August 15, 2024

272 Venable LLP Attorneys Recognized in the 2025 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch

16 min

WASHINGTON, DC (August 15, 2024) – Venable LLP is pleased to announce that a total of 272 of its attorneys have been recognized in the 2025 Best Lawyer lists, including 166 attorneys listed in The Best Lawyers in America and 106 attorneys listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America, which recognizes attorneys who have been in practice for less than 10 years.

In addition to being recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, 10 attorneys were named a 2025 Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year.” This honor is awarded annually to one lawyer per practice area in each region.

The following Venable attorneys were selected by Best Lawyers:

Baltimore

A total of 77 Baltimore attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following eight attorneys were named a Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in Baltimore:

  • Bruce R. Parker – Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
  • Carmen M. Fonda – Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Charles J. Morton, Jr. – Venture Capital Law
  • Christopher D. Mudd – Litigation – Real Estate
  • James J. Hanks, Jr. – Corporate Governance Law
  • Kevin L. Shepherd – Real Estate Law
  • Robert A. Hoffman – Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Stephen E. Marshall – Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

The following 57 Baltimore attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Harry I. Atlas – Insurance Law
  • Anne-Thérèse Béchamps – Real Estate Law
  • Laura Skowronski Bouyea – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
  • Darek S. Bushnaq – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Walter R. Calvert – Public Finance Law, Tax Law
  • Colleen Mallon Casse – Commercial Litigation
  • Gregory A. Cross – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • J. Joseph Curran III – Energy Law
  • Andrew J. Currie – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Christopher S. Davidson – Tax Law
  • Jonathan D. Eisner – Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Brian P. Field – Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Kurt J. Fischer – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Real Estate Law
  • Carmen M. Fonda – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Jeffrey K. Gonya – Nonprofit / Charities Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Christopher S. Gunderson – Commercial Litigation
  • Todd Gustin – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • W. Warren Hamel – Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Environmental Law
  • James J. Hanks, Jr. – Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Kathleen S. Hardway – Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Marta D. Harting – Commercial Litigation Energy Law
  • Michael L. Hecht – Commercial Litigation
  • Marianne Schmitt Hellauer – Trusts and Estates
  • Todd J. Horn – Employment Law – Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Sarah H. B. Kahl – Trusts and Estates
  • Mitchell Kolkin – Project Finance Law
  • Michael A. Leber – Corporate Law, Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
  • Norman Lencz – Tax Law
  • Paul C. Levin – Real Estate Law
  • Michael B. MacWilliams – Commercial Litigation
  • Stephen E. Marshall – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Patricia McGowan – Corporate Law
  • Mitchell Y. Mirviss – Appellate Practice
  • Charles J. Morton, Jr. – Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Securitization and Structured Finance Law, Technology Law, Venture Capital Law
  • Brian J. O'Connor – Litigation and Controversy - Tax, Tax Law
  • Bruce R. Parker – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • John T. Prisbe – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Construction
  • Brent W. Procida – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • W. Bryan Rakes – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Jason Rose – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Anthony J. Rosso – Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Dino S. Sangiamo – Commercial Litigation
  • Michael D. Schiffer – Corporate Law
  • Evan T. Shea – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Kevin L. Shepherd – Real Estate Law
  • Ashley C. Short – Trusts and Estates
  • John R. Stierhoff – Government Relations Practice
  • Ronald W. Taylor – Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Craig A. Thompson – Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Kenneth L. Thompson – Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Stacie E. Tobin – Commercial Litigation
  • Robert L. Waldman – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law
  • Thomas D. Washburne, Jr. – Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • G. Stewart Webb, Jr. – Commercial Litigation
  • Kelly Shubic Weiner – Real Estate Law
  • Gina A. Zentz – Real Estate Law
  • Yosef Ziffer – Tax Law

