduate degree at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Mr. Lang earned his law degree from Quinnipiac College School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut. Mr. Lang began his legal career in New Jersey where he practiced law for eight years prior to joining Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. He has lectured on subjects related to the defense of nursing homes. Member: State Bar of Georgia; New Jersey State Bar Association; Atlanta Bar Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Long Term Care; Insurance Defense; Premises Liability.Email: Christian Lang

Kenneth Sisco (Partner) born Pequannock, New Jersey, October 7, 1970; admitted to bar, 1996, New Jersey; 2000, New York; 2002, Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia. Education: Princeton University (A.B., History, 1992); Widener University School of Law (J.D., 1996). Member: State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association (Member, Construction Law Forum, Insurance). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Personal Injury Defense; Products Liability; Negligence; Construction Litigation; Construction Defects; Construction Contracts Claims; Design Professionals Defense.Email: Kenneth Sisco

Kimberly D. Stevens (Partner) admitted to bar, 1996, Michigan and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan; 2001, Georgia; 2003, U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. Education: Michigan State University (B.A., 1991); Wayne State University (J.D., 1996). Recipient: Distinguished Service Award, Wolverine Bar Association, 2002; Special President's Award, Wolverine Bar Association, 2000. Chairperson, Hon. Damon J. Keith Scholarship Committee, Wayne State University, 1998-2002. Member: Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, Barristers, 1998-2002); State Bar of Georgia; State Bar of Michigan; Wolverine Bar Association (Member, Board of Directors, 2000-2002); Wolverine Bar Foundation (Member, Board of Directors, 1996-2002); National Bar Association; Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Labor and Employment; Toxic Torts.Email: Kimberly D. Stevens

Allison S. Bloom (Partner) born Atlanta, Georgia; admitted to bar, 2001, Georgia. Education: University of Florida (B.S., with honors, 1998); University of Pennsylvania (J.D., 2001). Allison Bloom concentrates her practice on civil litigation defense in the areas of premises liability, product liability, transportation, and professional negligence. Allison has defended many of the nation's leading corporations including Costco Wholesale Corporation, Ross Stores, Inc., Roto-Rooter Services Company, and SAIA Motor Freight Lines, Inc. She also has defended insurance companies and businesses throughout the country in a wide variety of matters including, but not limited to claims related to seller and manufacturer liability, negligent security, wrongful death, negligent hiring and retention, breach of warranty, and negligence of premises owners and operators. Allison was recognized as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in the State of Georgia, an honor provided to only 2.5% of the lawyers in Georgia, in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. Member: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta and American Bar Associations; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Association for Women Lawyers; ALFA International (Member, Women's Initiatives); Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers; Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (Registered Mediator); Supreme Court of Georgia (Registered Mediator); Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Premises Liability; Products Liability; Professional Liability; Insurance Defense; Professional Negligence.Email: Allison S. Bloom

Matthew A. Boyd (Partner) born Nashville, Tennessee; admitted to bar, 1996, Tennessee; 2001, Georgia. Education: Furman University (B.A., cum laude, 1993) Vanderbilt University (J.D., 1996). Matt Boyd is a partner in the Firm's Labor & Employment Practice Group. Matt's practice consists of defending and advising employers in labor and employment matters with an emphasis on complex litigation, including class actions, collective actions, multi-plaintiff litigation, and arbitrations. Matt has extensive experience in defending, advising, and training employers with respect to all types of state and federal employment-related matters, including discrimination claims, wage and hour issues, compliance with disability and family and medical leave laws, whistleblower and violation of public policy claims (including under the False Claims Act, Sarbanes-Oxley, and state whistleblower statutes), and employee privacy issues. Matt also has extensive expertise in drafting, negotiating, and enforcing employment agreements (including senior executives and other professionals, as well as college coaching and sports agreements), restrictive covenants, and contractual provisions to protect employers' trade secrets and confidential information. Finally, Matt has conducted a number of highly sensitive internal investigations for employers involving senior employees accused of harassment, illegal activities, retaliation, and similar misconduct. Member: Atlanta Bar Association (Former Governing Board Member, Labor & Employment Section); State Bar of Georgia (Member, Labor & Employment and Appellate Practice Sections). Reported Cases: Defending a Fortune-50 beverage company on a national basis against variety of single-plaintiff, multi-plaintiff, and class action claims under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. §1981; the Americans With Disabilities Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; and the Family and Medical Leave Act; Defending a New York specialty pharmacy company against claims of religious and national-origin discrimination in one of the earliest discrimination/harassment cases brought by a Muslim employee following September 11, 2001; Defending a national fast-food chain in a collective action against claims that its assistant store managers should have been treated as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act; Conducting a number of internal investigations into alleged retaliation and wrongdoing by senior executives of publicly-traded companies; Enforcing non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements against senior executives of three different publicly-traded companies following the alleged theft of highly sensitive trade secrets; Defending a prominent New York hedge fund against multi-million dollar breach of contract claims brought by traders and analysts; Drafting and negotiating a number of CEO, CFO, and other senior executive employment agreements for public companies, large private companies, and professional and collegiate sports teams/programs. Representing the athletic association of a major university with respect to the drafting and negotiation of all of its sports coaching contracts; Representing a professional sports team in a highly publicized dispute with one of its premier players; and Representing a prominent college sports coach in a dispute over publicity rights brought against him by a national sports equipment manufacturer. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Labor and Employment.Email: Matthew A. Boyd

