Our Client Relationships are Personal relationships.
With us, you can always call and feel comfortable asking any question, no matter how minor. Our team delivers a level of time, attention, and sincerity that’s difficult to find in today’s legal marketplace. The Burkhalter Law team guides you towards a strategic plan that helps you achieve your goals. View our team members below.
BRIAN BURKHALTER, PRINCIPAL + MANAGING PARTNER
Brian specializes in construction / infrastructure law + litigation, business + commercial litigation and partnership + shareholder disputes / litigation. After garnering extensive experience at some of Atlanta’s largest firms, Brian formed Burkhalter Law with the intention of prioritizing meaningful, personal relationships with his clients. The structure of his practice affords him the opportunity to invest as much time and effort he needs to serve as a trustworthy and invaluable advisor for his clients. A graduate of the University of Florida and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, Brian was recognized as a SuperLawyer in Construction Litigation in 2011, 2012 and 2015, and as a Top 100 Bet-the-Company litigator by America’s Top 100 in 2019. He has served on the Board of Directors and the Small Business Advisory Council for the Atlanta branch of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and enjoys coaching his sons’ baseball teams at Home Plate Baseball. Brian and his wife Lauryn live in Peachtree City, Georgia with their 3 children, Ansley, Braden and Casen.
Key Experience:
- Represented a waterproofing contractor in a complex arbitration concerning construction and design defects of the Atlantic Station project in Atlanta, Georgia with claimed damages exceeding $100 million.
- Assisted a government contractor with submission of Request for Equitable Adjustment relating to undisclosed asbestos exposure by the Army Corp of Engineers and all construction issues resulting from the discovery of asbestos in an active work site.
- Represented a dental practice in litigation to pursue a former member and the business broker concerning claims of fraud, misappropriation, and errors in determining the valuation of the practice.
- Successfully defended claims by an investment banking firm against a client concerning the proper calculation of the investment banking firm’s fee following a merger and acquisition.
- Represented a shareholder of a medical practice in litigation against the other shareholders concerning the propriety of purported corporate governance agreements and the fraud and misappropriation of funds.
Brian Burkhalter
Principal + Managing Partner
APRIL FREEMAN, ATTORNEY
April’s areas of expertise and interest include construction litigation, partnership disputes, landlord-tenant litigation, banking litigation, insurance coverage litigation, collections and foreclosures, antitrust, employment discrimination and commercial litigation involving breach of contract, business torts, insider fraud, and competitor disputes. She has tried cases in state and federal courts in the areas of employment discrimination, antitrust, contract disputes and insurance coverage. April is a native of Alabama and earned her B.A. from the University of South Alabama, double majoring in criminal justice and political science. A graduate of Cumberland School of Law, April was named a Judge Abraham Caruthers Teaching Fellow, was a member of the Cumberland Trial Advocacy Board, and served as Senior Associate Editor for the American Journal of Trial Advocacy. She began her career in banking and commercial litigation in 2002. April is a Member of the Georgia Bar, Alabama Bar, Mississippi Bar and Arkansas Bar and has actively practiced law in all four states simultaneously. She is admitted to practice before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as state and federal courts in all four states. Among her many achievements, April was named as a “Rising Star” among Mid-South SuperLawyers, Mississippi Business Chronicle’s Top 30 Under 30, and is a graduate of the ABA National Trial Academy. April lives with her husband Jay and her three children in Decatur, GA. She enjoys playing ALTA and USTA tennis, travel, cooking, and wine-tasting. April volunteers as a Sunday School teacher at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Decatur and serves on the Glennwood Elementary PTA Board.