The following 20 Baltimore attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Gueter Aurelien – Corporate Law, Tax Law
  • Grant M. Barnhard – Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
  • Nathaniel S. Berry – Commercial Litigation
  • Meredith K. Boram – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation
  • Jacob T. Byrne – Corporate Law, Real Estate Law
  • Nicholas J. Collevecchio, Jr. – Corporate Law
  • Kelly E. Handzo – Commercial Litigation
  • William B. King – Commercial Litigation
  • JaMar S. Mancano – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Daniel R.H. Mendelsohn – Corporate Law
  • Nicholas A. Mongelluzzo – Commercial Litigation
  • Christopher N. Moran – Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Jeffrey S. Nover – Financial Services Regulation Law, Real Estate Law
  • Chelsea B. Riggin – Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Liz Clark Rinehart – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Nick D. Rupkey – Real Estate Law
  • Sarah Louise Scott – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Gabriel M. Steele – Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Elizabeth Fialkowski Stieff – Tax Law
  • Harrison H. Taylor – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

Chicago

A total of 11 Chicago attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following six Chicago attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Mark C. Friedlander – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
  • Adam G. Kelly – Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent, Patent Law
  • Virgil R. Montgomery – Construction Law
  • Michael L. Morkin – International Arbitration - Commercial
  • Kenneth M. Roberts – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
  • Heidi Hennig Rowe – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction

The following five Chicago attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Christina K. Brunka – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
  • Andrew J. Donivan – Construction Law
  • Jonathan Freilich – Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
  • Michael Sanko – Intellectual Property Law
  • James Winn – Communications Law, Intellectual Property Law

Denver

A total of six Denver attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following three Denver attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Emily F. Keimig – Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Peter G. Koclanes – Commercial Litigation, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • James G. Sawtelle – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property

The following three Denver attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Jessica Arett – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
  • Tara A. Bailes – Commercial Litigation
  • Beth Lennon – Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment

Fort Lauderdale

The following three Fort Lauderdale attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Mariaelena Gayo-Guitian – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation
  • Maxine K. Streeter – Commercial Litigation
  • Theresa Van Vliet – Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar

Los Angeles

A total of 24 Los Angeles attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following 12 Los Angeles attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Valentin G. Aguilar II – Real Estate Law
  • Lee S. Brenner – Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Media Law
  • Sarah S. Brooks – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Grace Chung – Nonprofit / Charities Law, Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Mitchell Evall – Real Estate Law
  • David E. Fink – Entertainment Law - Motion Pictures and Television, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Daniel P. Hoffer – Employment Law - Management
  • Michael J. O'Connor – Commercial Litigation
  • Matthew A. Portnoff – Tax Law
  • Andrew Schmerzler – Real Estate Law
  • Jason P. Trenton – Trusts and Estates

The following 12 Los Angeles attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Witt W. Chang – Real Estate Law
  • Theresa R. Clardy LaFazia – Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Sarah E. Diamond – Commercial Litigation, Entertainment and Sports Law
  • Brian G. Fredkin – Tax Law
  • Michael C. Godino – Entertainment and Sports Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Nicholas A. Jacobus – Tax Law, Trusts and Estates
  • Nikki J. Kerman – Trusts and Estates
  • Nicole N. King – Commercial Litigation
  • Rudolph G. Klapper – Commercial Litigation
  • Ken D. Kronstadt – Commercial Litigation
  • Bryan Weintrop – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Max N. Wellman – Commercial litigation

Miami

A total of 14 Miami attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following attorney was named a Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in Miami:

  • Nina Greene, Franchise Law

The following 11 Miami attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Paul J. Battista – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Peter W. Bellas – Commercial Litigation
  • W. Barry Blum – Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law
  • Allison R. Day – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Gregory M. Garno – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • John H. Genovese – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Nina Greene – Franchise Law
  • Michael D. Joblove – Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Real Estate
  • Glenn D. Moses – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Jonathan E. Perlman – Commercial Litigation, Franchise Law
  • Richard J. Sarafan – Litigation - Real Estate

The following three Miami attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Dimitrije Canic – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
  • Joseph B. Isenberg – Commercial Litigation
  • Elizabeth McIntosh – Commercial Litigation

