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 for multiple years, in addition to Lawyers of Distinction and Leaders in Law. 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.
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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. She enjoys playing ALTA and USTA tennis, travel, cooking, and wine-tasting.
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
AVERY MARON, ATTORNEY
Avery specializes in construction law + litigation, with expertise in negotiation, drafting, and reviewing prime contracts and subcontracts. A graduate of Northwestern University and Brooklyn Law School, he is a member of the Georgia Bar, New York Bar, and Connecticut Bar, and is admitted to practice before the Southern and Eastern District Courts of New York and Northern District of Georgia. Avery is a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta and the Atlanta Bar Association’s Construction Law Section. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and watching the New York Jets. A native New Yorker, he now lives in Dunwoody with his wife and two daughters.
Key Experience:
- Negotiated, drafted, and reviewed prime contracts valued from $500k to over $40m, and subcontracts, professional service agreements, and purchase orders from $10k to over $10m.
- Represented businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and governmental entities in all aspects of civil litigation, focusing on contract claims, shareholder disputes, regulatory issues, and environmental regulation.
- Successfully mediated a multi-million-dollar design malpractice claim, settling for less than 1.5% of the initial claim.
AVERY MARON
ATTORNEY
CODY DECKERT, ATTORNEY
Cody specializes in estate planning, charitable planning, asset protection, probate and estate administration, and real estate transactions incidental to asset protection and estate planning. Cody received his J.D. from Charleston School of Law and his Executive LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. He is currently a member of the South Carolina Bar and the North Carolina Bar. Cody is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and the Eastern District of North Carolina, and he is also a member of the Charleston County Bar Association and the Mecklenburg County Bar Association. Cody enjoys watching and playing various sports in his free time, relaxing at the beach and traveling the world with his fiancée.
CODY DECKERT
ATTORNEY
MATT BUTLER, ATTORNEY
Matt specializes in estate planning, business succession planning, transactional advising, general corporate formation and governance advising. A graduate of The University of Pennsylvania and University of Alabama Law School, he is a member of the Georgia Bar, Alabama Bar, and North Carolina Bar. Prior to taking up the practice of law, Matt worked as a securities analyst in New York City for a large investment bank. In his free time, he enjoys yard work, exercise, listening to music, and playing with his kids He lives in Cherokee County with his wife and four kids where they are active members in a local church.
Key Experience:
- Represented closely-held multi-national company in a successful negotiated settlement between litigious co-owners
- Advised trustee/beneficiary in a lengthy trust administration involving disposition of portfolio of low income and section rental housing properties
- Advised hundreds of families and individuals seeking estate and trust planning, probate avoidance, asset protection, and health care planning.
MATT BUTLER
ATTORNEY
PAUL GROTE, ATTORNEY
Paul is a civil litigation attorney with experience in business disputes, constructions disputes, and general commercial litigation. Paul attended Northwestern University and majored in philosophy with departmental honors, while rowing on the crew team. Paul graduated magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and was a Senior Editor on the Washington University Law Review. Paul then practiced in St. Louis with a mid-sized law firm representing individuals, small business owners, and even major league sports teams in a wide variety of matters, including employment disputes, trademark litigation, mechanics’ liens, contractual disputes, and business-related torts. After relocating to Atlanta late in 2018, Paul joined a large insurance defense firm before joining the Burkhalter team.
PAUL GROTE
ATTORNEY
STEVEN PRANCE, TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Bio coming soon.
STEVEN PRANCE
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
ALICIA WOOD, FIRM ADMINISTRATOR + CONTROLLER
Alicia has over 20 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 (2005-2006), 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 + The Women’s Collective. She resides in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband, Clint, and their English Bulldog, Winston.
ALICIA WOOD
FIRM ADMINISTRATOR + CONTROLLER
JESSICA DAY, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Jessica Day is an Administrative Assistant and has over 8 years of client relations experience as a Customer Experience Manager and Project Manager in a corporate environment. She attended Gadsden State College and holds an associate degree in general studies. Jessica lives in Newnan, GA with her three daughters and spends her time hiking, visiting local coffee shops, and kayaking.
JESSICA DAY
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
ASHLEY BAKER, PARALEGAL
With over 15 years of experience, Ashley brings extensive knowledge and expertise to our firm. Before joining Burkhalter Law, she refined her skills at a prominent firm, where she focused on guiding clients through the complexities of charitable giving, tax optimization, asset protection, probate, trust administration, and business planning.
Ashley is dedicated to empowering clients to realize their estate and business goals through personalized strategies that reflect their values and financial aspirations.
