Alejandra Ávila

March 12, 2026 — This Women’s History Month, Kellogg Hansen partner Alejandra Ávila spoke with The Appellate Project about her career and shared her advice for how to build a sustainable appellate practice. In “A Day in the Life of a Partner,” Alejandra reflects on her work at the firm.  “[T]here is no ‘typical’ day or week,” she explained.  “I manage all kinds of cases. One day I’m writing a Supreme Court brief about bankruptcy, the next day I’m defending a deposition in an antitrust case, and the next day I’m working with an expert on a question of foreign law. I chose this job because it keeps me on my toes, every day is different, and I am always learning something new.” Alejandra also emphasized the importance of mentoring and strengthening advocacy skills.  As a partner, Alejandra tries to emulate the balanced managerial approach that helped her grow and improve, entrusting associates and staff with substantive responsibilities and empowering them with the tools they need to handle their matters. “I strongly believe that cultivating young talent is an investment that pays off because it allows upper management to delegate efficiently, increases morale across the team, and improves work product overall. Most important of all: it’s good practice to be kind to your colleagues.” Kellogg Hansen is a preeminent trial and appellate litigation firm founded on the idea that talent, creativity, and hard work achieve the best results for clients. Formed in the spring of 1993 by law school classmates Michael Kellogg, Peter Huber, and Mark Hansen, our firm has grown over the past 31 years–with each year proving that our founding principle holds true. Today, Kellogg Hansen has more than 100 attorneys, and boasts an extensive record of success for our clients. Our highly credentialed and motivated lawyers offer businesses, individuals, and governments sound counsel and innovative solutions to complex disputes and high-stakes matters. We have substantial experience trying cases to verdict at trial, arguing matters before the United States Supreme Court and other appellate courts, and representing businesses and individuals in parallel proceedings before state and federal courts, agencies, and arbitration panels. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants, providing our clients with a balanced view of both sides of litigation. We are most proud of the exceptional results we achieve for our clients–we have won multiple verdicts in excess of $1 billion, and successfully defended clients against similarly large damages claims. Our focus on experience, talent, and hard work ensures that our clients receive the highest quality of representation and extraordinary service. Read “A Day in the Life of a Partner: Alejandra Ávila on Lived Experience, Mentorship, and Building Sustainable Appellate Careers” on The Appellate Project’s website...

January 1, 2026 — Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce that Alejandra Ávila, Travis G. Edwards, Derek Reinbold, and Catherine M. Redlingshafer have been promoted as partners in the firm. Alejandra Ávila represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels.  She has experience managing all phases of litigation, including conducting pre-suit investigations, drafting pleadings and motions, managing discovery, taking and defending fact and expert depositions, trial preparation, and appeals.   Alejandra’s diverse practice includes antitrust litigation, cross-border disputes, complex commercial cases, and appeals involving constitutional questions of first impression. She also maintains an active pro bono practice and has provided pro bono representation to indigent criminal defendants, individuals facing eviction, asylum seekers, domestic abuse survivors, and non-profit organizations. Alejandra rejoined the firm as of counsel in 2024 following her clerkship with Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the United States Supreme Court. Previously, she was an associate at Kellogg Hansen, where her practice focused on appellate and complex commercial litigation. Before joining the firm, Alejandra was a civil rights attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. In that role, she successfully represented individuals and organizations in a variety of civil rights cases and litigated issues of first impression in a wide range of matters, including voting rights and education law. Alejandra began her career as a law clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Honorable Micaela Alvarez of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. Alejandra serves on the Executive Board of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court. She was selected as a 2025 finalist for Young Lawyer of the Year in Litigation by the American Law Journal, and she was presented with the Rising Star Award by the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia in 2021. Travis G. Edwards litigates high-stakes commercial disputes for plaintiffs and defendants in U.S. courts and international arbitral forums. A native Spanish speaker, Travis regularly counsels multinational businesses navigating international regulatory regimes. Travis represents clients in cross-border and domestic litigation with a practice that includes coordinating multi-jurisdictional strategy and litigating complex commercial and financial disputes, including matters involving international trade and litigation finance. He also advises clients in large-scale antitrust matters, including representing opt-out plaintiffs and commercial purchasers in nationwide price-fixing and bid-rigging cases. In these matters, Travis helps clients pursue damages and equitable relief while managing significant operational, commercial, and reputational risk. Travis joined Kellogg Hansen as an associate in 2019.  He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School and served as a law clerk to the Honorable Diana Gribbon Motz on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Baltimore.  While at Harvard, Travis served on the Board of Student Advisers, as a Senior Article Editor & Policy Editor for the Harvard Law & Policy Review, and as a contributor to the Global Anticorruption Blog.  He earned his undergraduate degree in urban studies at Vassar College, graduating with General Honors. Derek Reinbold represents plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels.  He litigates cases involving complex issues of personal jurisdiction, preemption, class certification, and other matters. Derek joined Kellogg Hansen as an associate in 2019.  Before joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Sandra L. Lynch on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  He graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was a finalist in the Ames Moot Court Competition.  He earned his undergraduate degree in art history, international studies, and political science from Case Western Reserve University, graduating summa cum laude. Cassie Redlingshafer represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels.  She has experience litigating in federal and state courts across the country, as well as in international arbitration, in a variety of fields including antitrust, intellectual property, and contract disputes. Cassie joined Kellogg Hansen as an associate in 2019.  Prior to joining the firm, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Wilson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  Cassie graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame Law School, where she was Executive Online Editor for the Notre Dame Law Review.  She earned her undergraduate degree in political science and strategic communications from the University of Denver, graduating magna cum laude...

