Michael Anthony Tyner, Jr.
Associate – King & Spalding LLP

Description of field of expertise

Michael is a corporate law associate in Atlanta, Georgia supporting clients all over the world with corporate governance and global transactions. His practice focuses on representation of private equity funds and corporate clients in mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters.

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

Try to work on different projects with different partners to learn as much as you can before specializing.

Final thoughts…

Connections are top of mind for Michael. He is involved in the community and at K&S. Please connect with him via LinkedIn at the link below. https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-tyner-jr

Kerri-Ann Griggs
Partner, Global Mobility & Immigration (Labor & Employment) – Alston & Bird

Description of field of expertise

In the increasingly global world of business, Kerri-Ann Griggs recognizes that top talent is one of the scarcest resources available to find, capture, and keep your competitive edge and marketplace advantage.  She makes it possible for clients to find, keep, and deploy the talent they need in the roles they most need them, regardless of the national origin of the employee or the location of the role.  Her main service areas include: 

• White-glove, highly customized executive transfers and investor visa support.
• Talent strategy and HR/employee policy development and advisory services.
• Workforce visa program and process management.
• Employment eligibility compliance audits, defense, and remediation.

She has decades of experience spanning all industries and visa categories with the knowledge to successfully manage any immigration case. Her expertise includes employment-based visas (H-1B, L-1, E, O-1, and TN visas), permanent residency (Green Cards) sponsorship, and investment visas. Her agency experience includes U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of State (DOS), Transportation Safety Administration (TSA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). She represents corporate clients in responses to USCIS’ Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIRs) and Appeals. She has established a track-record of obtaining nearly 100% approvals for these complex RFE, NOID, and NOIR Business Immigration Cases.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, she pioneered an approach that led to a nearly 100% approval rate for National Interest Exemption filings (NIEs) for her clients in response to the global travel ban.  

She interned with Harvard’s Immigration and Refugee Clinic, and represented clients in Asylum and VAWA applications. She has volunteered with ACLU, MALDEF and the Latin American Association (LAA).

Across all service lines, she ensures clients maintain compliance with all relevant laws and regulations while maintaining business operations.

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

The advice I would offer new attorneys is if you are interested in and passionate about global mobility and immigration, pursue it!  We need more great lawyers in the field.  While that was a passion and interest of mine at the time I graduated from law school, I didn’t pursue it. Because of what I had exposure to when I was in law school, I didn’t even know that that was something people could do. Once I found immigration work, it gave me the opportunity to show up more authentically as myself and live an integrated rather than compartmentalized life.

Hold yourself to a standard of excellence, and be flexible and open about where the road might go. There is not one “right way” for a career path.  I have learned that using your internal compass is far more important than anchoring in what you think others would define as success.

Additional Information…

I love my NBA-CLS network and friends! I served on the CLE Committee for 23-24. I am also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and have served in national leadership. This gave me the chance to engage with government officials and shape the learning of 14,000+ immigration attorneys nationally.

Cari K. Dawson
Partner – Alston & Bird

Description of field of expertise

Cari Dawson is a creative problem solver, legal strategist, and committed advocate. She has practiced complex commercial litigation for 30 years at Alston & Bird, where she began her legal career after clerking for the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Cari co-chairs Alston & Bird’s Class Action & Multidistrict Litigation Practice Team and has a winning track record representing Fortune 500 companies as lead counsel in high-profile enterprise litigation nationwide.  Cari assists clients in the areas of commercial litigation, pre-litigation strategic counseling, and crisis management.  Cari regularly serves as national coordinating counsel and lead settlement counsel for clients in bet-the-company matters and is often called in to serve as a strategic advisor for companies in crisis.

Cari’s litigation experience spans a variety of industries and practice areas.  Cari represents insurers in the property and casualty, life, disability, accident, and health industries in a variety of complex litigation matters. And she regularly serves as lead class action defense counsel to automotive manufacturers and retailers involved in class action and multidistrict litigations nationwide.  In addition to class actions involving product liability, consumer fraud, false advertising, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and contract claims, Cari’s practice also includes environmental, privacy, and data breach class actions as well as class actions arising out of the alleged improper use or management of artificial intelligence tools.

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

I would encourage new attorneys interested in class action and/or multidistrict litigation to (1) work on a variety of different types of class actions and MDLs in order to broaden and deepen your experience-base and knowledge of the legal theories and strategies; (2) observe top practitioners on both the defense and plaintiff side, not just in court but also at CLEs and conferences where they share insights; (3) be willing to do all aspects of the work, including the tasks that no one wants to do; (4) understand the client’s business and industry, including the importance of protecting their brand and aligning the legal strategy with business objectives; and (5) commit yourself to continuous improvement, have a growth mindset, and play well in the sandbox with others, as this area of the law involves working on teams and requires the ability to collaborate well with others.  

Additional Information…

Cari served on Alston & Bird’s Diversity Steering Committee since its inception and acted as co-chair for over five years. Cari is a long-time member of the NBA-CLS, served on the Executive Committee for 8 years, and received the Section’s Cora T. Walker Award in 2024.

