Best Lawyers in America for Civil Rights Law

Kelsey Speyer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Labor and Employment Law - Employee and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Kelsey, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelsey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jamie Yood focuses his practice on government enforcement matters, complex litigation and internal investigations. He has experience providing strategic counsel to companies and individuals facing multifaceted challenges spanning law, business and public relations.

Samuel Frizell focuses on complex litigation. He was previously a summer associate in 2019.

Hilary J. Orzick is an Associate at Wigdor LLP. Ms. Orzick represents individuals on a wide range of employment matters, including sexual harassment, gender, pregnancy, race, disability and age discrimination, retaliation, defamation, family and medical leave, wage and hour, whistleblower and contract claims. She has experience representing employees in single-plaintiff and class action litigation in both federal and state court. Ms. Orzick also has experience representing college students in...

Alysha Naik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law. Alysha, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alysha is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Since joining the Firm in 2017, Payton Lyon has developed broad experience at both the state and federal levels assisting clients in matters involving allegations of fraud, trade secret misappropriation, and RICO violations, among others. Payton has also represented clients during investigations conducted by numerous governmental agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, and the California Fair Political Practices Commission. Before joining the Fir...

Alexander Rodney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Commercial Litigation. Alexander, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alexander is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Khail grew up a lawyer. He spent each night discussing the law and legal theory with his family at the dinner table. So it was only proper that he continue his studies at Pepperdine Law School. While still in school, Khail began his legal career at the Van Nuys City Attorney’s Office working cases of Driving Under the Influence and sex crimes. Throughout his tenure, he not only was the only law clerk to try cases to verdict but he also never lost a trial. Khail went on to graduate from ...

Stephen R. Halpin III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Litigation - Securities and Securities Regulation. Stephen R., who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geograp...

Jamie Strawbridge joined Brown Goldstein & Levy in February 2020. His practice includes cases involving civil rights, disability rights, housing discrimination, and commercial litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Jamie worked as an associate at Covington & Burling, where he represented clients in a wide variety of civil matters at the trial level and on appeal. Jamie has represented individuals and companies in cases involving discrimination, harassment, police misconduct, contractu...

Kory DeClark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law. Kory, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kory is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Bethel Habte is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Labor and Employment Law - Employee and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Bethel, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bethel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Meghan Koushik focuses her practice on complex investigation and government enforcement matters, with a focus on anti-discrimination and higher education. She has represented universities in congressional inquiries, and in government investigations arising under Title VI and Title IX. She also advises colleges and universities on a range of regulatory and policy issues. She regularly conducts sensitive internal investigations involving allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrim...

Taylor Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Taylor, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Taylor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Monica Basche joined Brown Goldstein & Levy in September 2019. She represents clients in civil rights cases, including disability rights, housing discrimination, employment discrimination, and prisoners’ rights. Monica also has experience with commercial litigation and business disputes. Prior to joining the firm, Monica was a law clerk to Judge George L. Russell, III on the United States District Court for the District of Maryland and to Judge Sally D. Adkins on the Supreme Court o...

Ms. Bassett is a Member who is located in our Nashville office. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a major in Economics with a dual concentration in International Business through the Global Leadership Scholars Program. Following her time in Knoxville, she graduated from Michigan State University College of Law in 2017. While at MSU, Laura served as the Notes and Comments Editor for the International Law Review, pub...