November 17, 2025 — Kellogg Hansen of counsel Alejandra Ávila was honored as a finalist for Young Lawyer of the Year (Litigation) at the 2025 American Lawyer Industry Awards. The awards recognize lawyers and firms making exceptional contributions to the legal profession through innovation, leadership, and outstanding results. The Young Lawyer of the Year (Litigation) category honors rising attorneys who have demonstrated remarkable skill and impact in high-stakes litigation early in their careers. Alejandra’s selection reflects her outstanding advocacy and her growing influence in complex civil and appellate litigation. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants across a range of industries and has played key roles in cases involving antitrust, commercial disputes, and appellate matters. Alejandra rejoined Kellogg Hansen in 2024 following her clerkship at the U.S. Supreme Court. She previously clerked for judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and she maintains an active pro bono practice. More information about The American Lawyer Industry Awards and the full list of finalists can be found here...

July 10, 2025 — Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C. congratulates Alejandra Ávila, who has been selected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court as Membership Co-Chair for the 2025-2026 term. The Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court is the first American Inn of Court devoted exclusively to appellate practice. As Membership Co-Chair, Alejandra will lead its outreach and engagement efforts, supporting the Inn’s mission to strengthen the appellate bar and legal community in Washington, D.C. Alejandra’s appointment reflects her commitment to excellence in appellate advocacy and her leadership in the legal profession. At Kellogg Hansen, Alejandra maintains a diverse litigation practice, with experience in trial and appellate courts across the country.  She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation.  Alejandra clerked at all levels of the federal judiciary—at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. For more information about the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, visit: www.edwardcokeinn.org..

May 19, 2025— Twenty-three Kellogg Hansen attorneys qualified for recognition on the 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll for contributing fifty hours or more of pro bono work to those who cannot afford legal counsel. The District of Columbia Courts have recognized attorneys through the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll since 2011. In 2024, 5,400 attorneys registered for the Honor Roll, with 3,033 (56%) providing 100 or more hours of pro bono service, thus qualifying for the High Honor Roll. Seventeen Kellogg Hansen attorneys qualified for the High Honor Roll. Across all practice groups, individuals provided at least 421,650 hours of pro bono service. The 2024 Honor Roll members hail from more than 150 law firms, solo practices, federal and local government agencies, corporations, associations, and public interest organizations. Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, Chief Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and Milton C. Lee, Jr., Chief Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia stated: “We applaud you for answering – and in many cases exceeding – the call to service embodied by D.C. Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 to perform at least 50 hours of pro bono service annually. We know that your actions stem not only from a commitment to your ethical obligations, but also from your principled beliefs in equal access to justice. We are pleased to recognize you on the 2024 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll.” The Kellogg Hansen attorneys on the list include: Scott K. Attaway *  Alejandra Ávila Justin B. Berg * Geoffrey J.H. Block * Mary Charlotte Y. Carroll * Abigail E. DeHart * Chanslor Gallenstein * Jordan R.G. González * Sven (Trip) E. Henningson Mark P. Hirschboeck * Geoffrey M. Klineberg * Annamaria M. Morales-Kimball Ana N. Paul Matthew D. Reade * Derek C. Reinbold * Thomas B. Samuels * Caroline A. Schechinger * Andrew P. Skaras Lillian V. Smith * Katherine V. Tondrowski * Alex P. Treiger * Matthew J. Wilkins Daren G. Zhang * *denotes High Honor Roll..

