James A. Smith

Douglas B. Farquhar has more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor and defense and regulatory attorney. Since joining the firm in 1997, he has advised pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and wholesalers, compounding pharmacies, and individuals on a wide range of enforcement activities, including consent decrees, criminal investigations, debarment issues, arbitration proceedings, civil seizures, FDA inspection issues, and injunctions. Mr. Farquhar has a broad-based understand...

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

Vincent “Vince” McKnight, Jr., is the Managing Partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp’s Washington, D.C., office and Co-Chair of the firm’s Whistleblower Practice. He also represents clients in employment discrimination and wrongful discharge cases. Vince represents whistleblowers in sealed and unsealed False Claims Act/qui tam suits under investigation by the United States and other governmental stakeholders. He has achieved significant success in such cases, including the ...

Edward L. Wender is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Edward L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Edward L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James J. Plunkett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management. James 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 James J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

After a long and distinguished career in the federal government with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Ms. Wheeler joined Katz Banks Kumin in August 2015. As an appellate lawyer with the EEOC, Ms. Wheeler was in the forefront of developing cutting edge legal arguments and theories to prove discrimination and harassment under Title VII, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Equal Pay Act. Ms. Wheeler was an Assistant General Counsel i...

Gifford R. Hampshire is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Gifford R., who practices law in Manassas, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gifford R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Caroline D. Ciraolo, former Acting Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Tax Division, is a partner with Kostelanetz LLP and a founder of its Washington, D.C. office. Her practice focuses on federal and state civil tax controversies, including representation in sensitive audits, administrative appeals, and litigation, providing related tax advice, conducting internal investigations, and representing individuals and entities in criminal tax investigations and pro...

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

Greg Luce handles civil and criminal litigation and regulatory matters involving the health care industry. He has represented health systems, pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, and other health care providers in litigation involving fraud and abuse enforcement, False Claims Act defense, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Mr. Luce focuses on the counseling and defense of health care providers, suppliers, pharmaceutical companies and physicians under state and federal fraud ...