Best Lawyers in District of Columbia, United States for Appellate Practice
Laura Powell assists clients in all phases of cases from pre-litigation investigation through trial and appeals, with emphasis in appellate litigation. She has extensive experience representing clients in patent appeals involving a wide range of technologies. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Powell was litigation associate at another international law firm. She also served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Evan J. Wallach of the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Honora...
Andrew Lyonsberg focuses his practice on litigation in the Supreme Court and appellate courts across the country, as well as major motions at the trial-court level. He has briefed more than fifty appellate matters and dispositive motions, and has argued before the US Courts of Appeals for the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Circuits. Andrew also has extensive experience with agency litigation under the Administrative Procedure Act, including several recent victories setting aside federal agency act...
Sameer P. Sheikh is an associate in the Fintech & Payments and Investigations & White Collar Defense practices. He is based in the Washington, D.C. office. Mr. Sheikh is a litigator and trial attorney whose clients are individuals and companies in both the financial services and venture capital industries. Whether he is counseling an emerging growth company or a venture investor, Mr. Sheikh takes pride in developing business-minded strategies and solutions to complex legal and regulat...
Kate Epstein represents companies, institutions, and individuals in high-stakes commercial litigation, on both the plaintiff and defense side. Kate’s commercial practice spans a broad array of subject areas—including contract, intellectual property, consumer fraud, partnership dispute, employment, finance, cryptocurrency, bankruptcy, and insurance. Kate has extensive experience managing large and complex litigation matters, advising executives about potential and ongoing legal dis...
Sarah P. Hogarth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Sarah P., 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 Sarah P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Katherine Maddox Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Katherine Maddox, 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 Katherine Maddox is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael J. Mestitz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Michael J., 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 Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Andrew K. Waks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Andrew K., 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 Andrew K. 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.
Donna Farag focuses on complex litigation and government regulatory matters, including appellate litigation. During her time at WilmerHale, Ms. Farag has litigated a variety of government-facing matters, including APA actions, and has defended private companies in consumer class actions, Anti-Terrorism Act litigation, and government investigations. Ms. Farag has also counseled clients in matters before regulatory agencies.
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.