Michele M. Simkin

Chris graduated from Falls Church High School in 1988, Georgetown University in 1992, and William and Mary law School in 1996. He also attended the George Washington University Master’s Program in Forensic Science from 2001-2003. During law school, Chris concentrated in criminal defense by working as an investigator at the D.C. Public Defender Service. He also clerked at the Public Defender’s Office in Bellingham, Washington in the summer of 1995, where he won his first jury trial...

Alexis Ronickher jointly serves as the Managing Partner of the firm’s California office and divides her time between San Francisco and Washington, D.C. She represents clients in complex, often high-profile, employment and whistleblower matters, including whistleblower, sexual harassment, and civil rights discrimination and retaliation matters. As part of her whistleblower practice, she represents clients pursuing qui tam claims under the False Claims Act and whistleblower tips through t...

Douglas W. Ell enjoys solving difficult problems relating to employee benefits. His creative redesign of one benefit program saved a client over $20 million each year and was recently approved by the IRS. He drafted the first 401(k) plan in professional sports. Mr. Ell has represented a number of nationally recognized corporations, unions and multiemployer plans. He has litigated nationally with great success and persuaded Congress to make important changes in employee benefits laws. He has s...

Chris Ford is the chair of Morrison & Foerster’s Global Sourcing Group. His practice focuses on advising customers on the full life cycle of their complex information technology and business process outsourcing transactions. Mr. Ford also advises clients on joint ventures and telecommunications and licensing transactions, as well as enterprise resource planning and other systems integration. Mr. Ford works closely with some of the leading global outsourcing consultancies and has a d...

Damien C. Specht is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Contracts. Damien C., 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 Damien C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew D. McGill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law and Sports Law. Matthew D., 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 Matthew D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Philip Tucker Evans is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Bankruptcy. Philip Tucker, 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 Philip Tucker is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard E. Lear practices primarily in the litigation area emphasizing insolvency, Chapter 11, and creditors’ rights and bankruptcy issues. For 25 years, Mr. Lear has served as counsel for institutional lenders, franchisors, leasing companies and landlords in connection with individual and business Chapter 11 cases and in workouts. He has also counseled clients regarding the effect of bankruptcy and insolvency on proposed bond refundings, conventional loan refinancings and other transac...

Sarah C. Aviles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Elder Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Sarah C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sarah C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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