This is the fourth year that we’ve recognized attorneys for work that has helped advance the practice of law in Washington. And as with our past efforts, the attorneys profiled here are heavy hitters whose influence often extends far beyond the Beltway.

Selections are made by the editors of The National Law Journal, based upon nominations from the legal community and our reporting and research. We divide our selections into two categories: Champions, those who have upheld the profession’s core values through public service, pro bono efforts and advocacy for civil liberties, and Visionaries, attorneys whose business or legal acumen has expanded their firms, improved government or advanced the law. — David L. Brown, editor in chief

CHAMPIONS
These lawyers upheld the legal industry’s professional mission of public duty. They took on community causes, fought to protect civil liberties and worked for ethics in government.		 VISIONARIES
These attorneys saw farther ahead. They navigated firms through a stagnant economy, argued for revised criminal justice policies and guided agencies through legal thickets.
CAROL ELDER BRUCE
K&L Gates, and former Senate committee special counsel		 LISA BLATT
Arnold & Porter
MICHAEL D. JONES
Kirkland & Ellis		 JAY EPSTIEN
DLA Piper
SHELDON KRANTZ
DLA Piper		 DOUG KENDALL
Constitutional Accountability Center
BILL LIVINGSTON
Covington & Burling		 THOMAS MILCH
Arnold & Porter
BRUCE MANHEIM
Ropes & Gray		 NORMAN OBLON
Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt
DEE MARTIN
Bracewell & Giuliani		 THOMAS PERRELLI
Justice Department
associate attorney general
LORELIE MASTERS
Jenner & Block		 J. THOMAS ROSCH
Federal Trade Commission
CARMEN McLEAN
Jones Day		 JOSEPH SELLERS
Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll
JIM ROCAP
Steptoe & Johnson LLP		 REGGIE WALTON
U.S. district judge
GEORGE RUTTINGER
Crowell & Moring
 EDWARD WHELAN III
President of the Ethics and Public Policy Center