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I was born and raised in Southeastern Massachusetts. As a third generation Portuguese American, my family instilled in me the drive to achieve and seize opportunities, thus prompting my move to Florida to attend Barry University Andreas School of Law.. Prior to attending law school, I gained valuable experience as an accountant for several publicly traded companies. Most notably, I was the Controller for an Orlando organization, a publicly-traded biotechnology company that manufactured and distributed dietary supplements and cosmetics through multi-level marketing (MLM also known as Direct Sales) and wholesale distribution channels. Upon receiving my juris doctor from Barry University, I became In-House Counsel for the organization and gained in depth knowledge of compliance in advertising and marking products governed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). My compliance experience also extends to PCI Compliance; Safe Harbor Laws; HIPAA Compliance; Multi-Level Marketing (Direct Sales) compliance issues; TCPA and other regulatory issues. I have also appeared before the FTC as a representative of GeneLink and assisted in successful negotiation of a consent order.. I have drafted numerous agreements for entities such as Exxon-Mobil, Longaberger, Johnson & Johnson, Johs Hopkins University, Kaiser Permanente, as well as for Government entities. I am able to help you with any of your business needs including business entity selection (C-corp, LLC, etc.), drafting contracts, NDA's exclusivity agreements, non-competes, independent contractor agreements, partnership agreements, joint ventures, corporate governance docs such as articles of incorporation, whistleblower, committee charters, etc., purchase and sales agreements, trademark prosecution and much much more.. I have been involved in corporate mergers and acquisitions performing due diligence preparation and review, licensing and sublicensing negotiations and contracting and many other complex areas of business. This coupled with my ability understand the financial impact of business decisions and background in regulatory compliance allos me to provide a full-circle level of expertise to a corporation and its growth.. Currently, I focus my practice on business and corporate matters, contracts, human resources audits to ensure companies are in line with federal and state labor and employment laws, real estate matters, outsourced general counsel services, FDA compliance in labels and labeling (advertising), FTC compliance and sales-force training for Multi-Level Marketing companies.. My legal experience within the business arena,combined with 13 years of finance, allows me to offer a well-rounded and unique set of skills to my clients helping them get and stay compliant and maintain corporate health through the full life-cycle of their business, from start to finish.

With over 20 years in the legal profession, I have had the opportunity to work with great people and businesses.  My experience spans from litigiation to transactional cases...from complex civil litigation to complex criminal litigation....from business formation to mergers and acquisitions.  I have represented multi-national companies and government entities, while making time to also provide pro-bono services to many in my community.  My unique understanding of the many cultures within our community also gives me the insight needed to be an effective mediator.  I have successfully mediated numerous cases, from simple contract disputes to complex multi milion dollar claims. I also take time to teach these skills to other lawyers and mediators.  Despite all of these accomplishments, my true treasure is my family. Quality time with my wife, kids and other family members is a priority.

During my personal time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughters, fishing, participating in various ministries at my church, and participating in mission work around the world.

SMART BUSINESS DECISIONS START WITH SPARKS. While working in the private sector for large corporations, Jonathan discovered that small to medium-sized businesses were being priced out of quality representation. The only affordable options available to them were the generic, fill-in-the-blank online legal services; but that is no longer the case. Jonathan Sparks is the Founder and Managing Partner at Sparks Law, a law firm that functions as in-house counsel for the small business owner. Sparks Law offers affordable, flat-fee pricing, so that businesses of all sizes now have access to quality legal representation.. Before forming Sparks Law, Jonathan worked at the United States Department of Justice, the United States Senate Office, the Attorney General’s Office for the District of Columbia, and as an attorney at King & Spalding here in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a graduate of the George Washington University Law School, where he excelled at Corporate and Business law, Torts, Litigation, Securities, and Entertainment law.

Since I started practicing law in 1983, my practice has focused on business/corporate matters, tax issues and estate planning.  I have practiced in the Atlanta area my entire career, after graduating from Georgia Tech, and then Emory University School of Law. A summary of the services I can provide appears below;. CORPORATE/BUSINESS.  Planning, structuring and implementation of: Asset and stock sale transactions; Business sales; Reorganizations; Asset based lending transactions; Venture capital transactions; Executive Compensation; Representation of lenders and borrowers; Workouts; Shareholder disputes; Negotiate and draft documents and agreements relating to the above.  Serve as general counsel to a number of closely held corporations.. ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE.  Preparation of estate plan to minimize estate taxes; Drafting wills and trusts, including life insurance and charitable trusts;  Gift programs; Coordination of plan with banks, accountants, financial planners, insurance advisors and trustees.  Probate of wills; Representation of estates and assistance to executors and administrators.. REAL ESTATE.  Acquisitions and dispositions of commercial and residential properties; Residential and commercial closings; Refinancing transactions for commercial and residential properties; Preparation and negotiation of all documentation relating to the above; Like-kind exchanges; Negotiation, preparation and review of commercial and retail leases; Property tax appeals.. TAXATION.  Planning, structuring and implementing the transactions referenced above; Representation of clients before the IRS and State revenue authorities such as Offers in Compromise, and installment payment plans; Establishment of tax-exempt organizations; Tax planning for bankruptcy and divorce.. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.  Federal and State registrations of trademarks and service marks.  Enforcement of proprietary rights to trademarks and service marks.