OF COUNSEL

Debra E. LeVorse (Of Counsel) born Atlanta, Georgia; admitted to bar, 1987, Georgia. Education: Furman University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1983); University of Georgia (J.D., 1987). Ms. LeVorse has represented some of the nation's leading medical, nursing home and legal malpractice insurance carriers, including Great American Empire Corporation and Beverly Enterprises, Inc. Ms. LeVorse received a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Furman University, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She obtained her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. While at the University of Georgia, Ms. LeVorse was a member of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, was the note's editor for the Georgia Journal, and is a published author ("The Impact of third Preference Status; 16 Ga. J. Int'l & Comp. L. 311 (1986). Ms. LeVorse has lectured on many topics, most recently presenting at the mid-year meeting of the Georgia Health Care Association in January 2006. Phi Beta Kappa. Member and Notes Editor, Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, 1986-1987. Author: "The Impact of Third Preference Status (Professionals) on Immigrants as Created by the 1965 Amendment to the Immigration and Nationality Act-Retraction of Expansion of Degree Equivalency," 16 Ga. J. Intl. & Comp. L. 311 (1986). Law Clerk to Hon. William H. Alexander, Fulton Superior Court, 1987-1989. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Lawyers Club of Atlanta. Practice Areas: Civil Rights; Insurance Defense; General Civil Litigation; Long Term Care.Email: Debra E. LeVorse

Elizabeth Branch Padgett (Of Counsel) born Athens, Georgia, April 30, 1958; admitted to bar, 1983, Hawaii; 1996, Georgia; 2003, Alabama and Tennessee. Education: Tulane University of Louisiana (1975-1977); University of Hawaii (B.A., English, with honors, 1979); Loyola University (J.D., 1983). Deputy Corporation Counsel and Division Head of Child Support Enforcement, County of Maui, 1984-1987; Instruction of Legal Writing and Research, University of Georgia School of Law, 2001-2002. Member: Hawaii State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Litigation; Products Liability; Personal Injury.Email: Elizabeth Branch Padgett

John E. Talmadge (Of Counsel) born Boston, Massachusetts, September 4, 1938; admitted to bar, 1962, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., 1960; LL.B., 1963). John Talmadge focuses his practice in the areas of business litigation, asbestos defense and general civil litigation. During his career he has represented numerous insurance companies in the defense of claims involving personal injury, wrongful death, professional liability, civil rights, premises liability, and products liability. A large portion of his practice has been in the area of asbestos defense, having represented The Celotex Corporation, Carey Canadian Mines, LTD, Owens-Corning Fiberglas, Raymark Industries, The Halliburton Company, Dresser Industries/Harbison-Walker, Kellogg, Brown & Root, and the Worthington Pump Company. John was a Captain in the United States Air Force-JAG from 1963 to 1966 and also served as an Adjunct Professor for Business Law, at the University of Alaska from 1963-1965. Phi Delta Phi; Blue Key. Member, Board of Directors, Moot Court. Editor-in-Chief, Student Editorial Board, Georgia Bar Journal. Adjunct Professor, Business Law, University of Alaska, 1964-1965. Arbitrator: Fulton County Courts; State Bar of Georgia, Attorney Fee Arbitration Panel. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; Georgia Trial Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. [Capt., USAF, 1963-1965]. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Bankruptcy; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability; Asbestos Defense; Professional Liability; Alternative Dispute Resolution.Email: John E. Talmadge

Teresa E. Lazzaroni (Of Counsel) born Colorado Springs, Colorado, July 15, 1961; admitted to bar, 1986, North Carolina; 1990, Georgia and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia. Education: State University of New York at Buffalo (B.A., Psychology, 1983); Wake Forest University (J.D., 1986). Teresa is a member of the general tort litigation team with an emphasis in the areas of insurance defense, construction litigation, premises liability and professional negligence. Her ability to focus on the relevant legal issues has resulted in a successful motions practice and has been effective to force settlement in otherwise complex cases. In addition, Teresa's practice includes family law with an emphasis on divorce, complex asset division, child support, legitimation, paternity, child custody and modification of prior court orders. As an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, Teresa's appellate practice successfully upheld over one hundred orders terminating the parental rights of neglected and abused children. In addition, as a Special Assistant Attorney General working with the Cobb County Child Support Enforcement Office, she represented the interests of over 7,000 children and instituted legal proceedings to collect millions of dollars of past due child support for the children of the State of Georgia. Teresa joined the Hawkins & Parnell, LLP team in 2003; her clients generally are professionals or executives who have complex asset and high income estates, and who are members or owners of prominent businesses, Fortune 500 companies, and medical or law practices. Member: Cobb County Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; State Bar of North Carolina; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: General Civil Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Family Law; Domestic Relations.Email: Teresa E. Lazzaroni

