Presented by The Daily Report, Metro Atlanta’s legal publication, and Law.com, the leading news network for the legal industry, the awards celebrate achievement and excellence in the legal community across the Southeast. The honorees will be recognized at a gala on June 20.

Since its founding in 1977, the firm has been recognized for its appellate practice. BME’s team regularly argues cases before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court.

In 2023, BME’s appellate practice achieved remarkable outcomes, highlighted by an unprecedented week in December when the firm argued five cases before the Eleventh Circuit over four days—a rare feat for any firm, especially one of BME’s size. These cases covered a diverse range of issues, including civil rights, anti-terrorism, breach of contract and First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Furthermore, last year BME provided pro bono legal assistance to SisterSong in challenging Georgia’s restrictive abortion law before the Georgia Supreme Court. The BME team, led by Mykkeltvedt, continued to work to safeguard reproductive rights and ensure equitable healthcare access.

Additionally, Mykkeltvedt was recognized as a Distinguished Leader for leading a plaintiff counsel team that secured a settlement for four sex trafficking survivors who sued Red Roof Inn for damages arising out of their trafficking against the hotels that profited.

Filed in 2019, it was one of the first such trafficking cases filed in the country. In one of the first Circuit Court of Appeals decisions, presented by Mykkeltvedt in oral argument to the Eleventh Circuit, the Court largely adopted the interpretation of the plaintiff team’s novel application of the Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act.

Mykkeltvedt was also acknowledged for her leadership roles within the firm, including positions on the management and marketing committees, as well as in the broader legal community, notably serving as president of the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys.

Bondurant Mixson & Elmore LLP proudly announces partner Tiana Mykkeltvedt has been recognized by Lawyers of Color’s (LoC) inaugural Wonderful Women list.

The list celebrates dynamic women attorneys in law firms, companies and government agencies across the U.S. who show promise in their careers and demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing diversity in the legal profession.

“Tiana is an experienced trial lawyer and effective advocate for our clients,” says Frank Lowrey, a partner on the firm’s diversity committee. “Alongside keen litigation skills, we benefit greatly from Tiana’s hard work and leadership in the management of our firm, including her important contributions to our efforts to achieve a more diverse team of lawyers and staff. She richly deserves this honor, and we’re very proud of her.”

The honorees were selected through a thorough, two-pronged process. The selection committee, consisting of editorial staff, fellows and advisers, identified promising candidates. Nominations from mentors, peers and colleagues were also accepted, with special attention to candidates who are active in diversity pipeline initiatives.

LoC is a 501c3 nonprofit devoted to promoting diversity in the legal profession and advancing democracy and equality in marginalized communities.

Mykkeltvedt specializes in breach of contract, business torts, including complex fraud and civil RICO, and professional liability, as well as litigation pertaining to technology and software contracts, healthcare information technology and patent disputes.

In addition to her practice, she serves as Bondurant’s hiring partner, responsible for overseeing all aspects of the firm’s recruiting program, and she also serves on the firm’s associate development committee.

Alterity ADR, a new alternative dispute resolution firm, announced today that 12 more highly qualified mediators, arbitrators, and conflict resolution specialists have joined its national panel. The firm also added two new members to its advisory board.

Since its launch in August, Alterity ADR has grown rapidly, expanding to 27 mediators and arbitrators across the country. The firm expects more growth before the end of the year.

The first national alternative dispute resolution firm to be founded and led by a black woman, Alterity has attracted an impressive team of diverse professionals, including former judges and prominent attorneys from major law firms and large companies. The firm operates in major cities across the United States.

The firm’s latest mediators and arbitrators handle complex disputes in a wide range of practice areas and industries. These include construction, employment, energy, education, estate and probate, contracts, technology, real estate, healthcare, government, family law, personal injury, and insurance.

Alterity ADR’s new panelists and their home cities include:

• Benjamin Escobar, Dallas and Houston
• J.R. Hanks, Atlanta
• Hon. Kristi Harrington (Ret.), Charleston
• Hon. Karimu Hill-Harvey (Ret.), Pensacola
• Saloni Mavoni, Seattle
• Tiana Mykkevelt, Atlanta
• Sasan Nematbakhsh, Atlanta
• Pat Oliver, Atlanta
• Hon. Rebecca Rieder (Ret.), Atlanta
• Louis Reinstein, Fort Lauderdale
• Jeri Somers, Washington, D.C.
• Danae Woodward, Charleston

The two new members of the advisory board are Atleen Kaur, Assistant General Counsel of ZF Group and Rodney Williams, President and CEO of Belvedere Vodka.

Alterity CEO Marcie Dickson said: “This esteemed group reflects our firm’s commitment to connecting people in need of resolution with experienced and diverse mediators, arbitrators, and conflict resolution specialists. Each panelist has significant expertise in resolving complex disputes and shows up prepared to understand our clients’ evolving needs. We are thrilled to have them on the panel. We are equally excited about the addition of our advisory board members, who will play a key role in helping us grow and expand our ADR services throughout the U.S.”

Alterity is now actively evaluating and accepting engagements through its website (www.alterityadr.com), by phone (888.258.1237) or via email (natasha@alterityadr.com or info@alterityadr.com).

Bondurant, Mixson & Elmore partner Tiana Mykkeltvedt was interviewed for a feature in the Georgia Super Lawyers 2021 magazine in an article about her journey from being one of the orphans in Operation Babylift to becoming a successful litigator.

Full article here.