New York

A total of 37 New York attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following 17 New York attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Marcella Ballard – Copyright Law
  • Jessie F. Beeber – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Brian J. Clark – Labor Law - Management
  • Dominick A. Conde – Litigation - Intellectual Property, Patent Law
  • Susan E. Golden – Real Estate Law
  • Leonard L. Gordon – Advertising Law
  • Brian G. Lustbader – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
  • Ari J. Markenson – Health Care Law
  • Michael C. Phillipou – Construction Law
  • Scott K. Reed – Litigation - Patent
  • Nicholas M. Reiter – Employment Law - Management
  • Gary L. Rubin – Construction Law, Litigation - Construction
  • Jeffrey S. Sabin – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Michael P. Sandonato – Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Patent
  • William E. Solander – Litigation - Patent
  • Michael J. Volpe – Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management
  • Russell M. Wolfson – Construction Law

The following 20 New York attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Katherine Adams – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Benjamin P. Argyle – Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Hilary G. Atzrott – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • Robert E. Bugg – Intellectual Property Law
  • Shannon K. Clark – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Gianna E. Cricco-Lizza – Intellectual Property Law
  • Laura K. Fishwick – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Whitney Meier Howard – Intellectual Property Law
  • J. Daniel Kang – Intellectual Property Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Gregory J. Manas – Intellectual Property Law
  • Sean M. McCarthy – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Sean C. McDonagh – Intellectual Property Law
  • Abhijit Nagaraj – Real Estate Law
  • Jonathan M. Sharret – Intellectual Property Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Alice Shulman – Intellectual Property Law, Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Maria R. Sinatra – Litigation - Intellectual Property
  • Prajakta A. Sonalker – Litigation - Patent
  • John Walsh – Commercial litigation, Construction Law
  • Emily Seiderman West – Commercial Litigation

San Francisco

A total of five San Francisco attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following attorney was named a Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco:

  • John S. Worden, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

The following four San Francisco attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Geoffrey C. Etnire – Real Estate Law
  • William M. Sloan – Environmental Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Tyler G. Welti – Environmental Law
  • John S. Worden – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

The following San Francisco attorney is listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Emily Foehr – Trusts and Estates

Tampa

The following Tampa attorney is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Lisa M. Castellano – Commercial Litigation

Towson

A total of five Towson attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following four Towson attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Jeffrey P. Ayres – Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Robert A. Hoffman – Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • David H. Karceski – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • Christopher D. Mudd – Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation - Real Estate

The following Towson attorney is listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Susan R. Schipper – Commercial Litigation

Tysons

A total of 14 Tysons attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following nine Tysons attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Nicholas M. DePalma – Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate, Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Stephen K. Gallagher – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • J. Michael Pickett – Real Estate Law
  • Douglas Proxmire – Construction Law
  • Jennifer G. Prozinski – Employment Law - Management
  • Michael W. Robinson – Commercial Litigation
  • Joseph C. Schmelter – Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Kedrick Whitmore – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • John A. Wilhelm – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

The following five Tysons attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Matthew J. Allman – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • Kristin M. Elia – Real Estate Law
  • Lindsay Ruffner Heitger – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Andrew S. Hirsch – Real Estate Law
  • Christian R. Schreiber – Commercial Litigation

Washington, DC

A total of 75 Washington, DC attorneys are recognized in the 2025 lists.

