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  • Diana S. Barber
  • Jeffrey N. Berman
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  • Lea C. Dearing
  • Henry M. Feinstein
  • Benjamin I. Fink
  • Lauren S. Frisch
  • Lydia M. Hilton
  • Lawrence C. Kasmen
  • Alan E. Lubel
  • Lisa S. Morchower
  • Ruari J. O’Sullivan
  • Daniel H. Park
  • Benjamin D. Perkins
  • William J. Piercy
  • Katherine M. Silverman
  • Thomas E. Sowers
  • Charles H. Van Horn
  • Neal F. Weinrich
  • Kenneth N. Winkler

Lea C. Dearing

Lea Dearing

Lea C. Dearing

Shareholder

P: (678) 681-6014

F: (404) 233-1943

Connect with me:

Practice Areas:

  • Business Litigation;
  • Non-Compete/Trade Secrets;
  • Labor and Employment;
  • Real Estate Litigation;
  • Entrepreneurial/Start-Up;
  • Executive Employment & Severance Agreements;
  • Hospitality Industry;
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

Super Lawyers

  • Summary
  • Biography
  • Blog Posts
  • Videos
  • Honors
  • Community
  • Presentations
  • Representative Matters

Lea's Bio

Lea Dearing brings business sense to business disputes. A Shareholder at Berman Fink Van Horn, Lea counsels companies regarding disputes that arise in every day operations. Lea has experience assisting businesses with a wide range of issues, including internal investigations,... Read More

Latest Post

Berman Fink Van Horn Virtual Roundtable

During this one hour webinar, BFV attorneys used the art of storytelling and conversation to share important lessons and address practical questions from employment, real estate, noncompete/unfair competition and mergers and acquisitions topics, including: What do I do when an employee is afraid to return to work due to COVID-19? (ADA/FMLA and other...
Read More

Latest Publications

“Top Five Tips for Using Forensics to Win the Case,” Daily Report, 2017

Lea's Biography

Lea Dearing brings business sense to business disputes. A Shareholder at Berman Fink Van Horn, Lea counsels companies regarding disputes that arise in every day operations. Lea has experience assisting businesses with a wide range of issues, including internal investigations, employment matters, real estate disputes and construction related claims. While she prides herself on finding ways to keep her clients out of the courtroom, when needed, she also offers her clients a sound strategy to prevail at trial. Her creative problem solving is also integral to her transactional practice, which includes experience ranging from negotiating terms and conditions and transportation contracts to reviewing employment manuals and contracts.

Lea is a summa cum laude graduate of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law and received her Bachelor of Arts in International Business from University of Georgia. A recipient of the Super Lawyers Rising Star award, Lea has also held several leadership positions within the Dallas Bar Association and Attorneys Serving the Community.

In her spare time, family and horses are Lea’s passion. She is a member of the Arabian Horse Association and the United States Equestrian Federation. Lea and her husband have two children.

Lea's Publications

“Top Five Tips for Using Forensics to Win the Case,” Daily Report, 2017

Lea's Posts

Have you Seen this Video?! Authentication of Deepfakes & Fake Profiles

In the ever-changing era of social media that we live in, a new trend has emerged among online scammers and cybercriminals. Now, instead of using a real person’s identity and information to create fake profiles, cybercriminals are simply fabricating profiles based on entirely made-up information, including digitally created images known...
Read More

Unlock the Business Benefits of Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Employees

In this Breakfast Briefing, our guest speakers share candid views and practical business tips based on decades of experience in the workplace, including insights on the business benefits of retaining top talent; tips to grow and maintain a healthy business; and how to identify diversity strategies that are right for...
Read More

Employers: Beware of Airport USB Charging Stations

According to a recent Forbes article, cyberhackers have developed techniques for modifying airport USB charging stations to download data from unsuspecting travelers’ devices. This means that while a travelling employee is trying to charge a company phone or laptop, a hacker could be clandestinely stealing sensitive confidential information and trade...
Read More

Who Pays When a BEC Scam Hits?

