Hunter Bates

Elizabeth Drake is a principal in the firm’s Plan Sponsor group. Her practice covers Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and tax requirements applicable to retirement plans and non-qualified arrangements, health and welfare benefits and fringe benefit programs. In recent years, Elizabeth’s practice has focused on counseling and advocacy work on behalf of large plan sponsors on complex and sensitive matters primarily involving their defined benefit pension...

Sara W. Koblitz advises FDA-regulated clients on a range of issues with a particular focus on Hatch-Waxman patent and exclusivity, biosimilars, and the Orange Book. She helps drug and device manufacturers in various stages of product development and guides clients through the applicable regulatory requirements with respect to applications and submissions, device classification, potential exclusivities, promotional issues, and post-marketing requirements. Ms. Koblitz also counsels cosmetics, f...

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

Joel S. Green is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Joel S., 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 Joel S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John L. Laster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. John L., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sarah C. Aviles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Sarah C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Sandweg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. John, 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 John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephanie Monaco provides strategic counsel to investment management firms (including dually-registered investment advisers and broker-dealers) in their delivery of investment advice to a wide variety of investment advisory clients, including private funds, managed accounts, institutional and retail account services, and registered investment companies. She leverages her prior experience as an attorney with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and decades in private practice, to...

David Godofsky is a partner in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group of Alston & Bird. He is chair of the Retirement and Benefits Committee of the firm, and during his tenure as Leader of the Employee Benefits Group (including ERISA Litigation) the firm was named “Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for ERISA Litigation in 2016 and Employee Benefits (ERISA) in 2015 and 2017. David is part of the firm's team of litigators which repres...

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...