Christina M. "Chris" Markus

Mr. Atkins is the leader of Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property Litigation team. He is a trial and appellate lawyer with 20 years of experience. He is a registered patent attorney who personally handles all of his cases and has won jury verdicts on both sides of the courtroom. Recent victories include (1) getting two university co-inventors added onto two NIH cancer drug patents with annual sales of approximately $2B, (2) an infringement jury verdict for a consumer product against a major...

Michael J. Rustum is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Law. Michael J. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Rustum since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Michael J. Rustum is held by other lawyers.

Frederick (Rick) Stearns provides his clients with experience on a wide range of issues affecting makers of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medical devices, dietary supplements, cosmetics, food, and food ingredients. He is also deeply involved with the regulatory issues surrounding cannabis and hemp-based products, including cannabidiol (CBD) and related cannabinoids. Rick helps manufacturers evaluate the need for marketing approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (F...

My interest in a legal career began with my internship with Cooper Ginsberg Gray when I was home from James Madison University for summer and winter breaks. After college, I enrolled in law school at Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law where I had a focus in criminal law and enjoyed participating in moot court competitions. My internship with a Georgia county District Attorney’s office gave me the opportunity to be in court often and litigate my first jury trial. My profess...

Catherine F. Schott Murray is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Catherine F. practices law in Reston, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Catherine F. Schott Murray since 2022. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Catherine F. Schott Murray is held by other lawyers.

Anessa Abrams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Anessa practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Anessa Abrams since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Anessa Abrams is held by other lawyers.

Paula Calimafde chairs the firm’s Retirement Plans , Employee Benefits and Government Relations practice groups and is also a senior member of the Estate Planning , Tax and Nonprofit groups. She has more than 35 years of experience advising companies and tax-exempt organizations on qualified and non-qualified retirement plans and employee benefits, including non-qualified deferred compensation, welfare benefit and cafeteria plans. She is a nationally recognized leader in the field of cr...

Jonathan C. Drimmer is a partner in the firm's Washington, D.C., office, where he resolves anti-corruption, business and human rights and other complex cross-border challenges with the benefit of having sat in every chair at the table: senior legal officer for a global 500 company, federal prosecutor, and seasoned advocate. He is a frequent speaker, author, and commentator on issues related to anti-corruption and business and human rights, and represents and advises companies, individuals, mu...

Joel R. Nied is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships). Joel R. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Joel R. Nied since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joel R. Nied is held by other lawyers.

Laura Handman is the co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice and divides her time between the New York and D.C. offices. For thirty years, Laura has been providing pre-publication counseling and litigation services from complaint through trial and appeal to U.S. and foreign broadcasters, film studios, and book, magazine, newspaper and Internet publishers and non-profits. Laura has extensive experience in libel, newsgathering, privacy, right of publicity, reporter’s privilege and...