Key Experience:
- Obtained multi-million-dollar payments on fidelity bond claims
- Obtained numerous judgments for financial institutions in collection matters
- Managed complex RICO litigation involving approximately 150 plaintiffs, resulting in favorable settlement for bank client
- Lead defense of multiple corporations in antitrust boycott lawsuitresulting in favorable settlement
- Obtained summary judgment in employment discrimination lawsuit
- Obtained directed verdict on behalf of manufacturer in breach of distributorship agreement
- Litigated favorable outcomes in various commercial contract disputes
- Trials include employment discrimination, antitrust, mortgage fraud, contract disputes and insurance coverage
APRIL FREEMAN
ATTORNEY
BRIAN HOOPER, OF COUNSEL
Brian is a versatile litigator with extensive experience in construction / real estate law + litigation, business + commercial litigation, partnership + shareholder disputes, and product liability law + litigation. Originally from Pasadena, California, Brian is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Harvard Law School, where he was Deputy Editor in Chief of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. Following graduation, he clerked for Judge David B. Sentelle, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Admitted in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and DC, Brian has repeatedly been named a Super Lawyer and Rising Star, and ranked AV Preeminent (its highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell. He serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, as President of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) Atlanta, on the Editorial Board of the Florida Bar Journal, and as President of the Harvard Club of Georgia. Brian and his family live in Atlanta, Georgia. Like other local residents, they are active in the community and committed to keeping Atlanta a thriving, fun, and attractive place to live.
BRIAN HOOPER
ATTORNEY
DAVID KING, ATTORNEY
David is a seasoned trial attorney with extensive experience in construction, commercial litigation, government contracting + procurement, contract preparation + negotiation, business formation + governance, suretyship + insurance disputes, commercial real estate, and mediation + arbitration. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Maryville College, he attended The University of Georgia School of Law, where he was the Articles Editor for the Journal of Intellectual Property Law, participated in several moot court and mock trial competitions, and graduated Cum Laude. For the first 15 years of his career, David worked in some of the most well-respected firms in Atlanta and the Southeast litigating insurance coverage and property damage disputes, as well as managing construction litigation, insurance defense and other commercial disputes. He also developed expertise in construction, government contracts, and commercial litigation. David has tried cases in numerous state and federal courts, as well as arbitration forums across the country, for matters including multi-party disputes with millions of dollars in controversy. He has conducted countless mediations, early neutral evaluations, and court mandated settlement conferences to help his clients avoid the risk and expense of continued litigation. David is skilled in transactional and corporate matters and is an expert on the negotiation and drafting of contract documents. He is the author of publications dedicated to the proper alternations needed to AIA contract forms for both contractors and owners. A past President of Insurance Section of the Georgia Bar, David is a Licensed Mediator and Arbitrator in the GA Bar Dispute Resolution Section, GA Bar Construction Section, State Bar of Georgia 1896, Northern District of GA 1996, Middle District of GA 2000, Southern District of GA 2019, 11th Cir 2000 and the Georgia Supreme Court 2000. David lives in Marietta, Georgia with wife, Molly, and their twin boys. He enjoys coaching little league baseball and staying active.
Key Experience:
- Defense verdict for General Contractor in subcontract payment dispute of hotel remodeling case, January of 2018
- Won appeal of same case in 11thCircuit, 2019
- Summary Judgment and Jury trial verdict for government subcontractor on payment claim arising out of Kings Bay Project (2019)
- Directed verdict in payment dispute over Hurricane Katrina clean-up efforts (2015)
- Negotiated international construction contract for $10m factory in South Georgia
- Negotiated real estate sale contracts for simultaneous purchase and resale of $4m residential subdivision development in Cherokee county, GA
- Negotiated sale of $26m shopping center in Cobb County, GA
- Reorganization of 12-member group holding ownership of commercial shopping center in Cobb county, GA
- Prevailed in FINRA Arbitration representing client of Business Broker during commission payment dispute (2017)
- Prevailed in Lien Dispute Jury trial in Cobb County (2018)
- Prevailed in Miller Act claim litigation in Middle District of Georgia (2017)
- Prevailed in Miller Act claim litigation in Eastern District of NC (2018)
DAVID KING
ATTORNEY
MELISSA EWING, ATTORNEY
MELISSA EWING
ATTORNEY
SAMANTHA SKOLNICK, ATTORNEY
Samantha worked as a Litigation Associate in the Atlanta office of a real estate and business litigation firm where she predominantly handled construction, business + commercial litigation matters. Samantha was recognized as a Rising Star for Construction Litigation for 2020-2021. Samantha received her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, where she was an active member of the Emory Law Moot Court Society. While at Emory, she was inducted into the Order of the Barristers and received the Burt and Betty Schear Book Prize. She was also named an Emory Graduating Woman of Excellence. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Florida, where she served as a Florida Cicerone; an official student ambassador for the University. Samantha currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers (a section of the Atlanta Bar Association) and was recently awarded Lawyer of the Year. She also serves as a chair for the Associates’ Campaign for Legal Services and volunteers with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Samantha lives with her family in Old Fourth Ward and enjoys staying active with her two rescue dogs Logan and Ryder.
