Raqiyyah Pippins

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...

Justin Flint is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law. Justin, 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 Justin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ms. Knapp is a partner at Shounbach having joined the firm in 2013. Her legal career has been dedicated entirely to the practice of family law since completing a two year judicial clerkship with the Honorable William D. Hamblen (Ret.) in Prince William County Circuit Court. Ms. Knapp graduated from George Mason University School of Law 2011, however, law is a second career for Ms. Knapp. Prior to law school, she worked in public and media relations for six years, gaining oral and written advo...

Theodore Goldstock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Commercial Transactions / UCC Law. Theodore, who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Theodore is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

R. Peyton Mahaffey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. R. Peyton, who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which R. Peyton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Israel (Izzy) Goldowitz has more than 35 years of experience in employee benefits, most notably with mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and bankruptcy as they affect pension plans. As the Chief Counsel for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), Izzy led the legal teams that helped save the pensions of such companies as Chrysler and American Airlines. Working closely with financial analysts, actuaries and outside advisors, he also led the legal teams that negotiated pension pro...

Carole A. Rubin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Carole A., who practices law in Reston, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carole A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Beisner is the leader of Skadden’s Mass Torts, Insurance and Consumer Litigation Group. He focuses on the defense of purported class actions, mass tort matters and other complex civil litigation in both federal and state courts. He also regularly handles appellate litigations and has appeared in matters before the U.S. Supreme Court. Over the past 25 years, he has defended major U.S. and international corporations in more than 600 purported class actions filed in federal courts and...

Patrick J. Howley is a shareholder in the Firm’s Trusts & Estates Department. His practice focuses on estate planning for individuals and families, as well as representation of fiduciaries in the administration of estates and trusts. Mr. Howley counsels clients on the use of Wills, Revocable Trusts, Financial Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills to accomplish their estate planning objectives. He also advises on the use of advanced techniques designed t...

John A.C. Keith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. John A.C., who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John A.C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.