Your business contracts to sell custom manufactured equipment. The equipment is ready, and you email the Buyer to confirm, request wire transfer of payment, and arrange for pick-up. Buyer confirms receipt of your email and that it will send payment and a truck to pick up the equipment. The Buyer’s...
Read More

Defend your business from being a Business Email Compromise target

Are you familiar with a Business Email Compromise or “BEC?” Well, it’s likely that you’ve seen the news stories, received the email blasts, your IT director or vendor has mentioned it once or twice, but you have thought – why would a scammer target me?  My company doesn’t fit the...
Read More

Family Law & Forensics: Time for a Modern Day Tune Up?

Forensics play an important role in discovering the truth. Text messages, social media messages and meta data can be game changers in many type of cases. Understanding the basics of meta data and how to work with a forensic examiner can efficiently and effectively alter the parties respective bargaining power...
Read More

Don’t Become the Next Victim of Auto-Complete Errors

The news headlines over the last two weeks provide plenty of examples of email auto-complete gone wrong.  A lawyer sent a confidential and unflattering Senate Intelligence Committee letter to a Twitter prankster that had a fake email address that looked like his client’s, but was not.  The letter was immediately...
Read More

Electronic Evidence: Where to Find the Smoking Gun

The common lay person looks at a computer or smartphone and sees Microsoft Office files saved to a desktop. However, today’s modern computers and smartphones store a treasure trove of information just below the surface. This data could be helpful in your next trade secret dispute, collection case, or divorce...
Read More

Lea's Videos

Berman Fink Van Horn Virtual Roundtable

During this one hour webinar, BFV attorneys used the art of storytelling and conversation to share important lessons and address practical questions from employment, real estate, noncompete/unfair competition and mergers and acquisitions topics, including: What do I do when an employee is afraid to return to work due to COVID-19? (ADA/FMLA and other...
Read More

Unlock the Business Benefits of Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Employees

In this Breakfast Briefing, our guest speakers share candid views and practical business tips based on decades of experience in the workplace, including insights on the business benefits of retaining top talent; tips to grow and maintain a healthy business; and how to identify diversity strategies that are right for...
Read More

Who Pays When a BEC Scam Hits?

Your business contracts to sell custom manufactured equipment. The equipment is ready, and you email the Buyer to confirm, request wire transfer of payment, and arrange for pick-up. Buyer confirms receipt of your email and that it will send payment and a truck to pick up the equipment. The Buyer’s...
Read More

Defend your business from being a Business Email Compromise target

Are you familiar with a Business Email Compromise or “BEC?” Well, it’s likely that you’ve seen the news stories, received the email blasts, your IT director or vendor has mentioned it once or twice, but you have thought – why would a scammer target me?  My company doesn’t fit the...
Read More

Family Law & Forensics: Time for a Modern Day Tune Up?

Forensics play an important role in discovering the truth. Text messages, social media messages and meta data can be game changers in many type of cases. Understanding the basics of meta data and how to work with a forensic examiner can efficiently and effectively alter the parties respective bargaining power...
Read More

Electronic Evidence: Where to Find the Smoking Gun

The common lay person looks at a computer or smartphone and sees Microsoft Office files saved to a desktop. However, today’s modern computers and smartphones store a treasure trove of information just below the surface. This data could be helpful in your next trade secret dispute, collection case, or divorce...
Read More

Lea's Honors & Awards

Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2016 – present

Texas Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2013 – 2015

Lea's Success Stories

Lea's Community Involvement

Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (2017 – 2018)

Attorneys Serving the Community (2008-2014)
– Invitations Committee, Co-Chair
– VIP Silent Auction Committee, Past Co-Chair

Arabian Horse Association

United States Equestrian Federation

United States Eventing Association

Lea's Presentations

In December 2020, Lea moderated a BFV Virtual Roundtable to address employment, real estate, noncompete/unfair competition and mergers and acquisitions topics.

In September 2020, Lea participated in a panel, “Forensics and Artificial Intelligence in Trade Secret Protection and Litigation/Ethics in Trade Secret Investigations and Litigation” at the AIPLA 2020 Trade Secret Law Summit.

In August 2020, Lea participated on a SullivanStrickler webinar of forensic industry experts titled “Modern Complexities of Mobile Device Preservation.”

In February 2020, Lea moderated a BFV Breakfast Briefing, “Unlock the Business Benefits of Recruiting & Retaining Diverse Employees.”

