Butler Snow LLP has been recognized as a leading national law firm in the 2025 edition of the Legal 500 United States, with three practice area rankings in Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (Tier 2) and Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense: Automotive/Transport (Tier 3). Additionally, the firm was nationally recognized within the Finance – Project Finance: Infrastructure and PPP (Tier 4) category. Two Butler Snow attorneys were named to the Legal 500’s Inaugural “Atlanta City Elite,” and one attorney was named a “Next Generation Partner.”
The Legal 500 rankings are determined through independent research that includes feedback from over 300,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms, and interviews with leading private practice attorneys. The publication evaluates firms across 150 jurisdictions and highlights those offering the most cutting-edge and innovative legal counsel to corporate clients. The Legal 500 US has launched a “City Elite” list, recognizing top lawyers in regional legal markets. This inaugural list for Atlanta includes 93 attorneys, with 59 in Commercial Disputes and 34 in Corporate and M&A.
TIER 2: Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
Butler Snow’s continued recognition in this category reflects the firm’s strong record representing pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers nationwide. The team is lauded for its deep bench of trial lawyers and subject matter experts, its seamless collaboration across jurisdictions, and its ability to manage litigation from early discovery through trial and resolution.
Alyson Bustamante Jones was once again named a “Next Generation Partner”, marking her eighth consecutive year in this category. Jones is highly recognized for her leadership in mass tort and product liability matters, including her strategic litigation insight honed through private practice and an in-house secondment with a major pharmaceutical company.
Additional attorneys highlighted in the editorial for their excellence in this area include Caroline Walker, Eric E. Hudson, Kari L. Sutherland, and Paul S. Rosenblatt.
TIER 3: Dispute Resolution – Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action – Defense: Automotive/Transport
Butler Snow was also newly ranked in the Automotive/Transport defense category, where the team is praised for its experience defending clients in high-stakes litigation across the transportation and automotive sectors.
Attorney E. Righton Johnson Lewis was recognized for her work in this category and also earned a separate recognition in the Legal 500 US Atlanta City Elite for Commercial Disputes, alongside Pamela L. Ferrell, both of whom were noted for their standout contributions in complex dispute resolution matters. The US Elite series highlights top lawyers at regional firms, rather than solely focusing on those at global elite firms.
TIER 4: Finance – Project Finance: Infrastructure and PPP
The firm’s Public Finance team was recognized for its extensive work in project finance, particularly in advising public entities, development authorities, energy developers, and institutions across complex infrastructure, bond, and public-private partnership (PPP) transactions.
Attorneys Thad W. Varner, Blake C. Sharpton, Kimberley K. Crawford, John F. England, and Anna H. Watson were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the practice.