Christi Dickson Feeney (Of Counsel) born Memphis, Tennessee, October 11, 1970; admitted to bar, 1996, Texas and U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas; 2003, Tennessee; 2006, Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Emory University (B.A., 1992); Southern Methodist University (J.D., 1995). Christi Dickson Feeney is an experienced litigator with more than ten years experience in toxic tort litigation. She has managed thousands of toxic tort cases for over twenty different corporations in the state and federal courts of Texas and Georgia via settlement, trial, and the appellate process and has also been involved with a number of labor and employment, contract litigation, and personal injury matters. Christi also represents professionals in legal malpractice litigation. Christi defends corporations in toxic tort litigation cases and has defended over twenty different corporations, including but not limited to Cleaver Brooks, Inc., Zurn Industries, LLC, f/k/a Zurn Industries, Inc., NL Industries, Inc., Oakfabco, O.C. Keckley Company, Scapa Dryer Fabrics, The Halliburton Company and its many subsidiaries, Dresser Industries, Inc., The Okonite Co., Inc., The Synkoloid Company, North American Refractories Company, ThyssenKrupp Co., Dometic Corporation, and NCH Corporation. Christi has defended clients at trial in multi-million dollar asbestos cases in Texas courts, and has successfully appealed multiple matters in Texas appellate courts, as well as in the Fifth Circuit. She has achieved a number of significant summary judgments in various state courts, and has negotiated and finalized thousands of settlements and dismissals for her various clients. In 2003 and 2004, Christi managed the due diligence of, and was significantly involved in the negotiation of, a pre-packaged bankruptcy settlement on behalf of all asbestos and silica claims filed against The Halliburton Company and over fifty subsidiaries. The approval of Halliburton's pre-packaged bankruptcy settlement was the first business funded settlement of its kind approved by a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and effectively discharged the Halliburton Company of all past, current, and future asbestos and silica liability. Christi also represents professionals in legal malpractice claims and grievances brought with State Bar Association(s) and has successfully defended her clients by obtaining dismissals and/or settlements of claims pending against them in both state courts and the State Bar of Georgia. Member: Dallas, Tennessee, and Atlanta Bar Associations; State Bar of Texas; State Bar of Georgia; Dallas Association of Young Lawyers; Texas Young Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Legal Malpractice; Toxic Torts; Environmental Litigation.Email: Christi Dickson Feeney

ASSOCIATES

Alex M. Barfield (Associate) born Moultrie, Georgia, November 10, 1976; admitted to bar, 2003, Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia. Education: University of Pennsylvania (B.A., 1999); University of Georgia (J.D., 2003; M.B.A., 2003). Mr. Barfield represents management exclusively in all areas of Labor and Employment litigation and counseling. Mr. Barfield has extensive experience defending claims under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Mr. Barfield also litigates restrictive covenants in employment contracts, and he defends corporate clients with regard to credit reporting disputes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act and garnishment actions. Mr. Barfield completed his undergraduate studies at The University of Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and English in 1999. He received his Juris Doctor from The University of Georgia School of Law in 2003, and also received a Master of Business Administration from the Terry School of Business. While at The University of Georgia he was a member of the Mock Trial Board; William Daniel Mock Trial Team; Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law. Member: State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Insurance Defense; Business Litigation.Email: Alex M. Barfield

Sarah L. Bright (Associate) born Newton, Massachusetts, 1973; admitted to bar, 1999, Maryland; 2000, Georgia; 2001, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia; 2007, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., with honors and distinction, 1995); University of North Carolina School of Law (J.D., 1999). Sarah (Sally) L. Bright is a senior associate in Hawkins & Parnell LLP's Business Litigation Group. She concentrates her practice on the representation of corporate, municipal, and individual clients in complex business litigation, product liability, employment, municipal liability, and professional negligence matters. She prosecutes and defends suits involving a variety of areas of law including commercial and contractual disputes, business torts, real estate, and intellectual property. She also has experience defending corporate and municipal clients in Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 cases. Prior to joining the firm, Sally was an associate in the Financial Institutions Group in the Atlanta office of a large national law firm, practicing banking and public finance law for over three years. Professional Experience: Representing one of the nation's largest producer of paints and coatings in a variety of actions, including product liability and breach of contract, in state and federal courts; Obtaining summary judgment for a federally-contracted security services company in a Title VII discrimination action brought by one of its former security guards (district court judgment successfully upheld on appeal by the Eleventh Circuit); Obtaining summary judgment for a large corporate client on claim for tortious interference with business relations (district court judgment successfully upheld on appeal by the Eleventh Circuit); Representing one of the nation's leading communications companies and provider of cable services in a variety of matters including breach of contract; Representing one of the nation's leading auto parts retailers in a breach of contract action involving real estate purchase. Member: Atlanta Bar Association; Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.; State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association. Fellow: Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Products Liability; Professional Liability; Municipal Law; Labor and Employment.Email: Sarah L. Bright

