Stephanie J. Gold

Recognized by the Washington Post as “ the feared attorney of the #MeToo movement ,” Debra S. Katz has been successfully litigating employment discrimination, civil rights, and whistleblower protection cases for nearly 40 years. Ms. Katz is a founding partner of Katz Banks Kumin LLP, where she concentrates her practice on employment discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, whistleblower retaliation claims, and contractual employment disputes. She has developed extens...

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...

Jeffrey B. Stern serves as co-leader of the Firm's Global Hospitality, Resort and Timeshare Team. He concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development, timeshare and hospitality with an emphasis on the resort development and finance industries. His clients consist of a wide variety of owners, developers, lenders, financial institutions, and marketing and management companies, ranging in size from entrepreneurial ventures to Fortune 100 corporations in connection with the follo...

Michael Koplan's practice focuses primarily on civil litigation with an emphasis in construction law and government contracts. He represents general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, sureties, owners, and developers on both private and public construction projects, in federal and state courts, before administrative agencies, and in arbitrations and mediations. He is experienced in a broad range of construction matters, including preparing and negotiating contract documents, ...

Ashley B. Sawyer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Trusts and Estates. Ashley B. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Ashley B. Sawyer since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ashley B. Sawyer is held by other lawyers.

Paul J. Abraham is the founder and CEO of PJI Law. After growing up in Northern Virginia, Mr. Abraham earned two academic majors at Cornell University and came back to Northern Virginia to obtain a Juris Doctor degree at the George Mason University School of Law. Mr. Abraham has represented clients in trusts & estates, litigation, and business law for over 15 years. Additionally, Mr. Abraham has been an active participant in several legal pro bono programs, including the Family Legal Assi...

Swain Wood, formerly the first assistant attorney general of North Carolina and general counsel to Attorney General Josh Stein, serves as co-chair of the firm’s State Attorneys General Practice. While serving in government, he was one of the most highly regarded leaders in the state attorney general community nationally and is a proven problem-solver in private practice, working closely with clients to successfully anticipate, navigate and resolve complex legal disputes.

Kara M. Ariail is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kara M. practices law in Tysons, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Kara M. Ariail since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kara M. Ariail is held by other lawyers.

Nationally recognized authority in defamation law. Focused on protecting, defending and vindicating the most valuable asset many people and companies have—their reputations. Mitch brings his unique perspective on communications and media relations to brewing crises and those that have already erupted. Mitch works with individuals and companies to minimize the risk of attacks on reputation before they happen. When necessary, Mitch is equally comfortable fighting for his clients in the co...

Anessa Abrams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Anessa practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Anessa Abrams since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Anessa Abrams is held by other lawyers.