Clifford E. Barnes

Philip Baker-Shenk is a partner in our firm's Indian Law Practice Group and our Entertainment Law Practice Group. He provides legal and policy representation to dozens of Native American Indian Tribal governments as well as Tribal organizations and companies doing business with Indian Tribes. Mr. Baker-Shenk began working on behalf of Indian Tribes in our Nation's capital in 1976. For half a decade, he served as staff in the U.S. Senate, including two years as Majority General Counsel to Indi...

Matthew Kapuscinski is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Matthew, who practices law in Reston, Virginia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Whether helping her clients negotiate to draft commercial leases or working collaboratively to resolve complex family law issues, Leslye Fenton brings a uniquely powerful combination of sensitivity and tenacity to her work. As an attorney and trained mediator, Leslye believes in listening carefully to her clients to identify what drives their interests. This key, she says, unlocks the paths toward resolution, successful negotiation and, hopefully, beneficial outcomes. Her practice includes Fa...

Josephine Torrente’s practice focuses on bringing promising new drug and biological therapies through the FDA approval process. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, Josephine provides essential regulatory insight and strategic perspective into the pursuit of aggressive objectives. Josephine advises biotech and pharmaceutical senior executives and development teams on strategic direction at critical moments in drug development, from preclinical and Phase 1 matters to co...

Chidi I. James is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Chidi I., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chidi I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Margaret Marks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Margaret, who practices law in Arlington, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Margaret is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Denise Hammond, Senior Counsel, has focused exclusively on the practice of immigration law for almost 30 years. She has received numerous accolades from clients and peers for her extraordinary level of personal service, her resourcefulness, and her ability to break down complex immigration laws and find creative solutions for the most challenging cases. In 2014, Chambers Global praised Denise’s practice, noting that she "has an incredible client service approach – her personal att...

Anita B. Bandy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Anita B., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anita B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Sharkey is a partner with the firm’s Insurance Recovery practice and concentrates his practice on representing policyholders in insurance coverage disputes nationwide. He has represented clients on a wide variety of insurance issues, including litigation seeking insurance coverage for alleged products liability, environmental contamination, water damage and mold, director’s and officer’s liability, errors and omissions, asbestos bodily injury and property damage, unf...

Diara M. Holmes serves as co-chair of the firm's Tax-Exempt Organizations Practice. She counsels tax-exempt organizations, including large public charities; colleges, universities and other higher education organizations; foreign charities and their U.S. affiliates; associations; government instrumentalities; social welfare organizations; and religious organizations on a broad range of tax compliance and governance issues. She advises nonprofit and for-profit organizations on structuring a va...