Kristin Brock (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama; admitted to bar, 2001, Georgia; 2004, Alabama. Education: University of Georgia (B.F.A.); Georgia State University (J.D., 2001). Recipient, Bar Fellowship, American Health Lawyers Association. Member: State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Asbestos Defense.Email: Kristin Brock

Frank I. Chao (Associate) born Seoul, South Korea, 1975; admitted to bar, 2005, Florida; 2006, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida; 2008, U.S. District, Northern District of Florida. (Not admitted in Georgia). Education: Emory University (B.A., 1998); Duke University School of Law (J.D.; LL.M.). Frank I. Chao is an associate with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP, and a member of the Firm's Products Liability and Toxic Torts Group. Frank's civil litigation practice currently concentrates on mass tort defense and litigation in Florida. His prior experience in hospitals and medical research, including cancer and infectious disease research, provides him with a scientific and medical background suited for products liability defense. Frank also handles intellectual property matters for clients, including copyright and trademark prosecution, as well as intellectual property litigation. Prior to joining Hawkins & Parnell, Frank represented corporations in intellectual property and commercial litigation matters. Specifically, he prosecuted federal trademarks and enforced intellectual property rights of individuals and corporate clients. Frank also has extensive experience in commercial litigation and representation of corporate clients in all aspects of pre-trial matters and trial preparation, including traditional and e-discovery, depositions, hearings, and motions practice. Member: The Florida Bar; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Toxic Torts; Environmental Litigation.Email: Frank I. Chao

Elisabeth Cheatham (Associate) born Springfield, Ohio, September 22, 1977; admitted to bar, 2007, Indiana and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana; 2008, Georgia. Education: Indiana State University (B.S., Communications, 1999); Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis (J.D., 2007). Elisabeth Cheatham is an associate with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP and a member of the Firm's Asbestos and Toxic Tort Litigation Team. Her practice focuses on civil litigation with experience in products liability and toxic torts.She has been involved in all phases of litigation including responding to complaints, written discovery, settlement negotiations, motions to dismiss, and trial preparation. She actively writes and has successfully argued motions on summary judgment. Her ability to conduct extensive research has aided in other favorable rulings for the Firm's clients. She has deposed witness involving sensitive matters such as of suicide, sexual misconduct, and terminal illness. Prior to joining Hawkins & Parnell, Elisabeth worked as a law clerk for the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. She also served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Mary Willis in the Circuit Court of Henry County, Indiana. Elisabeth was certified as a civil mediator through the Indiana Commission for Continued Legal Education. Before becoming an attorney, Elisabeth had a successful career as a proposal writer and proposal manager for a major corporation. Her corporate background has resulted in an understanding of the needs and culture of the Firm's business clients. Member: Marion County, Indiana State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Toxic Torts; Asbestos Defense.Email: Elisabeth Cheatham

William M. Davis (Associate) born New Orleans, Louisiana, 1976; admitted to bar, 2006, Louisiana, U.S. District Court, Eastern, Western and Middle Districts of Louisiana and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 2007, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; 2008, Georgia. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1999); Louisiana State University (J.D., 2006; B.C.L., 2006). Billy Davis is an associate who defends businesses and professionals against a variety of contract and tort claims. Licensed in both Georgia and Louisiana, he has represented numerous companies in commercial and private litigation involving breaches of contract, disputes under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), premises liability, products liability, and business torts in both state and federal courts. He also represents individuals and business owners in defense against professional negligence and personal negligence claims. Billy believes in providing value for clients through cost-effective defense litigation and is a proponent of alternative dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation and arbitration. When specific cases necessitated protracted litigation, he has successfully advocated for his clients at trial and in appellate courts. Prior to entering the practice of law, Billy worked as a financial advisor for major international and regional financial services firms, advising Atlanta-area businesses on various transactions involving commercial finance, debt structuring, and management of interest rate risks. Member: Atlanta, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Languages: French. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Professional Negligence; Legal Malpractice.Email: William M. Davis

W. Wright Dempsey, Jr. (Associate) born Rome, Georgia, November 26, 1972; admitted to bar, 1999, Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia; U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Education: Shorter College (B.B.A., Accounting, cum laude, 1995); University of Tennessee College of Law (J.D., 1998). Prior to joining Hawkins & Parnell, LLP in January 2005, Wright spent over four years in a boutique firm representing insurance and surety companies involved in all aspects of construction projects, from bond underwriting disputes through the takeover of defaulted projects to post-default litigation. Since joining the Firm, Wright has expanded on that specialized experience and broadened his practice to include other areas of insurance defense, including premises liability, products liability, and general tort. He also continues to represent contractors and subcontractors in the construction industry, now focusing on defects in both residential and commercial projects. Past and present clients include several national retailers, local colleges and universities, and construction companies. A sample of his experience includes: Prevailing on summary judgment and/or at trial in several cases including one presently on appeal to the Court of Appeals of Georgia regarding the borrowed servant doctrine, particularly as it relates to crane leasing companies. Wright also drafted a successful response to a motion to compel in the Northern District of Georgia in which the court recognized the self-critical analysis privilege for trucking companies and did not order the production of documents withheld under that privilege. Member, Tennessee Law Review, 1996-1998. Member: State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Construction Defects; Premises Liability; Products Liability; Insurance Defense; Civil Litigation.Email: W. Wright Dempsey, Jr.

