JAMES BATES - Key Persons
Alec N. Sedki has been practicing civil litigation in Atlanta since 2002. With a focus on general business litigation, Mr. Sedki handles cases which include construction and contract disputes, mortgage fraud, lender financing disputes and has significant experience with real estate based issues, such as quiet title actions. Mr. Sedki's clients have a global reach and are faced with legal issues in many states, and he has successfully represented those clients before many state and federal courts across the country.
A native of Atlanta, Mr. Sedki is involved in the community by volunteering his time with local charities and organizations. Currently, Mr. Sedki sits on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Tech Bar Association. He is also the former treasurer and Board Member of the Georgia Tech Business Network.
Alec was named as a "Rising Star" from 2011 to 2014 by Georgia's Super Lawyers magazine, an honor achieved each year by only 5 percent of Georgia attorneys.
Practice Areas
Business and Commercial Litigation
Bruce Dubberly joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP in the summer of 2019. His practice focuses on general civil litigation, including business litigation, tort litigation, as well as eminent domain, bankruptcy and probate law.
Bruce is originally from Glennville, Georgia. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from The University of Georgia, graduating cum laude in 2013. Subsequently, Bruce moved to Macon to continue his education at Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, where he graduated cum laude and received his Juris Doctorate in 2017. Prior to joining James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP, Bruce was an associate at Cooper, Barton & Cooper, LLP in Macon.
Bruce has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of business and employment disputes, achieving advantageous settlements and favorable verdicts for numerous clients throughout Georgia.
Bruce currently resides in Macon, Georgia. He enjoys running, golfing, and is an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Bryson Smith focuses her practice in the area of commercial real estate including the acquisition, financing and sale of commercial property throughout Georgia. Bryson also represents numerous banks and lending institutions in secured loan transactions including conventional lending and government-guaranteed lending.
Bryson graduated magna cum laude from Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law. Upon graduation, Bryson served as Staff Attorney to the Honorable Samuel D. Ozburn of the Alcovy Judicial Circuit before entering private practice.
She and her husband, Brad, reside in Atlanta, Georgia.
Practice Areas
Real Estate
Campbell is an associate in the Financial Institutions and Real Estate practice group. He focuses his practice on commercial real estate transactions, commercial lending, and government-guaranteed lending.
Corrie Hall has successfully represented clients in a hybrid of business, banking, insurance defense litigation and transactional matters. Corrie helped develop the firm's subrogation practice and frequently consults on subrogation issues. She also has experience working in-house with her clients including a secondment with State Bank and Trust Company.
Corrie's contributions in support of the local community include serving on the Board of Directors of NewTown Macon and Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law's Young Alumni Council. She is also an active member or participant in the local Leadership Macon program and the Chamber of Commerce's Young Professionals Network.
Corrie moved to Macon in 2008 to attend Mercer Law School. Corrie is married to Landon Hall, a Macon native, and together they enjoy living in downtown Macon and attending First Presbyterian Church.
Practice Areas
Banking + Financial Institutions
Dallas Roper is Of Counsel in the firm's Macon Office. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, mainly insurance defense. Prior to joining the firm, Dallas gained 19 years of legal experience working as a legal secretary and law clerk prior to practicing law. She practiced law exclusively as a plaintiff's lawyer for five years. The last three years she has been practicing with a general practice firm working on a variety of cases, including general civil litigation cases, personal injury cases, and some commercial leasing and collection matters.
Actively involved in community organizations, Dallas currently serves on the Star Choices Advisory Board, serves as a board member with Big Brother Big Sister Heart of Georgia, volunteers with the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and is a member of the 2014 Leadership Macon class.
Dallas is originally from Fitzgerald, Georgia. She and her husband, Chris Tsavatewa, currently reside in Macon, Georgia with their son, Henry, and daughter, Hazel.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Job Titles:
- Associate
- James - Bates - Brannan - Groover - LLP As an Associate
Donia Wanna joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP as an associate in the fall of 2021. Donia primarily represents businesses, insurance companies, and local governments in a variety of civil matters including business, employment, insurance claims and coverage disputes, and contractual disputes.
Donia graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia in 2018 with a bachelor's degree in political science and international affairs. After completing her undergraduate work, Donia attended Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law. While attending law school, Donia was a member The Fellowship of Adolescent Mentors, The Federalist Society, Phi Delta Phi Honor Fraternity and the Negotiations Team. In addition, Donia was a member of the William Augustus Bootle Inn of Court and the W. Homer Drake, Jr. Georgia Bankruptcy American Inn of Court. Donia graduated cum laude from Mercer in 2021.
Donia grew up and resides in Macon. She attends St. Joseph Catholic Church in Macon. She enjoys UGA football, documentaries, coffee, and spending time with her family and friends.
