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The 2021 Best Lawyers in Washington, D.C.

Top legal professionals recognized in the 2021 Best Lawyers Washington, D.C. edition, featuring notable cases and emerging talent.

2021 Best Lawyers in Washington D.C.
Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers

September 17, 2020 08:00 AM

The 2021 Washington, D.C.'s Best Lawyers publication includes more than 3,000 of the region's top-ranked legal talent as well as the first-ever appearance of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in print.


In our cover story, Patrick Regan of Regan Zambri Long describes how the recent resolution of a corporate negligence case brought closure to the survivors of a fatal 2016 apartment building explosion.

Plus, we spoke with three attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers for their work in civil rights law and first amendment litigation to discuss the latest on voting rights amid the 2020 election cycle.

Read the full issue:

Are you looking for a lawyer in Washington, D.C.? Access our online database to find a lawyer in your area.

Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio

James J. Chester
James J. Chester
Taft
Recognized since 2008
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Corporate Law
Real Estate Law
Specific Focus
Automobile Dealerships
James J. Chester
James J. Chester

James J. Chester is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. James J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James J. Chester
James J. Chester
Philip R. Westerman
Philip R. Westerman
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Recognized since 2025
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Real Estate Law
Philip R. Westerman
Philip R. Westerman

Philip R. Westerman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Philip R., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Philip R. Westerman
Philip R. Westerman
Brian P. Barger
Brian P. Barger
Eastman & Smith LTD
Recognized since 2024
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Natural Resources Law
Brian P. Barger
Brian P. Barger

“The object is not for me to win your case in court; the object is for us to win in such a way that we do not need to go to court.” The name Brian P. Barger is well known in the surface mining industry for his decades of work on its behalf which includes: twenty-five years as legal counsel to the Ohio Aggregates & Industrial Minerals Association. former executive with one of the state’s largest aggregates and industrial minerals producers where he was involved with all f...

Brian P. Barger
Brian P. Barger
Gregory J. Dunn
Gregory J. Dunn
Taft
Recognized since 2007
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Municipal Law
Specific Focus
Common Carrier
Gregory J. Dunn
Gregory J. Dunn

Gregory J. Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Gregory J., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gregory J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gregory J. Dunn
Gregory J. Dunn
Gerald J. Todaro
Gerald J. Todaro
Arnold Todaro Welch & Foliano
Recognized since 1993
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Specific Focus
Professional Malpractice
Gerald J. Todaro
Gerald J. Todaro

Jerry has been successfully trying cases since he received his law licence. His career with the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office in 1974 as an Assistant Prosecutor, where he tried over 75 cases in a three-year period. In less than two years, he was lead counsel in a death penalty case and obtained a conviction under Ohio's new death penalty statute. He entered private practice in 1977 after taking courses in gross anatomy and clinical pathology at The Ohio State University School of ...

Gerald J. Todaro
Gerald J. Todaro
Carrie Dyer
Carrie Dyer
Mansell Law LLC
Recognized since 2022
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Employment Law - Individuals
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Carrie Dyer
Carrie Dyer

Carrie Dyer is Partner at Mansell Law, an employment law firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Mansell Law provides employment law services to individuals throughout the State of Ohio. Mansell Law also has an office in New York City . Mansell Law's NYC employment attorneys represent New York clients in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, The Bronx and Long Island. Carrie's practice involves assisting individuals with all types of employment-related matters , including sexual harassment , ra...

Carrie Dyer
Carrie Dyer
Paul-Michael La Fayette
Paul-Michael La Fayette
Freeman Mathis & Gary, LLP
Recognized since 2021
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Municipal Law
Paul-Michael La Fayette
Paul-Michael La Fayette

Paul-Michael La Fayette is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Paul-Michael, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul-Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul-Michael La Fayette
Paul-Michael La Fayette
CT
Christopher Trolinger
Trolinger Law Offices LLC
Recognized since 2025
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Family Law
CT
Christopher Trolinger

Christopher Trolinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Christopher, who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

CT
Christopher Trolinger
Scot C. Crow
Scot C. Crow
Dickinson Wright PLLC
Recognized since 2013
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Cannabis Law
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tax Law
Scot C. Crow
Scot C. Crow

Scot Crow has extensive experience in corporate, mergers and acquisitions, private equity and tax law. His clients rely on him to advise them with respect to their complex financial transactions as well as serving as their outside general counsel. Scot provides proactive advice with respect to sensitive management matters, litigation management, day to day transactional needs and objective assessments for the development of successful business strategies. Scot has served as lead counsel to ma...

Scot C. Crow
Scot C. Crow
Justin D. Cook
Justin D. Cook
Taft
Recognized since 2021
Columbus, OH
Practice Areas
Tax Law
Justin D. Cook
Justin D. Cook

Justin D. Cook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Justin D., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Justin D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Justin D. Cook
Justin D. Cook

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