Top Rated Business Litigation Attorney in Atlanta, GA

Honors/Awards:

• Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star 2016 - present.
• Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2013 – 2015

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Texas, 2006
• Industrial Leadership Council, 2019 - present
• Dallas Bar Association, Business Litigation Section, 2006 - 2014
• Dallas Association of Young Lawyers, 2006 - 2014
• United States District Court, Eastern, Southern and Northern Districts of Texas
• State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, 2006 - 2014
• Dallas Bar Association, Summer Law Intern Program, Co-Chair, 2006 - 2014
• Higginbotham American Inn of Court, 2007 - 2008
• Georgia, 2014
• Dallas Bar Association, Headnotes Publication, Co-Chair, 2006 - 2014
• William “Mac” Taylor American Inn of Court, 2010 - 2014

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Arabian Horse Association
• Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (2017 – 2018)
• Attorneys Serving the Community,VIP Silent Auction Committee, Past Co-Chair, 2008 - 2014
• United States Eventing Association
• Attorneys Serving the Community, Invitations Committee, Co-Chair, 2008 - 2014
• United States Equestrian Federation

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

• In August 2019, Lea presented “Handling Email, Social Media and other ESI” and “Ethical Considerations” at a National Business Institute continuing legal education seminar, “The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit.”
• In September 2020, Lea participated in a panel, “Forensics and Artificial Intelligence in Trade Secret Protection and Litigation/Ethics in Trade Secret Investigations and Litigation” at the AIPLA 2020 Trade Secret Law Summit., 2020
• In August 2020, Lea participated on a SullivanStrickler webinar of forensic industry experts titled "Modern Complexities of Mobile Device Preservation.", 2020
• In February 2020, Lea moderated a BFV Breakfast Briefing, "Unlock the Business Benefits of Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Employees.", 2020
• In January 2020, Lea co-presented, “Forensic Analysis: I Suspect Theft of Proprietary Information, What Do I Do Now?” at the ICLE: State Bar of Georgia Series seminar “Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets in Georgia.”
• In November 2019, Lea presented "How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted" at the National Business Institute seminar.
• Lea participiated in a National Institute (NBI) seminar, "The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit (A real-world application of evidence to courtroom events)." Lea addressed witness testimony and reports and how to handle email, social media and other ESI, April, 2017
• In June 2017, Lea presented “Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Hiring and Firing Employees” to business owners, operators and managers.
• In October 2017, Lea presented “Family Law & Forensics: Time for a Modern Day Tune Up?” to family law attorneys. Click here to see highlights.
• In April 2018, Lea presented “Protecting your Business in the Wake of #MeToo” to HR Council members of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates.
• In July 2018, Lea presented “I Suspect Trade Secret Theft. What Do I Do Now?” to members of State Bar of Georgia.
• “Top Five Tips for Using Forensics to Win the Case,” Daily Report, 2017

Verdicts/Settlements:

• Obtained complete defense verdict in transportation lawsuit brought against a broker after shipper’s goods were stolen in transit. Affirmed on appeal (2010).
• Resolved multiple payment, construction and employment related disputes across the pharmaceutical, hospitality, construction, transportation, telecommunication, manufacturing, wholesale, health care, education, energy and banking industries.
• Successfully sought mandamus relief from Court of Appeals and protected corpus of spendthrift trust from invasion to pay attorneys fees in a divorce proceeding (2008).
• Successfully appealed trial court’s denial of a developer’s Motion to Compel Arbitration in a construction dispute (2009).
• Successfully appealed trial court’s denial of a contractor’s Motion to Compel Arbitration of extra-contractual claims in a construction dispute (2009).
• Successfully resolved mass action brought by trade school’s former students based on false advertising allegations (2009).
• Successfully defended a cutting edge start-up in the healthcare sector from claims by major healthcare network that it hired a former employee in violation of a non-compete and trade secrets agreement (2011).
• Obtained favorable arbitration verdict for medical provider on construction defect claims in the renovation of a medical facility (2012).
• Successfully appealed erroneous verdict in constitutional takings claim, having all claims reinstated and the case remanded for new findings by the trial court (2013).
• Obtained complete defense verdict for lumber company in employment discrimination lawsuit brought by employee who had been terminated (2014).
• Successfully developed and deployed effective strategies in litigation matters and internal investigations to deal with the increasing complexity and costs of preserving, collecting and producing electronic media. (2009 – current).

Educational Background:

• B.A., International Business, University of Georgia, 2003