Ryan McDonnell

David Godofsky is a partner in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group of Alston & Bird. He is chair of the Retirement and Benefits Committee of the firm, and during his tenure as Leader of the Employee Benefits Group (including ERISA Litigation) the firm was named “Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for ERISA Litigation in 2016 and Employee Benefits (ERISA) in 2015 and 2017. David is part of the firm's team of litigators which repres...

Kristina Badalian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Kristina, who practices law in Rockville, Maryland, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kristina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joshua B. Waxman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Joshua B., 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 Joshua B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Loren C. Ponds is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Tax Law. Loren C., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Loren C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Vernon S. Lynch III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Vernon S., who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Vernon S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Warren Lee Lewis serves as chair of Akerman’s Franchise & Licensing Practice, a highly experienced team that handles U.S. and international franchising, licensing, dealership and trademark counseling, registration and litigation matters for franchisors, licensors, subfranchisors, dealers and other business clients. In the field of franchising, Warren has authored books, studies, articles and regulatory comments, frequently speaks at U.S. and international franchise conferences, and ...

Charlie Spies has been providing strategic political law counsel at the highest levels in Washington D.C. and globally for over two decades. Throughout his career, he has counseled a broad range of corporations, organizations, candidates, officeholders, and individuals through a variety of challenges arising when politics, the government, law, and public policy meet. Before moving to global law firms, Charles spent almost a decade working within national political organizations and campaigns,...

Matthew J. Yao, Esq. is an attorney and owner of Yao Law Firm, P.C. His practice is focused primarily on Estate Planning and Probate matters. Mr. Yao is an attorney that likes numbers, which is an unusual combination that has made him a highly sought-after administrator of Trusts, Estates, and Conservatorships. Dedicated to providing excellent service to his clients, Mr. Yao has received recognition and awards from SuperLawyers, BestLawyers, and Virginia Business LegalElite, among others. His...

Kellee Boulais Kruse is a principal at The Employment Law Group ® law firm with a passion for working on civil rights cases, especially those concerning discrimination. She has additional experience with contract disputes, whistleblower retaliation cases, and claims brought under state and federal statutes such as Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Energy Reorganization Act, and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act. Ms. Kruse re...

The resolution of family law issues impacts a person’s life, frequently affecting long term financial well-being and parental rights. It is important, therefore, to attain the best possible outcome. Robin B. Taub, a principal and founding member of Paradiso, Taub, Sinay, Owel, and Kostecka, P.C., has built her legal reputation upon this principle. She focuses her practice in Maryland and the District of Columbia on negotiation, mediation and collaboration. She believes these alternative...