Wiley Rein Announces New Partners and Counsel for 2017

November 30, 2016

Washington, DC—Wiley Rein LLP is pleased to announce the election of new partners—Shawn H. Chang, Karin A. Hessler, Rachel K. Hunnicutt, Christopher M. Mills, and Brian Walsh—effective January 1, 2017. In addition, the firm has promoted Edgar Class to of counsel, and Tessa Capeloto, Kathryne C. Dickerson, and Jason O’Brien to special counsel, also effective January 1.

“I am proud to congratulate this exceptional group of lawyers on these well-deserved promotions, which reflect their notable accomplishments and a consistent commitment to clients over many years,” said Managing Partner Peter D. Shields. “Their leadership and collegial efforts—both within the firm and with clients—reflect a dedication to the core values of our firm. We look forward to sharing in their continued success.”

The Firm’s Newest Partners

Shawn H. Chang, formerly of counsel, is a member of the Privacy, Public Policy, and Telecom, Media & Technology (TMT) practices. A former Chief Counsel on Communications and Technology in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Chang employs his extensive Capitol Hill experience to assist clients with matters before Congress, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and other regulatory bodies. He has advised clients on wireless spectrum, network neutrality, Universal Service Fund programs, and other telecom and technology-related issues. In his prior government role, Mr. Chang drafted the seminal Public Safety and Spectrum Act of 2012 that authorized the FCC to conduct incentive auctions and created the public safety broadband network known as FirstNet. He received his J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and his B.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University.

Karin A. Hessler, promoted from associate, is a member of the Intellectual Property and Litigation practices. Ms. Hessler represents a variety of clients on intellectual property matters, with special focus on Hatch-Waxman patent litigation and counseling. Ms. Hessler has handled complex patent cases from the initial complaint filing through trial, and has counseled clients on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory matters. She received her J.D., cum laude, from New York University School of Law and her M.A. from Duke University. She received her B.S., summa cum laude, from Lafayette College.

Rachel K. Hunnicutt, promoted from of counsel, is a member of the Food, Drug, and Medical Device Law and Intellectual Property practices. Ms. Hunnicutt advises clients on a wide range of FDA regulatory matters, including life cycle management issues such as market exclusivity periods, Orange Book patent listings, and patent term extensions. In addition, she has extensive experience representing life sciences corporations in patent infringement litigation, with a primary focus on Hatch-Waxman patent litigation. Ms. Hunnicutt also counsels clients in a broad range of patent matters and performs regulatory and intellectual property due diligence. She received her J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School and her M.S. from Hood College. She received her B.S. from the University of Maryland.

Christopher M. Mills, promoted from of counsel, is a member of the Corporate, Government Contracts, Intellectual Property and Litigation practices. Mr. Mills counsels and represents clients in a range of transactional matters, including complex master services agreements, software development and licensing, and the acquisition of technology and intellectual property. He also represents clients in commercial, intellectual property, corporate and government contract disputes and has litigated in federal and state courts, and the Boards of Contract Appeals. He received his J.D., with honors, from The George Washington University Law School, where he was a member of The George Washington Law Review. He received his M.C.E. from Johns Hopkins University and his B.S. and B.C.E. from The Catholic University of America.

Brian Walsh, promoted from associate, is a member of the Government Contracts, Intellectual Property, and Litigation practices. Mr. Walsh represents government contractors and subcontractors, as well as federal and state grant recipients, on a range of matters, including contract claims and disputes, bid protests, teaming and subcontracting issues, data rights and intellectual property issues, government investigations and audits, and compliance with ethics and procurement integrity laws. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, Order of the Coif, where he served as senior editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. He received his B.A., cum laude, from Ursinus College. Mr. Walsh served as law clerk for the Honorable Daniel M. Friedman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

The Firm’s Newest Of Counsel

Edgar Class, formerly special counsel, is a member of the Telecom, Media & Technology Practice. Mr. Class has extensive experience providing regulatory, transactional and strategic advice to clients in the communications industry. His experience includes FCC rulemakings, licensing requirements, mergers and acquisitions, spectrum auctions and leasing, foreign ownership, Universal Service, disability access, and enforcement matters. Mr. Class serves as chair of Wiley Rein’s Latino Lawyers Affinity Group, and is president of the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia. He received his J.D., cum laude, from American University’s Washington College of Law, where he served as note and comment editor of the Administrative Law Review. He received his B.A. from American University.

The Firm’s Newest Special Counsel

Tessa Capeloto, promoted from associate, is a member of the International Trade Practice. Ms. Capeloto represents clients in a variety of international trade matters, including antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings, sanctions, anti-money laundering, and compliance matters. She provides guidance on economic sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and on the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and represents clients in trade litigation before the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the U.S. Court of International Trade. She received her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law, where she served as articles and comments editor of the Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal. She received her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of Washington.

Kathryne C. Dickerson, promoted from associate, is a member of the Telecom, Media & Technology and FTC Regulation practices. Ms. Dickerson counsels broadcast TV and radio clients on a wide array of issues, such as programming content, including indecency and broadcast and social media contests; lottery, tobacco, and alcohol advertising; political advertising; assignments and transfers; and ownership and attribution rules. She also counsels top international retailers, among other clients, on advertising-related issues, including those arising under the FTC Act and the Lanham Act. She received her J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as senior articles editor of the Georgetown Immigration Law Journal. She received her B.S.F.S., summa cum laude, from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service.

Jason O’Brien, promoted from associate, is a member of the Insurance and Litigation practices. Mr. O’Brien represents insurers in coverage litigation under general liability and professional liability policies. He counsels insurers on potential liability issues, analyzes claims, and develops litigation strategies. He serves as monitoring counsel in connection with directors and officers liability claims and assists insurers with the resolution of complex securities claims. He received his J.D., cum laude, from American University’s Washington College of Law, where he served as note and comment editor for the American University Law Review. He received hisB.A. from Boston College. Mr. O’Brien served as a judicial intern for the Honorable John D. Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.