Department profile
Alston & Bird LLP

Litigation: General Commercial

USA Guide 2026 : Georgia


Alston & Bird LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: General Commercial - Georgia

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Alston & Bird is hailed as a leading litigation firm, known for its deep bench and depth of expertise. It is well equipped to tackle a wide variety of high-profile litigation matters across the USA, including commercial disputes, shareholder derivative actions and product liability suits. The firm is well placed to advise on criminal cases and government investigations. The group acts for a number of blue-chip clients in the automotive industry, handling a variety of high-stakes litigation, while also impressing with its representation of technology, healthcare, pharmaceutical and retail clients. The team is also noted for its strong securities litigation practice, which includes class actions and SEC investigations.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Alston & Bird served as lead trial and appellate counsel for Sterigenics in its defense of hundreds of personal injury and property devaluation actions claiming the plaintiffs developed cancer or other injuries, or their properties lost value, because of emissions of ethylene oxide from a medical products sterilization facility in Cobb County.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm has deep bench strength with attorneys who are knowledgeable, practical and responsive to client needs. They are excellent at making my life easier.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The firm's ability to communicate with decision-makers as to the risks, rewards and strategies is exceptional.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Alston & Bird has deep knowledge of local judges, practice and procedure and excellent courtroom skills. The firm also demonstrates facility in identifying and developing expert witnesses.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Alston & Bird acts strategically. It is also agile in expanding the team when needed, with a deep enough bench of attorneys in other practice areas to assist with other parts of the case.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • The team works diligently and is proactive in providing advice. The attorneys are subject-matter experts and keep us informed about the options available.

    Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleJohn A. Jordak
    Senior StatespeopleJohn A. Jordak

    John A. Jordak

    John Jordak is a popular choice for large corporations and individual executives seeking representation in a range of securities disputes. He handles class actions as well as SEC enforcement matters.
  • Senior StatespeopleJohn L Latham
    Senior StatespeopleJohn L Latham

    John L Latham

    John Latham is an experienced trial lawyer who is noted for his handling of securities disputes. His practice spans class actions, internal investigations and derivative claims.
  • Band 1Cari K Dawson
    Band 1Cari K Dawson

    Cari K Dawson

    As co-chair of Alston & Bird's class action and MDL practice team, Cari Dawson has strong skills in class action defense. She regularly works with clients from the automotive industry.

    • Cari has a wonderful national product liability practice.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Cari brings a 360-degree holistic view to any cases. She really comes in and takes command of the overall strategy of a case.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Cari is phenomenal; she's an absolute boss who definitely knows how to lead. Her reputation is just immaculate, and she's a stand-up attorney.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 1Keith Blackwell
    Band 1Keith Blackwell

    Keith Blackwell

    Keith Blackwell is particularly highly regarded for appeals and other high-profile litigation. He is a former Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia.

  • Band 1Robert R. Long
    Band 1Robert R. Long

    Robert R. Long

    Robert Long is held in high regard for his work on securities class actions. He also leads Alston & Bird's securities litigation group.

    • Robert is thoughtful and is strategically aggressive when the situation warrants it. He is also a good oral advocate.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Robert's knowledge of the law was exceptional but his interpersonal skills were outstanding. Robert never wavered from the objective.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Robert is an incredibly talented and experienced securities lawyer.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Robert had an amazing grasp of the intricacies of the lawsuit. He presents information in a way which is interesting and easy to understand.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 2Jenny Hergenrother
    Band 2Jenny Hergenrother

    Jenny Hergenrother

    Jenny Hergenrother offers a wealth of experience defending clients across a broad range of product liability, toxic tort and wider class action matters.

    • Jenny provided invaluable assistance. She is extremely responsive to client inquiries and requests.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Jenny is practical; that is what I like about her. She is not looking to do unnecessary legal spend. She is cost conscious, and a straight shooter who doesn't sugarcoat or downplay anything.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 2Scott A Elder
    Band 2Scott A Elder

    Scott A Elder

    Scott Elder offers robust skills in product liability and mass tort matters involving consumer products, pharmaceuticals and other sectors. He co-leads the practice group at Alston & Bird.

