Eight Butler Snow LLP attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of the Legal 500 US Southeast Elite across Commercial Disputes, White Collar Crime and Corporate and M&A. The Legal 500 “US Elite” aims to highlight key lawyers operating at regional players across business centers in the United States.
The Legal 500 US Elite selections are based on a rigorous research process that includes interviews with leading practitioners, extensive peer feedback, and analysis of significant matters handled over the past year.
Commercial Disputes
E. Barney Robinson III – Tier 1
Robinson represents businesses and shareholders in commercial litigation. He specializes in financial institution and banking litigation, with a diverse practice that serves closely held corporations as well as companies owned by private equity firms.
Philip S. Sykes – Tier 1
Sykes has extensive experience litigating commercial disputes for a diverse range of clients, including locally owned companies and international corporations. His national practice covers a range of substantive matters, including breach of contract, trade secrets, business torts, class actions, and environmental litigation.
R. Nicholas Felix – Tier 2
Felix has extensive experience representing insurance carriers through the TPA, corporations or companies with attorney-client selective provisions, and private large national or regional corporations in commercial disputes. He also has extensive experience in high-stakes litigation in both state and federal courts, representing clients across a wide range of industries.
Bradish J. Waring – Tier 2
Waring has a varied practice within commercial litigation. He represents clients in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, insurance, education and more. Waring also has extensive experience as a mediator and arbitrator.
P. Ryan Beckett – Tier 2
Beckett represents clients in commercial litigation and governmental and elections litigation. He specializes in representing clients in a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, energy, social media, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
Corporate and M&A
Russell L. Irby – Tier 1
Irby has extensive experience working on mergers and acquisitions for companies operating in regulated industries. His practice involves transaction planning and advising on ownership structure and post-transaction operational issues for regional and national businesses.
Benjamin W. Roberson – Tier 2
Roberson advises companies and investors on mergers, acquisitions, and investments, with a focus on transaction execution. His work includes negotiating deal documentation, managing closing matters, and addressing governance issues for middle-market businesses.
White Collar Crime
Amanda B. Barbour – Tier 3
Barbour represents clients in government investigations and complex civil litigation. She has handled DOJ, DEA, and HHS inquiries involving health care fraud, prescription practices, and False Claims Act matters. She has also negotiated settlements and defended insurers in contractual disputes in state and federal courts.
