Sydney Helsel

Elizabeth Drake is a principal in the firm’s Plan Sponsor group. Her practice covers Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and tax requirements applicable to retirement plans and non-qualified arrangements, health and welfare benefits and fringe benefit programs. In recent years, Elizabeth’s practice has focused on counseling and advocacy work on behalf of large plan sponsors on complex and sensitive matters primarily involving their defined benefit pension...

Michael J. Neary is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Michael J. practices law in Bethesda, Maryland Best Lawyers has recognized Michael J. Neary since 2021. 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 Michael J. Neary is held by other lawyers.

Bill Burgess’ practice focuses on appellate litigation across a broad range of subject matter, including patent litigation, commercial litigation, and regulatory matters. He has argued appeals in most of the United States courts of appeals, including several in the Federal Circuit. He has been to trial several times, joining trial teams to brief dispositive motions or prepare for appeals, and has also practiced before agencies such as the Patent & Trademark Office, International Tra...

Scott H. Segal is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Environmental Law. Scott H. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Scott H. Segal since 2020. 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 Scott H. Segal is held by other lawyers.

Chris Palmer is chair of the Business Law Department in Goodwin Procter’s Washington, D.C. office, and is a member of the Financial Services Group. Chris focuses his practice on securities, investment management and insurance matters. Chris represents mutual funds, investment advisers, insurance companies and broker-dealers on the development, regulatory approval, sale and administration of a variety of investment products, including mutual funds and variable and fixed life insurance and annu...

Thomas J. McKee, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Bankruptcy. Thomas J. practices law in McLean, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Thomas J. McKee, Jr. since 2023. 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 Thomas J. McKee, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

John T. Winkler is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. John T. practices law in Reston, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized John T. Winkler 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 John T. Winkler is held by other lawyers.

Dennis Somech is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Dennis practices law in Leesburg, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Dennis Somech 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 Dennis Somech is held by other lawyers.

Sandra L. Havrilak is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Sandra L. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Sandra L. Havrilak since 2015. 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 Sandra L. Havrilak is held by other lawyers.

Mr. Atkins is the leader of Pillsbury’s Intellectual Property Litigation team. He is a trial and appellate lawyer with 20 years of experience. He is a registered patent attorney who personally handles all of his cases and has won jury verdicts on both sides of the courtroom. Recent victories include (1) getting two university co-inventors added onto two NIH cancer drug patents with annual sales of approximately $2B, (2) an infringement jury verdict for a consumer product against a major...