Wajiha Rais

Sean P. Schmergel has been consistently recognized as one the DMVs top divorce and family law attorneys, including by Washingtonian Magazine, Arlington Magazine, Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers. He co-founded Schmergel & Mersberger, PLC over 20 years ago and has continued to hone his legal practice before the local courts, developing a reputation as a zealous and thoughtful family law advocate. A resident of Northern Virginia for over 30 years, Mr. Schmergel holds a genuine concern for the...

Eugene Goryunov is an intellectual property trial attorney at Cherry Johnson Siegmund James PC in Washington, District of Columbia. He has participated in more than 500 proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Eugene frequently litigates cases in federal courts across the U.S. and manages appeals at the Federal Circuit. He also represents clients in Section 337 investigations at the U.S. International Trade Commission. Eugene has been recognized in patent law by Chambers USA, ...

James A. Kearns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law. James A., 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 James A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

After serving as a law clerk for a Federal judge in Los Angeles, Mike began his career in tax controversy as a Trial Attorney with the Attorney General’s Honors Program at the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. After the Justice Department, Mike worked at a boutique tax firm in Washington, D.C., where he was elected partner in 2004. In this capacity he represented clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to partnerships and individuals. Mike returned to government in 2005...

J. Mark Poerio is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. J. Mark, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Museles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Corporate Law. Scott, who practices law in Potomac, Maryland, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Scott is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Beth Mcintosh Irving is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Real Estate Law. Beth, who practices law in Rockville, Maryland, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beth is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David Godofsky is a partner in the Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation Group of Alston & Bird. He is chair of the Retirement and Benefits Committee of the firm, and during his tenure as Leader of the Employee Benefits Group (including ERISA Litigation) the firm was named “Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® for ERISA Litigation in 2016 and Employee Benefits (ERISA) in 2015 and 2017. David is part of the firm's team of litigators which repres...

Alexis Gilman provides strategic antitrust counsel to companies navigating mergers, acquisitions, investigations and litigations by the FTC, DOJ, and state attorneys general. As a former head of an FTC division that investigates and litigates transactions, Alexis anticipates antitrust enforcement risks and equips clients with the foresight and strategy needed to navigate complex merger reviews, represents clients as parties or third parties in litigation, and counsel them on antitrust complia...

Janel Quinn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Qui Tam Law. Janel, 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 Janel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.