Michael K. Kellogg

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.  ..

January 31, 2024— In a landmark resolution reached just before closing arguments in a jury trial in the Eastern District of Texas, Dexon Computer has dismissed antitrust allegations against Cisco Systems as part of a comprehensive settlement agreement. Dexon will also pay Cisco to resolve Cisco’s counterfeit-trafficking claims pending in the Northern District of California. Dexon, an unauthorized reseller of Cisco products, also agreed to stop selling unauthorized Cisco products, revamp its business model, and apply to join Cisco\'s authorized reseller program. These steps are intended to uphold customer confidence and ensure the delivery of trusted and verified Cisco products. Cisco sued Dexon in the Northern District of California in July 2020, alleging that Dexon trafficked in counterfeit “Cisco” equipment. Dexon brought counterclaims, including under the antitrust laws, but the court dismissed them. Dexon then brought similar antitrust claims in the Eastern District of Texas in April 2022. A jury trial in the latter case began on January 22, 2024, and the presentation of evidence concluded at the end of that week. The parties were scheduled to deliver closing arguments the following Monday, but on Saturday Dexon moved to dismiss its own claims with prejudice. Cisco Systems is represented by attorneys from Kellogg Hansen: Aaron M. Panner, Andrew E. Goldsmith, Leslie V. Pope, Alex A. Parkinson, Ryan M. Folio, Caroline A. Schechinger, Geoffrey J.H Block, D. Chanslor Gallenstein, Jonathan I. Liebman, and Hilary M. Weaver. Kellogg Hansen is grateful for the critical contributions by its co-counsel in Texas, Deron R. Dacus of The Dacus Firm PC and Jennifer H. Doan and Mariah Leigh Hornok of Haltom & Doan, and its co-counsel in both cases, Richard J. Nelson, Louis P. Feuchtbaum, Zachary Alinder, and Lyndsey Heaton of Sideman & Bancroft LLP. The overall litigation effort was led by Cisco’s in-house team, including Sarita Venkat, Karen Lu, Gil Ohana, Michael Blaisdell, and Jon Schwartz. See also: Order of Dismissal (January 29, 2024) ..

January 1, 2024— Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C. is pleased to announce that Kevin D. Horvitz, Grace W. Knofczynski, Daniel S. Severson, and Lillian V. Smith have been promoted as partners in the firm. Kevin D. Horvitz represents clients in complex litigation at trial and appellate levels and has particular experience litigating cases involving antitrust claims, telecommunications, contract disputes, and mass torts.  He has argued on behalf of clients in federal and state courts nationwide, including in the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.  Before joining the firm in 2017, Kevin served as a law clerk to Judge Gerald B. Tjoflat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He graduated magna cum laude from Duke University School of Law with a J.D. and LL.M. in Law and Entrepreneurship, where he was on the Editorial Board of Duke Law Journal, and a member of the Order of the Coif. He earned his undergraduate degree in Corporate Strategy and Entrepreneurship from Vanderbilt University. Grace W. Knofczynski represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation at the trial and appellate levels and in administrative proceedings.  Before joining the firm in 2017, Grace served as a law clerk to Judge A. Raymond Randolph on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.  She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif and received the Peter McCall Prize for the highest GPA for the three-year J.D. course.  She also served as an editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review and participated in the Supreme Court Clinic.  Grace graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tulsa with degrees in biochemistry and philosophy.  Daniel S. Severson litigates complex civil cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts throughout the country.  He has represented clients in a dozen certiorari and merits stage appeals at the U.S. Supreme Court and argued cases before two federal courts of appeals.  Daniel successfully reinstated civil rights claims as court-appointed pro bono counsel in Shaw v. Foreman, 59 F.4th 121 (4th Cir. 2023).  Before joining the firm in 2017, he served as a law clerk to Judge Allyson Kay Duncan on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  Daniel graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard International Law Journal and received the Myer Dana and Etta Dana Scholarship and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Scholarship.  Daniel also holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University and was awarded Harvard University’s Presidential Public Service Fellowship for work at the U.S. Department of Defense.  He has served as a foreign affairs analyst at the U.S. Department of State and a Fulbright Scholar in Taiwan.  Daniel graduated from Bard College with degrees in political studies and French horn performance. Lillian V. Smith represents both plaintiffs and defendants in complex civil litigation and has substantial experience trying high-stakes matters for clients in both federal and state courts.  Before joining the firm in 2017, Lillian served as a law clerk to Judge Roger L. Gregory on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  She graduated summa cum laude from Brooklyn Law School, where she was a Carswell Merit Scholar, an Edward V. Sparer Public Interest Fellow, and Editor-in-Chief of the Brooklyn Law Review.  Lillian earned her undergraduate degree with High Distinction from the University of Virginia. 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 41 partners, and boasts an extensive record of success for our clients.   ..

