Bass, Berry & Sims attorneys Allison Wiseman Acker, Hannah Choate, Margaret Dodson and Brian Irving were recognized by Benchmark Litigation in its 2026 40 & Under list. This annual list identifies the best and brightest litigators across the United States. The list is broken down by geographical region and features a total of 615 litigation attorneys in the country. The announcement and list of winners can be found on the Benchmark Litigation website.
Allison Wiseman Acker
Allison represents clients in complex business litigation, including securities class actions, derivative suits, and litigation related to mergers and acquisitions and breach of fiduciary duty. She has successfully litigated and resolved matters in a variety of industries including healthcare, financial services, construction, education, hospitality, life sciences, and manufacturing. Allison also is actively involved in the firm’s pro bono program with a focus on championing efforts to provide students with equitable access to resources and opportunities. Read more about Allison’s practice here.
Hannah Choate
Hannah advises clients related to government and internal investigations, with a particular focus on fraud and abuse matters in the healthcare industry. Hannah works with clients to respond to allegations of healthcare fraud and abuse from various regulators. She previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, where she focused on Affirmative Civil Enforcement matters. Learn more about Hannah’s practice here.
Margaret Dodson
Margaret represents clients in complex business disputes, with a focus on securities and stockholder litigation matters. Margaret’s practice involves representing clients in securities class actions, derivative suits, inspection demands and litigation related to mergers and acquisitions and breach of fiduciary duty. Before practicing law, Margaret worked in public and legislative affairs for a telecommunications company in Washington, D.C. Learn more about Margaret’s practice here.
Brian Irving
Brian represents businesses and individuals in complex litigation and government enforcement matters, focusing on healthcare fraud, controlled substances enforcement and diversion, and business disputes. He has successfully represented clients in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels, and in arbitrations and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. Brian serves as co-chair of the firm’s Controlled Substances Enforcement & Diversion Practice and as editor of the firm’s Inside the False Claims Act blog. To read more about Brian’s practice, click here.