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June 29, 2026
2 minute read
Michael Best is pleased to announce the addition of three associate attorneys in the second quarter of 2026, further strengthening the firm’s capabilities across the Litigation and Real Estate practice areas.
Crystal Abbey has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation practice group and is located in the Green Bay office. She focuses on complex commercial litigation, representing clients across industries in high-stakes disputes and runs cases end-to-end from discovery and motion practice through depositions and resolution. Abbey also handles construction-related disputes, where she represents owners, developers, lenders, and contractors in contract disputes, payment and lien issues, and project-related claims. Prior to joining Michael Best, she clerked for the Honorable Michael E. Keasler on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. She earned her J.D., cum laude, from Vermont Law School and her M.A. in Early Modern & Modern European History from Eastern Illinois University.
Graham Gerhart has joined the firm as an Associate in the Litigation practice group and is located in the Denver office. He advises clients in complex civil and criminal matters where he works on high-stakes disputes, including securities litigation, regulatory enforcement, and appeals and supports cases through motion practice, discovery strategy, and courtroom advocacy. Prior to joining Michael Best, Gerhart was an assistant Attorney General with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office representing the Division of Securities and other regulatory agencies. He also served as deputy district attorney in Denver, where he managed a high-volume caseload and led multiple jury trials. He earned his J.D. from University of Wisconsin Law School and his B.B.A in Supply Chain from the University of Cincinnati.
Amanda Saykes has joined the firm as an Associate in the Real Estate practice group and is located in the Denver office. Her practice focuses on commercial real estate and corporate transactions where she works with clients ranging from entrepreneurs and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies on a full range of matters. Prior to joining Michael Best, Saykes practiced at a national law firm and previously served as Corporate Counsel for a national broker-dealer and registered investment advisor where she advised on matters and assisted with FINRA arbitrations, worked alongside litigation counsel, and supported compliance efforts related to court orders and garnishments. She earned her J.D. from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and her B.S., cum laude, in Economics from Purdue University.