I am a named partner with Briskin, Cross & Sanford, LLC where I also serve as CIO and head of our technology law practice group. My practice focuses on matters involving business and technology law, including: technology and internet law; general corporate transactions, mergers & acquisitions, partnership and LLC law, and commercial litigation; employment law, including executive employment agreements, employment manuals, sales, distributor, and independent contractor agreements, and employment litigation; data security and privacy law; commercial real estate, including commercial lease preparation and negotiation, sales, acquisitions, construction and construction litigation; and intellectual property law including trademarks, service marks, I also speak at various events and have lectured at various seminars, including The Atlanta Women's Association of Communications and Advertising Professionals, The Georgia Counsel of Prosecuting Attorneys, The North Fulton Bar Association, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, The Metro Atlanta Small Business Association, The Atlanta Technology Association, and various networking organizations. I also regularly participate in events sponsored by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, PowerCore, Corporate Connections, and the 400 Technology Connection.Since 1997, I also have been involved in coaching and mentoring the highly successful Milton High School Young Lawyers' Association Mock Trial Team. Milton’s team has placed in the top of its region consistently since my involvement with the program. In 2006, I was awarded the Outstanding Attorney Coach of the Year award by the Georgia Bar Association in connection with leading the Milton Team to a second place finish in the Mock Trial State Championship.I and my family are active members of Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek, Georgia, where we are involved in educational and volunteer efforts and including outreach to young families.In my free time I enjoy photography, guitar, backpacking, creating art, cooking, collecting (and enjoying) wine, and both listening to and creating music of all types.

Experienced business litigation attorney Christian G. Zimm, Esq. MBA in Atlanta is a dedicated and results-driven attorney specializing in business litigation. With a proven track record of successfully navigating complex legal challenges in the Atlanta area, Mr. Zimm provides clients with strategic counsel and aggressive representation tailored to their unique needs. Having represented businesses of all sizes, from startups to established corporations, Mr. Zimm understands the intricate nuances of commercial disputes. Areas of expertise include breach of contract, limited liability and partnership disputes, business torts and disputes, employment litigation, and real estate conflicts. Whether negotiating favorable settlements or advocating in court, Mr. Zimm is committed to protecting clients’ interests and achieving optimal outcomes.. Mr. Zimm is licensed in Georgia and Florida. He earned his bachelors, juris doctor, and master of business administration degrees from Emory University in Atlanta. Mr. Zimm also represents political clients, and he handles estate planning and real estate matters.

I am more than just a lawyer. As a business owner myself, I understand the challenges that come with high-level decisions. I am a trusted advisor helping businesses make strategic choices for both growth and risk reduction. We offer outside general counsel services to our clients to help them achieve their goals in a competitive and cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality.

My goal is to provide the highest quality legal representation to each and every one of my clients. I believe it is important to work closely with my clients through each phase of their case or legal issue. I take extra time to answer my client’s questions, explain their rights and obligations, protect their interests, and to prepare their case for aggressive litigation when necessary. I am experienced in several areas of law including general civil litigation, business law, chapter 7 bankruptcy, chapter 13 bankruptcy, creditor representation, and collections.

Shevonn Willis is the founder and managing attorney of The Smith Willis Firm. She has 15 years of legal experience in Business Law, as well as Estate Planning.  This experience includes counseling and advising start-up companies to multi-million dollar Fortune 500 companies in various aspects of business, as well as helping individuals, couples and families make critical decisions in the areas of wills, trusts, estates and probate.. Prior to forming The Smith Willis Firm, Shevonn practiced law with Tressler, LLP, a full-service, national law firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.  The knowledge she gained at Tressler has prepared her for working with individuals and companies at all levels and in various industries.. Prior to Tressler, Shevonn gained valuable insight into the federal court system while she was a judicial extern for the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.  Shevonn’s early experience also included studying European Union Law in Rome, Italy, where she learned the dynamics of contract laws in other countries and mechanisms businesses can use to deal with product delivery and payment.. Shevonn volunteers in both her personal capacity and through the Firm’s mission of giving back to the community.  Shevonn is a board member of several non-profits and a frequent speaker on issues surrounding business law and estate planning.