Top best W Lawyers in Washington | 1651 available

A native of Oakland, California, Attorney Williams is the principal attorney at the Law Office of Jacqueline Williams in Washington, D.C. Her primary practice areas are Criminal and Civil Litigation. Attorney Williams is a graduate of Grambling State University and Southern University Law Center. In law school, she served as the junior class representative, worked as a member of the law school recruitment team, and served as staff writer on the Law Review. As a Law Review member, her casenote on the incarceration of African American mothers due to fetal abuse, was selected for publishing.. After graduating from law school with honors, Attorney Williams worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York. Following her tenure as a prosecutor, she opened a general litigation firm in New York City and represented private clients in civil and criminal defense cases throughout the five boroughs of New York City. She currently runs a criminal defense practice in Washington, DC.. Attorney Williams also serves as an Administrative Hearing Officer and the President's designee at University of Maryland, College Park. In this capacity she presides over employment matters. Additionally, she has experience handling employment related matters that are appealable to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).. Memberships & Associations. - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. - National Council of Negro Women. - Order of the Eastern Star. - National Bar Association. - Ambassador and 2015 Society member for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. - Commissioner for the Commission on Reentry and Returning Citizens Affairs for the District of Columbia (two terms)

A highly respected and professionally recognized attorney, Andrew Bakaj is a former intelligence officer and criminal investigator who brings a history of distinguished service to the firm. This experience enables the firm to represent individuals in adverse security clearance actions, whistleblower activities, employment matters (to include appearing the Merit Systems Protection Board), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) matters, and individuals, corporations, and organizations who are facing investigation. Notably, his background as a subject-matter expert in whistleblower reprisal investigations makes him uniquely qualified to represent individuals who have experienced retaliatory action as a result of lawfully engaging in protected activity—whistleblower reprisal—particularly when the action involves a security clearance. Moreover, he is a leading expert in security clearance matters. In his professional capacities, Andrew has advised and counseled numerous senior U.S. Government officials in a variety of legal and investigative areas.. Andrew has been lauded by colleagues and professional organizations alike. Notably, he was named “Lawyer of the Year” by his peers at the Metropolitan Washington Employment Lawyers Association, and Washingtonian Magazine named him among Washington, DC’s top attorneys. Perhaps most unique is that Washingtonian named Andrew among “Washington’s 250 Most Influential People”, identifying him among “the 250 experts and advocates—outside the government—who’ll be shaping the policy debates of the years to come.”. In naming Washington’s Most Influential People, Washingtonian wrote:. “Policymaking changes as governments come in and out of power. But the bedrock underlying it—expertise that enables public service and good-faith debate and explains why idealists still come to Washington—remains. Here’s a look at who’s wielding that influence right now.”. This distinction directly corresponds with many of Andrew’s cases and his publicly-stated personal mission: that his work be timely, relevant, and have impact.. To that end, you have certainly seen his work as he has successfully represented clients in some of the nation’s highest profile matters. Andrew also lends his voice to addressing specific legal and policy issues when appropriate. As such, he has written numerous articles on security clearance issues, federal investigations, and whistleblower matters.. Previously, Andrew also served as Senior Investigator with the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General.  While with DoD, he led and managed global investigative operations involving time-sensitive and high profile investigations, many of which involved senior officials.  Further, Andrew developed a legal and investigative framework in conducting the Federal Government’s first investigations involving security clearance actions as a pretext for whistleblower reprisal.  This framework was ultimately used as the basis for oversight over such investigations to comply with a Presidential Executive Order.  Andrew's proven ability to conceptualize and illustrate the long-term impact of significant regulatory and policy initiatives has been invaluable to the senior officials whom he has advised.  As a result, the Department of Defense recognized Andrew by awarding him Investigator of the Year, Investigations of the Year, and the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General Career Achievement Award.Prior to serving with CIA and DoD, Andrew practiced law in New Jersey and Washington, DC. Further, he has had numerous federal internships, which include serving with the State Department in Kyiv, Ukraine; as a law clerk with the Department of Justice; and serving three United States Senators.. Andrew's practice areas include:. Security Clearance and Polygraph. Whistleblower Representation & Federal Employment Law. Criminal and Administrative Investigations. Internal Investigations. Congressional Investigations. Government & Media Relations. Freedom of Information Act and Pre-Publication Guidance. The Compass Rose Financial Debt Recovery Program