Aldos Vance
Mediator and Arbitrator – Vance Dispute Resolutions, PC

Description of field of expertise

Al is the founder and managing partner of Vance Dispute Resolution, PC (VADR) where he specializes in strategic problem-solving, mediation, and arbitration. He is registered on the American Arbitration Association (Consumer Arbitration and Employment Arbitration panels as well as the mediator panel), Alabama State Court Mediator Roster, ADR Panel of Neutrals for the Northern District of Alabama, and a member of the Alabama Academy of Attorney Mediators. In 2023, he was appointed as a Hearing Officer for the Alabama State Bar’s Disciplinary Board. He holds an AV Preeminent Martindale Hubbell Rating.

Al enjoys leveraging his over twenty-two (22) years of experience to problem-solve and resolve disputes as a mediator, and arbitrator. He has extensive expertise in the following areas: personal injury (slip and falls, motor vehicle, and trucking accidents), product liability (product defects and heavy machinery), professional liability (legal and dental malpractice), workers’ compensation, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (ethnicity, gender, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, religion (Seventh-day Adventist)), Equal Pay Act (EPA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA), and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).

For over a decade, he served as General Counsel for the aerial device industry leader, Altec Industries, Inc., and as Associate General Counsel for Altec, Inc. Prior to Altec, Al launched his legal career in 2000 at the Starnes Davis Florie, LLP law firm, where he later became a partner. Al is a licensed member of both Alabama and Georgia State Bars. 

Al earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Auburn University. 

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

My advice is as follows:

• Obtain Training. There are many mediation and arbitration training programs available, both online and in person. These programs will teach you the skills and techniques you need to be an effective mediator or arbitrator.
• Gain Experience. Gain experience by volunteering your services to a mediation or arbitration center, or by serving as a mediator or arbitrator in small claims court cases.
• Become Certified or Join the State Roster. In some states, mediators and arbitrators must be certified by the state bar or another organization. This certification demonstrates that you have met the required training and experience standards.
• Network and Take Speaking Engagements. Get to know other mediators and arbitrators in your area. Also, take speaking engagements. This will help you build your reputation and obtain clients.
• Be Patient. It takes time to build a successful practice. Don’t get discouraged. Just keep learning and practicing, and eventually you will be successful.

Johnnie A. James
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Johnnie is an experienced trial lawyer with expertise in management-side employment law. Johnnie litigates and defends corporate clients against allegations of wage and hour violations, whistleblower retaliation, wrongful termination, harassment, discrimination and other claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and the California Labor Code. As a former General Counsel of an international academic publisher, Johnnie has a wide breadth of experience as both the client and the adviser. Johnnie understands what his clients’ needs are and prides himself on delivering excellent client service at every level.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Whether you represent corporate clients or individuals, stay true to your values. The practice of law is a noble profession out of which much good can be done. Never put greed or personal self-interest ahead of your ethical obligations to represent your clients to the fullest extent.

Final thoughts…

Johnnie is very active in his firm. Johnnie co-chairs the Summer Associate Program for the Los Angeles Office, co-chairs the Office’s Attorney Lateral Hiring Committee, is on the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee charged with approving billable hours credit for attorneys engaged in DEI work within their communities, and frequently speaks at client seminars on trends in Labor and Employment Law.

Michael D. (Mike) Mitchell
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Mike is a true employment lawyer in every sense of the word. With clients based and located throughout the country, Mike provides advice and counsel to and litigates on behalf of employers nationwide. Mike has tried over a dozen single-plaintiff and multi-plaintiff cases covering a multitude of employment law topics. From employment discrimination claims based on race, sex, and age; to collective actions dealing with wage and hour issues; to whistleblower and retaliation claims, Mike has successfully litigated and tried all types of cases in the employment law field. Mike is known for his keen legal research and writing abilities and has successfully won countless summary judgment motions, which he has also successfully defended on appeal before various federal and state appellate courts. Mike also regularly represents and defends employers before various federal and state agencies, including the EEOC (and state equivalents), the DOL, the NLRB, and OSHA. A dynamic and entertaining presenter, Mike frequently speaks on various employment law topics, always giving his unique and entertaining perspective to the issues he discusses.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Be vigilant! Don’t get complacent! Think outside the box! Have fun! Employment law is a great field of practice. Remember that there can be — and often are — new solutions to “old” problems that can make a difference. The law is ever-changing and developing, and we all should strive to be a part of that change.

