Frequently, the best results in a government investigation or confidential settlement are nowhere to be found: not on TV, in a newspaper, blogged about, or tweeted. 

Kate Duval focuses on achieving her clients’ goals, which may include avoiding unwanted spotlights and minimizing public attention. Her “extraordinary judgment” frequently helps clients in the highest profile disputes achieve the lowest possible profile. (Source: Chambers USA). Clients say Kate “is an outstanding lawyer. She is thoughtful, knowledgeable, practical and tenacious for her clients.” (Source: Chambers USA).

Described in Chambers as “ridiculously smart,” as well as “a great writer and oral advocate,” Kate’s clients come to her facing their toughest challenges – whether responding to Congress, bar disciplinary authorities, other government inquiries, or otherwise defending against allegations of misconduct.

Years of government service – in all three branches and for politicians of both parties – have well acquainted her with pressure from Congress, the Department of Justice, courts, litigation, and the glare of the public eye. Sometimes all at once. She understands how government works. As one client put it, she knows Congress “inside out.” (Source: Compromised by Peter Strzok)

Kate’s practice in defending lawyers' professional liability and attorneys’ disciplinary matters is complemented by teaching legal ethics at Georgetown University Law Center and her six years of service as a hearing committee member for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board of Professional Responsibility, where she helped resolve attorney ethics and discipline issues. 

Although she’s been described as a “top fixer” (by former Speaker of the House John Boehner), Kate prefers to consider herself a zealous, principled advocate for her clients. During her time in the Obama Administration, Kate led teams of lawyers responsible for investigations and oversight-related matters at two agencies, first as counselor to the commissioner of the IRS and later at the U.S. Department of State. She dealt with congressional committees regarding the Benghazi attacks, the IRS 501(c)(4) nonprofit application process, and email issues, including preparing several State Department and IRS officials for congressional hearings and other testimony.

After a Second Circuit clerkship and before her work in the executive branch, Kate began private practice at Williams & Connolly LLP.

Kate’s passion for advocacy predates her J.D. Before law school, she had a particular focus on women’s health issues, working at Planned Parenthood on the local and national levels (PPNNE and PPFA, respectively) and worked on a Vermont gubernatorial race for Governor Richard A. Snelling, and served as a legislative staffer for U.S. Senator James M. Jeffords (then-R-VT).

Kate is active in firm management, serving on the firm’s Partnership Board and its attorney hiring committees.

Some of her clients include:

• law firms and lawyers from the AmLaw 100 (and others) responding to disciplinary investigations or defending professional liability claims;
• publicly traded companies responding to government inquiries or conducting internal investigations in response to a variety of alleged company or employee misconduct; 
• a domestic importer facing a politically-motivated congressional investigation of its business and government contracts;
• a college student caught up in the college admissions (“Varsity Blues”) investigation;
• an international private intelligence agency responding to investigations and litigation alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and fraud;
• a Flint emergency city manager responding to congressional investigation of the Flint, Michigan water crisis;
• a former FBI Special Agent in various investigations by Congressional committees and the DOJ Inspector General; and
• an attorney fighting potential disbarment for actions taken in the course of representing a client.