Based in Washington DC, the Williams & Connolly LLP team is headed by Robert Van Kirk, Amanda MacDonald, and Steven Farina. Van Kirk offers a wealth of experience, arguing at every level of the federal system, including the United States Supreme Court. Farina represents national and international accounting firms and defends the issuers, underwriters, and individuals in securities litigation. MacDonald offers her experience to a range of clients, with a focus on underwriters, board committees, directors, and corporate officers. Litigating cases at the trial and appellate levels, Sarah Kirkpatrick is experienced in representing clients in the pharmaceutical, private equity, broker-dealer, and media industries. John Williams is recommended across securities litigation, professional liability defense, and appellate work.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Williams & Connolly lawyers are smart, strategic, great communicators and advocates.’
‘Easy to work and communicate with; highly intelligent and well-versed in the law; smart and strategic.’
‘Smart people who listen and advise so they act in an informed manner. Strategy is a discussion rather than a decree. Absolute machines in execution. At the same time, they are humble. You can count on them to deliver. ’
‘I always felt that Robert Van Kirk had my back and, while playing fully within all rules, would move all obstacles to our success. Get Robert - he wins. ’
Key clients
- The Carlyle Group, Inc., various affiliated entities, and the former directors of Authentix, Inc.
- Special Litigation Committee of the Board of Bumble Inc.
- CVS Health
- Medtronic
- Knighted Pastures
- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.
- The Carlyle Group, Inc., and Certain Subsidiaries
- Entrepreneur & Co-Founder of ZocDoc
- Signify Health
Work highlights
Secured a bench trial victory for The Carlyle Group, Inc. and various affiliated entities, along with former directors of Authentix, Inc., before the Court of Chancery in a case brought by minority shareholders alleging breaches of fiduciary duty and other claims related to the 2017 sale of Authentix, a Carlyle portfolio company.
Represented the Special Litigation Committee of the Board of Bumble Inc. that investigated shareholder breach of fiduciary duty claims lodged in two cases alleging that its controlling shareholder used insider information in selling stock pursuant to a secondary offering in late 2021.
Represents CVS Health in multiple federal and state securities class actions alleging 1933 and 1934 Act violations relating to its acquisition of Omnicare and subsequent accounting judgments.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Steven Farina; Robert Van Kirk; Amanda MacDonald
Other key lawyers
John Williams; Sarah Kirkpatrick