Michael A. Burns

Kristen Klesh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Advertising Law. Kristen, 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 Kristen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Laura Foote Reiff focuses her practice on business immigration laws and regulations affecting U.S. and foreign companies, as well as related employment compliance and legislative issues. Laura advises corporations on a variety of compliance-related issues, particularly related to Form I-9 alien employment verification matters. Laura has been involved in audits and internal investigations and has successfully minimized monetary exposure as well as civil and criminal liabilities on behalf of he...

Eric Frechtel practices in the area of construction and government contracts. He represents general contractors, subcontractors, sureties, and owners, in both the prosecution and defense of claims on large public and private construction projects. He has significant litigation experience before both state and federal courts, including both bench trials and jury trials, and he has considerable experience in construction arbitration as well. Eric’s practice also includes substantial work ...

Gil Ghatan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Gil, 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 Gil is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ama Adams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of International Trade and Finance Law. Ama, 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 Ama is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tom Vincent is a Partner at Pierson Ferdinand and is a Certfied Information Systems Security Professional, a Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager, and a Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States. Tom helps organizations navigate the complex legal landscape of cybersecurity, data privacy, compliance, and corporate governance with practical, business-minded legal counsel. Drawing on his background as a former banking executive and compliance officer, he brings a strategic, pre...

Michael J. Goecke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Michael J., who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul Varela counsels clients in contract planning, administration, and complex dispute resolution matters nationally and internationally in the engineering and construction industry. His broad range of legal experience includes government and private data centers, roads, bridges, tall buildings, nuclear and conventional power facilities, environmental remediation, biomedical centers, energy and chemical projects, airports, professional sports stadiums, pharmaceutical projects, mass transit, a...

Dennis O. Garris is partner-in-charge of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and is the former co-head of the firm’s securities, mergers and acquisitions practices. His practice focuses on securities and complex Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulatory and disclosure matters and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Garris is a nationally known expert on SEC regulatory matters, including the proxy rules, tender offer rules, going-private rules and beneficial ownership reporting ...

Rama Taib-Lopez is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Arbitration. Rama, who practices law in Rockville, Maryland, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rama is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.