Vincent K. Shier Ph.D.

Nicholas A. Giannasca is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Nicholas A., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicholas A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph L. Barloon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Financial Services Regulation Law. Joseph L., 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 Joseph L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brooksany Barrowes is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Brooksany represents clients in regulatory litigation and transactional matters that relate to the energy industry and energy commodity markets. She has worked on cases before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, state public utility commissions including the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Department of Energy, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and federal and state courts. She h...

Israel (Izzy) Goldowitz has more than 35 years of experience in employee benefits, most notably with mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and bankruptcy as they affect pension plans. As the Chief Counsel for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), Izzy led the legal teams that helped save the pensions of such companies as Chrysler and American Airlines. Working closely with financial analysts, actuaries and outside advisors, he also led the legal teams that negotiated pension pro...

Nicole Grejda brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to family law, serving as both a trusted advisor and a formidable advocate for individuals navigating periods of personal and legal uncertainty. As a partner at Curran Moher Weis, Ms. Grejda handles the full spectrum of domestic relations matters—including divorce, custody and visitation, spousal and child support, equitable distribution, and post-divorce enforcement and modifications—with clarity, confidence, and deep ...

Rich’s practice focuses on antitrust and consumer protection law. Rich has extensive experience securing clearance for deals from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ), navigating FTC and DOJ investigations and litigating antitrust and/or consumer protection claims. Rich began his legal career at the FTC, serving as a Staff Attorney and then as Senior Trial Counsel in the Bureau of Competition. At the FTC, Rich was a senior member of multiple trial teams, in...

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

Brian D. Israel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Litigation - Environmental. Brian D., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wayne Lalle concentrates his practice on Construction Law, with an emphasis on construction infrastructure projects. Based in McLean, Virginia, he represents both contractors and public owners in matters involving complex public and private construction projects. His work includes advising on project development and contract formation for infrastructure initiatives, including public-private partnerships. Mr. Lalle’s recent infrastructure work includes drafting and negotiating contracts ...

Laura Handman is the co-chair of the firm’s appellate practice and divides her time between the New York and D.C. offices. For thirty years, Laura has been providing pre-publication counseling and litigation services from complaint through trial and appeal to U.S. and foreign broadcasters, film studios, and book, magazine, newspaper and Internet publishers and non-profits. Laura has extensive experience in libel, newsgathering, privacy, right of publicity, reporter’s privilege and...