Image
Miller & Chevalier has developed a deep bench of elite litigators capable of handling the most significant of complex civil litigation matters. Given our federal regulatory practice areas and Washington, DC home, we are particularly adept at litigating against the federal government, representing government entities and officials, handling cross-border disputes, and representing clients in connection with novel or unsettled legal issues, including complex federal jurisdictional, preemption, and deference doctrine questions. We also represent public and private companies and their executives in a range of high-end commercial and governance disputes, including those related to fiduciary duty, fraud, contract disputes, director and officer liability, employment and severance claims, and information protection. The work in Miller & Chevalier's core substantive practice areas of tax, white collar, employee benefits, and international often involves complex disputes that must be resolved in federal court. Our cases take us to federal district and appellate courts throughout the country, as well as our local federal courts in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia, including the expedited ("rocket") docket in the Eastern District of Virginia. Our litigators also have experience handling complex state court cases, including in Delaware, Massachusetts, and New York. In addition to our extensive litigation experience in the firm's core specialties, we frequently litigate cases involving government contracts or programs, such as False Claims Act (FCA) cases, Administrative Procedure Act matters, and Inspector General inquiries.
With a team of over 30 litigators, we handle matters from pre-complaint investigation, through discovery, summary judgment, trial, and the appeals process. We have the bench strength to successfully litigate against any firm or the federal government but are small enough to ensure that client service remains at the forefront of every engagement. Our command of the facts, law, and written advocacy and our knowledge of the courts often result in case resolution through favorable settlement or successful dispositive motions, avoiding the risk and expense of a trial. For those cases that go to trial, we bring extensive trial experience. Most of our litigators are seasoned trial lawyers who previously served as Assistant U.S. Attorneys, other senior U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) litigators, and Public Defender Service (PDS) lawyers. We also have considerable experience in resolving cases through mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Spotlight
Representative Engagements
- Represented former CEO of artificial intelligence learning platform company and won dismissal of putative securities class action on a motion to dismiss. Leveque v. iLearningEngines, Inc., No. 8:24-cv-2900, 2026 LX 195121 (D. Md. Mar. 20, 2026).
- Represent former CEO of biopharmaceutical company in insider trading suit brought by the New York Attorney General under New York’s Martin Act. People of the State of New York, by Letitia James v. Kramer, Index No. 450441/2026, Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (filed Jan 15, 2026).
- Represent multinational media network in suit brought under the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act. Shnaider v. Al Jazeera Media Network, No. 1:25-cv-00538 (D.D.C.).
- Co-counsel representing multinational telecommunications company in four related suits in federal court in Washington, DC under the civil aiding and abetting provision of the U.S. Anti-Terrorism Act. Schmitz v. Ericsson Inc., No. 1:22-cv-02317; Wirtz v. Ericsson, Inc., No. 1:24-cv-00514; Wilson v. Ericsson, Inc., D.D.C. No. 1:25-cv-03926; Merom v. Ericsson, Inc., No. 1:26-cv-00951.
- Won summary judgment in favor of Alaska Native Corporation owned business in False Claims Act suit arising out of provision of linguists to the U.S. Army to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. United States, ex rel. Fadlalla v. DynCorp International LLC., No. 8:15-cv-01806, 2025 LX 472508 (D. Md. Sep. 29, 2025).
- Obtained a $49 million judgment in a suit brought under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act terrorism exception on behalf of a U.S. citizen wrongfully imprisoned and tortured in Syria. Dawes v. Syrian Arab Republic, No. 21-cv-2730, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 218934 (D.D.C. Oct. 31, 2023).
- Represent U.S. citizens wrongfully imprisoned and tortured in Syria or Iran in suits brought under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act terrorism exception. Jaraki v. Syrian Arab Republic, No. 1:24-cv-03534 (D.D.C. Dec 19, 2024); Estate of Majd Kamalmaz v. Syrian Arab Republic, No. 1:24-cv-02136 (D.D.C. Jul 22, 2024); Ghodstinat v. Islamic Republic of Iran, No. 1:23-cv-03175 (D.D.C. Oct 23, 2023); Goodwin v. Syrian Arab Republic, No. 1:23-cv-00267 (D.D.C. Jan 31, 2023).
- Represented Western Digital in a successful 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss a suit brought by a former employee of its Brazilian subsidiary under the Dodd-Frank Act anti-retaliation provision, 15 U.S.C. § 78u-6. De Almeida v. Western Digital Corp., 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 190694 (N.D. Cal. June 25, 2021).
Government Experience
- Assistant United States Attorney, District of Columbia
- Director, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Senior Investigative Counsel, Special Committee on Investigations, U.S. Senate
- Chief, Special Litigation Division, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
- Senior Adviser for International Issues to SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Deputy Director, Office of International Affairs, U.S Securities and Exchange Commission
- Assistant Director, Office of International Affairs, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Assistant Chief Litigation Counsel, Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Assistant Federal Public Defender, Las Vegas, Nevada
- Appellate Deputy Public Defender, Nevada State Public Defender's Office
- Trial Attorney and Director of Training, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
- Supervising Attorney, Trial Division, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
- Staff Attorney, Appellate and Trial Divisions, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
Rankings and Recognition
Chambers USA
- ERISA Litigation (Nationwide), 2015 - 2025
- Tax: Controversy (Nationwide), 2007 - 2025
Legal 500
- Labor & Employment: ERISA Litigation (U.S.), 2012 - 2025
- Tax: Contentious (U.S.), 2007 - 2025
Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms"
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar (District of Columbia), 2010 - 2026
- Criminal Defense: White-Collar (National), 2019 - 2026
- Litigation - ERISA (District of Columbia), 2011 - 2026
- Litigation - ERISA (National), 2013 - 2026
- Litigation - Securities (District of Columbia), 2024 - 2025
- Securities Regulation (National), 2024 - 2025
- Commercial Litigation (District of Columbia), 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2018
News and Events
Events
Speaking Engagement
12th Annual London White Collar Crime Institute
Speaking Engagement
Fintech Mexico Forum 2024
Speaking Engagement
Fire Starters Global Summit: Dublin
Speaking Engagement
ABA White Collar Crime Institute
Publications
Internal Publication
Second Circuit Confirms Foreign Litigants Can Seek Documents in the U.S. That They Cannot Seek Abroad
External Publication
Filling the Void: Six State Attorneys General to Watch
External Publication
Cos. Must Prepare For Heightened Trade Enforcement Risks
Internal Publication
The Moat Around Task Order Protests is Evaporating: Federal Circuit's Decision in Percipient.ai Significantly Impacts the Litigation Landscape
External Publication
Fighting Back on Cyberattacks
Practice Lead