Vinson & Elkins Celebrates 50 Years of Success and Growth in Washington, D.C.

Located at 2200 Pennsylvania Ave., the Vinson & Elkins’ Washington office serves a diverse client base as a trusted adviser on matters that relate to Antitrust, Appellate, Environmental, Energy Regulatory, Corporate, Tax, Intellectual Property, Government Procurement, Export Controls, Government Investigations, White Collar Criminal Defense, and National Security.

“Washington’s significance as the capital of the United States offers unparalleled opportunities to remain on top of changes to evolving regulations and navigating the complexities of government affairs,” said Dave Johnson, Office Managing Partner in Washington for Vinson & Elkins. “We have built a strong foundation in the city with exceptional capabilities in a number of areas in order to assist our clients with some of the most complex issues related to federal courts and administrative agency litigation, regulatory actions and public policy. Our presence in Washington enables us to provide our clients with invaluable insights, strategic guidance, and effective counsel.”

“Washington is a vibrant hub of international relations and business activity, and we have forged a number of relationships and supported our clients in many impactful ways in the city,” said Rick Sofield, Office Hiring Partner in Washington for Vinson & Elkins. “As we commemorate 50 years of excellence, we have been privileged to tap into the city’s diverse and dynamic workforce, attracting top talent from various disciplines. As we continue to strengthen our capabilities, we recognize our commitment to hiring exceptional talent will remain a cornerstone of our success.”

The office recently expanded its Energy Regulatory practice by adding eight highly skilled litigators, further strengthening the firm’s established energy, regulatory, and litigation capabilities. Led by partner William Scherman, the team includes partners Jeffrey Jakubiak and Jason Fleischer, counsel Laura Swett, Jennifer Mansh, and Thomas Kirby, senior counsel Judge John Dring, and associate Phillip Washburn. They bring extensive knowledge in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) enforcement and investigations, which perfectly complements Vinson & Elkins’ leadership in the energy industry, particularly in natural gas pipelines and electric transmission.

Further expansion in the Vinson & Elkins’ Washington office includes the Antitrust Transactional practice with the addition of partner, Kara Kuritz. Her proficiency in merger control, and foreign filings, and her dedicated focus on assessing antitrust risks and ensuring compliance with merger notification regulations greatly enhance our team’s capabilities. Growing the Antitrust Litigation practice that handles many of the nation’s most high-profile cases with the addition of partner, Stephen Medlock. A trusted advisor to clients in antitrust compliance matters, with a particular focus on clients in the food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, automotive and technology industries. Along with the addition of partner, Adam Hudes, a seasoned litigator and antitrust attorney who concentrates on complex antitrust and commercial disputes.

Chambers USA 2023 recognized Vinson & Elkins’ Washington office in the following practice categories Antitrust, Environment, and Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations. In past years and presently, the office has continued to be recognized in surveys of legal excellence including Chambers USA, U.S. News & World Report, Legal 500 U.S., Who’s Who Legal, Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and The National Law Journal.

The Vinson & Elkins’ Washington Office also is a strong advocate of pro bono work and community outreach. Alongside mentoring and tutoring students from Thurgood Marshall Academy, the office organized a fundraising event for Team Red White & Blue, aiding veterans’ reintegration into society. Notably, Vinson & Elkins played a vital role in securing grants of asylum for two courageous Afghan refugee women who escaped the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.