Sydney M. Patterson

Christopher S. Rizek is a Member in Caplin & Drysdale's Washington, D.C., office. He also serves as General Counsel to the firm. In 2014, he was listed in the elite "Leading Lawyer" list for Tax Controversy by The Legal 500 . Services Mr. Rizek represents taxpayers in all types of federal civil and criminal tax controversy matters. He also guides clients through IRS audits, prepares administrative claims and protests of IRS actions, and litigates tax and tax-related cases in U.S. district...

Gary B. Mims has practiced law since 1980. He was a defense litigator for 20 years, defending a heavy schedule of trials involving automobile, trucking, train and other transportation accidents and a wide variety of personal injury cases. He developed a special interest and significant experience in medical malpractice, first from the defense side, and since 1999, as a plaintiff's attorney. He has successfully represented clients in complicated medical cases involving, among other things, fai...

Ellen K. Harrison advises clients on a broad range of tax issues, including estate planning and administration, tax controversies, and income, gift and estate tax planning for individuals, businesses and charitable organizations. She has significant experience drafting wills, trusts, powers of attorney, prenuptial arrangements and buy-sell agreements, as well as a broad range of corporate documents and family partnership agreements. Her tax controversy and litigation experience includes Inter...

Michael Spafford is a partner in the Investigations and White Collar Defense practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s Washington, DC office. Mr. Spafford’s practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense, government investigations, regulatory enforcement, internal investigations, and related litigation. He has represented financial institutions, funds and other companies, as well as individual clients in numerous high-profile government investigations and parallel li...

J. Michael Cavanaugh is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law and Energy Law. J. Michael, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sharon Nelson Craig is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Sharon Nelson, who practices law in Bethesda, Maryland, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sharon Nelson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Yvette Gatling is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Yvette, who practices law in Tysons, Virginia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Yvette is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Carolyn Abbate is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Carolyn, who practices law in Arlington, Virginia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carolyn is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael A. Robinson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Law, PLLC, and he brings a distinguished record of public service and litigation experience to his current role. After earning his J.D. from Regent University School of Law in 2006, he began his legal career as a prosecutor in the City of Newport News and later in Fauquier County, Virginia. In Newport News, he was assigned to the Juvenile & Domestic Relations team and prosecuted nearly 1,000 cases in Juvenile and D...

Michael D. Hausfeld is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Antitrust Law and Litigation - Antitrust. Michael D., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.