Defending lawsuits filed by one of the most outspoken 2016 presidential candidates against a pair of celebrity chefs, Washington lawyers Paul Kiernan and Deborah Baum look like they can take the heat.

Kiernan and Baum represent restaurateurs José Andrés and Geoffrey Zakarian, respectively, in breach-of-contract lawsuits filed in recent weeks by Donald Trump. The chefs drew Trump's ire for backing out of plans to open restaurants in his new hotel project in downtown Washington in opposition to Trump's controversial immigration remarks. Their lawyers bring considerable real estate litigation experience to the table.

Kiernan (left) is the executive partner for Holland & Knight's Washington office. His practice focuses on real estate disputes, administrative agency and corporate governance litigation. He said that Holland & Knight does not have a long-standing relationship with Andrés' ThinkFoodGroup. But he does enjoy dining at several of Andrés' restaurants. One of his favorites, he said, is Jaleo.