March 14, 2023— Join Kellogg Hansen partner Michael Guzman for a complimentary panel, “Mass Torts and Litigation Funding, hosted by the Litigation Finance Journal. This 1-hour audio-only event will be held on Thursday, March 23rd at 2pm ET. A diverse panel of industry leaders will cover issues including: How claims are originated, marketed, financed and underwritten; Plaintiff and defense-side strategies and tactics; The impact of ABS regulation; And, answer questions from the audience. ..

We mourn the passing of our friend and partner, Peter W. Huber, who died Friday after a long illness. Peter was a brilliant lawyer and a generous and loyal colleague.  He earned B.S., M.S. and PhD degrees in mechanical engineering at MIT and received a professorship by age 23.  While teaching at MIT, he attended and graduated first in his law school class from Harvard University in 1982.  He clerked on the DC Circuit Court of Appeals for Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and on the U.S. Supreme Court for Sandra Day O’Connor.  He founded this firm with his friends and practiced here for almost three decades. In addition to his great skills as a lawyer, Peter is renowned as a public intellectual.  He spent over 25 years as a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where he wrote on topics such as drug development, energy, technology, and the law. He is the author of many books, including The Cure in the Code: How 20th Century Law Is Undermining 21st Century Medicine (2013); The Bottomless Well: The Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy (2005), coauthored with Mark P. Mills, which Bill Gates said “is the only book I’ve ever seen that really explains energy, its history and what it will be like going forward”; and Hard Green: Saving the Environment from the Environmentalists (2000), which William F. Buckley, Jr., called “the richest contribution ever made to the greening of the political mind” and which set out a new conservative manifesto on the environment that advocates a return to conservation and environmental policy based on sound science and market economics. He was an early advocate for tort reform, especially regarding misuse of science in jury trials, which he named “junk science.”  Liability (Basic Books 1988); The Liability Maze (Brookings 1991); Galileo’s Revenge: Junk Science in the Courtroom (Basic Books 1993); and Judging Science (MIT Press 1999). Peter was also an advocate for opening up competition in telecom, as an alternative to regulation.  He was hired by the U.S. Department of Justice to write a report about the aftermath of the Bell System breakup.  The Geodesic Network (U.S. Department of Justice 1987).  DOJ had promised Judge Harold Greene that it would file such reports every three years, but DOJ stopped after the first such report, so Peter wrote The Geodesic Network II (self-published 1993).  Peter then wrote the principle academic treatises on telecom law.  Federal Telecommunications Law (Little Brown 1992); Federal Broadband Law (Little Brown 1995); Federal Telecommunications Law Second Edition (Aspen Law & Business 1999), all with co-authors Michael Kellogg and John Thഠrne.  Prior to the treatises, telecom law was an oral tradition that you learned by working for the Federal Communications Commission.  Peter’s conclusion after studying that agency was it should be abolished.  Law and Disorder in Cyberspace: Abolish the FCC and Let Common Law Rule the Telecosm (Oxford University Press 1997). You can measure Peter’s efforts by their direct results.  Tort reform was adopted; junk science is kept out of courtrooms; the Bell breakup decree was lifted; telecom regulation has been replaced by competition; environmental and energy policy are better informed by Peter’s ideas; and the FDA is beginning to embrace individualized medicine.  In addition to his policy campaigns at the intersection of law and science, Peter took time to mentor several generations of lawyers and particularly to promote women in the law.  He clerked for the two most important women judges of his era – then-Judge Ruth Ginsburg and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.  He praised the home cooking of Justice Ginsburg’s husband while praising her dedication to getting the right answer in complex legal cases in a way that would be replicable by other sufficiently diligent judges seeking the answer.  He also wrote an inspiring book about Justice O’Connor for girls, age 9 to 12.  Sandra Day O’Connor (Women of Achievement) (Chelsea House 1992). On top of everything else Peter Huber did in his too-short life, he was an extraordinary counsellor and practicing lawyer.  For more than two decades, he trained his powerful mind and exceptional creativity on the real problems of real clients, in some of the most challenging areas of the law.  He helped the companies created by the AT&T breakup navigate the complex and thorny regulatory, legal, and business issues they faced – with his clients coming out on top, defying expectations.  He seized victory for the Pritzker family as their complex estate plans exploded in bickering and high-tension litigation in state court.  He examined witnesses, wrote briefs, formed strategy, always collegially with his friends and partners.  He set an example of excellence, and trained young lawyers to follow that example.  Throughout it all, even with a ferocious energy and focus, he was a dedicated and generous colleague, always willing to help, to listen to the ideas of others, even willing to tolerate those of us who were not as quick or deep in our thinking – and that was all of us!  We who had the privilege of practicing law with Peter Huber will never forget his influence, or think back on our partnership with him other than with gratitude and affection. ..

