News | Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown

Brian Sutherland Discusses Community Impact of Atlanta’s October Pride Festival

Attorney Brian Sutherland of Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown provides insight into Atlanta’s October Pride festivities as the city prepares for what organizers call the largest free Pride festival in the country. With massive crowds expected, Sutherland highlights the community impact and legal considerations surrounding large-scale public events.

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Nov 26 2025

Brian Sutherland Explains Free Speech Limits After Charlie Kirk Controversy

Attorney Brian Sutherland of Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown breaks down the limits of First Amendment protections as public debate grows following controversial reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Sutherland explains what types of speech are legally protected—and why employers can still terminate workers over political or inflammatory posts.

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Nov 26 2025

Andrew Beal on Expanding First Liberty Ponzi Scheme Investigation

Andrew Beal of Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown continues to monitor and analyze the expanding investigation into First Liberty Building and Loan, which federal authorities describe as a $140 million Ponzi scheme. His firm remains committed to helping affected investors understand developments as state officials issue additional subpoenas and work to recover lost funds.

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Nov 25 2025

Tucker salon owner accused of sexual battery, harassment

The lawsuit, which was filed in DeKalb Superior Court in August and subsequently moved to federal court, accuses Siggers Hairdressers co-owner John Siggers of touching women in their private areas while offering them money. His wife and business partner, Carol, is accused of knowing about the behavior and failing to take corrective action.

Siggers and his wife denied all allegations in their official responses to the lawsuit. Siggers’ attorneys asserted he is 87 and has dementia.

Oct 23 2025

Decaturish

Brian Sutherland Discusses First Amendment with WSB-TV Atlanta 2

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Recent firings and suspensions tied to politically charged online posts are sparking questions about what’s protected under the First Amendment.

Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln spoke with attorney Brian Sutherland, who specializes in employment and discrimination law.

He says we all have the right to the freedom of speech, but there could be consequences when it comes to who employs you.

Sep 22 2025

WSB-TV Atlanta 2

Logistics Cos. Can't Escape Worker Visa Misuse Class Action

Law360 (August 29, 2025, 10:12 PM EDT) -- Two logistics companies have failed to escape a proposed class action accusing them of misusing a professional worker visa program to lure workers from Mexico, with a Georgia federal judge trimming out some discrimination and fair labor claims, but allowing several others to proceed.

U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee on Thursday denied in part and granted in part motions that Glovis Georgia LLC and GFA Alabama Inc. had filed seeking to toss two Mexican residents' lawsuit accusing the companies of luring skilled workers from Mexico to the U.S. with empty promises of well-paying technical jobs under the TN nonimmigrant visa program.

Sep 02 2025

Law 360

Rachel Berlin Benjamin Represents Former Hairdresser Employee in Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

A former employee at Tucker-based Siggers Hairdressers, represented by partner Rachel Berlin Benjamin, has sued the owners for sexual harassment, sexual assault and battery for incidents that occurred over the span of two years. The civil lawsuit, filed in Dekalb County, accuses co-owner John Siggers of repeated sexual harassment and assault and alleges that co-owner Carol Siggers failed to act despite knowledge of the abuse. “[She] reached her breaking point,” Benjamin said.

After efforts to involve law enforcement proved unsuccessful, her client chose to pursue accountability through the civil courts.

Aug 25 2025

Rough Draft Atlanta

Ga. Salon's Ex-Worker Sues Over 'Egregious' Sexual Abuse

Law360 (August 19, 2025, 9:44 PM EDT) -- An Atlanta hair salon has been hit with a lawsuit from a former employee alleging that she was "systematically preyed upon and sexually assaulted" by its owner, who she says pressured her into performing sexual favors and retaliated against other workers who tried to intervene. In a complaint filed in DeKalb County court last week, ex-cosmetologist Stephanie Dhondt said that hairdresser John Siggers exploited her financial precarity to solicit sex from her while his wife and coowner of his salon, Carol Siggers, looked the other way.

Aug 18 2025

Law 360

Noem Hit With Religious Discrimination Suit Over Ayahuasca

Brian J. Sutherland, an attorney representing Reis, told Law360 in an email, "The right to practice one's religion is not guaranteed only to those who adhere to common religions, but to all. Even so, the U.S. Supreme Court has already recognized and protected Ms. Reis's religious beliefs, and we look forward to vindicating her rights in court."

Through her counsel, Reis said, "I want to ensure that no one is forced to choose between practicing their religion and serving their country."

The CBP and DHS did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Reis is represented by Gary Gilbert and Kevin L. Owen of Gilbert Employment Law PC and Brian J. Sutherland of Beal Sutherland Berlin & Brown LLC. Counsel information for Noem was not immediately available Wednesday.

The case is Reis v. Noem, case number 9:25-cv-80943, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division.

Jul 30 2025

Law 360

BSBB Partner Drew Beal, a veteran business attorney, was recently featured on WSB-TV

BSBB Partner Drew Beal, a veteran business attorney, was recently featured on WSB-TV, providing legal insight into the abrupt closure of First Liberty, a company now under investigation after investors were left in the dark about their money.

As a subject matter expert, Drew weighed in on the legal complexities surrounding investor recourse and what may come next as authorities look into the company’s finances.

Watch the full segment here:

Jul 14 2025

Jury in Fulton County, Georgia, Has Awarded More Than $11.4 Million to Former Law Partners Of Attorney L. Lin Wood

A jury in Fulton County, Georgia, has awarded more than $11.4 million to former law partners of attorney L. Lin Wood, a retired Georgia lawyer who prominently challenged Democrat Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

Jun 03 2025

Reuters

Fulton Jury Returns $11.4M Verdict Against Lawyer Lin Wood

Litigators with Beal, Sutherland, Berlin & Brown detail the steps they took to obtain an $11.4 million verdict against former attorney Lin Wood following the passage of Georgia's new tort reform law.

Jun 03 2025

Daily Report