Melissa Lesmes > Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is well-reputed for helping its clients execute large and complex projects and advising on disputes in the context of construction accidents and force majeure events. Washington DC-based practice heads Melissa Lesmes and Clark Thiel are key individuals for construction delays, defects, and insurance coverage disputes. Charles Conrad leads the firm’s Houston branch, where he represents owners and contractors in traditional and renewable energy disputes. Recent joiner Derrick Carson, also Houston-based, tries similar cases in front of juries, judges and arbitrators. San Francisco’s Robert James and special counsel John Heisse assist developers, builders, and designers throughout public and private construction projects. In the DC office, Laura Bourgeois LoBue and Michael McNamara advise on construction and engineering disputes, involving disruption, suspension and termination of contracts.

Counting only policyholders as clients, the insurance recovery practice at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has represented a diverse selection of clients in the full spectrum of insurance coverage disputes. Standout matters on the team’s desk this year include representing Hilton Worldwide Holdings in a $1.7bn business interruption claim before the Nevada and Virginia state courts, and assisting CITGO Petroleum Corp after its chartered crude oil tanker was seized by Venezuelan authorities. The group, co-led by Los Angeles-based veteran trial and appellate attorney Robert Wallan, is a notably popular choice for clients in the construction sector, as well as clients in hospitality, banking, pharma, and more, taking on high-stakes, often international matters and building a track record of recovery work in the the growing area of cyber risks. Also co-chairing the operation is Peter Gillon, who splits his time between Miami and Washington DC, and is routinely engaged in D&O, P&C, securities, and other types of coverage disputes. Washington DC-based Mark Plumer is a key contact for policyholders in the sectors of public utilities, oil, and mining, New York-based Joseph Jean is well-versed in litigating business interruption matters, and David Klein has a broad practice in DC that includes marine cargo and aviation coverage. Also in DC, Melissa Lesmes specializes in assisting construction sector clients with a range of policy disputes, as does flexible litigator Eric Gold. Brendan Hogan focuses on cyber losses. Experienced trial lawyer Colin Kemp heads the San Francisco team, and over in Houston, Tamara Bruno handles a plethora of high-stakes coverage disputes. Partner Jeff Kiburtz arrived from Covington & Burling LLP in September of 2024.

Operating ‘efficiently and collaboratively’, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is often called upon to handle multi-party litigation involving multiple proceedings, from breach of contract, antitrust and tax cases to insurance recovery and consumer class actions. The team represents both national and international clients from a range of sectors, from the tech, real estate and construction to the healthcare, aviation and oil and gas industries. Deborah Baum in Washington DC leads the team, representing clients before state, federal and appellate courts and arbitral tribunals. Splitting his time between Miami and Beijing, Geoffrey Sant is a go to for global banks, investment companies and businesses. Based in Houston, Willie Wood receives high praise from clients, while DC-based Melissa Lesmes is lauded as ‘extremely responsive and diligent’. Anne Voight joined the team in Silicon Valley from King & Spalding LLP in August 2024.