John R. "Jack" Orrick, Jr.

John Dalton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate 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.

Craig E. Chason is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Securities / Capital Markets Law. Craig E., who practices law in Tysons, Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Craig E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael H. Neifach is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Immigration Law. Michael H., who practices law in Reston, Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

F. Michael Willis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Native American Law. F. Michael, 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 F. Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Fred Goldberg is co-head of the firm’s Tax Group and global co-chair of the firm’s Diversity Committee. Mr. Goldberg first joined Skadden in 1986, following two years as chief counsel of the Internal Revenue Service. From 1989 until 1992, Mr. Goldberg served as commissioner of the IRS, and during 1992 he served as assistant secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy. He returned to Skadden in December 1992. Working with his Tax Department colleagues in Skadden’s Washington, Ne...

Scott Meza is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Scott, who practices law in McLean, Virginia, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jaime A. Santos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - ERISA. Jaime A., 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 Jaime A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard L. Nelson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Oil and Gas Law. Howard L., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Howard L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Goutam “Gooch” Patnaik is a partner of Desmarais LLP, where his practice focuses on representing innovators in their most challenging intellectual property and commercial matters, with a particular emphasis on patent and trademark disputes. He has particularly deep experience with Section 337 investigations before the International Trade Commission (ITC) and litigation in key patent venues such as the U.S. District Courts for the Western District of Texas, the District of Delaware...