The following 39 Washington, DC attorneys are recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for 2025:

  • Steven A. Adducci – Energy Law
  • Robert G. Ames – Employment Law – Management, Labor Law - Management"
  • Claude Bailey – Real Estate Law
  • Kelly DeMarchis Bastide – Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Ellen Traupman Berge – Advertising Law
  • Robert J. Bolger, Jr. – Corporate Law
  • Jennifer J. Bruton – Real Estate Law
  • James H. Burnley IV – Transportation Law
  • Emilio W. Cividanes – Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Roger A. Colaizzi – Advertising Law
  • Joseph W. Creech – Real Estate Law
  • Michael C. Davis – Environmental Law
  • Stephanie DeLong – Real Estate Law
  • Lisa Jose Fales – Litigation - Antitrust
  • Geoffrey R. Garinther – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Caroline Petro Gately – Real Estate Law
  • Lawrence H. Gesner – Real Estate Law
  • Craig Gilley – Communications Law
  • Robert G. Gottlieb – Real Estate Law
  • Douglas H. Green – Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental
  • Philip M. Horowitz – Real Estate Law
  • Stuart P. Ingis – Advertising Law, Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Joshua J. Kaufman – Copyright Law
  • Thomas C. Klanderman – Real Estate Law
  • Claudia A. Lewis – FDA Law, Food and Beverage Law
  • Kevin J. Lipson – Energy Law
  • Lindsay B. Meyer – International Trade and Finance Law
  • Thomas E.D. Millspaugh – Real Estate Law
  • David Mullon – Government Relations Practice, Native American Law
  • Jeanne L. Newlon – Trusts and Estates
  • Samuel Olchyk – Tax Law
  • Richard E. Powers, Jr. – Energy Law, Energy Regulatory Law
  • Mark E. Schamel – Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Douglas L. Siegler – Trusts and Estates
  • Michael A. Signorelli – Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Laura A. Stefani – Communications Law
  • Melissa Landau Steinman – Advertising Law
  • Emily K. Strunk – FDA Law
  • Lisa A. Tavares – Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law

The following 36 Washington, DC attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for 2025:

  • Ashleigh A. Allione – Nonprofit / Charities Law
  • Emma R. W. Blaser – Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Christopher L. Boone – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Communications Law
  • Robin L.S. Burroughs – Labor and Employment Law - Management
  • Jean Yin Crews – Real Estate Law
  • Neha Dhindsa – Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Jacqueline A. DiRamio – Intellectual Property Law
  • Audrey Distler – Corporate Law
  • Bridgette L. Dussman – Real Estate Law
  • Paul Feinstein – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Antitrust Law
  • Michael T. Francel – Government Relations Practice
  • Mary M. Gardner – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law
  • Janice P. Gregerson – Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment Law - Management
  • Christopher Griesedieck, Jr. – Government Relations Practice
  • Andrew T. Hernacki – Commercial Litigation Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Joseph R. Hicks – Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Benjamin E. Horowitz – Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Ana L. Jara – Insurance Law, Litigation - Real Estate
  • Christopher J. Kim – Intellectual Property Law
  • Evan Krygowski – Intellectual Property Law
  • David D. Leege – Intellectual Property Law
  • Meredith K. McCoy – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law
  • Molly R. Merritts-Ricci – Corporate Law
  • Katie Wright Morrone – Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation
  • David E. Owens – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law
  • Theodore B. Randles – Commercial Litigation
  • Shahin O. Rothermel – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Andrew L. Steinberg – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Antitrust Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Nonprofit / Charities Law
  • Daniel G. Straga – Corporate Law, Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity Law
  • Wes S. Sudduth – Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Ryan M. Sweigard – Corporate Law
  • Ashley E. Sykes – Labor and Employment Law - Management
  • Cristina I. Vessels – Administrative / Regulatory Law, Tax Law
  • Ryan T. Ward – Intellectual Property Law
  • William W. Weaver – Land Use and Zoning Law, Real Estate Law
  • Wenning Xu – Real Estate Law 

###

Venable LLP is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm headquartered in Washington, DC that serves as primary counsel to a worldwide clientele of large and mid-sized organizations, nonprofits, high-net-worth entrepreneurs, and other individuals. With more than 900 professionals across the country, in California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the firm strategically advances its clients’ objectives in the United States and around the globe. Venable advises clients on a broad range of business and regulatory law, legislative affairs, complex litigation, and the full range of intellectual property disciplines. For more information, please visit https://www.Venable.com/.