Sparacino PLLC has partnered with Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, PLLC and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in bringing these Afghanistan cases on behalf of American veterans, civilians, and their families. Sparacino PLLC serves as investigative counsel in both cases. Kellogg Hansen serves as trial counsel in the Iran case, and Willkie serves as trial counsel in the Anti-Terrorism Act case against the corporations.
KELLOGG HANSEN TODD FIGEL & FREDERICK PLLC is based in Washington, D.C. Kellogg Hansen focuses on litigating complex and high-stakes matters for clients throughout the country. Kellogg Hansen regularly takes cases to verdict at trial and argues before the United States Supreme Court. Kellogg Hansen represents both plaintiffs and defendants, giving the firm a view from both sides of litigation. Kellogg Hansen’s clients include Fortune 100 companies, investment and financial services firms, entrepreneurial start-ups, states and instrumentalities of the U.S. and foreign governments, and individuals. Kellogg Hansen’s roster of attorneys includes former federal prosecutors and other attorneys who have held senior positions throughout the federal government. Almost all the firm’s partners and associates have served as law clerks for federal judges on the United States Courts of Appeals.
JOSHUA D. BRANSON focuses his practice on high-stakes commercial and appellate litigation. Josh has briefed or argued cases in numerous federal courts, including the Supreme Court, and has tried multiple cases in federal courts (including as lead counsel). Josh currently represents more than 1,000 Americans in an Anti-Terrorism Act lawsuit relating to Iran-backed terrorists in Iraq. He will serve as lead trial counsel in the Iran FSIA matter. Josh has particular experience with complex lawsuits involving large numbers of plaintiffs. For example, Josh was a member of the team that successfully sued the NFL for concealing its role in exposing players to traumatic brain injury. Josh graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, and is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C and Massachusetts.
ANDREW E. GOLDSMITH is a former federal prosecutor who now represents corporate and individual clients in state and federal court, as well as in investigations by the Department of Justice and other regulators. Along with Josh, Andy represents more than 1,000 Americans in the Atchley ATA litigation. Previously, Andy was an Assistant United States Attorney in Brooklyn, New York, where he investigated and prosecuted violent crimes and terrorism, working with the United States Military and the Intelligence Community. In 2010, Andy was honored for his contributions to a team that prosecuted Sri Lankan terrorists. Andy graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and previously clerked for a federal appellate judge in New York. He is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C. and New York.
GRACE W. KNOFCZYNSKI represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex commercial cases at the trial and appellate levels. Previously, she clerked for a federal appellate judge in the District of Columbia. Grace graduated summa cum laude from University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she worked as an editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. Grace is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C and Pennsylvania.
WILLKIE, FARR & GALLAGHER LLP is a global law firm, based in New York City, with offices in New York, Washington, Houston, Palo Alto, Paris, London, Frankfurt, Brussels, Milan, and Rome. Willkie’s lawyers have substantial experience in sensitive matters relating to international business practices, including those raising corruption, money laundering, and sanctions concerns. Willkie’s legal team includes a former senior American official in Afghanistan in 2010-2011, and former federal prosecutors who successfully tried terrorism charges to verdict in federal court.
MICHAEL J. GOTTLIEB represents clients in complex and sensitive litigation and investigation matters, including cross-border matters relating to alleged fraud, corruption, and sanctions issues. He currently represents Americans seeking to hold Iran accountable for its support of terrorists in Iraq. Along with Randall Jackson, Michael will serve as co-lead trial counsel in the Anti-Terrorism Act matter against the corporations. Previously, Michael served for more than a year as the Senior Civilian for Task Force 435 in Afghanistan, as a federal prosecutor, an Associate White House Counsel, and a law clerk for the U.S. Supreme Court. Michael graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. He is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C. and New York.
RANDALL W. JACKSON joined private practice after close to a decade as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. With Michael Gottlieb, Randall would serve as co-lead trial counsel in the matter against the corporations. He has tried to verdict numerous federal criminal and civil cases, and he has led or co-led many sensitive national security-related prosecutions, including the U.S. case against Faisal Shahzad, a Pakistani Taliban operative known as the “Times Square Bomber” who attempted to detonate a bomb in New York City. Randall was a law clerk for two federal judges and graduated from Harvard Law School. He is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C., New York, and Michigan.
NICHOLAS REDDICK is an associate in the Litigation Department of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in Washington. Nick represents clients in complex litigation, government investigations, congressional hearings, enforcement actions, multidimensional crises involving sanctions and anti-corruption issues, and other sensitive government-facing matters. A former federal prosecutor and Navy Judge Advocate, Nick is an accomplished courtroom advocate with significant trial experience.
SPARACINO PLLC is based in Washington, D.C. and focuses on white-collar investigations and litigation. Our attorneys practice in areas including the Anti-Terrorism Act, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, False Claims Act, whistleblowers, Dodd-Frank Act, and federal securities, fraud, and banking laws. Our lawyers have experience conducting sensitive investigations for companies and individuals, defending clients in criminal and civil enforcement proceedings, and counseling companies and individuals on international business operations in high-risk regions.
RYAN R. SPARACINO heads his Firm’s Anti-Terrorism Act practice and will serve as lead investigative counsel in these matters. Ryan currently represents more than 1,000 Americans in an ongoing Anti-Terrorism Act case concerning attacks in Iraq. He has experience investigating bribery and terrorism throughout the Middle East and Asia. Ryan has represented clients in military-related matters since 2004, including a key person in an internationally publicized U.S. law enforcement investigation and federal criminal proceeding regarding Iraq. Ryan comes from a family of proud military heritage. At a prior firm, Ryan helped establish a program to provide free legal counsel to service members and their families. Ryan graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law, and is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C.
MARK S. SPARKMAN is a 30-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency. As an Operations Officer, Mark spent his career developing insight into some of the most politically and culturally complex countries and regions in the world. He served the Agency in roles throughout the globe – twice as Chief of Station, three times as Deputy Chief of Station, and as Chief of Operations for East Asia. Mark’s experience stretches across numerous tours around the globe. He was a member of the CIA’s Senior Intelligence Service, and was awarded the Career Intelligence Medal and Intelligence Medal of Merit. Mark is also a survivor of an Al-Qaeda-led bomb attack. Mark is not an attorney, does not provide legal advice, and works under the supervision of a licensed Washington, D.C. attorney.