Final thoughts…

Mike believes that we all should always try to be the very best at everything we do. He often tells his two daughters, whom he absolutely adores: Do everything with passion! If you can’t do something with passion, then you probably don’t want to do it in the first place, and therefore you probably shouldn’t do it at all.

Monique Gougisha Doucette
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Ms. Doucette joined Ogletree Deakins in 2009 and is a shareholder in New Orleans, Louisiana. She has over 20 years of experience in handling and managing employment litigation with a concentration on complex discrimination, harassment and whistleblower claims for clients in a variety of business sectors including construction, energy, banking and hospitality. She is also a trusted adviser for clients on workplace misconduct and sexual harassment issues, and she provides engaging, customized workplace respect/anti-harassment training for employers. 

Ms. Doucette is the chair of Ogletree’s Workplace Investigations and Organizational Assessments Practice Group. She leads internal investigations of critical, and often sensitive and high profile, issues for firm clients. These include investigations of complex matters involving complaints against c-suite executives as well as allegations of pattern/practice discrimination, systemic inequity in workplace practices, executive misconduct, sexual assault, and unconscious bias. Ms. Doucette has assisted clients in various industries with organizational and cultural impact assessments, mitigating brand-altering crisis and developing strategic action plans based on investigative findings. She also trains HR personnel on best practices for handling investigations.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Always remember that the key word in the phrase “practice of law” is “practice.” I commit to continuously learning from every single case and investigation. There is never a time when you should stop learning, because there is always more that we can learn about our practice area(s).

Final thoughts…

Ms. Doucette is also an avid supporter of the local arts and education in New Orleans by serving on the executive board of directors for the New Orleans Ballet Association and the New Orleans Film Society, as well as the board of directors for Urban League of Louisiana and the advisory board for the New Orleans Opera Association. In 2018, Ms. Doucette served on the board of directors of the New Orleans chapter of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) as the board attorney. In August 2019, Monique was appointed by the Mayor’s Office as a member of the Ethics Review Board – the board authorized to enforce the Code of Ethics for the City of New Orleans and work cooperatively with the Office of Inspector General, who conducts criminal and administrative investigations involving city employees.

Elizabeth M. Ebanks
Shareholder – Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Description of field of expertise

Elizabeth is a nationally renowned employment law expert, who strategically partners with employers to efficiently solve their business problems based on practical and legally-sound solutions. She manages nationwide portfolios in all areas of employment law, including claims based on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage & hour issues, and leave and accommodation handling. In addition to advice and counsel and litigation defense, she also frequently conducts internal and agency workplace investigations to evaluate the root of myriad culture, workforce, and operational issues to obviate legal and financial risk and advance core company values and commitments to stakeholders, executives, and employees.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Employment law is a human field. When dealing with someone’s livelihood or the survival and success of a business, it is real and can get gritty. Having fortitude matters. Having a heart matters just as much. Approach this career with an open mind, heart, drive, determination, build relationships on all sides, and trust yourself.

Final thoughts…

DEI is top of mind for Elizabeth. She consistently advocates for the necessity of and business case for diversity/equity to make companies and the community stronger. She has served in many leadership positions related to attorney development, mentoring, training, and as the Chair of Ogletree’s resource group supporting African-American attorneys.

