Stafford C. Smiley
About Stafford C. Smiley
Stafford C. Smiley is a lawyer based in Washington, DC and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2013. Stafford C. Smiley is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Washington, District of Columbia
- Tax Law
- Trusts and Estates
Current Firm: Caplin & Drysdale Chartered
Education: Harvard University, J.D., graduated 1976 and Yale University, BA, summa cum laude, graduated 1970
Location: Washington, DC
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
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...
Mustafa Ostrander is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law. Mustafa, 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 Mustafa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Douglas B. Farquhar has more than 30 years of experience as a prosecutor and defense and regulatory attorney. Since joining the firm in 1997, he has advised pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and wholesalers, compounding pharmacies, and individuals on a wide range of enforcement activities, including consent decrees, criminal investigations, debarment issues, arbitration proceedings, civil seizures, FDA inspection issues, and injunctions. Mr. Farquhar has a broad-based understand...
Catherine Guttman-McCabe is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law. Catherine, 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 Catherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jay E. Silberg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Jay E., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jay E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
After graduating from Penn State and receiving her law degree, with honors, from George Mason University School of Law, Karin Riley Porter has had years of experience in the law in a wide range of cases, including DUIs and violent felonies. Before launching Karin Riley Porter Attorney at Law, Ms. Porter served as prosecutor, ultimately providing her with a different perspective of the legal system which she can use when building a defense. Ms. Porter’s extensive knowledge and training i...
My approach in my practice is one of empathy and support. I provide my clients with peace of mind as I help them plan for the future and guide them through difficult times. Creating an estate plan can be daunting, and it is tempting to put it off. I make the process as easy and stress-free as possible, and my clients leave feeling a sense of accomplishment and relief. My team and I also guide families through the handling of the estate after the death of a loved one. We understand how difficu...
Thomas F. Quinn III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Thomas F., who practices law in Reston, Virginia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael Lazarus advises domestic and international clients in the telecommunications industry on transactional and regulatory matters and represents them before the Federal Communications Commission (the FCC) and state and local regulatory bodies. He represents mobile and fixed service providers of broadband and narrowband services delivered over landline and cable networks, terrestrial wireless systems, satellites and the Internet. His experience includes: FCC regulations applicable to wirel...
Bob Wellen, a partner of the firm, has practiced tax law for nearly 35 years. His practice involves planning, structuring and negotiating business transactions and representing taxpayers seeking private letter rulings from IRS and tax policy determinations from IRS and the Treasury Department and in controversies with IRS. He also serves as an arbitrator and as an expert witness in commercial disputes involving tax issues. Bob grew up in Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Yale College...
Explore and Learn
Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore
by Jamilla Tabbara
Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.
Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case
by Jamilla Tabbara
Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards
by Bryan Driscoll
Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement
by Grace Greer
A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.
How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers
by Jamilla Tabbara
Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.