W. Mark Smith

W. Todd Baker is an IP litigation partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Todd is experienced handling post-grant matters at the USPTO including all aspects of IPR proceedings at the USPTO's Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB). He advises clients on issues of patentability, derivation, inventorship and priority related to post grant matters before the PTAB as a supplement or an alternative to traditional litigation-based patent validity challenges. Todd litigates...

Gerald P. Konkel is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Gerald P. practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Gerald P. Konkel 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 Gerald P. Konkel is held by other lawyers.

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...

Jeff Gilmore chairs Akerman’s Construction Practice, a team dedicated to providing practical counsel on the legal aspects of major construction initiatives and infrastructure projects around the world. Jeff is sought after for his domestic and international experience in many segments of the construction industry on both private and public projects. He is repeatedly ranked by The Legal 500 and Chambers USA, which describes him as “extremely talented and astute at strategy.” ...

Paul Brinkman is an intellectual property partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Paul focuses his practice on Section 337 litigation before the U.S. International Trade Commission. He has won 17 of 19 trials at the ITC and won or favorably settled many more prior to trial. Chambers described him as “great on his feet in court” with a “calm, practical and reasonable demeanor which works well with ITC judges.” His work for plaintiffs has led...

Kevin F.X. DeTurris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Kevin F.X. practices law in Fairfax, Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Kevin F.X. DeTurris 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 Kevin F.X. DeTurris is held by other lawyers.

Kate Mueting is a Partner in the Washington, DC office of Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP, a national law firm with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California, Tennessee, and Maryland, and a Co-Chair of the firm’s Title VII Practice. She received her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law and her B.J. from the University of Nebraska. Kate represents employees in a broad range of employment claims, including discrimination on the basis of gender, pregnancy, race, and s...

Craig de Ridder is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Law. Craig de practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Craig de Ridder 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 Craig de Ridder is held by other lawyers.

Steve Kabler is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Communications Law. Steve practices law in Washington, District of Columbia Best Lawyers has recognized Steve Kabler since 2027. 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 Steve Kabler is held by other lawyers.

Mr. Frei is a partner in Frei, Mims and Perushek, one of the most experienced personal injury law firms in Virginia. Located in Fairfax, the firm has successfully resolved hundreds of cases involving personal injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice, products liability, and serious transportation accidents. Mr. Frei received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in 1980 and his law degree from the University of Nebraska in 1983. He is ...