The national law firm Alston & Bird LLP has named 11 new partners in its Atlanta, GA and Washington, D.C. offices, effective January 1, 2000. The Firm recently placed as #36 in Fortune’s ranking of the country’s “100 Best Companies to Work For,” one of only two law firms to be included.
Commenting on the announcement, the Firm’s managing partner Ben F. Johnson III stated, “1999 was a prosperous year for Alston & Bird, and we are pleased to build on this prosperity at the beginning of this new century with the addition of our 11 new partners. The new partners will expand and add additional depth to the major practice areas of
Alston & Bird, and we are poised to continue our growth as the new millennium dawns.” Johnson added, “1999 saw many distinctions for Alston & Bird. Along with our ranking in the Fortune 100, in April the Firm became a member of the select listing of law firms included in the book America’s Greatest Places to Work With a Law Degree. The Firm also hosted several important conferences this year, including “Taking the Plunge into
E-Commerce: Is Your Business Ready?" and “Balancing Disclosure and Litigation Risks for Public Companies (Or Soon-to-Be Public Companies)”, among others. Effective immediately, the new partners are: ATLANTA, GA Adam V. Battani is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Technology Practice Group. His areas of practice include corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, and technology law. Mr. Battani earned a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, and his J.D. from Boalt Hall School o f Law at the University of California. Mr. Battani is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association and the Atlanta Bar Association. Donald McGee Etheridge, Jr. is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Estate Planning Practice Group. He focuses his practice on sophisticated estate and income tax planning for individuals and the representation of non-profit organizations and foundations regarding tax law matters. His background includes experience in both private practice and as inside counsel for Duke University. Mr. Etheridge advises clients on a broad spectrum of issues involving charitable estate and gift tax planning and exempt organizations, ranging from the tax considerations presented in connection with planned giving to the issues that arise from the participation of non-profits in joint ventures and partnerships. Mr. Etheridge is active in numerous professional organizations that focus on exempt organizations and estate planning. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, and participates regularly in the activities of the Exempt Organization Committee of the Section of Taxation and various committees of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section relating to charitable gift and estate planning. He has served as Chairman of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax Section as well. Mr. Etheridge received his undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University. He also received a masters of law in taxation from Georgetown University Law School. Malvern “Griff” Griffin, III is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property-Patent Solicitation Practice Group. He practices in the area of intellectual property, including acquisition and enforcement of patents in the electrical arts, with particular focus on Internet and e-commerce software, computer systems, and telecommunications-related inventions. Mr. Griffin received his J.D. from the University of Alabama and his B.S. from Auburn University. He is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the Georgia State Bar, the Alabama State Bar and the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Mr. Griffin regularly teaches CLE classes on the subject of “Legal Research on the Internet” for Georgia State University Continuing Education and the Alabama Law Institute of the University of Alabama Law School. James A. Harvey is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Technology Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on technology, electronic commerce, and Internet-related transactions and advice. Mr. Harvey represents clients engaged in all types of technology related endeavors, including acquisition and development of intangible infrastructure, interactive and other new media undertakings and a broad range of electronic commerce activities. This representation routinely includes advice in structuring and negotiating transactions in connection with interactive development and marketing; implementation of digital signature and other e-commerce related facilities; software, content and information licensing, distribution and integration; and counseling and services on behalf of vendors, users, and solution providers. Mr. Harvey is currently a member of the Board of Editors of The Computer Lawyer and a member of the Computer Law and Intellectual Property Law Sections of the State Bar of Georgia. He is also the former Chair of the Computer Law Association, and a member of the Business and Technology Alliance and the Licensing Executives Society. Mr. Harvey received his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his B.A. degree from the University of Arkansas.