Residing in Sparks, NV, Ashley enjoys life with her husband, two children, and two golden doodles. In her free time, she loves exploring Lake Tahoe, taking spin classes, and cheering on her daughter in gymnastics and her son in baseball and wrestling. Additionally, Ashley serves on her daughter’s gymnastics booster club board, where she is committed to supporting the team’s financial success.
ASHLEY BAKER
PARALEGAL
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 for multiple years, in addition to Lawyers of Distinction and Leaders in Law. 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.
JESSICA DAY, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Jessica Day is an Administrative Assistant and has over 8 years of client relations experience as a Customer Experience Manager and Project Manager in a corporate environment. She attended Gadsden State College and holds an associate degree in general studies. Jessica lives in Newnan, GA with her three daughters and spends her time hiking, visiting local coffee shops, and kayaking.
ASHLEY BAKER, PARALEGAL
With over 15 years of experience, Ashley brings extensive knowledge and expertise to our firm. Before joining Burkhalter Law, she refined her skills at a prominent firm, where she focused on guiding clients through the complexities of charitable giving, tax optimization, asset protection, probate, trust administration, and business planning.
Ashley is dedicated to empowering clients to realize their estate and business goals through personalized strategies that reflect their values and financial aspirations.
Residing in Sparks, NV, Ashley enjoys life with her husband, two children, and two golden doodles. In her free time, she loves exploring Lake Tahoe, taking spin classes, and cheering on her daughter in gymnastics and her son in baseball and wrestling. Additionally, Ashley serves on her daughter’s gymnastics booster club board, where she is committed to supporting the team’s financial success.
STEVEN PRANCE, TECHNICAL ADVISOR
Steven’s areas of expertise include business and family planning, retirement planning, disability insurance, complex life insurance solutions and fixed annuities. Steven assists in transitioning businesses to the next generation, helping entrepreneurs and families create a legacy, providing for their children, grandchildren, or favorite charities. As most of his clients are entrepreneurs like himself, he finds passion and purpose in all the work that he does for others. Steven is a native of Georgia and earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia College and State University. While not working with business owners and families, Steven enjoys spending time with his wife and two children on their small farm in Eatonton, Georgia. His hobbies include fishing, golfing, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.
DONNA PAZ GALLAGHER, PARALEGAL
Donna has over 26 years of legal experience and obtained her bachelor’s degree Magna Cum Lade from Robert Morris University in Chicago with a major in Pre-Law and a minor in Law Office Administration. Born and raised in Chicago, Donna moved to Georgia two years ago with her three children. From owning a small business, working full time, and running around with her three kids and two dogs, her favorite pastime is to surround herself with family and delicious food.
CODY DECKERT, ATTORNEY
Cody specializes in estate planning, charitable planning, asset protection, probate and estate administration, and real estate transactions incidental to asset protection and estate planning. Cody received his J.D. from Charleston School of Law and his Executive LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University Law Center. He is currently a member of the South Carolina Bar and the North Carolina Bar. Cody is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and the Eastern District of North Carolina, and he is also a member of the Charleston County Bar Association and the Mecklenburg County Bar Association. Cody enjoys watching and playing various sports in his free time, relaxing at the beach and traveling the world with his fiancée.
MATT BUTLER, ATTORNEY
Matt specializes in estate planning, business succession planning, transactional advising, general corporate formation and governance advising. A graduate of The University of Pennsylvania and University of Alabama Law School, he is a member of the Georgia Bar, Alabama Bar, and North Carolina Bar. Prior to taking up the practice of law, Matt worked as a securities analyst in New York City for a large investment bank. In his free time, he enjoys yard work, exercise, listening to music, and playing with his kids He lives in Cherokee County with his wife and four kids where they are active members in a local church.
Key Experience:
- Represented closely-held multi-national company in a successful negotiated settlement between litigious co-owners
- Advised trustee/beneficiary in a lengthy trust administration involving disposition of portfolio of low income and section rental housing properties
- Advised hundreds of families and individuals seeking estate and trust planning, probate avoidance, asset protection, and health care planning.
PAUL GROTE, ATTORNEY
Paul is a civil litigation attorney with experience in business disputes, constructions disputes, and general commercial litigation. Paul attended Northwestern University and majored in philosophy with departmental honors, while rowing on the crew team. Paul graduated magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, and was a Senior Editor on the Washington University Law Review. Paul then practiced in St. Louis with a mid-sized law firm representing individuals, small business owners, and even major league sports teams in a wide variety of matters, including employment disputes, trademark litigation, mechanics’ liens, contractual disputes, and business-related torts. After relocating to Atlanta late in 2018, Paul joined a large insurance defense firm before joining the Burkhalter team.
