LAWRENCE & BUNDY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- ASSOCIATE
- Litigation Associate
Bria Stephens is a litigation associate who is actively engaged in each stage of the complex commercial litigation process. A skilled researcher and writer, Bria has prepared many motions including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, and pre-trial motions in limine, drafted writs, analyzed ethics opinions, developed witness outlines and conducted witness preparation, and defended multiple depositions.
Bria is currently working on a voting rights case involving statutory claims against the State of Georgia. During the trial, she skillfully examined a witness on the stand in federal court including successfully navigating thorny evidence issues with multiple objections from opposing counsel that resulted in a pivotal courtroom moment.
Gifted at managing multiple details and synthesizing information in ways that are easily understandable to lay readers, members of the public, and the media, Bria was instrumental in the preparation of demonstratives used at trial. She also assisted witnesses in the preparation of their press statements, wrote a digest of key trial developments daily for the client, and assisted in preparing for multiple off-the-record press conference briefings attended by some of the nation's most visible media outlets including the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
In her labor and employment practice, Bria works closely with higher education clients. She has assisted in multiple internal investigations involving claims of violating the incentive compensation ban rules, accusations of false advertising and fraud, breach of contract allegations by a faculty member, and harassment claims by a faculty member. Wise beyond her years and known for her exceptional good judgment, Bria has also led a team of 40 attorneys in the review of over 1.4 million documents for a large multi-district litigation case.
Prior to joining Lawrence & Bundy, Bria worked as an associate in the litigation and trial practice group of a large international law firm. She also served as an intern at the Federal Judicial Center and the U.S. Department of Education.
Job Titles:
- PARALEGAL
- Paralegal in the Washington
Heather Snyder is a paralegal in the Washington, D.C. office. Heather is a utility player on L&B's team of experienced and skilled attorneys and support staff. Her work has included handling typical paralegal assignments to identifying creative approaches to challenges in a client-focused environment.
Since joining the firm, Heather has worked on plaintiff class actions regarding misclassification and wage hour claims. Heather handled much of the case management for these class action cases, including initial client engagement, discovery, and settlement administration. Additionally, she has assisted with numerous workplace investigations.
Heather's attention to detail and organizational skills makes her an integral part of Lawrence & Bundy's litigation team.
Over the past 20 years, Heather has held numerous positions in the public and private sectors as an investigator and paralegal. As a paralegal for Yuma County, Arizona, Heather handled the gamut of complex civil and criminal matters, including trial support. She was responsible for researching key legal issues, maintaining case files, preparing pleadings and scheduling for witness and client interviews.
Before becoming a paralegal, Heather served as a police support investigator for the Yuma Police Department. She supported and participated in crime scene processing and witness interviews in this capacity. She also served as the clerk for the presiding judge in the city of Yuma, Arizona, which included the creation and management of the judicial enforcement unit to ensure sentencing compliance.
Job Titles:
- Judge
- SENIOR ATTORNEY / Judge Constance Russell
Katie Kendricks practices in the Atlanta office where she specializes in employment law litigation and counseling. Katie develops efficient and cost-effective strategies to resolve litigation and prevent future litigation.
Katie has extensive experience in employment disputes, focusing on class action, collective action, complex plaintiff and multi-plaintiff actions at both the federal and state courts levels. She also has experience in cases involving discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Katie has managed investigations and enforcement proceedings conducted by federal and state administrative agencies.
Katie provides employers with advice regarding personnel and compliance matters, including drafting and instituting effective policies and complying with federal and state anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-retaliation, leave, and wage and hour laws. She frequently assists clients with employment, confidentiality and severance agreements. Katie has also represented an international corporation in a series of FLSA collective actions across the country.
Before joining Lawrence & Bundy, Katie practiced labor and employment law with the law firms, McGuireWoods, Sutherland (Eversheds Sutherland), and Jones Day. Katie also previously worked as a mediator for the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, where she successfully mediated over 100 cases and led mediation skills training sessions for law students.
Job Titles:
- COUNSEL
- Expert Witnessing and Scientific Testimony
Leslie J. Bryan joined the firm after a long tenure practicing at the nationally respected firm, Doffermyre Shields Canfield & Knowles, LLP. Leslie is a trial lawyer. Her experience includes litigation ranging from the historic federal multidistrict breast implant litigation to the current Florida state court tobacco litigation.
She has been involved at all levels of the litigation - from pretrial proceedings to electronic discovery, expert witness depositions and Daubert-based challenges, through numerous trials. Leslie possesses an intimate understanding of the demands of complex litigation.
Leslie J. Bryan and Lyle Griffin Warshauer, Now that Georgia is a "Daubert State" . . . Some Practical Suggestions, Verdict (Spring 2009)
Maia Cogen is an experienced litigator who advises clients on election and political law, employment matters, internal investigations, class action litigation, regulatory compliance, Title IX and higher education issues, nonprofit matters, and complex commercial litigation.
Maia also provides counseling on voter protection issues. She led the development of a resource bank and managed a network of five hundred attorneys and several hundred declaration volunteers across the country in support of voting rights during a close election. Maia was also instrumental in the drafting of a comprehensive 180-page report that was submitted to the United States House and Senate Judiciary committees regarding the history of voting rights in Georgia.
An integral part of the litigation team that represented a voting rights organization and faith-based entities, totaling over 500 plaintiffs, Maia drafted many of the briefs that brought constitutional and statutory claims against the State of Georgia. She was also instrumental developing the declaration process that was a key component of the first voting rights lawsuit to go to trial in the Northern District of Georgia in over ten years. Maia has worked with several congressional members on election-related legal issues ranging from the analysis of historical voting purge patterns to the implications of newly enacted voting legislation.
Maia also has experience working on high-profile internal investigations. She has assisted nationally recognized organizations in resolving complaints and developing preventative measures including recommendations on how to address cultural issues and improve communications between management and staff. She conducts trainings and has also developed guidelines for verbal and written disciplinary processes.
Maia also has a focus on higher education issues including leading Title IX policy reviews for higher education institutions to ensure that they are consistent with changes in national administration. She conducts university code of ethics investigations and advises on compliance and training.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR ATTORNEY / Judge Constance Russell
Rod Ganske focuses in civil litigation and internal investigations in the Atlanta office. Before joining Lawrence & Bundy, Rod was a partner at Alston & Bird, where he focused on complex civil litigation and antitrust matters.
Rod has more than 18 years of experience in litigation, internal investigations, and antitrust. Rod's investigations have related to employee conduct, potential litigation, and antitrust concerns. Rod is experienced in pre-litigation counseling and has represented clients in a variety of civil litigation matters, including administrative actions related to employees and plaintiff's work for corporate clients seeking damages. Rod uses his economics background and experience to effectively manage outside experts and develop and present winning damages arguments in civil litigation
Zoe values organization and adaptability. Over the years, she has developed a special brand of problem-solving that combines embracing hard reality and infusing her work with joy and laughter. She is energized by projects and believes well organized work spaces can-and should-be beautiful. Her love of art and design has propelled her into organization, art and design consultation with private clients.
Zoe is passionate about children reaching their full potential and participates in local programs that support children of all learning and socio-economic backgrounds. As a mother of four, Zoe advocates for learning differences, access to alternative programming and experiential learning.