John K. Cottrell

Christine Dunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Christine, 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 Christine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lynn E. Calkins is the practice group leader for Holland & Knight's Washington, D.C. Litigation Group and serves on the firm's Directors Committee. Ms. Calkins is a trial lawyer and appellate advocate, concentrating in the defense of claims under the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act brought against real estate developers, hotels, retailers and local governments. In addition to this focus, she has handled numerous business and real estate disputes, zoning appeals, regul...

Sean P. Schmergel has been consistently recognized as one the DMVs top divorce and family law attorneys, including by Washingtonian Magazine, Arlington Magazine, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. He co-founded Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC over 20 years ago and has continued to hone his legal practice before the local courts, developing a reputation as a zealous and thoughtful family law advocate. A resident of Northern Virginia for over 30 years, Mr. Schmergel holds a genuine concern for the...

Michael House, a partner in the firm’s Business group, focuses his practice in international trade law. Michael advises and represents clients in all aspects of trade remedy investigations under U.S. antidumping, countervailing duty and safeguard laws, as well as on export licensing and export control matters. He also advises clients in bilateral and multilateral disputes before the World Trade Organization. Michael counsels clients on Customs issues involving import transactions includ...

Catherine F. Schott Murray is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law and Trusts and Estates. Catherine F., who practices law in Reston, Virginia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Catherine F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David E. Murphy practices litigation including employment, business & commercial litigation, post-employment restrictive covenants, personal and business torts, breach of contract, defamation, severance review and analysis, and executive compensation and termination. David represents clients in both state and Federal courts across Virginia and Washington D.C. David has actively litigated matters from the intake stage through appeal and has significant courtroom experience as a trial lawye...

Robert H. Shulman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Robert H., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jean F. Kuei is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jean F., 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 Jean F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Employers and business owners trust and rely on Joy Einstein’s legal counsel when it comes to their employment policies, practices and preventative measures designed to avoid costly litigation. Employers with unionized workforces rely on Joy’s legal counsel to handle unionization campaigns, unfair labor practice charges, CBA negotiations, strikes and grievance and arbitration procedures. Clients and peers benefit from Joy’s ability to design and clearly convey legal solution...

Throughout his more than 30-year career, Tom has represented employers in a broad spectrum of employment matters, including wage and hour, discrimination, and employee termination. He is known particularly for his employee defection work, including drafting and enforcing non-competes and other employment-based restrictive covenants, and litigating related contract, fiduciary duty, trade secret, tortious interference, conspiracy, and unfair competition disputes. Tom’s clients include nat...