Rebecca is a complex commercial litigator with experience in an array of industries. Rebecca has prevailed on cases tried to verdict (or arbitrated to award) on behalf of or against some of the largest companies in their respective industries, including publicly traded companies. Her appellate practice consists of written and oral argument, including in Georgia’s appellate courts, federal circuit courts, and the United States Supreme Court.
Rebecca has experience in a variety of contract disputes, including those involving insurance coverage, payment processing, logistics, software implementation, business acquisition, commercial real estate, clinical trials, and tax consulting. Her practice in dispute resolution includes international dispute resolution, and she is actively involved in the Atlanta International Arbitration Society (currently serving as the Society’s President).
Bar Admissions
Georgia (all state trial and appellate courts)
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
Recognition
“Ones to Watch,” Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation), 2021-2024
“Rising Star,” Georgia Super Lawyers, 2018-2019, 2021
Credentials
J.D., magna cum laude, Georgia State University School of Law
Law Review, Lead Articles Editor
Moot Court, Executive Board Member
Judicial Extern, Honorable Richard Story
Bleckley Inn of Court, Pupil
Graduate Research Assistant for Professor Tanya M. Washington
B.A., Economics and Sociology, magna cum laude with Honors, University of Georgia
Representative Experience
Obtained favorable award, including attorneys’ fees, in arbitration administered through American Arbitration Association after full evidentiary hearings arising out of logistics dispute.
Submitted an amicus curiae brief to United States Supreme Court advocating for non-signatory arbitration under the New York Convention if permitted under domestic law, which position the Supreme Court unanimously adopted in the issued opinion.
Prevailed in the first phase of a two-week jury trial in the Southern District of New York on a claim for failure to use reasonable efforts to sell licensed products, which led to a favorable settlement before concluding the second phase of the trial.
Submitted an amicus curiae brief to the Eleventh Circuit advocating for limiting grounds to challenge non-domestic awards to those provided under the New York Convention, which position the Eleventh Circuit adopted in the issued opinion.
Defeated Motion for Preliminary Injunction after accelerated discovery and full evidentiary hearing filed by publicly traded company against several entities related to closure of dozens of retail stores.
Negotiated favorable consent award in arbitration administered through JAMS International for business dispute between U.S. and Ecuadorian logistics companies.
Professional & Community Activities
American Bar Association
Atlanta International Arbitration Society
President
Executive Committee Member
Co-Founder of Young Practitioner’s Group
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators – Chapter Chair
Bleckley Inn of Court - Barrister
International Bar Association
International Chamber of Commerce Young Arbitrators Forum, Former Regional Representative for North America
United States Counsel for International Business Arbitration Committee – Southeast Subcommittee
Writings, Speeches & Presentations
Regularly speaks and writes on topics related to domestic and international arbitration
Regularly speaks and writes on topics related to insurance coverage disputes, including cyber and business loss coverage
Recent Writings:
Arbitration Chapter of the Georgia Business Litigation Treatise (2024 Ed.), Daily Report Books, a Division of ALM Media LLC
Fifth Circuit Requires Insurance Coverage for Cyberattack on Payment-Processing System, September 21, 2021
A Potential Opening for COVID-Related Business Interruption Coverage for Louisiana Properties, September 16, 2021
Insurance Coverage for Cyberattacks?, September 13, 2021
Arbitration as an Alternative to the Backlogged Courts for the Life Sciences Industry, April 22, 2021
Policyholders Notch a Win in the Fight for COVID-19 Insurance Coverage, January 27, 2021, American Bar Association
Big Win for Business Interruption Policyholders as Courts Start Issuing COVID-19 Decisions, August 14, 2020, American Bar Association
Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act Goes into Effect, August 7, 2020
Can Insurance Apply to Business Loss from COVID-19?, March 19, 2020
Non-Party Subpoena Powers of Arbitrators, January 29, 2020, American Bar Association
The New York Convention or the FAA: Circuit Split Still Stands, October 2, 2019, ABA Section of Litigation-Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Point
Arbitration Chapter of the Georgia Business Litigation Treatise (2020 Ed.), October 2019, Daily Report Books, a Division of ALM Media LLC
Recent Events:
Fireside Chat with Bridget McCormack, President and CEO, AAA/ICDR, October 3, 2023, Atlanta International Arbitration Society
Judicial Assistance in Aid of International Arbitration Post-ZF Automotive, September 12, 2022, Atlanta International Arbitration Society
Recent Trends in International Arbitration, June 14, 2022, ICLE Arbitration Day
Protecting Your PPP Loan: Ensuring Forgiveness and Insuring Against Risk, July 28, 2020
How Do Insolvency Proceedings Impact Arbitration?, July 28, 2020, International Chamber of Commerce
Interviews with Practitioners from Around the World – Different Perspectives on Building a Successful International Arbitration Practice, September 8, 2019, Atlanta International Arbitration Society
Conduct of Arbitration Proceedings, March 19, 2019, World Intellectual Property Organization
12th Annual ICLE Arbitration Institute, March 13, 2019
Developments in International Arbitration, February 8, 2019, Atlanta International Arbitration Society