A prominent Atlanta litigator has returned to national law firm Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani with a fresh perspective from the gig economy. Kimberly Sheridan, 45, officially rejoined the firm this week after serving three years as in-house counsel for food delivery giant DoorDash. Her move marks a significant win for the firm as she brings a rare mix of courtroom grit and corporate strategy to their commercial litigation team.
Sheridan spent the last three years managing insurance cases at DoorDash. She says this experience completely changed how she views legal battles. Now back at Gordon Rees, she plans to use this insider knowledge to help companies solve problems before they spiral out of control.
From Tech Speed to Courtroom Strategy
The transition from a fast-paced tech company back to a traditional law firm has highlighted a major contrast for Sheridan. She noted that businesses operate with extreme speed to keep operations running smoothly. In contrast, the court system often moves much slower due to procedural rules and deadlines.
Sheridan explained that corporate legal teams care less about daily court filings and more about fixing the root problem. “Internally, and from a client perspective, they’re much less concerned with the day-to-day deadlines than they are with trying to address the problem as a whole,” she said.
This insight allows her to bridge the gap between business needs and legal realities. She understands that clients want quick, creative solutions rather than long, drawn-out battles. Her time at DoorDash taught her to move “with all haste” to resolve issues, a mindset she is now applying to her private practice cases in Atlanta.
Moving Beyond the Ambulance Analogy
One of the biggest takeaways from her time in-house is the shift from reactive to proactive legal work. Sheridan used a powerful analogy to describe the difference between outside counsel and in-house teams.
- Old Perspective: As an outside lawyer, she often felt like “the proverbial ambulance at the bottom of the cliff,” arriving only after the damage was done to clean up the mess.
- New Perspective: Now, she aims to build guardrails at the top of the cliff. She wants to help clients identify risks early and prevent lawsuits from happening in the first place.
“Now, I have an intimate understanding of a company’s needs and how they can be more proactively addressed,” Sheridan stated.1
Gordon Rees Welcomes Back Top Talent
The leadership at Gordon Rees is thrilled to have Sheridan back on the team. Dion Cominos, the managing partner and chairman of the firm, praised her track record and the unique skills she gained while away.
“Kim was an outstanding attorney even before she left us. I think her skill set was enhanced even further by being on the other side in terms of understanding, probably more directly, how an outside firm can be of value to in-house counsel.”
Her return strengthens the firm’s Atlanta office, which handles complex business disputes for regional and national companies. With 20 years of experience under her belt, Sheridan is well-equipped to handle high-stakes cases. Her background includes:
- Commercial Litigation: Handling business disputes and contract issues.
- Employment Law: Navigating complex labor and workplace matters.
- Insurance Defense: Managing liability cases, a skill sharpened during her time at DoorDash.
A New Era for Client Service
Sheridan’s return signals a broader trend where law firms value attorneys with real-world business experience. Clients today demand more than just legal advice. They want partners who understand their bottom line and operational challenges.
Sheridan says she is now more focused on thinking creatively. She wants to find resolutions that serve the best interest of the client “early and often.” This approach saves money and protects the reputation of the businesses she defends.
Her ability to speak the language of business executives gives her an edge. She knows exactly what in-house general counsels are looking for because she was one. This empathy allows her to cut through legal jargon and deliver practical, actionable advice that executives can use immediately.
Kimberly Sheridan’s journey from Gordon Rees to DoorDash and back again is a testament to the value of diverse experiences. She returns not just as a litigator, but as a strategic business partner ready to guide Atlanta companies through their toughest legal challenges. Her proactive “top of the cliff” approach may very well set a new standard for how commercial defense is practiced in the region.
What do you think about the value of in-house experience for private lawyers? Does it make a difference in how they handle cases? Share your thoughts in the comments below! If you are following legal trends in Atlanta, use #AtlantaLaw and share this story.
