Christopher A. Jones

Melissa C. Lesmes is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction. Melissa C., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Simmer founded the Simmer Law Group in Washington D.C., in 2014, but he’s been practicing law for decades and is a seasoned expert at rooting out deceit and fraud in hidden corners of government programs, education, and healthcare industries. Joining with Baron & Budd in 2018 to form our Washington D.C. office, Mr. Simmer continues to represent whistleblowers bringing qui tam cases of fraud under federal and state False Claims Acts as well as IRS, Securities and Exchange Commi...

Bob Wellen, a partner of the firm, has practiced tax law for nearly 35 years. His practice involves planning, structuring and negotiating business transactions and representing taxpayers seeking private letter rulings from IRS and tax policy determinations from IRS and the Treasury Department and in controversies with IRS. He also serves as an arbitrator and as an expert witness in commercial disputes involving tax issues. Bob grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Yale College...

Jonathan J. Straw is an attorney with Kraftson Caudle in McLean, Virginia, where he focuses his practice on construction law and government contracts. His work involves claims, litigation, arbitration, mediation, and negotiation arising from change orders, schedule delays, and payment disputes. Jon represents prime contractors, subcontractors, and project owners on public and private construction projects in state and federal forums across the United States. His construction law experience in...

Adam M. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Trade and Finance Law. Adam M., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Adam M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeff Witt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Jeff, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeff is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Patricia Harris is a land use attorney at Lerch, Early & Brewer in Bethesda, Maryland. She assists developers and property owners with securing approvals needed to develop their properties, including site plans, special exceptions, subdivision approvals, historic preservation, local map amendments, zoning text amendments, master plan recommendations and building permits in Montgomery County, Maryland. Pat is knowledgeable about transit-oriented, mixed-use development and other issues rela...

Michael J. Goldman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Michael J., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A former chief of staff at the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, Kathleen Benway helps clients develop practical strategies for compliance with applicable state, federal, and global consumer protection and privacy laws. Kathleen’s experience makes her uniquely positioned to represent clients before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other government agencies. She has over 12 years of senior-level experience with the FTC, including chief of staff to three directors of the Bu...

Brian has been an energy regulatory practitioner for more than two decades, with a focus on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulation under Part II of the Federal Power Act (FPA), the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, and the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005. Brian’s legal experience extends to almost all aspects of federal regulation of the electric industry, including cost-of-service and market-based rates, open access transmission rules and polici...