Practice Areas
Business and Commercial Litigation
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Construction
- Probate and Estate Administration
Edgeley is counsel in the firm's Macon office. Her practice focuses on general civil litigation, employment law, premises liability, eminent domain, business law, insurance litigation and appellate litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Myers gained experience in various civil and criminal legal matters, and Magistrate Court matters.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Probate and Estate Administration
Job Titles:
- Associate
- James - Bates - Brannan - Groover - LLP As an Associate
Erin joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP as an associate in the summer of 2021 as part of both the Financial Institutions and the Tax and Wealth Planning practice groups.
Grant Greenwood advises corporate clients across industry sectors in day to day business, legal, and operational questions, including matters involving the privacy and security of proprietary business confidential data and personally identifiable information (PII), as well as data breaches. Mr. Greenwood chairs the Firm's Employment Data Privacy/Security Team and is certified by the International Association of Privacy Professionals as a Certified Privacy Professional for the U.S. Sector (CIPP/US) and assists clients with privacy compliance programs and incident response preparedness, tabletops, and recovery. Mr. Greenwood is well-versed in the HIPAA/HITECH privacy, security and breach notification rules, GLBA, FERPA, and the 50 U.S. state consumer data protection notification laws. He represents various corporate clients in a variety of business and commercial litigation matters in trial court proceedings involving employment and contract disputes, post judgment collection matters, appellate reviews, mediations, and arbitrations. He represents various health care and banking entities in both regulatory and litigation matters. Mr. Greenwood represents employers from all industry sectors in investigations conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and has successfully defended employers in several administrative hearings and appeals conducted by the Georgia State Board of Worker's Compensation. He also has extensive experience in handling complex contract negotiations and disputes including, but not limited to, insurance contract disputes when questions arise concerning the presence or absence of insurance coverage for commercial clients. Additionally, Mr. Greenwood has handled complex commercial construction matters, including arbitrations conducted before the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Greenwood was named to the Fulton County Daily Report's distinguished attorneys On the Rise publication. Mr. Greenwood is registered as a mediator and arbitrator in Georgia.
Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Greenwood was an associate with Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers in Atlanta, Georgia, defending workers' compensation cases on behalf of employers.
Practice Areas
Employment Law
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Brannan Groover LLP As an Associate
H. Park Burford joined James Bates Brannan Groover LLP as an associate in the winter of 2021. He graduated cum laude, from Valdosta State University with a degree in political science and a minor in History. While at Valdosta State, Park served as an intern for the 113th U.S. Congress in the office of Honorable Saxby Chambliss. In addition, he was a judicial board member, Vice President of the Interfraternity Council, and a founding father of the Sigma Chi Fraternity Lambda Mu Chapter.
Hays McQueen focuses his legal practice on business and corporate transactions including contractual negotiations, corporate formation, mergers, acquisitions and both public and commercial financing. In addition, he has garnered a vast array of experience in the areas of commercial litigation, appellate practice, and transactional work. Hays currently works with clients to provide advice in areas of general need ranging from the formation of the business to exit strategies including mergers, acquisitions, dissolutions, and everything in between.
Originally from Alabama but raised in Macon, Georgia, Hays graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science, and he then received his Juris Doctor at Mercer University's Walter F. George School of Law cum laude. Hays is a member of various civic and charitable organizations throughout the Macon area. He and his wife, Anne, have two sons, Holmes and Wood, and are active members of Vineville United Methodist Church.
Practice Areas
Corporate + Transactional
Job Titles:
- Associate
- James - Bates - Brannan - Groover - LLP As an Associate
Jackson joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP as an associate in the fall of 2021.
James Banter is originally from Fort Valley, Georgia. He earned his B.S. in Political Science from Asbury University, graduating cum laude in 2013. Thereafter, he moved to Macon to attend the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor in 2016, also graduating cum laude. While at Mercer Law School, James was involved in the Student Bar Association, serving as student body president. James also served as the Lead Articles Editor for the Mercer Law Review, and as president of the Business and Tax Law Society.
Jo is a frequent speaker at seminars sponsored by various organizations on topics of financial services and business litigation and trial practice. Jo has served as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Dispute Resolution and the American Arbitration Association. She is past Chair of the Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association and served a three-year term on the State Bar of Georgia Investigative Panel. In addition to local state courts, she is admitted to appear before all federal courts in Georgia, the U.S. Tax Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Kathryn Willis is originally from Douglas, Georgia. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Georgia, graduating cum laude in 2006. While at UGA, Kathryn was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. Thereafter, she moved to Macon to attend the Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctor and graduated cum laude in 2009. While at Mercer University, Kathryn was a member of the Mercer Law Review.