Benjamin S. Dorfman (Associate) born Wilmington, Delaware, 1976; admitted to bar, 2004, Mississippi; 2008, Georgia. Education: University of Texas at Austin (B.A., 1998); University of Mississippi (J.D., 2001). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Environmental Law; Toxic Torts.Email: Benjamin S. Dorfman

Willie Ellis, Jr. (Associate) born New York, New York, August 18, 1976; admitted to bar, 2004, Georgia and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia; 2006, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; 2007, New York. Education: Clark Atlanta University (B.S., Psychology and Political Science, 1999); New York Law School (J.D., 2003). Willie ("Will") C. Ellis is an Associate of the Business Litigation Group at Hawkins & Parnell. Will devotes the majority of his practice to state and federal court litigation and arbitration matters, including actions involving commercial and contractual disputes, business torts, construction, bad-faith, premises liability, personal injury, and professional negligence. Will has defended and prosecuted claims on behalf of Fortune 500 corporations, government officers, physicians, and healthcare facilities, including one of the largest hospital authorities in the Southeastern United States, in law suits, mediations, and pre-litigation matters. In addition, Will has organized and presented at seminars designed to educate his clients on claim avoidance and litigation trends. Member: State Bar of Georgia; New York State Bar Association. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Products Liability.Email: Willie Ellis, Jr.

Sara A. Evans (Associate) born Colorado Springs, Colorado, December 30, 1960; admitted to bar, 1999, Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. Education: College of St. Thomas (B.A., 1983); University of Georgia (J.D., 1999). Ms. Evans is a general civil litigation attorney whose practice has focused on complex litigation. While she has experience in the areas of land use and zoning, wireless cellular tower siting, CERCLA litigation and contract dispute litigation, her present primary focus is in the area of complex tort litigation. Ms. Evans also represents and defends creditors in Chapter 7, 11 and 13 bankruptcy actions. Phi Alpha Delta: Law Related Education Director, 1997-1998. Author: "Wireless Service Providers v. Zoning Commission: Preservation of State and Local Zoning Authority Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996," 32 Ga. L. Rev. 965; republished in 1999 Zoning and Planning Handbook, West Publishing, 1999. Member, Board of Visitors, University of Georgia, 2002-2005. Member: State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Products Liability; Toxic Tort Litigation; Land Use and Zoning Law; Commercial Law; Bankruptcy (Creditors).Email: Sara A. Evans

Bryan M. Grantham (Associate) born 1981; admitted to bar, 2006, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., Political Science, 2003); Georgia State University College of Law (J.D., 2006). Bryan is an Associate in the Professional Negligence and Legal Malpractice Groups of Hawkins & Parnell. Before joining the Firm, Bryan was an Assistant Public Defender in the Augusta Judicial Circuit. During that time, he represented criminal defendants in all stages of litigation from preliminary hearings to trial and appellate work, authoring a successful appeal, McGee v. The State, 287 Ga. App. 839, 652 S.E.2d 822 (2007). Bryan is experienced in composing and arguing motions, performing case investigation, and has first-chaired more than a dozen trials. In addition to criminal defense, Bryan also has a background in legal malpractice litigation prior to coming to Hawkins & Parnell. His experience includes drafting briefs, appeals, memos, pleadings, and motions. Member: American Bar Association; Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; University of Georgia Alumni Association; Defense Research Institute (DRI); Georgia Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Legal Malpractice; Professional Negligence.Email: Bryan M. Grantham

