Burr & Forman is proud to announce that seven attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 edition of Legal 500's U.S. Elite Guide.

The Burr attorneys included on this list are:

Florida Elite

J. Ellsworth Summers, Jr., recognized in the Finance & Restructuring guide, represents stakeholders in commercial loan litigation and bankruptcy matters, with experience in workouts, reorganizations, and distressed asset transactions.

North Carolina Elite

John E. Johnson, recognized in the Intellectual Property Guide, advises clients on protecting and leveraging intellectual property assets, including patent procurement, portfolio management, and infringement and trade secret disputes.

Lance A. Lawson, P.E., recognized in the Intellectual Property Guide, represents clients in patent and intellectual property litigation, including disputes involving trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, as well as technology-related commercial matters.

Nathaniel T. Quirk, recognized in the Intellectual Property Guide, advises clients on securing and protecting intellectual property rights, including patent and trademark prosecution, portfolio strategy, and licensing matters.

Southeast Elite

Michael R. Burchstead, recognized in the White Collar Crime guide, represents clients in government investigations, regulatory compliance matters, and enforcement actions, with experience advising governmental entities, political organizations, and businesses.

Celeste T. Jones, recognized in the White Collar Crime guide, focuses her practice on business litigation, healthcare-related matters, and white collar criminal defense, including fraud, regulatory compliance, and complex commercial disputes.

Rik S. Tozzi, recognized in Commercial Disputes, represents clients in complex business disputes and class actions, with extensive experience as lead counsel in high-stakes litigation nationwide.

The Legal 500 U.S. Elite guides spotlights attorneys who have demonstrated strong performance and reputation over the past year. Attorneys are identified based on a combination of independent research, submissions, and feedback from clients and peers. Shortlisted attorneys are invited to participate in interviews with researchers and provide representative matters for review. Final selections reflect an assessment of recent work, market presence, and overall reputation.

For more than 30 years, Legal 500 has analyzed the capabilities of law firms and attorneys across more than 150 jurisdictions. Its rankings are based on a comprehensive research process that includes client feedback, law firm submissions, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.