Business And Technology Attorneys
Full-Service Legal Counsel In Metro Atlanta, Georgia
From negotiating business agreements to aggressive representation in commercial litigation, the law firm of Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, provides comprehensive legal service to entrepreneurs, executives and companies in Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Cumming, Marietta, and other communities throughout the north Atlanta metropolitan area.
Our chief focus is providing counsel to technology firms and other businesses located in the developing Georgia 400 corridor. In fact, two of our attorneys were founding members of the steering committee for the 400 Technology Connection, which fostered technology and commercial growth in the area prior to partnering with the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG).
Atlanta’s population is expanding northward. Many companies are relocating their corporate headquarters and regional offices along the emerging Georgia 400 “Golden Corridor.” This thriving commercial sector has also proven a fast incubator for many emerging technology companies. For more than a decade, Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, has provided knowledgeable legal advice and representation to new and established companies in this area. Our services cover a broad range of business needs, including:
- Business Organization
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment Law
- Nonprofit Law
- Business and Corporate Law
- Technology & Internet Law
- Intellectual Property
- Franchise Law
Our Attorneys
Partners
Alan M. Briskin founded the firm in 1995. He represents many emerging technology companies by negotiating and drafting business agreements, performing transactions, and handling intellectual property licensing, as well as litigation in employment law, business disputes and federal court matters. Before entering private practice, Mr. Briskin served as a staff attorney for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C., focusing on general litigation and corporate matters.
Michael D. Cross Jr. joined the law firm in 1999. His practice focuses on business agreements and transactions, employment contracts, franchise law, commercial real estate and nonprofit corporation law. He is a frequent speaker and writer, serves on a number of boards and advisory councils, and is particularly active in the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, as well as political campaigns and many other volunteer activities.
Michael Evan Jacobs overall focus on practicing law is to create a flexible approach that delivers a superior level of efficiency and productivity for all clients while providing excellent customer service. Michael seeks to find ways to simplify his clients’ life and keep each client safe in their endeavors.
David M. Messer practiced in Oklahoma from 2000 until joining Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, in 2007. David’s practice historically has focused on aggressively representing companies, business owners, and executives in litigated and arbitrated matters. David also has particular experience in transportation and logistics, having worked for several years in that industry prior to becoming a lawyer.
Michael Penn is an equity partner at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, and has been practicing law in the state of Georgia since 1993. Michael’s practice concentrates in the areas of (i) Corporate and business law, including mergers & acquisitions, partnership and LLC law; (ii) Intellectual property law; (iii) Employment Law, including executive employment agreements, independent contractor agreements, and employment manuals; (iv) Franchise law, including representing franchisors and franchisees; and (v) Commercial litigation related to each of these areas
Byron M.G. Sanford built a successful private practice for seven years before joining the firm in 2004. He brings extensive experience in technology and internet law; commercial litigation, including partnership and shareholder disputes; contract litigation; employment contracts; intellectual property, commercial collections, and construction disputes. Mr. Sanford also serves as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Gwinnett Judicial District in civil litigation matters.
Associates
Mary Trachian-Bradley is a Senior Litigation Associate at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC with extensive trial experience. Mary specializes in litigation relating to all corporate law matters, including but not limited to: FLSA claims, Contract Disputes, Shareholder Derivative Actions, Franchise law, Landlord/Tenant law, Homeowner Association Law and all matters relating to partnerships and corporations.
R. Kyle Paske is an associate attorney at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC. Kyle’s practice focuses on litigation. Prior to joining Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, Kyle represented businesses and their insurers, defending various claims arising from auto accidents, slip and falls, and on-the-job injuries, among other things. Kyle received his law degree cum laude from the University of Florida and his undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida. During law school, Kyle competed nationally as part of the University of Florida’s Securities and Business Litigation Moot Court Team. Kyle is admitted to practice in both Florida and Georgia.
Steven M. Reising is a Senior Associate Attorney at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC (“BCS”) and brings 15+ years of diverse legal experience to the firm. He is an active member of the State Bars in both Georgia and Illinois. He is also licensed before the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia and a number of United States District Courts, including the Northern District of Georgia, the Middle District of Georgia, and the Northern District of Illinois. He currently focuses his practice on corporate transactions and litigation.
Yoko Ariza-Diaz is an associate attorney with Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC where she works on both civil litigation and transactional matters. She graduated from Georgia State University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. During law school, Yoko served as the president of the Latinx and Caribbean Law Student Association and competed on the Environmental Moot Court team. Yoko also volunteered with the Atlanta Legal Aid and Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation where she assisted attorneys with handling landlord-tenant disputes. In her second year of law school, Yoko became a registered civil mediator through GSU Law’s landlord-tenant mediation clinic and has mediated over 50 cases in the Magistrate Court of Fulton County.
Staffs
Laura C. P. Day is a key member of the Intellectual Property team at Briskin, Cross & Sanford, while also supporting the firm’s corporate transaction and civil litigation practices. Beyond her role in performing trademark clearance searches and managing the federal registration and maintenance for our clients, Laura collaborates with our attorneys on crafting strategy, performing legal analysis, responding to office actions, and drafting appellate and trial briefs.
Ashley L. Dilligard began as a legal assistant with the firm in 2019, and over the years has provided a range of support in the corporate, civil litigation, non-profit, estate planning, probate, and real estate practice areas for the firm. She has proven herself a versatile support staff member handling a variety of matters, including general civil litigation support, dispossessory actions, probating Wills, residential real estate closings, and formation of Georgia limited liability companies and non-profit organizations.
Karena J. Carnahan as the firm’s Senior Real Estate Paralegal, she manages the firm’s real estate team as well as overseeing all real estate closings in the firm’s Real Estate Division. Karena has worked in the legal field for over 20 years focusing on real estate closings.
Kaylee Carnahan as a member of our firm’s real estate division, Kaylee plays a critical quality assurance and compliance role, assisting in all aspects of post-closing matters for all commercial and residential closings. Kaylee manages deed recordation and court communications. She also collaborates with real estate closers and necessary parties to document key transaction details post-sale.
Maggie A. Ooten works in a dual role at BCS as both the first point of contact for our clients serving as the receptionist as well as working as a legal assistant. She plays an essential role in billing, document management, and ongoing client communications. Maggie also supports attorneys in our firm’s corporate and civil litigation practices.
Herbie J. Lanoux joined the firm’s real estate team in October, 2022 as a paralegal in the firm’s Real Estate Division. Herbie has worked in the legal field for over 34 years and has been focusing on real estate closings for the last 30 years.
Michelle Blanton began with the firm in 2022 as a litigation paralegal. Michelle plays a key role in mediation, hearing and trial prep and provides a range of support in civil litigation, estate planning, and probate. Michelle has been in the legal field for more than 25 years with experience in family law, estate planning, civil ligation, medical malpractice, personal injury and product liability.
Patrice Pittman joined the firm in 2023 as a legal assistant supporting the firm’s corporate and civil litigation practices. Patrice also plays a key role in outgoing client communications, document management as well as billing.
Contact the knowledgeable and dedicated business lawyers of Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC, to schedule a consultation about any corporate or commercial legal matter.
