Kwaku A. Akowuah

Jacki Thompson represents management in a wide range of employment matters, with particular expertise in labor relations in the airline and healthcare industries. Jacki guides clients through all facets of labor law. As a member of the firm's Airline Group, she assists both airlines and airline carrier service providers in grievance resolution matters, including grievance arbitrations and mediation. She has also successfully defended multiple AIR21 cases for her airline clients. In addition, ...

Sean Shimamoto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Sean, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bob Wellen, a partner of the firm, has practiced tax law for nearly 35 years. His practice involves planning, structuring and negotiating business transactions and representing taxpayers seeking private letter rulings from IRS and tax policy determinations from IRS and the Treasury Department and in controversies with IRS. He also serves as an arbitrator and as an expert witness in commercial disputes involving tax issues. Bob grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Yale College...

Michael Leotta conducts internal investigations and represents corporations and individuals in white collar criminal law and regulatory enforcement matters. He regularly represents US consumer banks, global correspondent banks, broker-dealers, investment advisers, and FinTech companies in a broad range of matters, including defending financial institutions’ compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and related anti-money laundering (AML) rules, securities law, and the Foreign Corrupt Practic...

Michael Huston counsels clients in high-stakes litigation matters, with a particular focus on crafting winning appellate strategies. He is also sought after for his deep knowledge of administrative law. Michael’s representations are informed by his experience in the Office of the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he represented the federal government before the Supreme Court of the United States. As an Assistant to the Solicitor General, Michael argued nin...

Paul Smollar has been practicing family law for more than forty years, and has become a leader in Collaborative Practice in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Recognized as the only trained mediator in the District of Columbia by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Mr. Smollar nevertheless is an accomplished litigator when matters do not settle. Mr. Smollar practices in both the District of Columbia and Virginia and is an active member of the Fairfax County Bar, the Virginia Trial Law...

Paul M. Hyman is a founding member of Hyman, Phelps & McNamara. Since opening the firm in 1980, he has led efforts to make it the premiere FDA law practice. He brings five decades of perspective to the regulatory priorities and policies of FDA and FTC. Mr. Hyman has advised clients on nearly every aspect of FDA regulation, ranging from premarket approvals, to labeling and post-market compliance, and has defended against enforcement actions such as warning letters, recalls, and court actio...

As a trial lawyer for over 30 years, Bruce Blanchard understands the pressure, expense, frustration, and uncertainty that litigation imposes upon a client. In order to achieve a desired outcome in court, Bruce works with his clients to define their priorities and develop a strategy that achieves the clients’ objectives. He brings common sense, an affinity for people, and a commitment to ethics in both his civil and criminal practice. Bruce believes hard work, preparation, and identifica...

Gary Band is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Gary, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gary is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James R. Hammerschmidt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. James R., who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.