Darren C. Hauck is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Corporate Healthcare Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on mergers and acquisitions, and securities matters in the health care industry. Mr. Hauck received his B.A. degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and his J.D. degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. From 1991 to 1996, he was an associate with Alston & Bird. Mr. Hauck then left the firm and joined the Legal Department of BellSouth International. In 1997, he returned to
Alston & Bird as an associate in the Corporate Health Care Practice Group. Mr. Hauck is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, and Atlanta Bar Association. Susan E. Hurd is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Trial and Appellate Practice Group. She concentrates her practice on securities litigation, products liability and other general commercial litigation. She received her J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law where she was a Baker-Worthington Scholarship recipient, on the Dean's List, a member of the Moot Court Board, Student Articles Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review and was elected to the Order of the Coif. She received her B.A. from Vanderbilt University.
James E. Meadows is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Technology Practice Group. He concentrates his practice on electronic commerce and information technology transactions. Mr. Meadows has extensive experience in advising clients on their Internet and electronic commerce initiatives, and in drafting and negotiating a full range of electronic commerce and information technology-related agreements. These representations routinely include advice in implementing digital certificate and other
e-commerce related facilities, and structuring and negotiating strategic alliances and other transactions involving Web-based offerings. Mr. Meadows received his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and received his B.S. degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina. Mr. Meadows has published numerous articles on new media, information technology and intellectual property subjects and is a frequent speaker on e-commerce topics. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia's Computer Law Section; the Computer Law Association; and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Secretary of Computer Law Committee, 1988-90). He also is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia. Kim Ackourey Reddy is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Healthcare-Regulatory Practice Group. She concentrates on health care law. Prior to joining Alston & Bird in 1993, Ms. Reddy clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno of the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Reddy regularly presents on health care issues, including the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law, confidentiality of patient AIDS information, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA, and risk management. While at Alston & Bird, she has served as in-house counsel for two hospital clients. Ms. Reddy is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Health Law Section; the Florida State Bar; the Atlanta Bar Association; the American Health Lawyers Association; and the Georgia Academy of Hospital Attorneys. Ms. Reddy received her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law and her B.S. degree from Duke University. R. Mark Williamson is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Estate Planning and Fiduciary Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the area of estate planning, exempt organizations, and general tax matters. He received his J.D. with highest honors from the Florida State University College of Law, where he served as Executive Editor of the F.S.U. Law Review.
Mr. Williamson received his B.M. in Music from Louisiana State University, and his M.M. in Music from North Texas State University. Mr. Williamson has been adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. M. Russell Wofford, Jr. is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Antitrust and Investigations Practice Group. He concentrates on antitrust law and commercial litigation. He received a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, a Masters of Philosophy in Political Theory and Philosophy from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and an A.B. with high honors from Princeton University. He is the author of "Special Problems in Criminal Appeals," a chapter of the Handbook on Appellate Procedure in the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals. WASHINGTON, D.C. Margaret A. Sheehan is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Financial Services Practice Group. Her practice emphasizes broker-dealer, investment adviser, and investment company-related matters. She provides regulatory advice to banking and non-banking institutions on all matters relating to the development and offering of investment products and services. Ms. Sheehan received her A.B. degree in political science from Duke University. She received her J.D. degree and the Order of the Coif from the Georgetown University Law Center. She is admitted to the State Bar of New York.
With offices in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Charlotte and the Research Triangle in Raleigh, North Carolina, Alston & Bird is one of the largest and oldest law firms in the country. Its more than 475 attorneys provide a full range of services to domestic and international clients who conduct business all over the world. In addition to tax and employee benefits,
Alston & Bird’s practice areas include: electronic commerce, capital markets and investment; finance and public finance; intellectual property; international; trial and appellate; health care; real estate; environmental; antitrust and investigations; bankruptcy, reorganizations and workouts; fiduciary; and labor employment.