SAMANTHA SKOLNICK
ATTORNEY
BRIAN BURKHALTER, PRINCIPAL + MANAGING PARTNER
Key Experience:
- Represented a waterproofing contractor in a complex arbitration concerning construction and design defects of the Atlantic Station project in Atlanta, Georgia with claimed damages exceeding $100 million.
- Assisted a government contractor with submission of Request for Equitable Adjustment relating to undisclosed asbestos exposure by the Army Corp of Engineers and all construction issues resulting from the discovery of asbestos in an active work site.
- Represented a dental practice in litigation to pursue a former member and the business broker concerning claims of fraud, misappropriation, and errors in determining the valuation of the practice.
- Successfully defended claims by an investment banking firm against a client concerning the proper calculation of the investment banking firm’s fee following a merger and acquisition.
- Represented a shareholder of a medical practice in litigation against the other shareholders concerning the propriety of purported corporate governance agreements and the fraud and misappropriation of funds.
DAVID KING, ATTORNEY
Key Experience:
- Defense verdict for General Contractor in subcontract payment dispute of hotel remodeling case, January of 2018
- Won appeal of same case in 11thCircuit, 2019
- Summary Judgment and Jury trial verdict for government subcontractor on payment claim arising out of Kings Bay Project (2019)
- Directed verdict in payment dispute over Hurricane Katrina clean-up efforts (2015)
- Negotiated international construction contract for $10m factory in South Georgia
- Negotiated real estate sale contracts for simultaneous purchase and resale of $4m residential subdivision development in Cherokee county, GA
- Negotiated sale of $26m shopping center in Cobb County, GA
- Reorganization of 12-member group holding ownership of commercial shopping center in Cobb county, GA
- Prevailed in FINRA Arbitration representing client of Business Broker during commission payment dispute (2017)
- Prevailed in Lien Dispute Jury trial in Cobb County (2018)
- Prevailed in Miller Act claim litigation in Middle District of Georgia (2017)
- Prevailed in Miller Act claim litigation in Eastern District of NC (2018)
ALICIA WOOD, FIRM ADMINISTRATOR + CONTROLLER
Alicia has over 17 years of legal experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal, Firm Administrator and Controller. She manages the firm’s day-to-day operations, accounting, and various client projects. She attended Georgia State University, holds a Legal Secretary Certificate from the University of Georgia, and is QuickBooks certified. Alicia is a member of the National Association of Legal Administrators + Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. She resides in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband, Clint, and their English Bulldog, Winston.
ALICIA WOOD
FIRM ADMINISTRATOR + CONTROLLER
LAURA BURNETT, PARALEGAL
Laura has over 10 years of legal experience as a Paralegal and has played a vital role in numerous hearings and trials at her prior firms. While litigation is her main focus, she also has extensive experience in real estate and landlord/tenant matters. Laura earned her B.S. in Political Science from the University of West Georgia and holds a Paralegal Certificate from the University of Georgia. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, traveling, cheering on all of Atlanta’s sports teams and sailing. Laura and her family live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two cats Quill and Gamora.
LAURA BURNETT
PARALEGAL
BRIAN HOOPER, OF COUNSEL
Brian is a versatile litigator with extensive experience in construction / real estate law + litigation, business + commercial litigation, partnership + shareholder disputes, and product liability law + litigation. Originally from Pasadena, California, Brian is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Harvard Law School, where he was Deputy Editor in Chief of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. Following graduation, he clerked for Judge David B. Sentelle, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Admitted in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, and DC, Brian has repeatedly been named a Super Lawyer and Rising Star, and ranked AV Preeminent (its highest rating) by Martindale-Hubbell. He serves on the Board of Directors for Georgia Lawyers for the Arts, as President of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO) Atlanta, on the Editorial Board of the Florida Bar Journal, and as President of the Harvard Club of Georgia. Brian and his family live in Atlanta, Georgia. Like other local residents, they are active in the community and committed to keeping Atlanta a thriving, fun, and attractive place to live.
