Heather S. Collier

Chair of the firm’s Natural Resources Department and the American Indian Law & Policy Group. Represents tribal nations, those doing business with tribes and western water districts. Proven ability to resolve natural resource and water disputes before Congress and the Department of the Interior. Ryan Smith represents tribes, water districts and corporations before Congress, the Department of the Interior and the courts on tribal issues and Western natural resource issues. He has sign...

Jonathan P. Trotta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Jonathan P., 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 Jonathan P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Seth J. Safra is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Seth J., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Seth J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

After graduating from Penn State and receiving her law degree, with honors, from George Mason University School of Law, Karin Riley Porter has had years of experience in the law in a wide range of cases, including DUIs and violent felonies. Before launching Karin Riley Porter Attorney at Law, Ms. Porter served as prosecutor, ultimately providing her with a different perspective of the legal system which she can use when building a defense. Ms. Porter’s extensive knowledge and training i...

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

Benjamin A. Powell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice and Privacy and Data Security Law. Benjamin A., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Benjamin A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew H. Milne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Andrew H., who practices law in Potomac, Maryland, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian Benczkowski is a partner in Kirkland’s Washington, D.C., office. He is a member of the Firm’s Government, Regulatory & Internal Investigations Practice Group. Brian has deep and diverse government enforcement and investigations experience, bolstered by his service in multiple leadership positions at the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and on Capitol Hill. From 2018–2020, he served as the Senate-confirmed Assistant Attorney General for DOJ’s Criminal...

Yvette Gatling is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Yvette, who practices law in Tysons, Virginia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Yvette is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dennis handles diverse regulatory and transactional matters, ranging from day-to-day client representation to participation in multiple agency and court proceedings involving issues of industry-wide concern. He also handles major administrative and court litigation, and FCC Enforcement Bureau proceedings, for a wide variety of clients. As a member of the District of Columbia Bar, Dennis is admitted to practice in the Third, Tenth and D.C. Circuits, and before the Supreme Court of the United S...