February 1, 2024— Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce that Joshua Hafenbrack and Thomas W. Traxler, Jr. have rejoined the firm as partners, and Alejandra Ávila has rejoined the firm as of counsel. Joshua Hafenbrack represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation and antitrust cases. Before rejoining Kellogg Hansen as a partner in January 2024, Josh was Senior Litigation Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. In that role, he served as a member of the litigation and trial team in the United States vs. Google search monopolization case. United States v. Google, 1:20-cv-03010 (D.D.C.). He examined and cross-examined key expert and fact witnesses and argued evidentiary and other motions. While at the DOJ, Josh also helped lead merger and conduct antitrust investigations in a variety of industries, including the sports and media industries. Before joining the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, Josh was an associate at Kellogg Hansen, where he focused on complex commercial and antitrust litigation. Josh helped build and litigate the antitrust conspiracy case against the two leading providers of auto dealer software management systems. In re Dealer Mgmt. Sys. Antitrust Litig., MDL No. 2817 (N.D. Ill). Josh clerked for the Judge M. Margaret McKeown of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated summa cum laude and was awarded the George P. Mickum III Prize for the highest first-year GPA. Before law school, Josh was a newspaper journalist, covering politics and public affairs in Florida and West Virginia. Thomas “Tommy” Traxler’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense. He represents plaintiffs and defendants in a broad array of subject matters, including antitrust, class action, securities, financial, and general commercial litigation. As a former federal prosecutor for nearly seven years, he brings substantial experience in leading teams in high-stakes litigation and jury trials. Before rejoining Kellogg Hansen in December 2023 as a partner, Tommy served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the National Security and International Crime Unit in the Eastern District of Virginia. In that capacity, Tommy led teams in investigating and prosecuting violations of federal criminal law, focusing primarily on national security and extraterritorial offenses. He handled cases through the life cycle of litigation, from charging through appeal and post conviction litigation. Among other responsibilities, he first-chaired jury trials, argued substantive motions in federal district court, examined witnesses in grand jury proceedings, and argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. As a federal prosecutor, Tommy frequently handled high-profile, sensitive cases that received national and international attention. He was one of the lead prosecutors in charging Julian Assange, the founder and leader of WikiLeaks, for conduct related to one of the largest leaks of classified information in American history. He handled highly publicized civil-contempt proceedings related to Chelsea Manning’s refusal to testify before the grand jury. Tommy also led the team that secured the conviction of former Special Forces officer Peter Debbins for participating in a 14-year espionage conspiracy with Russian intelligence agents. Tommy likewise played a significant role on the team that brought the first-ever indictment under the federal War Crimes Act against four Russian-affiliated soldiers for alleged war crimes committed against a U.S. national in Ukraine. Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Tommy was an associate at Kellogg Hansen, where his practice centered on complex civil litigation.  He began his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Diane S. Sykes on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Honorable Henry F. Floyd on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.  Tommy graduated first in his class from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he served as Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review. Alejandra Ávila represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels.  Her practice includes presenting oral arguments in federal and state courts, drafting merits and amicus briefs, and representing clients in depositions, discovery, trial, and administrative proceedings. Alejandra also maintains an active pro bono practice at the firm, and has provided pro bono representation to indigent criminal defendants, individuals facing eviction, asylum seekers, and domestic abuse survivors. Alejandra rejoined the firm as of counsel in January 2024 following her clerkship with Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the United States Supreme Court.  Previously, Alejandra was an associate at Kellogg Hansen, where her practice focused on appellate and complex commercial litigation.  Before joining the firm, Alejandra was a civil rights attorney at the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.  In that role, she successfully represented individuals and organizations in a variety of civil rights cases and litigated issues of first impression in a wide range of matters, including voting rights and education law.  Alejandra began her career as a law clerk to the Honorable Chief Judge Mary H. Murguia of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the Honorable Micaela Alvarez of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.  She is a member of the Edward Coke Appellate Inn of Court, and was presented with the Rising Star Award by the Hispanic Bar Association of the District of Columbia in 2021. Kellogg Hansen is a preeminent trial and appellate litigation firm founded on the idea that talent, creativity, and hard work achieve the best results for clients.  Formed in the spring of 1993 by law school classmates Michael Kellogg, Peter Huber, and Mark Hansen, our firm has grown over the past 30 years – with each year proving that our founding principle holds true.  Today, Kellogg Hansen has more than 90 attorneys, including 42 partners, and boasts an extensive record of success for our clients.  ..

May 1, 2021— Nineteen Kellogg Hansen attorneys qualified for recognition on the 2021 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll for contributing fifty hours or more of pro bono work to those who cannot afford legal counsel.  Twelve Kellogg Hansen attorneys also qualified for the High Honor Roll for providing one hundred hours or more of pro bono service.  The District of Columbia Courts have recognized attorneys through the Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll since 2011.  The complete list of 2022 honorees can be found here. Scott K. Attaway Alejandra Ávila* Daniel G. Bird* Katherine C. Cooper* Matthew N. Drecun* Linda A. Elliott* Kimberly V. Hamlett* Minsuk Han* Vetan Kapoor Geoffrey M. Klineberg* Ariela M. Migdal Aaseesh P. Polavarapu* Catherine M. Redlingshafer Derek C. Reinbold Christopher M. Sarma Thomas G. Schultz* Julius P. Taranto* Jayme L. Weber Matthew J. Wilkins* ..