Jason L. Groch (Associate) born LaPorte, Indiana, March 11, 1968; admitted to bar, 1996, Maryland; 2002, Georgia; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia; Georgia Court of Appeals. Education: University of Arizona (B.A., magna cum laude, 1991); George Washington University (J.D., with honors, 1995). Mr. Groch handles mass asbestos and silica litigation, concentrating mainly on Florida matters. He works closely with the team's supervising partner in overall management of the firm's Florida litigation, and he is intimately involved in strategic and policy decisions regarding the litigation. Mr. Groch is also frequently consulted to devise solutions to difficult problems encountered in the litigation. He works on "big picture" matters, such as drafting and revising omnibus case management orders and pushing the courts to adopt litigation reforms. Mr. Groch has also been involved in projects of a nationwide scope, and is responsible for monitoring national litigation developments and the progress of state and national asbestos legislation. On the local level, Mr. Groch participates in joint-defense matters and works with codefendants' attorneys to develop a unified position on issues when appropriate. Mr. Groch's responsibilities also encompass handling the Florida asbestos team's most important written work. He drafts key motions (both case-specific and omnibus), orders (including portions of omnibus case management orders), briefs (at both the trial and appellate levels), master pleadings, master discovery, mediation position papers, jury instructions, and memoranda and reports to clients. In 2004, Mr. Groch had a significant role in the adoption of defense-oriented revisions to the omnibus case management orders governing the crowded asbestos dockets of three Florida counties (Broward, Dade, and Palm Peach). He authored key briefs advocating the adoption of the defense's proposed revisions and personally drafted certain provisions of the orders. More recently, Mr. Groch participated in the successful effort to adopt a defense-oriented case management order for silica litigation in Broward County, Florida. In his most recent appellate victory, Mr. Groch authored a successful mandamus petition in Genuine Parts Co. v. Parsons, 917 So.2d 419 (Fla. 40 Dist. Ct. App. 2006). Phi Beta Kappa; Order of the Coif. Member, George Washington Law Review. Member: Maryland State Bar Association, Inc.; State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association. Practice Areas: Asbestos Defense; Civil Litigation.Email: Jason L. Groch

Eric T. Hawkins (Associate) born Franklin, North Carolina, July 18, 1980; admitted to bar, 2007, Georgia. Education: University of North Carolina (B.A., 2002); Georgia State University (J.D., 2005). Eric Hawkins represents clients in products liability, toxic tort, environmental litigation and related specialties. He defends a wide variety of claims involving asbestos, silica, benzene, employment law, premises liability and personal injury matters. Eric's practice involves representing and assisting firm clients in both national litigation and as local counsel. In addition to Georgia he has defended cases in 23 other states and numerous other jurisdictions throughout the nation. Member: American Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia (Young Lawyer's Division); Atlanta Bar Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Insurance Defense; Toxic Torts; Product Liability.Email: Eric T. Hawkins

Jonathan M. Hill (Associate) born Englewood, New Jersey, October 17, 1979; admitted to bar, 2007, Georgia. Education: Davidson College (B.A., 2002); Georgia State University School of Law (J.D., 2006). Jonathan Hill, an Associate with Hawkins & Parnell's business litigation group, defends both individuals and companies in state and federal court across the country. Jonathan focuses his practice primarily on employment-related issues, but has also gained experience litigating commercial matters, including contract and construction disputes. Jonathan has defended numerous companies in actions arising under Title VII, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, he continues to develop as a labor lawyer, having assisted in the representation of management in union election disputes brought before the National Labor Relations Board. Keenly aware of the many challenges faced by businesses in today's competitive markets, Jonathan's specialized knowledge in the field of electronic discovery has proven invaluable to clients. Apart from writing and speaking on developments within this rapidly-changing area of the law, Jonathan consults with area-businesses on risk-management and cost-containment strategies, including defensible document retention policies and effective litigation holds. Jonathan is a member of the Sedona Conference, the preeminent group at the forefront of the electronic discovery field. Prior to joining the Firm, Jonathan worked as an Associate with a boutique firm representing plaintiffs in construction disputes, and as a policy analyst with the Georgia Department of Education. Jonathan strives to provide each client and each case with the personalized attention it deserves. In addition, he is fluent in Spanish. Professional Experience: Defending one of the nation's largest ground transportation carriers in a variety of discrimination actions brought pursuant to Title VII. Managing electronic discovery in a complex commercial litigation involving a contract dispute on a $1 billion capital-outlay project. Case involved millions of documents and combined damages exceeding $320 million. Representing one of the nation's largest in-home healthcare providers in a wage/hour collective action brought pursuant to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Defending a federally-contracted security services company in a Title VII discrimination action brought by one of its former security guards (judgment successfully upheld on appeal before the Eleventh Circuit). Defending a large heavy-equipment company in an age discrimination claim brought by one of its former managers. Representing a nationally-recognized health club in a real property dispute involving the landlord and a security alarm contractor. Advising new company start-up on general business matters, and drafting company's employment contracts. Member: Atlanta Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Labor and Employment.Email: Jonathan M. Hill

Peter Jacxsens (Associate) born May 10, 1977; admitted to bar, 2002, Georgia; 2004, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia. Education: University of Richmond (B.A., 1999); George Washington University (J.D., 2002). Mr. Jacxsens practices in the areas of personal injury defense litigation; insurance coverage; financial institution liability; and general civil defense litigation. Mr. Jacxsens has jury trial experience, and advises businesses and individuals involved in a wide variety of civil litigation. Mr. Jacxsens is an experienced litigator and regularly appears in court on behalf of his clients in a practice that also involves negotiations and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Jacxsens has authored "United States Federal Timber Contracts: Tensions Between Endangered Species and the Sovereign Acts Defense" 11 Pub. Procurement L. Rev. 331 (2002). Member: State Bar of Georgia; Atlanta Bar Association. Practice Areas: Personal Injury Defense; Insurance Coverage; Business Litigation; Premises Liability; Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Litigation; Bad Faith and Coverage Litigation; Labor and Employment; Transportation; Product Liability.Email: Peter Jacxsens

