About

I am a trial attorney who currently represents a wide variety of public and private clients in complex commercial disputes.  In addition to customary civil litigation in both state and federal courts, I am actively engaged in several emergent matters seeking preliminary and permanent injunctive relief.  Although I have extensive experience trying cases as a “first-chair” lawyer before both judges and juries, I am also a trained advocate who routinely represents clients at a broad range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) proceedings, including both mediations and arbitrations. Prior to joining Taft, I was a trial attorney for a highly specialized commercial litigation boutique in downtown Washington, D.C.  Before that, I spent six years on active duty with the U.S. Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG).  As a Lieutenant Commander with the JAG Corps, I defended clients at more than twenty contested court-martials involving allegations of inchoate, pecuniary, and violent crimes.  I also counseled more than 500 service personnel during various stages of internal investigations, boards of inquiry, and inspector general inquests. Later in my military career, I became a Prosecutor with the Office of Military Commissions – the litigating unit assigned to prosecute suspected al Qaeda and Taliban members detained by the Department of Defense at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  As my final duty with the U.S. Navy, I served as a Prosecutor in the landmark case of United States v. Hicks, the first domestic war-crime tribunal and conviction in nearly 60 years. I currently focus my practice on sophisticated, multi-party litigation, including class actions, discrimination claims, and insurance coverage disputes.  I have unique expertise overcoming both whistleblower protection and retaliation claims, and substantial experience defending municipal governments in almost every type of employment-related matter. Several of my most successful recent representations include:       Over the years, my opponents have called me “thoughtful,” “strategic,” “disarming,” and “particularly polished in the courtroom.”  A former commanding officer (a three-star admiral) described me as “A dynamic, forward-thinking officer and leader, [who] demonstrates unlimited legal, leadership potential.”  In each of my cases, I strive to exhibit model professional conduct and an unwavering commitment to personal ethics and core values.  Although aggressive when necessary, I prefer to save my clients time and money by finding creative or non-traditional solutions to problems other attorneys would handle by threats or confrontation. I am a strong proponent of personal relationships and mentoring, and a staunch advocate of greater diversity and equality in the workplace. 

Practices Areas

Litigation

Employment and labor

Language

English Spanish

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