PATRICK EWING, ATTORNEY
Patrick is a civil litigation attorney with experience in construction defect disputes, contract preparation, insurance defense, general liability, and general commercial litigation. Patrick attended Notre Dame Law School where he served as the Executive Solicitations Editors of the Journal of Law, Ethics, & Public Policy. After law school, Patrick clerked for the Honorable Audrey J.S. Carrion in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and then joined a Baltimore personal injury firm. Patrick then moved to a boutique litigation firm focused on construction litigation where he represented contractors and condominium associations involved in a wide array of legal disputes. Patrick negotiated, litigated, and arbitrated numerous complex construction defect disputes, contractor payment disputes, and mechanic’s liens. Patrick moved to the Atlanta area in summer of 2019 and worked at a large insurance defense firm before joining Burkhalter Law.
In his free time, Patrick enjoys playing board games with friends and family and spending time outdoors with his wife and dog.
JEFF WILLISON, ATTORNEY
Jeff is a corporate transactional attorney with emphasis on corporate structure for asset protection, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial corporate agreements. To cater his practice, Jeff has worked with Am law 200 firms and small market practitioners. This has given Jeff the ability to look at a multitude of situations and craft strategy appropriate to the circumstances presented. He graduated with honors and distinction from the University of Colorado –Boulder and law school from Wake Forest School of Law. Jeff is a member of the Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida state bar associations, along with several federal bar memberships. He is originally from Denver, Colorado and has a passion for the outdoors; his interests include hiking, camping, golfing, and spending as much time with his family as possible.
AVERY MARON, ATTORNEY
Avery specializes in construction law + litigation, with expertise in negotiation, drafting, and reviewing prime contracts and subcontracts. A graduate of Northwestern University and Brooklyn Law School, he is a member of the Georgia Bar, New York Bar, and Connecticut Bar, and is admitted to practice before the Southern and Eastern District Courts of New York and Northern District of Georgia. Avery is a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta and the Atlanta Bar Association’s Construction Law Section. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and watching the New York Jets. A native New Yorker, he now lives in Dunwoody with his wife and two daughters.
Key Experience:
- Negotiated, drafted, and reviewed prime contracts valued from $500k to over $40m, and subcontracts, professional service agreements, and purchase orders from $10k to over $10m.
- Represented businesses, high-net-worth individuals, and governmental entities in all aspects of civil litigation, focusing on contract claims, shareholder disputes, regulatory issues, and environmental regulation.
- Successfully mediated a multi-million-dollar design malpractice claim, settling for less than 1.5% of the initial claim.
ALICIA WOOD, FIRM ADMINISTRATOR + CONTROLLER
Alicia has over 20 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 (2005-2006), 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 + The Women’s Collective. She resides in Smyrna, Georgia with her husband, Clint, and their English Bulldog, Winston.
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. She enjoys playing ALTA and USTA tennis, travel, cooking, and wine-tasting.
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
CHERISH DE LA CRUZ, ATTORNEY
Cherish’s areas of expertise and interest include comprehensive estate planning services, probate, and business advising + planning. Cherish is licensed in both Florida and Georgia. Additionally, she works in the international and immigrant communities. Cherish grew up in Toronto, Canada and graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a degree in Honors Sociology. She graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 2003 where she was a member with The Journal of Corporation Law. After graduating from law school, she lived in West Palm Beach, Florida and worked at the Office of the Public Defender 15th Judicial Circuit before she relocated back to Georgia. For seven years, she worked as a Senior Counsel for an Insurance and Investment company, acting as their Deputy Anti-Money Laundering Officer, advising the company on regulatory and compliance matters. With her background and expertise in investments and insurance, she works collaboratively with all advisors in helping families, professionals and small businesses develop tailored estate and business plans.
In 2017, the Georgia Asian Times named Cherish as one of the Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia. Cherish and her husband Justin of 17 years, live in Gwinnett County and they have three wonderful children Emma, Sophia and Aidan. Cherish is a parishioner at St. John Neumann at Catholic Church in Lilburn Georgia for the past 25 years, she has volunteered at the Special Meals Ministry and Ruth’s Table, and spoken to the Hilltoppers Ministry about aging issues.
Community Involvement + Leadership:
- Past President of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (GAPABA-2018),
and is currently a board member - Past Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association (2019)
- A founding Board Member of XPX – The Exit Planning Exchange (2019)
- Legal chapter director of What Women Want Networking (2021-present)
- Graduate of The Atlanta Catholic Charities Leadership (2021)
- Board Member of Mosaic Georgia (formerly the Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center and Children’s Advocacy
Center)
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