A new chapter begins: Women leaders take the helm at Krevolin & Horst, LLC
By Jo Mathis
In a significant shift that signals the evolving landscape of Atlanta's legal community, acclaimed litigator Allegra Lawrence-Hardy has joined Krevolin & Horst, LLC, forming a groundbreaking partnership with Joyce Gist Lewis and Cristiane "Crissy" Wolfe. The three will serve as co-managing partners, creating one of Atlanta's most prominent women-owned law firms.
Founding Partners Douglas Krevolin and Jeffrey Horst will remain actively engaged, leading their thriving transactional and litigation practices.
Lawrence-Hardy brings a formidable reputation to the partnership. Known for her work in complex litigation and crisis management, she has authored numerous legal publications and is recognized as a thought leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) defense. Her entire team from her previous firm, including partners Lisa Haldar and Lovita Tandy, has joined Krevolin & Horst, LLC, bringing additional depth to the firm's expertise.
Joyce Gist Lewis, a veteran of high-stakes litigation, has built her career navigating complex negotiations and regulatory challenges. Her approach combines strategic thinking with practical solutions, earning her a reputation for delivering results in demanding situations.
"Sharing Krevolin & Horst's leadership responsibility among three co-managers allows each of us to serve our own clients while working together as a team to follow through on the firm's vision and values," Lewis explains. "Our clients have told us that they appreciate the responsive, high-quality representation we provide at Krevolin & Horst, as well as the deep and wide range of litigation and transactional expertise we offer. With our new team members and leaders, we're poised to continue delivering the attention and results our clients deserve while ensuring that Krevolin & Horst remains the best place in Atlanta to practice law."
Wolfe, known for fostering strong client relationships, emphasizes the firm's commitment to maintaining personal connections even as it grows.
"We are very excited about this development," says Wolfe. "Our growth model is intentional – we're scaling our capabilities and resources while keeping the personal connection with clients that's always been central to who we are. In fact, without our clients' support, we wouldn't be able to execute on our vision."
Excellent legal work requires both technical expertise and genuine client relationships, she says. “The foundation of our firm has always been trust, integrity, and honest communication,” says Wolfe. “Those values drive both our internal team dynamics and our client relationships. That won't change as we grow. In fact, it's what makes our growth possible. The alignment of our values – especially our client service values – with those of Allegra and her team is what made this addition so attractive."
The transition marks a carefully planned evolution for Krevolin & Horst, LLC. Founding partners Douglas P. Krevolin and Jeffrey D. Horst, who will remain active in their respective transactional and litigation practices, see this leadership change as the culmination of years of strategic planning.
Krevolin says the transition has been seamless.
"Crissy and Joyce have been our partners for a number of years and have been taking on leadership roles in the firm for some time," he says. "We have known and worked with Allegra for years. When she mentioned that she was going to leave her prior firm, it was an easy decision to bring her and her team on board."
"We began a strategic/succession planning process several years ago," Horst explains. "This is the culmination of that process. These women are superstars, and Krevolin & Horst is positioned to be an even more significant player in the market. Krevolin & Horst is in very capable hands, and we are excited to see what the future brings."
The firm is also welcoming Rod Ganske, Leslie Bryan, Katie Kendricks, Scott Mario, Michelle L. McClafferty, Monica Owens, Lori Thomas, Suzanne Williams, and others to the team.
The restructured firm will focus on expanding three key practice areas: Crisis Management and Internal Investigations, DEI Defense, and Complex Litigation. This strategic growth builds on the firm's existing strengths while responding to evolving client needs. The client base remains diverse, spanning Fortune 100 companies, local governments, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit entities.
Lawrence-Hardy sees the partnership as an opportunity to pioneer a different approach to legal services.
"We believe that the highest quality work requires us as a team to bring our whole selves, our different lived experiences and to engage in the kind of authentic collaboration that leads to effective, innovative problem solving," she says.
More than just a change in leadership, this transition is a statement about the future of legal practice. By placing three accomplished women attorneys at the helm, Krevolin & Horst, LLC is positioning itself as a forward-thinking firm ready to meet the complex challenges of modern legal practice while maintaining the personal touch that has been key to its success.
