The 2020 D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year
Our special report recognizes top litigation practices at leading firms in our nation's capital.
May 26, 2020 at 08:10 PM
4 minute read
In our 2020 D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year, we honor 13 leading law firms for excellence in six categories: general litigation, labor and employment, insurance, intellectual property, products liability/mass torts and white collar defense. Three firms share top honors, securing acquittals for former White House counsel Gregory Craig and Bijan Rafiekian, an ex-business partner of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn; and winning more than $256 million for BNSF Railway. For more on the honorees, check out our special report below. —Lisa Helem, Editor-in-Chief
GENERAL LITIGATION WINNER
"The intense, shared experience of litigation inevitably creates strong bonds and great loyalty within our relatively small office setting. Being part of this culture is tremendously gratifying," Dwight Bostwick said.
GENERAL LITIGATION WINNER
"There is nothing more satisfying than being presented with a Gordian knot and developing a strategy to unwind it in the face of legal, factual or procedural challenges," Dan Donovan, Ragan Naresh and Kate Katz said.
GENERAL LITIGATION WINNER
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD
"We sit at the intersection of law, commerce and government. So, while we have a broad litigation practice with highly accomplished trial lawyers, the breadth of our D.C. litigation practice gives us an advantage," Charles Connolly and Tony Pierce said.
GENERAL LITIGATION FINALIST
"Serving our clients and the community at the highest level while giving meaningful opportunities to junior lawyers can present challenges, but we always find the right balance with our amazing junior lawyers," Jonathan Hacker and Katrina Robson said.
GENERAL LITIGATION FINALIST
"To work with our clients on their most difficult, sophisticated, bet-the-company litigation matters is both the most challenging and the most rewarding part of our work," Mark Hopson and Kristin Graham Koehler said.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WINNER
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER
"Never underestimate your potential to contribute to a case. Young lawyers should dig into every case to get a complete understanding of the legal and factual issues facing the client," Frank DeCosta said.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WINNER
"We start with the end in mind, to optimize the opportunity to "win" short of trial—to achieve our client's commercial objective—by preparing for trial," Michael Morin, Tara Elliott and Max Grant said.
INSURANCE WINNER
"We strive to provide young lawyers with the opportunity to take on meaningful roles early in our insurance cases," Jim Murray said.
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT WINNER
"Helping our clients navigate this in a practical, common-sense way and working to shape the law on cutting edge issues are the most challenging and satisfying parts of what we do," Jason Schwartz and Greta Williams said.
PRODUCT LIABILITY/MASS TORTS WINNER
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM
"Invest the time to become the authority in it, and don't be afraid to speak up," John Beisner, Jessica Miller and Geoffrey Wyatt said.
PRODUCT LIABILITY/MASS TORTS WINNER
"Ultimately, our goal is to make things simple but not simplistic, as we have tremendous confidence in juries' abilities," Beth Wilkinson, Alexandra Walsh and Brian Stekloff said.
WHITE COLLAR WINNER
"The most satisfying matters are those in which we formulate an effective global strategy that yields optimum results," Kwame Manley and Robert Luskin said.
WHITE COLLAR WINNER
"Take more risks, both in your work and in your career choices. The road less traveled may have more potholes and scary turns but often leads to a more scenic destination and a more interesting trip along the way," Abbe Lowell said.
The National Law Journal will host its annual legal awards honoring our 2020 D.C. Litigation Departments of the Year and other honorees on Nov. 5 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit this site.
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