Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Appellate Practice
David Yin is a versatile trial and appellate advocate who represents the world’s leading technology, life sciences, and financial services companies in high-stakes litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters. He focuses his practice on complex litigation regarding intellectual property—including patent infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and licensing disputes. His cases have involved a diverse array of technologies, ranging from wireless communications and computer me...
As a member of the firm’s Appellate and Supreme Court Litigation group, Gary M. Fox represents clients in complex litigation matters across the country. He has notable experience in patent appeals to the Federal Circuit raising novel procedural issues, particularly those arising in post-grant proceedings before the US Patent and Trademark Office. His cases have spanned various types of technologies, including balloon catheters, content delivery networks, pharmaceutical dosing regimens a...
Sylvia Tsakos is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Sylvia, 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 Sylvia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Hillary Smith focuses her practice on complex litigation matters in both trial and appellate courts. She has experience at all levels of state and federal court, including the US Supreme Court, and in a wide range of substantive areas, including administrative law, constitutional law, ERISA, the False Claims Act, and criminal law and procedure. She has taken multiple depositions and assisted in taking and defending numerous other depositions, and recently argued before the DC Court of Appeals...
Amelia Frenkel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Amelia, 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 Amelia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Seth W. Lloyd is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Patent Law. Seth W., 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 Seth W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Amalia Reiss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Amalia, 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 Amalia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Joseph Meyer represents clients in complex litigation, with a focus on appellate litigation. He has authored dozens of briefs and dispositive motions at all levels of state and federal court, including the US Supreme Court, and has argued successfully on behalf of disability-benefits recipients in a nationally significant case before the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. His clients include individuals, for-profit and non-profit organizations, political parties and campaigns, schoo...
Mikella M. Hurley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Mikella M., 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 Mikella M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jackson Erpenbach is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Nonprofit / Charities Law. Jackson, 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 Jackson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Isabel Marin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law. Isabel, 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 Isabel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rayiner Hashem is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Rayiner, who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rayiner is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lochlan F. Shelfer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Administrative / Regulatory Law, Appellate Practice and Entertainment and Sports Law. Lochlan F., who practices law in Washington, District of Columbia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lochlan F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Robin Burrell focuses her practice on complex commercial and government-facing litigation in both trial and appellate courts. Frequently representing leading technology companies and universities, Ms. Burrell handles high-stakes civil litigation matters implicating constitutional and statutory issues, including under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) and the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Ms. Burrell has extensive experience with all phases of civil litigation in federal and state ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.