Leslie C. Overton

Partner and Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer —
Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider LLP

Description of field of expertise

Having previously served in senior positions at the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Leslie Overton offers her clients a valuable combination of experience and insight. Leslie guides companies through merger reviews, civil non-merger investigations, and criminal investigations  involving federal, state, and/or foreign antitrust authorities. Additionally, Leslie has experience with antitrust litigation from both her government service and time in private practice. She also represents clients in matters concerning anticompetitive conduct and consolidation by competitors, suppliers, or customers. In her counseling practice, Leslie uses her skill and judgment to provide strategic advice and practical solutions on activities such as pricing and distribution. She also customizes antitrust compliance programs to match her clients’ exposure and business realities.

While serving as deputy assistant attorney general for civil enforcement during the Obama Administration, Leslie managed over half of the DOJ’s merger challenges in fiscal years 2012–2014, including litigation complaints, settlements, and transactions restructured or abandoned. Leslie also supervised litigation and civil non-merger investigations, as well as several criminal antitrust matters. Additionally, Leslie oversaw the Antitrust Division’s international engagement and health care policy work. During the Bush Administration, she served as counsel to the assistant attorney general, where she contributed to investigations, litigation, and the seminal health care hearings and report with the FTC.

Leslie also serves as Axinn’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. She earned an Executive Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Georgetown University.

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

1. Connect with lawyers already specializing in antitrust, whether in law firms, federal government, state government, or non-profit organizations. Within the American Bar Association Antitrust Section, there is an affinity group called the Black Squad that is very supportive of Black antitrust lawyers, especially those who are newer to the field.
2. Attend the NBA CLS Conference at your earliest convenience, and go every year. It is an incredibly affirming event, has high-quality CLE content, and provides great networking opportunities.
3. Develop and protect your personal brand for excellence, strong communication, proactiveness, creativity, integrity, and other traits that will deliver value to your internal and external clients.

Final thoughts…

While many underrepresented lawyers face numerous biases, know that there are people in law firms, companies, and government agencies working daily to break down discriminatory barriers. Additionally, there are numerous Black and other underrepresented lawyers who have navigated a path to success in spite of these barriers. Learn from them.

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Description of field of expertise

Derin Dickerson is a go-to litigator for companies facing high-stakes class actions and complex commercial disputes across the country. With a practice focused on defending Fortune 500 companies in telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, and higher education sectors, Derin has successfully handled hundreds of matters involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), and state deceptive trade practices statutes. His litigation experience spans more than 40 jurisdictions nationwide.

Known for his sharp litigation instincts and strategic foresight, Derin is often called upon to lead defense teams in bet-the-company class actions and regulatory investigations. His client roster includes global wireless carriers, education service providers, and a leading financial data company. In addition to his corporate practice, Derin advises athletes and entertainers on legal matters that intersect with business, branding, and reputation.

A recognized leader in his field, Derin frequently speaks on cutting-edge issues in class action defense, telecommunications compliance, and litigation risk management. He has been honored as one of the Daily Report’s “40 Under 40 on the Rise” and was named a Georgia “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers. He is also a proud alumnus of Leadership Atlanta’s Class of 2016, a distinction reserved for civic-minded professionals making an impact beyond the courtroom.

Derin brings not only legal skill but also strategic perspective, helping clients navigate litigation with an eye toward protecting business objectives and public trust. His blend of courtroom acumen and industry-specific knowledge makes him a trusted partner for companies confronting complex legal challenges.

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

My first piece of advice to new litigation attorneys is to get comfortable with complexity. The issues we deal with aren’t always straightforward, and the stakes are often high, so being able to think critically and stay calm under pressure is essential.

Second, develop your writing early. Great litigators are great communicators. Whether it’s a motion, a brief, or an email to a client, your ability to explain complicated issues clearly and persuasively will set you apart. Read everything you can. Watch how experienced attorneys build arguments, and pay attention to how judges respond to them.

Third, take ownership. Even as a junior associate, treat every assignment like it matters—because it does. Your attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile will build trust with your team and with clients.

Lastly, be curious. Learn your client’s business, understand the industry, and follow the trends. Whether you’re representing a telecom giant, an athlete, or a startup, understanding their world makes you a better advocate.

Liz Broadway Brown
Partner – Alston & Bird

Description of field of expertise

Liz Broadway Brown co-chairs Alston & Bird’s Health Care Litigation Practice Team and has significant experience defending Fortune 500 companies in multiple industries in complex and high-profile litigation nationwide.

Liz has represented clients before federal and state trial and appellate courts and arbitration panels across the country in cases involving health care, privacy, ERISA, antitrust, RICO, and numerous state consumer protection and deceptive trade practices act claims. Liz is also member of the firm’s Class Action & MDL Practice Team and The Best Lawyers in America® recognizes her as a leading class action attorney.

Liz was named to the Daily Report’s “On the Rise” class of 2020—an elite group of Georgia’s most promising lawyers under the age of 40—and to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s and The National Black Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” lists. She is also recognized as a Super Lawyer by Atlanta Magazine and is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2024.

Liz was appointed to a three-year term on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia’s Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel in 2022.  In that role, she assists the district judges in the selection, appointment, and reappointment of magistrate judges in the District.

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

• Invest in yourself and your career early-on and develop a strategic action plan for accomplishing your identified goals.
• Focus on developing your core skills and building your internal and external profile.
• Recognize that developing your network and personal “board of directors” is just as important as developing your substantive legal skills.