    • I trust Scott to provide thoughtful and actionable strategic and legal advice, and to implement the agreed-upon course of action efficiently and effectively.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Cara M. Peterman
    Band 3Cara M. Peterman

    Cara M. Peterman

    Cara Peterman is often called upon by clients to handle securities class and derivative matters.

    • Cara is what every GC hopes for in an outside counsel. She is always prepared, willing to answer questions and explain complicated issues, and is an incredibly polished individual.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • With Cara it's like talking to a securities encyclopedia. Whatever the issue is she has the most amazing depth of knowledge, but she can converse in practical, easily comprehensible terms and then, in litigation, she is able to implement it to get good outcomes for the clients.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • I have always been impressed with Cara's level of knowledge and her practical approach to her practice. She's a great partner to have, and I value her.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Cara is an exceptional lawyer who is committed to client service, and she collaborates well on matters involving multiple parties.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Elizabeth Gingold Clark
    Band 3Elizabeth Gingold Clark

    Elizabeth Gingold Clark

    Elizabeth Gingold Clark offers clients a wealth of experience in defending securities litigation, acting for an array of major corporates and financial institutions. She offers strengths in class and derivative actions, as well as M&A litigation.

    • Elizabeth is an intelligent and trusted securities litigation attorney who deserves to be recognized for her collaboration and strong technical skills.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Elizabeth is very relatable, and she has a good feel for the client's business, which I like.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Elizabeth is an integral part of the team who participates and adds value throughout the process.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Elizabeth is really knowledgeable and practical. She's commercially aware and knows the impact on the business. She's always on point when I'm frustrated and keeps a mindset for the greater good of the company.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Elizabeth has taken the time to learn our business so that she can be proactive in providing advice and guidance. She has a natural ability to adjust to her audience. She will explain things to me in a manner that I understand and seamlessly shift to provide the same information to our businesspeople in a way that resonates with them. Elizabeth is an outstanding attorney.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Kristine McAlister Brown
    Band 3Kristine McAlister Brown

    Kristine McAlister Brown

    Kristine McAlister Brown leads Alston & Bird's privacy and cybersecurity litigation team. The matters she handles include class actions and data breaches.

    • Kristine is an excellent lawyer who handles big class actions.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Kristine is a very well-recognized lawyer in town.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 3Susan E Hurd
    Band 3Susan E Hurd

    Susan E Hurd

    Susan Hurd is known for her experience in representing companies and executives. She handles class actions as well as SEC issues.
    • Susan is a very good lawyer who is very strong technically.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Susan is a great communicator. She speaks when necessary and is extremely value adding when she does. When she speaks, we all listen because we know it is important.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Susan is smart and creative. She helps come up with solutions through her creativity, which is impressive. She is easy to deal with.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Band 5Daniel F Diffley
    Band 5Daniel F Diffley

    Daniel F Diffley

    Daniel Diffley is an experienced trial lawyer who handles a wide array of commercial disputes, with experience spanning class actions and insurance cases.
    • Daniel is excellent at distilling complex facts in a linear and comprehensive way when speaking to non-lawyers.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Dan is a great lawyer. He is smart, quick and sophisticated in his approach.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingAndrew T Sumner
    Up and ComingAndrew T Sumner

    Andrew T Sumner

    Andrew Sumner offers wide-ranging skills in securities litigation matters, acting for a broad array of public companies, financial institutions and senior officers and executives.

    • Andy knows my needs well and has great connectivity with experts across his firm.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Andy gets out of his comfort zone and does a great job. He has the ability to present the legal terms and technical legal information in a manner that a layperson can understand.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Andy is a very good attorney. He is competent, well-structured in his approach to problems, and someone you can count on to tell you the information and truths you need.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
  • Up and ComingJason Outlaw
    Up and ComingJason Outlaw

    Jason Outlaw

    Jason Outlaw is an experienced securities litigator who is noted for his adept handling of fraud actions, derivative suits and investigations.

    • Jason is an outstanding attorney. He is very forward-thinking, strategy-wise, and is also a really good communicator.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA
    • Jason has a very business-oriented approach to legal matters. He gets to the issue and thinks outside the box, making him more like a businessperson than a lawyer. He can take a complex issue, scale it down to what matters to me and think about the legal aspects, but without letting that business aspect out of sight.

      Litigation: General Commercial respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Alston & Bird LLP (14)

Georgia

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