We sat down with three highly accomplished law Partners from McKenna Long & Aldridge to talk about their personal stories of success and challenges as well as discover what holds women back from becoming Partners at law firms (over 50% of law school graduates are women but they only make up 20% of the Partners) and their tips for overcoming these challenges.
Joann Jones serves as the Managing Partner of McKenna Long & Aldridge’s Atlanta office and focuses her practice on real estate development and finance. Her work is concentrated in the commercial real estate development area, particularly in the health care industry, serving clients in assemblage, development and financing of hospitals, medical office buildings, medical campuses and physician leasing. She also assists clients with office park development and development of quick serve restaurants, retail malls, shopping centers and golf courses.
Additionally, Joann Jones’ practice includes a wide variety of other real estate transactions, including sale/leaseback transactions, commercial lending secured by real estate, commercial leasing, acquisitions and sales of hotel properties and loan workouts. Ms. Jones is ranked by Chambers USA 2010 as one of the leading lawyers for real estate in Georgia, recognized in particular for her sophisticated handling of health care-related real estate finance issues.
Ann-Marie McGaughey is co-head of the Firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions Group. She focuses on the general corporate representation of both publicly- and privately-held companies in a wide array of industries, including financial services, manufacturing, health care, retail, automotive, travel, education, health and beauty, technology and service-oriented industries. She has particular skill in representing non-U.S. companies in connection with U.S. transactions and operations.
Ms. McGaughey has been selected by her peers to be featured in the 2012 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the practice of Mergers & Acquisitions Law. Finance Monthly Magazine has recognized Ms. McGaughey as one of the top 100 Leading Advisors in 2011 in the area of Corporate Law — USA. She has also been recognized by Atlanta Magazine as a Georgia Super Lawyer. Ms. McGaughey was selected by her peers to be included as a member of Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite, in addition to the Atlanta Business Chronicle including her on their first “Up and Comers” list, which profiled 50 of Atlanta’s most promising young leaders. Atlanta Woman Magazine has featured Ms. McGaughey in its “Leaders in Law” series and she was recognized by The White House Project as a “Leading Lady.”
Civic/Community Involvement
- Board of Directors Network, President
- British American Business Group, Board of Directors
- Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, Board of Directors
- Mount Pisgah Christian School, Advancement Council
- Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, International Bar Association
- Everybody Wins! Power Lunch Program, Reading Mentor
Ann E. Murray focuses her practice on helping companies attract and retain their workforces by offering attractive benefits programs and rewards. She regularly assists clients with matters relating to their qualified retirement plans; health, life, disability and other welfare benefits; stock options and similar equity programs; and executive compensation. She also advises buyers and sellers regarding their benefits risks and concerns in the sale of a business. Ms. Murray previously served as in-house benefits counsel for a publicly-traded company, giving her a business-oriented and practical approach to the practice of law.
Ms. Murray is recommended by The Legal 500 and has been recognized as a member of Georgia’s Legal Elite by Georgia Trend magazine. She is rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell®.
