is an attorney with Ruda Hirschfeld Papera & Hoffman LLP. He represents nationwide clients in all aspects of commercial real estate, with a focus on commercial leasing. Mr. Stephens has experience in representing landlords and tenants in lease transactions for all asset classes, including office, retail, industrial and medical office projects. In addition to commercial leasing, he has considerable experience in various full life-cycle development transactions in the multi-family, industrial and retail space, including title and survey review, acquisition of properties, financing, leasing and sale of such properties. Mr. Stephens earned his B.A. degree from Georgia State University and his J.D. degree from Georgia State University College of Law. He is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association and the State Bar of Georgia. Mr. Stephens is admitted to practice in Georgia.

is a partner at the law firm of Tatum Hillman & Powell, LLP. Her practice centers around representing clients in real estate development and finance. She is proactive and strategic in considering the business needs and goals of her clients. Ms. Hillman is a trusted “deal architect” who handles all facets of complex commercial real estate transactions, including acquisition, finance, sale, leasing, ground leasing and zoning. She is a skilled negotiator who focuses on the business and legal issues that matter most to her clients, while working collaboratively to bring deals to a successful close. Ms. Hillman's clients include medical providers, commercial real estate owners, medical office and office developers and real estate investment trusts. Her deal-focused and results-oriented approach drives her practice philosophy and enables her to achieve superior results for her clients. Ms. Hillman earned her B.S. degree from Florida State University and her J.D.degree from University of Notre Dame. She is a member of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia; co-authored a letter published by the American Bar Association, Commission on Women in the Profession, in The Road to Independence (ABA, 2011); an adjunct professor at Emory University School of Law, Atlanta, Georgia; and also serves as vice chair of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Foundation. Ms. Hillman is admitted to practice in Georgia.

is a dynamic figure in the real estate industry, having kick-started her successful career in 2001 with a focus on buyer agency and investment sales at The Thomas Agency. In 2012, she boldly expanded her brand into the competitive world of commercial real estate. The Thomas Agency operates as a licensed real estate broker in Michigan and Georgia, and Ms. Thomas herself holds a licensed salesperson status in California. Engaging in a rich tapestry of professional, educational, and civic organizations, she has actively contributed to the real estate community as a valued member of prestigious groups such as the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors (ACBR), Greater Metropolitan Association of Realtors, Women’s Affordable Housing Network, International Council of Shopping Centers, Urban Land Institute, CREW, NewCRE, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Gate City Bar Association, National Bar Association, Georgia Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association, and the American Bar Association. Presently, Ms. Thomas holds the esteemed position of co-chairman of the city of Atlanta’s In Rem Review Board, adding to her impressive list of leadership engagements. Additionally, she served as a valued board member of the University of Detroit Mercy Law School Association of Black Law Alumni and continues to contribute to the Georgia Realtors Housing Opportunity Committee, a position she was appointed to in 2020. Ms. Thomas's expertise in affordable and fair housing, along with her notable contributions to the real estate industry, have earned her recognition and media spotlight. She has been featured and quoted in renowned outlets such as Yahoo Finance, Black Enterprise Magazine’s special First Time Homebuyer’s Editions, VoyageATL Magazine, national real estate blogs, local radio shows, and even HGTV’s hit show, My First Place. Beyond her real estate endeavors, Ms. Thomas actively participates in community efforts, volunteering with the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and Housing Georgia and making a positive impact on the lives of many. As a qualified attorney licensed in the State of Georgia, she operates AJT Law, a boutique real estate law firm with a focus on commercial real estate transactions, land use and zoning, and alternative dispute resolution. Ms. Thomas' legal prowess and dedication to the industry earned her recognition as a Connect Media CRE Top 50 Lawyers in Real Estate awarded in 2020. In recognition of her remarkable achievements, she was nominated for the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award by the Women’s Division of the National Bar Association. Ms. Thomas' academic achievements are impressive, holding a B.S. and M.A. degrees from Wayne State University, along with a J.D. degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. She has further honed her expertise through specialized programs, including the 2014 Project Real Estate Associate Program-Los Angeles and the University of Southern California Lusk Center for Real Estate Ross Minority Program. Additionally, in 2015, Ms. Thomas successfully completed the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors’ Inaugural Diversity Mentorship Program, exemplifying her dedication to continuous professional development. Her pursuit of excellence led her to complete the Urban Land Institute Atlanta’s Center for Leadership program and earning the coveted Certified Commercial Investment Member designation in 2020. Ms. Thomas’ commitment to professional growth continued as she participated in a Foreclosure and Default Servicing Legal Fellowship in 2021 and was recognized as a member of The Leader Cohort of the Urban Land Institute Women’s Leadership Initiative.

is a named partner of the Law Offices of Koo & Sobotta. Her practice focuses on commercial and residential real estate closings, ranging from several thousand to multimillion-dollar projects for both United States citizens and foreigners abroad. Ms. Thao Sobotta also provides some immigration services related to family and employment-based immigration. She earned her B.A. degree from Georgia State University and her J.D. degree from Shepard Broad Law Center. Ms. Thao Sobotta is admitted to practice in Georgia.

is a partner at the firm of Winter Capriola Zenner, LLC. He represents clients in a wide variety of complex civil litigation, bankruptcy, and arbitration matters involving contract disputes, real estate, quiet title actions, lien priority actions, collections and claims brought against landlords, title insurers, lenders, and individuals. Additionally, Mr. Grodzicki routinely counsels companies, lenders, and title insurance companies in federal and state regulatory issues and related litigation. He also handles a wide variety of matters, including commercial collections, breach of contract claims, and tort claims such as fraud, negligent misrepresentation, embezzlement, and breach of fiduciary duties. Mr. Grodzicki frequently speaks and writes about real estate related topics. Most notably, he authored the book LexisNexis Practice Guide: Georgia Real Estate Litigation, which is updated annually. Mr. Grodzicki is also an attorney author for LexisNexis’s Practical Guidance® section, where he writes real estate related articles and practice notes to assist other legal professionals in their practice of law. He has been featured in various trade magazines regarding mortgage regulatory compliance and other topics. Mr. Grodzicki earned his B.A. degree from Furman University and his J.D. degree from Stetson University College of Law. He is admitted to practice in all Georgia and Tennessee trial courts; Georgia and Tennessee Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth and Eleventh circuits; United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern districts of Georgia; and United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle and Western districts of Tennessee, Georgia and Tennessee.

is deputy division chief of the real estate, land use and parks division for the City of Atlanta Department of Law. He has years of progressive and integrated legal, business and transactional experience with a primary focus on commercial real estate, development, contracts, finance, and related matters. Mr. Ward earned his BBA degree from The University of Texas at Austin and his J.D. degree from The University of Texas School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Atlanta Bar Association. Mr. Ward is admitted to practice in Georgia, Alabama and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.