Rita M. Patel

Laura Handman is the co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice and divides her time between the New York and D.C. offices. For thirty years, Laura has been providing pre-publication counseling and litigation services from complaint through trial and appeal to U.S. and foreign broadcasters, film studios, and book, magazine, newspaper and Internet publishers and non-profits. Laura has extensive experience in libel, newsgathering, privacy, right of publicity, reporter’s privilege and...

Nicholas D. SanFilippo serves as a first chair trial lawyer representing employers in actions involving restrictive covenants, employment contracts, the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and tort claims, including defamation, conversion, wrongful discharge, conspiracy, and tortious interference. He advises management on employment issues related to termination, hiring, reduction in force, restrictive covenants, employment agreements, discipline, and handbooks. Nick represents closely-held businesses...

Amy is a partner at BrigliaHundley. After graduating cum laude from Wake Forest University, she attended law school at the University of Florida, College of Law, where she graduated with honors and was a member of the Order of the Coif. She is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Amy focuses on employment law, providing counseling and support to executives throughout the region. Her success in this area r...

Jeffrey B. Wall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Jeffrey B., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffrey B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kirk Niemi is an experienced construction industry attorney who focuses his practice on construction litigation, government contracts, surety, and associated contract issues. He represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, sureties and government agencies including highway departments and municipalities. He has extensive experience in complex matters before courts, arbitrators and mediators regarding various construction issues including mechanics' liens, acceleration claims, chang...

Universally considered to be among the country's premier Supreme Court and appellate advocates, Seth Waxman served as Solicitor General of the United States from 1997 through January 2001. In addition to leading the firm's appellate practice, Mr. Waxman engages in a broad litigation and counseling practice, with particular emphasis on complex challenges involving governments or public policy, intellectual property, regulatory, criminal and commercial issues.

William Walsh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law. William, who practices law in Fairfax, Virginia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter M. Gillon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Peter M., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelvin J. Dowd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Railroad Law and Transportation Law. Kelvin J., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelvin J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul J. Kiernan is a trial lawyer and appellate who focuses on administrative-agency litigation, real-estate disputes, corporate-governance litigation and local government law. He represents businesses, developers, institutions, lenders, hotels, landlords, and tenants on land use, condemnation, development and property-management disputes and matters involving distressed real estate. Mr. Kiernan has substantial experience in general commercial litigation, commercial and international arbitrat...