Michael Best Welcomes Four Associate Attorneys in Q1 2026 

Michael Best is pleased to announce the addition of four associate attorneys in the first quarter of 2026, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities across the litigation and regulatory & compliance practice areas.  

Leakhena Au has joined the firm as an Associate in the Regulatory & Compliance practice group and is located in the Madison office. Au focuses on environmental and energy regulatory matters, where she advises clients on compliance, permitting, and environmental review under state and federal law. She brings experience in civil litigation, judicial service, and government administration to help clients navigate complex regulatory frameworks. Prior to joining Michael Best, Au was a senior associate in the Energy & Natural Resources, Energy Regulation & Permitting, and Environmental Law groups at a national law firm where she counseled clients on permitting and compliance matters involving NEPA, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act. She earned her J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School, an M.S. degree from University of Minnesota, and a B.S. degree from University of California-Berkeley. 

Peter Clements has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation practice and is located in the Charlotte office. As an experienced litigation attorney, he focuses on complex civil disputes across state and federal courts where he has represented businesses, municipalities, and individual clients in construction, product liability, aviation, and other defense matters. Prior to joining Michael Best, Clements interned with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and the Scotland County Capital Defender’s Office, where he researched complex legal issues, drafted judicial orders and motions, and assisted in defending indigent clients in serious criminal matters. He has also served in the United States Marine Corps as an infantryman with the 2^nd Division, 3^rd Battalion, and 8^th Marine Regiment. He earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law and his B.A. in Political Science from Clemson University. 

Courtney Saunders has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation practice and is located in the Charlotte office. Her practice centers on high-stakes matters involving contract disputes, shareholder and partnership conflicts, antitrust claims, unfair and deceptive trade practices, intellectual property, and employment issues where she brings a hands-on approach to every stage of litigation. Prior to joining Michael Best, Saunders served as a student practitioner in the UNC School of Law Military and Veterans Clinic, where she supported veterans pursuing VA benefits appeals. She also interned with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. She earned her J.D. from University of North Carolina School of Law and her B.S., summa cum laude, in Political Science and International Affairs from Florida State University.  

Nicole Thacker has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation practice and is located in the Austin office. She represents corporate and individual clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters, including construction, product liability, personal injury, and commercial disputes, guiding cases from start to finish. Prior to joining Michael Best, Nicole worked as a judicial law clerk for Judge Juan Alanis in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas where she researched complex legal issues using major research platforms, drafted judicial opinions and bench memoranda, and closely monitored federal court proceedings to support the judge’s decision making. Thacker earned her J.D., cum laude, from St. Mary’s University School of Law and her M.A. and B.A. in English from Hunan Normal University.