Julie Jun (Associate) born Seoul, South Korea, April 13, 1976; admitted to bar, 2006, New Jersey, New York and Georgia. Education: Emory University (B.A., 1998); University of Georgia (J.D., 2005). Julie is a general civil litigation attorney whose practice has focused on commercial litigation. While she has experience in the areas of medical device and pharmaceutical products liability, false advertising, and antitrust, her current primary focus is on complex tort litigation. Before obtaining her law degree, Julie worked in medical research, in laboratories specializing in immunological and pathology research. Member: New Jersey State and New York State Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Premises Liability; Toxic Torts; Environmental Litigation.Email: Julie Jun

Martin A. Levinson (Associate) born Atlanta, Georgia, October 25, 1979; admitted to bar, 2004, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.A., 2001); University of Georgia School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2004). Member: Dekalb, Gwinnett and Atlanta Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Insurance Bad Faith; Insurance Coverage; Litigation; Contracts; Appellate Practice.Email: Martin A. Levinson

Eric Ludwig (Associate) born July 28, 1974; admitted to bar, 2000, Kentucky; 2003, Indiana; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky. (Not admitted in Georgia). Education: University of Kentucky (B.S., Economics and Business Managements); University of Dayton (J.D., 2000). Eric Ludwig is a senior associate and an experienced trial attorney who concentrates his practice in the areas of product liability, toxic tort, environmental, healthcare, and transportation litigation. He serves as Hawkins & Parnell's primary litigator in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and as a member of several teams that operate as national coordinating counsel. Toxic Tort and Product Liability Litigation: Eric is seasoned at addressing clients' needs from the initial investigation through trial and appeal. He has successfully defended and tried lawsuits involving allegations of exposure to toxic products. Representative matters: In May 2005, he was assistant trial counsel defending a lung cancer wrongful death claim in a two-week jury trial involving allegations of asbestos exposure. In February 2006, he defended a lung cancer wrongful death claim in a three-week jury trial involving allegations of asbestos exposure. In August 2007, he was assistant trial counsel in the defense of a mesothelioma wrongful death claim in a multi-week jury trial involving allegations of raw component exposure. Dispositive and Appellate Practice: In addition to trial work, Eric defends verdicts and dispositive dismissals before appellate courts. He has also drafted multiple Writs of Mandamus seeking interlocutory relief. He was instrumental in obtaining a ruling dismissing 3800 asbestos-related claims consolidated in three mass complaints. The dismissals are considered the largest in Kentucky legal history. He has been granted dispositive dismissal in transportation and general civil liability cases pending in Georgia. Before joining Hawkins & Parnell, LLP, Eric had the privilege of beginning his legal career as law clerk and intern for multiple federal and state judges. He used this extraordinary opportunity to work on a wide variety of legal issues and held positions with the following courts: Magistrate Judge Timothy Hogan (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio), Internship Chief Judge Walter Rice (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio), Internship Judge Stephen Mershon (Jefferson County, Kentucky Circuit Judge), Law Clerk Judge Denise Clayton (Jefferson County, Kentucky Circuit Judge) (who is now on the Kentucky Court of Appeals), Law Clerk. Member: Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana State Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association; Atlanta Bar Association; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Products Liability; Premises Liability; Toxic Torts; Civil Litigation.Email: Eric Ludwig

Catherine A. McCormack (Associate) born Atlanta, Georgia, May 21, 1976; admitted to bar, 2003, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (A.B.J., 1998); Georgia State University (J.D., 2003). Ms. McCormack is an associate with the Firm. She concentrates her practice on toxic tort litigation matters. She also represents clients in cases involving medical malpractice, premises liability, business torts, commercial litigation and general insurance defense. Catherine has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in all aspects of litigation, from pre-suit settlement negotiations through trial. Member: State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation; Contract Litigation; Business Torts; Employment Litigation; Toxic Torts; Medical Malpractice.Email: Catherine A. McCormack

