Kate McDonough

Cullen Drescher Speckhart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Cullen Drescher, 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 Cullen Drescher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert “Mike” Brock is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with 25 years of experience handling high-stakes, bet-the-business litigation. His practice focuses on representing pharmaceuticals and life sciences companies, particularly in product liability and mass tort cases. He has tried cases in a wide range of areas and has represented clients in antitrust, malpractice, toxic tort and securities class action litigation, as well as in other types of cases. Mike is a fellow of the...

Elizabeth Quinn is a recognized authority on business immigration matters and the unique problems of J-1 exchange visitors. Among her clients are hospitality and biotechnology companies, artists and musicians, and those working in the human rights field. She also handles family-based immigration matters, naturalization, and waivers of inadmissibility. Elizabeth has written and lectured on a wide-range of immigration issues, including the various visa options for international medical graduate...

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...

T. Reed Stephens is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. T. Reed, 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 T. Reed is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A gifted civil litigator, Matt Pavlides is driven by a desire to help clients in an efficient, responsible fashion “so they can get back to doing what they want to do with their lives.” Matt’s approach to practicing law is defined by his commitment to analyzing the big picture in order to fully understand each component of a case. He strives to place his clients in the best possible position, and keep them fully informed at each step of the way. He prides himself on his acce...

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...

James M. Maynor, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. James M., who practices law in McLean, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Craig J. Franco is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Craig J., who practices law in Tysons, Virginia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Craig J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Practice Focus and Memberships Mr. Trombly is a civil trial attorney whose practice is limited to catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation in state and federal courts. Licensed in the District of Columbia and in Maryland, he is ranked AV (the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards) by Martindale Hubbell, the oldest organization in the United States involved in peer review evaluations of attorneys; and also has a 10/10 rating with AVVO. Over the years, Mr. Trombly has ...