James S. Carter

Carson Sullivan is Chair of Paul Hastings’ Washington, D.C. Employment Law Department and Co-Chair of the Washington, D.C. office. She represents employers in all aspects of employment law, with an emphasis on the defense of class and collective action suits. As one of the leaders of the firm’s Pay Equity Practice Group, Ms. Sullivan provides sophisticated litigation defense and works with clients to review and analyze their compensation practices for pay equity and legal complian...

For 35 years, Jeff Scharff has helped clients resolve their critical real estate and structured financing issues and close their deals. He handles all aspects of acquisitions, including drafting and negotiating purchase agreements, loan documents (both conventional and tax-exempt bond financing), and partnership agreements with large national equity investors. In 20 years, he has closed acquisitions totaling almost $20 billion for one of the largest national multi-family operators. Jeff also ...

Paul J. Maloney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Paul J., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paul J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practi...

Peter L. Tracey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Peter L., 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 Peter L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Gretchyn G. Meinken is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Gretchyn G., who practices law in Alexandria, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gretchyn G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Brad M. Dashoff is an attorney in the firm’s Real Estate and Corporate/Business practice groups. He works diligently to create practical solutions that transform his clients’ visions into tangible results on projects in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., as well as throughout the United States. He provides practical and insightful guidance on a wide range of real estate issues. Brad counsels developers, investors, families, private equity funds and non-traditional property ...

Joseph Guarino handles dispute resolution in the construction sector, including major claims relating to the development of energy facilities, hotel complexes and commercial buildings. His experience includes all aspects of contract drafting and negotiations, counseling on contract administration, claim preservation and avoidance, and dispute resolution and litigation within the construction industry. Joe's broad experience includes tunnels, power plants, high-rise buildings, hospitals, deten...

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...

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...