Robert E. Benson Jr.
Partner – King & Spalding LLP

Description of field of expertise

Robert E. Benson, Jr. represents clients in significant corporate transactions, including domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, spin-offs, divestitures, joint ventures, equity co-investments, minority investments, complex commercial agreements and strategic transactions and restructurings.  As a Partner in King & Spalding’s Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity practices, Robert advises public and private companies, private equity funds, credit funds, boards of directors and special committees in a variety of M&A, investment, corporate governance and general corporate and securities matters.  Robert has extensive deal experience across many industry sectors, including significant depth in consumer products, media, higher education, tech, fin-tech, green tech, energy, defense, transportation and life science sectors.  Robert is a native and resident of Atlanta and a graduate of Harvard Business School, Harvard Law School and Washington and Lee University. Robert is a member of the Board of Trustees of Odyssey Atlanta and leads the Core Committee for the Atlanta University Center InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  Robert is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2023 and received the Outstanding Voice for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award in 2022 from the Atlanta Business Chronicle.  Robert was recognized as a New York Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2016 and 2015 and a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2018.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

As a young transactional attorney, seek roles where you will have the opportunity to work in a substantive capacity on a high volume of transactions in a diverse array of industries.  As your practice develops, this broad base of experience will equip you with the judgement and wisdom you will need to offer sound and creative advice to your clients.

Description of field of expertise

Farah Cook concentrates her practice on intellectual property and technology-focused commercial agreements, marketing technology arrangements, advertising technology, licensing of intellectual property, strategic alliances, content distribution, and SaaS products. Farah has represented clients in various industries in the drafting and negotiation of a range of technology, commercial and advertising agreements, including traditional licensing, data use and licensing agreements, advertising technology agreements, software development and hosting agreements, reseller agreements, website co-branding agreements, website development agreements, and vendor procurement agreements. Further, she has worked on acquisitions and diligence projects, with a particular focus on analyzing IP and privacy issues, commercial contracts, and content provider agreements. Farah’s combination of in-house and big law firm experience, as well as her broad practice, gives her the ability to creatively and efficiently identify, understand and navigate issues in technology, commercial and marketing matters. Farah was recognized in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 by The Best Lawyers in America® for IT Outsourcing Law. She was also named “Atlanta Lawyer of the Year” in 2023 for IT Outsourcing Law by The Best Lawyers in America®. Farah is listed in the 2023 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as “Up and Coming” in the area of Technology & Outsourcing. In 2019, 2022 and 2023, she was recommended by Legal 500 US in the area of Technology/Outsourcing and in 2023, Farah was named a “Next Generation Partner” by Legal 500 US for Outsourcing. Farah has a working knowledge of the French language.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

The best advice I would offer new attorneys is to stick with it and stay in the practice. At my level, I see so few women and diverse attorneys who practice in my field; however, this area of the law is fun, exciting, and constantly changing, so there are always opportunities for growth. Each year my practice changes or grows in a new direction so that it never becomes stale. The early years as a new attorney can be very challenging, however, I believe that if young attorneys will stay in the practice, seek growth opportunities, and look for areas in which they can make an impact, they will find so much reward in their work.

Description of field of expertise

Primarily based at Fasken’s Montréal (Québec) office, Kadiatou is a key player in the Firm’s Corporate, Commercial and Merger and Acquisitions practices. She represents large and small private sector clients in a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including corporate structuring and restructuring, commercial agreements, as well as domestic and cross-border acquisitions and divestitures. Kadiatou is also known for her work in private equity and venture capital related transactions, representing institutional and private investors, and companies. She is also a trusted partner to international clients setting up projects in Canada through acquisitions or organic implementation. 

Kadiatou is recognized in Best Lawyers in CanadaTM for her work in Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for Corporate and Commercial Law. In 2023 she was named a Lexpert Rising Star (40 and under), which celebrates emerging leaders in the legal profession. She was also named Lawyer of the Year in Corporate Law in 2017 by the Young Bar Association of Montréal. Kadiatou is a member of Fasken’s Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and a key contributor to the Firm’s support of events and organizations focused on empowering black leaders, professionals and entrepreneurs, and those contributing to a more diverse and inclusive business ecosystem.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Embrace the learning curve in the beginning of your career with passion and enthusiasm. Focus on developing your skills. Every file and transaction contributes to your journey in affirming your choice for the practice of law and shaping your career path. Recognize and stay close with allies that will share knowledge and guidance on both challenges and opportunities. Finally, cultivate your network as early as possible. Keep in touch with them, grow with them, and be generous to them.