Matthew McLaughlin (Associate) born North Kingstown, Rhode Island, 1970; admitted to bar, 2001, Georgia; 2002, U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Georgia. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1992); University of Central Missouri (M.S., 1993); University of Mississippi (J.D., 2001). Matthew McLaughlin is an experienced associate with the Firm. He represents clients in a wide array of civil cases. Matt aggressively represents clients in all phases of litigation from pre-suit evaluation, settlement, trial, and appeals. Matt represents insurance carriers in coverage disputes and insureds in all manner of tort and contract actions. He also represents businesses directly in customer and vendor disputes. Matt focuses his attention on advancing the best interests of his clients. Bad Faith and Coverage Litigation: Matthew has prosecuted declaratory judgment actions on behalf of insurance carriers in state and federal courts. In addition, he has defended insurance carriers in bad faith and declaratory judgment actions filed by insureds. He is also experienced in pursuing interpleader actions and other equitable remedies on behalf of insurers. Legal Malpractice and Professional Negligence: Matthew's experience in legal malpractice and professional negligence fields includes the defense of lawyers, physicians, real estate appraisers and other professionals. In defending legal malpractice cases, Matthew has been exposed to litigation in real estate commercial transactions, products liability, wills and estates, ERISA, and personal injury cases. Transportation and Trucking Defense: Matthew defends trucking companies in both motor vehicle accident cases and commercial disputes. His experience in defending cases ranges from the relatively minor injury cases to severe injury and wrongful death cases. He has an excellent track record of securing favorable results for his clients. Product Liability: Matthew represents clients in complex asbestos cases. In addition, he defends chemical manufacturers in multi-district litigation. He has also defended numerous cases alleging defects in motor vehicles. Phi Delta Phi (President, 2000-2001, Vice-President, 1999-2000). Member: State Bar of Georgia; Defense Research Institute; Georgia Defense Lawyers Association (Vice Chair, Appellate Advocacy Substantive Law Committee, 2006). Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Professional Negligence; Legal Malpractice; Insurance Bad Faith; Insurance Coverage; Transportation.Email: Matthew McLaughlin

Daniel Mills (Associate) born 1983; admitted to bar, 2008, Georgia. Education: University of Georgia (B.B.A., cum laude, 2005); Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 2008). Daniel Mills practices in the areas of personal injury defense litigation, insurance coverage, and general civil defense litigation. Daniel appears in court on behalf of his clients and regularly drafts motions and other supporting pleadings. Member: State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association; Erwin Zaban Leadership Development Program. Practice Areas: Bad Faith and Coverage Litigation; Premises Liability; Transportation; Product Liability.Email: Daniel Mills

Jennifer A. Mills (Associate) born Barbourville, Kentucky, August 9, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Georgia. Education: Purdue University (B.A., 2000); Emory University School of Law (J.D., 2005). Member: State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Professional Negligence; Transportation; Products Liability.Email: Jennifer A. Mills

Bianca A. Motley (Associate) born Cleveland, Ohio, September 13, 1977; admitted to bar, 2003, Ohio; 2007, Georgia. Education: Duke University (B.A., 1999); Washington University (J.D., 2003). Bianca Motley is an associate with Hawkins & Parnell, LLP. She specializes in civil defense litigation, with particular emphasis on toxic tort litigation. Her representation of clients includes multi-national corporations, local, and regional companies. Toxic Tort Litigation: Bianca is involved in various aspects of the litigation process for her clients, including responding to complaints, written discovery, settlement negotiations, motions for summary judgment, and trial preparation. Prior to joining Hawkins & Parnell, LLP, Bianca successfully tried over a dozen civil cases to verdict in her work with a national insurance company. Additionally, she has tried many criminal cases as a former county prosecutor. She is also a William Webster Scholar. Member: Ohio State Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia; American Bar Association; Atlanta Bar Association. Practice Areas: Toxic Torts.Email: Bianca A. Motley

Lacey J. Ourso (Associate) born Baton Rouge, Louisiana; admitted to bar, 2006, Georgia. Education: Louisiana State University (B.S., General Business, 2003; J.D. and Bachelor of Civil Law, 2006). Member: Atlanta Bar Association; State Bar of Georgia. Practice Areas: Construction Litigation; Construction Law; Construction and Design Law; Premises Liability; Accountants Malpractice; Architects and Engineers Errors and Omissions; Legal Malpractice.

Frances Spinthourakis (Associate) born New York, New York, 1971; admitted to bar, 1997, Florida. (Not admitted in Georgia). Education: New York University (B.A., cum laude, 1992); University of Miami (J.D., 1995). Member: The Florida Bar; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Toxic Torts; Toxic Torts Defense.Email: Frances Spinthourakis

Brian W. Sprinkle (Associate) born Lynchburg, Virginia, July 1, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Georgia. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1998); Tulane University Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Phi Delta Phi. Recipient, Ray Forrester Award in Constitutional Law. Member, Tulane Journal of International and Comparative Law. Member: Atlanta and American Bar Associations; State Bar of Georgia Practice Areas: Defense Litigation; Civil Litigation; Appellate Practice; Civil Appeals.Email: Brian W. Sprinkle

Ernest L. Wetzler, II (Associate) born Atlanta, Georgia, 1979; admitted to bar, 2006, Florida. (Not admitted in Georgia). Education: University of Georgia (B.S., Political Science); Florida International University College of Law (J.D., 2006). Vice-President, Student Bar Association. Member, Florida International University College of Law. Practice Areas: Professional Negligence; Products Liability.Email: Ernest L. Wetzler, II

Jacob M. Zuniga (Associate) born February 2, 1978, Montebello, California; admitted to bar, 2003, California; 2006, Georgia. Education: Pepperdine University, (B.A., 2000); Pepperdine University School of Law (J.D., 2003). Member: State Bar of Georgia. Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Labor and Employment.Email: Jacob M. Zuniga