May 1, 2021— Kellogg Hansen attorneys qualified for recognition on the 2020 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll for contributing fifty hours or more of pro bono work to those who cannot afford legal counsel.  Nine 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. Kellogg Hansen 2020 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll Scott Attaway Daniel Bird Christine Bonomo* Matthew Drecun* Linda Elliott* Kenneth Fetterman Daniel Guarnera* Michael Guzman Julia Haines Jacob Hartman* Michael Kellogg Gerald Kerska Geoffrey Klineberg* Grace Knofczynski Sean Nadel* Bradley Oppenheimer* Ana Paul Eliana Pfeffer Gregory Rapawy Thomas Samuels* Christopher Sarma Thomas Schultz* Julius Taranto Jayme Weber Joseph Wenner* *denotes High Honor roll ..

July 31, 2020— Kellogg Hansen is pleased to announce that Geoffrey M. Klineberg was officially sworn in yesterday as the 49th president of the D.C. Bar.  With members in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, the D.C. Bar is the largest unified bar in the United States, supporting attorneys and providing a regulatory structure to maintain the profession’s ethical standards. Mr. Klineberg has the unique challenge of steering the D.C. Bar through a pandemic that has affected each of its 110,000-plus members and nearly all aspects of the practice of law.  Since its creation by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 1972, the D.C. Bar has been committed to advancing its core missions of enhancing access to justice, improving the legal system, and empowering lawyers to better serve their clients.  In the cover story of the June 2020 issue of The Washington Lawyer, Mr. Klineberg explained how this commitment is important now more than ever.  “The Bar has always been committed to serving the needs of our members and their clients,” stated Mr. Klineberg.  “As we all work to rebuild our lives, our clients will turn to us to help them navigate the most challenging and important issues they face.  So while the demands may be extraordinary, we lawyers have the ability and responsibility to practice our profession consistent with our most cherished ideals: to serve those who are most in need, to represent our clients with competence and zeal, and always to comport ourselves consistent with the highest ethical standards.  These times demand nothing less.” Last night, during the D.C. Bar’s 2020 Celebration of Leadership, Mr. Klineberg formally received the gavel of leadership during the virtual swearing-in ceremony, presided over by D.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby.  Mr. Klineberg has been serving as President since early last month after having served the prior year as President-Elect.  In his remarks to the Bar, Mr. Klineberg discussed the challenges the Bar and its members will face, his optimism for how they will tackle these problems together, and his goals for his term, including an effort to provide pro bono representation before the D.C. Court of Appeals.  “Given my own practice as an appellate lawyer, I would like to build on the great work of my predecessors Esther Lim and Susie Hoffman who have created and nurtured the Pro Bono Task Force to develop an effective appellate pro bono program,” stated Mr. Klineberg.  “I like this project because it encapsulates for me the three principle purposes of the DC Bar in a single program: it would enhance access to justice by helping litigants of limited means receive valuable assistance; it would improve the legal system by providing the court of appeals a more thorough and helpful presentation of the issues and it would empower lawyers to better serve their clients by providing opportunities for lawyers particularly at the beginning of their careers to brief and argue cases before our highest court.” Mr. Klineberg practices primarily in the areas of appellate litigation and administrative law.  He also advises clients on the applicability of the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct.  He began as an associate at Kellogg Hansen in 1995 and has been a partner of the Firm since 1998 and currently serves on the Firm\'s Executive Committee.  “We are immensely proud of Geoff’s dedication and service to the D.C. Bar, its members, and the public,” commented Michael K. Kellogg, founding and managing partner of Kellogg Hansen.  “Geoff is the leader needed in this moment of crisis and we are confident the Bar is in diligent hands.” Over the past 18 years, Mr. Klineberg has worked on various committees and task forces of the D.C. Bar and the courts.  He currently serves on the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Task Force, focusing on how best to encourage and facilitate the participation of pro bono lawyers to serve clients of limited means in the courts of the District of Columbia. ..