Astor Heaven
Partner – Crowell & Morning LLP

Description of field of expertise

Astor Heaven is a first-chair trial lawyer and litigator who consistently delivers exceptional results. A military veteran, Astor exacts tough and disciplined advocacy, creates and fosters relationships, provides creative solutions, and deploys team member assets in a cost conscious and effective manner.

Astor’s ability to connect with clients, juries, and judges and to simplify complex legal issues has made him a formidable presence in and out of the courtroom and has contributed to a substantial list of successful outcomes, both in terms of verdicts and settlements. 

Astor possesses a wealth of experience in navigating complex legal landscapes, most frequently representing government contracting, defense, technology, and insurance clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, trade secret misappropriation disputes, restrictive covenant and employee mobility disputes, and lease disputes.  He has tried cases to verdict, and has litigated and arbitrated commercial disputes related to teaming agreements, technology transfers, leases, military sales, and various other commercial and trade secret issues.  He has also prosecuted and defended requests for emergency relief (including TROs and Preliminary Injunctions) and has substantial experience litigating antitrust matters.

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What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

My first piece of advice is not limited to my field – it’s advice I provide to any new attorney – find a sponsor and a mentor, and if you can get multiple, then do so.  No one can do this without help – we all stand on the shoulders of someone.  A sponsor will help you craft your path forward.  A mentor will provide advice when you need it.  But both are critical in advancing in a profession that can be very challenging.  

My second piece of advice is also not limited to my field.  Begin to develop your network NOW.  Don’t wait until you’re up for promotion and don’t leave networking to someone else.  Law school classmates, folks in the community, friends – ask questions, and understand what they do.  Develop true connections, and don’t always feel like you’re doing it strictly for business.

Final thoughts…

This organization has truly been instrumental to my career. So I appreciate the opportunity for recognition.  I do not take this lightly.

Description of field of expertise

Guillaume Saliah is a partner in Fasken’s Montreal Business Law Group and practices business law, with extensive experience in M&A, private equity and capital markets. He specializes in national and cross-border transactions in both the public and private markets, advises private and institutional investors, and represents issuers and brokers in relation to equity financings. He also provides regulatory advice on all issues related to the Charter of the French Language in Québec and transparency requirements.

Guillaume works with clients from a variety of industries and sectors such as natural resources, technology, energy, transportation, manufacturing, and services. 

Guillaume commenced his tenure at Fasken as a student in 2012, ascended to the role of Associate in 2015, and was promoted to Partner by early 2023. His contributions to the firm have been manifold since his arrival. Notably, he has mentored articling students within the Montreal Business Law Group and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Student Recruitment Committee of Fasken’s Montreal office. Furthermore, Guillaume has been instrumental in the formation and growth of the Black Collective within the firm. His passion for sports, mostly acquired as a former offensive lineman, has also translated into active participation in Fasken’s collaboration with the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

In addition to his law practice, Guillaume serves as a member of the board of each of the Centaur Theatre Company and a Community Social Pediatrics Centre. 

Guillaume is an avid supporter of his community and is committed to fostering an environment of excellence, teamwork, and inclusion for all.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

Start by immersing yourself in a variety of M&A deals, especially those of a smaller scale which will help you take on bigger roles. This foundational work is where you will learn the ins and outs of due diligence, become adept at contract drafting, and sharpen your overall skills. With each transaction you’re involved in, strive to build your confidence and legal acumen. This will set you up to take on more complex and sizeable deals as you move forward. Think of each step as an investment in your career, put yourself in the shoes of your clients as if you were selling or purchasing that business for yourself, steadily equipping you with the knowledge and experience you need to master the demanding world of M&A.

Final Thoughts…

Networking transcends the bounds of business—it’s about forging genuine relationships. Participation in events organized by esteemed organizations such as the NBA and attending their annual conference presents a valuable opportunity for professional engagement, the exchange of innovative concepts, and the development of lasting friendships. I am enthusiastic about the prospect of greeting new participants and reconnecting with familiar faces at this year’s event!