MELISSA EWING, ATTORNEY
Melissa is a civil litigation attorney with a focus on business litigation, partnership + shareholder/member disputes, contract disputes, negligence (both ordinary and professional), real estate + construction disputes, employment law, and defamation. After obtaining undergrad and legal degrees from the University of Georgia and University of Georgia School of Law, Melissa honed her skills while working at some of the largest and most notable firms in the country. She is a member of the Georgia Bar, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia. Melissa is a registered neutral with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution for General Civil Mediation and also registered as a Public arbitrator with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). She is also accredited by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as an attorney to assist claimants in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for benefits. A native of Tifton, Georgia, Melissa now lives in Alpharetta, Georgia with 3 cats she rescued from the Atlanta Humane Society. In her free time, she enjoys taking dance classes, abstract painting, antiquing, and creative writing. Melissa is a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (“DAR) Patriots of Liberty Chapter and a member of the Alpha Arts Guild.
NEIL LANSING, ATTORNEY
Neil is an experienced corporate, real estate and transactional attorney with a diverse background developed over more than 25 years representing institutional, individual and private business clients at large firms and as in-house counsel. He has extensive experience in corporate, partnership and other entity formation, structure and governance matters; securities regulatory and compliance issues; mergers, acquisitions and reorganizations; asset acquisitions, financing and leasing; joint-venture, service, licensing and other agreements with third-party vendors, service providers and strategic business partners; property acquisition, development, construction, covenants, condo formation, environmental, entitlement and other development matters; and regulatory and compliance issues. Neil earned his MBA from Georgia State University and graduated cum laude from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law where he was the editor of the Mercer Law Review’s 11th Circuit Survey and has co-authored articles on securities and business associations. Neil is a member of both the State Bars of Georgia and California.
SAMANTHA SKOLNICK, ATTORNEY
Samantha worked as a Litigation Associate in the Atlanta office of a real estate and business litigation firm where she predominantly handled construction, business + commercial litigation matters. Samantha was recognized as a Rising Star for Construction Litigation for 2020-2021. Samantha received her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, where she was an active member of the Emory Law Moot Court Society. While at Emory, she was inducted into the Order of the Barristers and received the Burt and Betty Schear Book Prize. She was also named an Emory Graduating Woman of Excellence. She earned her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Florida, where she served as a Florida Cicerone; an official student ambassador for the University. Samantha currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers (a section of the Atlanta Bar Association) and was recently awarded Lawyer of the Year. She also serves as a chair for the Associates’ Campaign for Legal Services and volunteers with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. Samantha lives with her family in Old Fourth Ward and enjoys staying active with her two rescue dogs Logan and Ryder.
SARAH LOYA, ATTORNEY
Bio coming soon.
ALICIA WOOD, FIRM ADMINISTRATOR + CONTROLLER
Alicia has over 15 years of legal experience as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal, Firm Administrator and Controller, she manages the firm’s day-to-day operations, accounting, and various client projects. She attended Georgia State University, holds a Legal Secretary Certificate from the University of Georgia, and is QuickBooks certified. Alicia is a member of the National Association of Legal Administrators + Atlanta Association of Legal Administrators. She resides in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband, Clint, and their English Bulldog, Winston.
APRIL FREEMAN, ATTORNEY
Key Experience:
- Obtained multi-million-dollar payments on fidelity bond claims
- Obtained numerous judgments for financial institutions in collection matters
- Managed complex RICO litigation involving approximately 150 plaintiffs, resulting in favorable settlement for bank client
- Lead defense of multiple corporations in antitrust boycott lawsuitresulting in favorable settlement
- Obtained summary judgment in employment discrimination lawsuit
- Obtained directed verdict on behalf of manufacturer in breach of distributorship agreement
- Litigated favorable outcomes in various commercial contract disputes
- Trials include employment discrimination, antitrust, mortgage fraud, contract disputes and insurance coverage
LAURA BURNETT, PARALEGAL
Laura has over 10 years of legal experience as a Paralegal and has played a vital role in numerous hearings and trials at her prior firms. While litigation is her main focus, she also has extensive experience in real estate and landlord/tenant matters. Laura earned her B.S. in Political Science from the University of West Georgia and holds a Paralegal Certificate from the University of Georgia. In her free time, Laura enjoys reading, traveling, cheering on all of Atlanta’s sports teams and sailing. Laura and her family live in Atlanta, Georgia with their two cats Quill and Gamora.
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