June 9, 2020— In a significant First Amendment decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit found that the U.S. Postal Service\'s (“USPS”) ban on political content used on custom stamps is unconstitutional. Through a customized postage program, USPS allows customers to order valid U.S. postage with images and text of their own design but prohibits “political” content.  Kellogg Hansen\'s clients – artist Anatol Zukerman and Charles Krause Reporting, an art gallery with whom he collaborates – had a proposed postage design rejected because it was “political.”  Kellogg Hansen filed a lawsuit on behalf of Mr. Zukerman and the gallery in 2015, alleging unconstitutional censorship of political speech. In today\'s ruling, the Court found that the USPS’s blanket ban on “political” content fails the “objective, workable standards” test articulated by the Supreme Court in Minnesota Voters Alliance v. Mansky, 138 S. Ct. 1876, 1891 (2018), and therefore is unconstitutional.  The Court also held that USPS’s changes to its challenged policies in 2018 did not moot the plaintiffs’ viewpoint discrimination claims.  Because others remain able to circulate “political” customized postage, while Mr. Zukerman still cannot circulate his “political” postage design, USPS’s viewpoint discrimination continues, its effects persist, and relief remains possible.  The district court’s decision was reversed and the case was remanded for further proceedings. Former Kellogg Hansen associate Daniel Guarnera argued the case.  With him on the briefs were Kellogg Hansen partners Chris Todd and Geoffrey Klineberg.  Associates Julius Taranto and Gabriel Kohan and former associate Michael Qin also joined in drafting the briefs. The case is Anatol Zukerman and Charles Krause Reporting, LLC v. United States Postal Service, No. 19-5168 (D.C. Cir. June 9, 2020). ..

May 1, 2020— Kellogg Hansen attorneys qualified for recognition on the 2019 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll for contributing fifty hours or more of pro bono work to those who cannot afford legal counsel.  Nine 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. Kellogg Hansen 2019 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll Scott K. Attaway Christine A. Bonomo* Kimberly A. Briggs* Andrew J. Churella* Katherine C. Cooper* Daniel S. Guarnera* Michael J. Guzman* Julia Haines* Minsuk Han* T. Dietrich Hill* Mark P. Hirschboeck* Bethan R. Jones* Michael K. Kellogg* Geoffrey M. Klineberg* Grace W. Knofczynski Gabriel A. Kohan Sean A. Lev Benjamin D. Margo Ariela Migdal* Sean M. Nadel* Bradley E. Oppenheimer* Albert Y. Pak Ana N. Paul* Michael S. Qin Gregory G. Rapawy Melissa Rodriguez* Thomas B. Samuels* Thomas G. Schultz* Benjamin S. Softness James W. Webster* Collin R. White *denotes High Honor roll ..

April 16, 2019— Thirty-two Kellogg Hansen attorneys qualified for recognition on the 2018 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll for contributing fifty hours or more of pro bono work to those who cannot afford legal counsel.  Twenty-five 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 2018 Honor Roll members represent all sectors of the legal community, including 168 law firms and individual practices, as well as federal and local government agencies, corporations, associations, law schools and public interest organizations. Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals and Chief Judge Robert Morin of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia stated: “We salute you for using your talents and expertise to help those unable to afford an attorney, to ensure that they too have equal access to justice. Your compassion and dedication, as evidenced by your pro bono service, have helped to level the playing field.”  Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick, P.L.L.C. Scott K. Attaway*Christine A. Bonomo*Katherine C. Cooper*Brendan J. CrimminsMatthew M. DuffyLinda A. Elliott*David C. Frederick*Andrew E. Goldsmith*Daniel S. Guarnera*Joshua HafenbrackFrederick G. Hall*Minsuk Han*Jacob E. HartmanAndrew M. Hetherington*T. Dietrich HillMark P. Hirschboeck*Geoffrey M. Klineberg*Benjamin D. Margo*Rachel P. May*Ariela Migdal*Jeremy S. NewmanBradley E. Oppenheimer*Albert Y. Pak*Michael S. Qin*Benjamin L. Rudofsky*Thomas B. Samuels*Christopher M. SarmaThomas G. Schultz*Daniel S. Severson*Lillian V. Smith*Benjamin S. Softness*Julius P. Taranto* * denotes High Honor Roll ..