Kathryn Willis maintains a statewide general litigation and trial practice, representing individuals, businesses, and local governments in a variety of civil matters including business disputes, employment disputes, contractual disputes, and probate matters, including guardianship/conservatorship matters and will/trust disputes. Kathryn also has experience in both transactional and litigation real estate matters, including stormwater runoff litigation, boundary line disputes, eminent domain, billboard sale/acquisition transactions, and other commercial real estate development matters such as zoning, permitting and construction financing.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Kim Stroup joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP in 2012. Kim has practiced law in Macon since graduating from the Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University, in 1988. Kim has extensive experience in creditor bankruptcy matters and probate matters. Kim has assisted numerous clients to address issues with properties purchased at tax sales. Kim also has extensive experience with adult guardianship/conservatorship proceedings.
Raised in Dexter, Georgia, Kim resides in Macon. Kim is involved in the community. She serves on the Fuller Center for Housing of Macon, Georgia Board and is currently serving as Vice-President for the Fuller Center. In addition Kim regularly volunteers with Georgia Legal Services.
Practice Areas
Creditor Bankruptcy
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Probate and Estate Administration
has successfully represented clients in business, employment, civil rights and general liability defense litigation. A significant portion of Lee's practice is dedicated trial and appellate practice. Lee also oversees the firm's statewide uninsured motorist litigation practice. In addition, Lee has experience in fire, arson, and special investigations. Lee has also handled various claims involving insurance fraud in the context of property and bodily injury losses.
Lee is a regular presenter to the Insurance Law Institute on the development of liability defense law. Lee also has experience representing employers in various areas of employment law, including hospitals, school boards and small businesses.
Practice Areas
Insurance
Job Titles:
- Agreements and the "Administrator Replacement Provision
Michael White joined James-Bates-Brannan-Groover-LLP in 2012. He has practiced law in Macon and Athens since 1999 with a focus on financial institutions, regulatory and securities compliance, corporation structure, commercial real estate, lending and contract litigation. Mr. White counsels financial institutions and their officers and directors on all aspects of mergers and acquisitions, de novo bank and holding company formations, corporate governance, board management issues, public offerings and private placements to raise capital as well as including "going private" transactions, regulatory issues including enforcement actions, and shareholder relations.
Mr. White advises financial institutions regarding securities compliance, including the preparation of periodic reports, disclosure requirements, proxy solicitations and insider trading rules. Mr. White also provides counsel to small businesses and financial institutions for Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 bankruptcy, litigation, loan workouts and collections.
Practice Areas
Banking + Financial Institutions
Michelle LaLonde is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and joined James Bates in 2012. Ms. LaLonde provides legal counsel to business entities, families and individuals in the operation of their businesses and the conduct of their personal affairs. Ms. LaLonde has also enjoyed representing clients in their personal and family business planning in a wide range of matters, with a particular emphasis in advising them in their estate and gift tax planning. She also enjoys assisting fiduciaries and beneficiaries in advice relative to the administration and probate of estates and all aspects of trusts. Ms. LaLonde also practices in the area of intellectual property licensing and distribution.
Ms. LaLonde also has considerable experience in drafting a broad spectrum of contracts and advising clients relating to acquisitions, licensing, distribution, employment and corporate formation, ownership and governance issues. Prior to joining James Bates, Ms. LaLonde worked in both large and small law firms and for a period, took a sabbatical from the practice of law to focus on family matters.
Ms. LaLonde lives in Atlanta with her husband, Brian Feldman and her three children. She enjoys gardening, walking and cooking.
Practice Areas
General Corporate Business Law Agreements
Morgan Ownbey is an associate in the firm's Corporate and Transactional Group. He focuses his practice on mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and general corporate matters.
Morgan obtained his J.D., cum laude, from the Georgia State University College of Law. He also obtained his M.B.A. from the Georgia State University J. Mack Robinson College of Business. While attending law school, he served as an articles editor for the Georgia State Law Review and as a research assistant in the International Business Department.
Prior to attending law school, Morgan graduated, with honors, from Georgia College with a B.S. in Chemistry.
Morgan currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Caitlyn.
Practice Areas
Corporate + Transactional
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Probate and Estate Administration
Sara Kate focuses her practice in the areas of commercial real estate and commercial lending. Sara Kate practices all aspects of commercial real estate, representing real estate investors, landlords, tenants and developers in the acquisition, development, disposition, financing, leasing and management of retail, multi-family, office, commercial, and industrial projects. Sara Kate assists clients in a broad range of real estate related matters, including drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, commercial leases, easements, and other related documents.
Sara Kate also represents a variety of financial institutions and borrowers in connection with a wide range of commercial loan transactions, including secured and unsecured credit facilities, acquisition financing, construction financing, workouts, and government-guaranteed financing. She has significant experience in the negotiation, preparation, and review of all types of loan documentation and routinely handles closing all types of commercial loan transactions.
Sara Kate is originally from Atlanta and lives in Brookhaven with her husband, Matt, and their two children.
Practice Areas
Banking + Financial Institutions
Job Titles:
- Court - Master
- Student Member