Alston & Bird, and we are poised to continue our growth as the new millennium dawns.” Johnson added, “1999 saw many distinctions for Alston & Bird. Along with our ranking in the Fortune 100, in April the Firm became a member of the select listing of law firms included in the book America’s Greatest Places to Work With a Law Degree. The Firm also hosted several important conferences this year, including “Taking the Plunge into
E-Commerce: Is Your Business Ready?" and “Balancing Disclosure and Litigation Risks for Public Companies (Or Soon-to-Be Public Companies)”, among others. Effective immediately, the new partners are: ATLANTA, GA Adam V. Battani is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Technology Practice Group. His areas of practice include corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, securities law, and technology law. Mr. Battani earned a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley, and his J.D. from Boalt Hall School o f Law at the University of California. Mr. Battani is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the State Bar of California, the American Bar Association and the Atlanta Bar Association. Donald McGee Etheridge, Jr. is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Estate Planning Practice Group. He focuses his practice on sophisticated estate and income tax planning for individuals and the representation of non-profit organizations and foundations regarding tax law matters. His background includes experience in both private practice and as inside counsel for Duke University. Mr. Etheridge advises clients on a broad spectrum of issues involving charitable estate and gift tax planning and exempt organizations, ranging from the tax considerations presented in connection with planned giving to the issues that arise from the participation of non-profits in joint ventures and partnerships. Mr. Etheridge is active in numerous professional organizations that focus on exempt organizations and estate planning. He is an active member of the American Bar Association, and participates regularly in the activities of the Exempt Organization Committee of the Section of Taxation and various committees of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section relating to charitable gift and estate planning. He has served as Chairman of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax Section as well. Mr. Etheridge received his undergraduate and law degrees from Duke University. He also received a masters of law in taxation from Georgetown University Law School. Malvern “Griff” Griffin, III is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property-Patent Solicitation Practice Group. He practices in the area of intellectual property, including acquisition and enforcement of patents in the electrical arts, with particular focus on Internet and e-commerce software, computer systems, and telecommunications-related inventions. Mr. Griffin received his J.D. from the University of Alabama and his B.S. from Auburn University. He is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and is a member of the Georgia State Bar, the Alabama State Bar and the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Mr. Griffin regularly teaches CLE classes on the subject of “Legal Research on the Internet” for Georgia State University Continuing Education and the Alabama Law Institute of the University of Alabama Law School.
Alston & Bird as an associate in the Corporate Health Care Practice Group. Mr. Hauck is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, and Atlanta Bar Association.
e-commerce related facilities, and structuring and negotiating strategic alliances and other transactions involving Web-based offerings. Mr. Meadows received his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and received his B.S. degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina. Mr. Meadows has published numerous articles on new media, information technology and intellectual property subjects and is a frequent speaker on e-commerce topics. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia's Computer Law Section; the Computer Law Association; and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Secretary of Computer Law Committee, 1988-90). He also is admitted to practice in New York and the District of Columbia. Kim Ackourey Reddy is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Healthcare-Regulatory Practice Group. She concentrates on health care law. Prior to joining Alston & Bird in 1993, Ms. Reddy clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Federico A. Moreno of the Southern District of Florida. Ms. Reddy regularly presents on health care issues, including the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Stark Law, confidentiality of patient AIDS information, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act or EMTALA, and risk management. While at Alston & Bird, she has served as in-house counsel for two hospital clients. Ms. Reddy is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Health Law Section; the Florida State Bar; the Atlanta Bar Association; the American Health Lawyers Association; and the Georgia Academy of Hospital Attorneys. Ms. Reddy received her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law and her B.S. degree from Duke University.
Mr. Williamson received his B.M. in Music from Louisiana State University, and his M.M. in Music from North Texas State University. Mr. Williamson has been adjunct professor of law at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. M. Russell Wofford, Jr. is a partner in Alston & Bird’s Antitrust and Investigations Practice Group. He concentrates on antitrust law and commercial litigation. He received a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, a Masters of Philosophy in Political Theory and Philosophy from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and an A.B. with high honors from Princeton University. He is the author of "Special Problems in Criminal Appeals," a chapter of the Handbook on Appellate Procedure in the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals. WASHINGTON, D.C.
Alston & Bird’s practice areas include: electronic commerce, capital markets and investment; finance and public finance; intellectual property; international; trial and appellate; health care; real estate; environmental; antitrust and investigations; bankruptcy, reorganizations and workouts; fiduciary; and labor employment.