In January 2020, Lea co-presented, “Forensic Analysis: I Suspect Theft of Proprietary Information, What Do I Do Now?” at the ICLE: State Bar of Georgia Series seminar “Restrictive Covenants and Trade Secrets in Georgia.”

In November 2019, Lea presented “How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted” at the National Business Institute seminar.

In August 2019, Lea presented “Handling Email, Social Media and other ESI” and “Ethical Considerations” at a National Business Institute continuing legal education seminar, “The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit.”

In July 2018, Lea presented “I Suspect Trade Secret Theft. What Do I Do Now?” to members of State Bar of Georgia.

In April 2018, Lea presented “Protecting your Business in the Wake of #MeToo” to HR Council members of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates.

In October 2017, Lea presented “Family Law & Forensics: Time for a Modern Day Tune Up?” to family law attorneys. Click here to see highlights. 

In April 2017, Lea participated in a National Business Institute (NBI) seminar, “The Rules of Evidence: A Practical Toolkit (A real-world application of evidence to courtroom events).” Lea addressed witness testimony and reports and how to handle email, social media and other ESI.

In June 2017, Lea presented “Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Hiring and Firing Employees” to business owners, operators and managers 

Lea's Representative Matters

Successfully developed and deployed effective strategies in litigation matters and internal investigations to deal with the increasing complexity and costs of preserving, collecting and producing electronic media. (2009 – current).

Obtained complete defense verdict for lumber company in employment discrimination lawsuit brought by employee who had been terminated (2014).

Successfully appealed erroneous verdict in constitutional takings claim, having all claims reinstated and the case remanded for new findings by the trial court (2013).

Obtained favorable arbitration verdict for medical provider on construction defect claims in the renovation of a medical facility (2012).

Successfully defended a cutting edge start-up in the healthcare sector from claims by major healthcare network that it hired a former employee in violation of a non-compete and trade secrets agreement (2011).

Obtained complete defense verdict in transportation lawsuit brought against a broker after shipper’s goods were stolen in transit. Affirmed on appeal (2010).

Successfully resolved mass action brought by trade school’s former students based on false advertising allegations (2009).

Successfully appealed trial court’s denial of a contractor’s Motion to Compel Arbitration of extra-contractual claims in a construction dispute (2009).

Successfully appealed trial court’s denial of a developer’s Motion to Compel Arbitration in a construction dispute (2009).

Successfully sought mandamus relief from Court of Appeals and protected corpus of spendthrift trust from invasion to pay attorneys fees in a divorce proceeding (2008).

Resolved multiple payment, construction and employment related disputes across the pharmaceutical, hospitality, construction, transportation, telecommunication, manufacturing, wholesale, health care, education, energy and banking industries.

Bar Admissions

Georgia, 2014

Texas, 2006

Federal
– United States District Court, Eastern, Southern and Northern Districts of Texas

Education

B.A., University of Georgia, 2003

J.D., Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, summa cum laude, 2006

Professional Memberships

Georgia Manufacturing Alliance (2017 – present)

Industrial Leadership Council (2019 – present)

State Bar of Texas (2006 -2014)
– Litigation Section

Dallas Bar Association (2006-2014)
– Business Litigation Section
– Headnotes Publication, Co-Chair
– Summer Law Intern Program, Co-Chair

Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (2006-2014)

William “Mac” Taylor American Inn of Court (2010-2014)

Higginbotham American Inn of Court (2007-2008)

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Atlanta, GA 30305

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404-261-7711

Attorneys

  • Diana S. Barber
  • Jeffrey N. Berman
  • Ashley M. Bowcott
  • Lea C. Dearing
  • Henry M. Feinstein
  • Benjamin I. Fink
  • Lauren S. Frisch
  • Lydia M. Hilton
  • Lawrence C. Kasmen
  • Alan E. Lubel
  • Lisa S. Morchower
  • Ruari J. O’Sullivan
  • Daniel H. Park
  • Benjamin D. Perkins
  • William J. Piercy
  • Katherine M. Silverman
  • Thomas E. Sowers
  • Charles H. Van Horn
  • Neal F. Weinrich
  • Kenneth N. Winkler

Practice Areas

  • Business Litigation
  • Non-Compete/Trade Secrets
  • Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Finance
  • Labor and Employment
  • Real Estate Litigation
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