University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2010
Editor in Chief, South Carolina Law Review
Dean’s Medallion (awarded to valedictorian of graduating class)
CALI Award (13 classes)
Order of the Coif
Claud N. Sapp Award
Compleat Lawyer Bronze Award
Vanderbilt University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2007
Clerkships
Law Clerk, Judge Diane S. Sykes, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 2012-2013
Law Clerk, Judge Henry F. Floyd, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2011-2012, and U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina, 2010-2011
Government Service
Assistant United States Attorney, Criminal Division, Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria Division), 2017-2023
Admitted
2010, South Carolina
2013, District of Columbia
Thomas “Tommy” Traxler is a trial lawyer who focuses on complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense. A former federal prosecutor, Tommy has substantial experience leading teams in high-profile litigation, conducting sensitive investigations, and trying cases to juries. Tommy has represented clients in a wide array of civil disputes, including antitrust, intellectual property, class action, securities, financial, and other commercial litigation.
For nearly seven years, Tommy served as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Eastern District of Virginia, the federal court known as the “Rocket Docket” for the speed in which it resolves cases. As an AUSA in the National Security and International Crime Unit, Tommy led teams in investigating and prosecuting national security and extraterritorial offenses. Among other responsibilities, Tommy first chaired jury trials, argued substantive motions in federal district court, examined witnesses in grand jury proceedings, and argued and briefed appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Tommy frequently handled high-profile cases that garnered national and international attention. He was a lead prosecutor in the case against Julian Assange, the founder and leader of WikiLeaks, for conduct related to one of the largest leaks of classified information in American history. Tommy handled widely 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 a former U.S. Army Special Forces officer for participating in a 14-year espionage conspiracy with Russian intelligence agents. And Tommy played a significant role on the team that brought the first-ever indictment under the federal War Crimes Act, charging Russian-affiliated soldiers with torture, inhuman treatment, and unlawful confinement of a U.S. national in Ukraine.
Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Tommy was an associate at Kellogg Hansen and a law clerk for two federal judges. Tommy graduated first in his class from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was Editor in Chief of the South Carolina Law Review, and earned his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University.
United States v. Assange, No. 1:18-CR-111 (E.D. Va.). Served as one of the lead prosecutors of Julian Assange, the founder and leader of WikiLeaks, for illegally obtaining and disclosing national defense information in connection with one of the largest leaks of classified information in American history. Assange pleaded guilty to conspiring to obtain and disclose classified documents relating to the national defense.
In re Grand Jury (Chelsea Manning), Nos. 1:19-DM-3 & 1:19-DM-12 (E.D. Va.). Served as one of the lead prosecutors in civil-contempt proceedings against Chelsea Manning for her refusal to testify before the grand jury. Successfully argued in opposition to her motion to quash the subpoena, advocated that she be sanctioned for civil contempt for refusing to testify before the grand jury, and defended the contempt order on appeal.
United States v. Debbins, No. 1:20-cr-193 (E.D. Va.). Served as the lead prosecutor in securing the conviction of a former Special Forces officer who pleaded guilty to participating in a 14-year espionage conspiracy with Russian intelligence agents.
United States v. Speed, No. 1:22-cr-165 (E.D. Va.). Served as the lead prosecutor in securing the conviction in a jury trial of a January 6 participant who possessed a Top Secret security clearance and espoused the use of violence to wipe out the Jewish population, for unlawful possession of unregistered firearm silencers.
United States v. Montes-Bobadilla, No. 1:15-cr-290 (E.D. Va.). Served as the lead prosecutor in securing the convictions, through guilty pleas and trial by jury, of extradited leaders and associates of one of the largest drug cartels in Honduras for their participation in a large-scale, violent international cocaine-trafficking conspiracy.
United States v. Mkrtchyan, No. 3:23-cr-161 (E.D. Va.). Served in 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.
United States v. Amin, 85 F.4th 727 (4th Cir. 2023). Served as the lead prosecutor in successfully defending the district court’s order revoking the supervised release of a defendant who had been convicted of conspiring to provide material support or resources to ISIS. After hearing oral argument, the Fourth Circuit issued a published opinion affirming on all grounds.
In re Steel Antitrust Litigation, No. 08-cv-5214 (N.D. Ill.). Represented a class of direct purchasers in a class action alleging that manufacturers colluded to reduce steel output and stabilize prices.
Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. (Va. Cir. Ct.). Represented Alpha Natural Resources’ subsidiary A.T. Massey Coal Company in a long-running and highly publicized lawsuit brought by Hugh Caperton and his coal companies asserting claims of fraud and tortious interference. Prior to Kellogg Hansen’s involvement, plaintiffs had won a jury verdict in West Virginia against Massey for more than $50 million. After that verdict was overturned on appeal, plaintiffs brought the same case in Virginia, this time seeking more than $100 million in damages. Massey hired Kellogg Hansen for the Virginia trial. After a 5-week trial, the jury awarded only $5 million. The trial court granted a new trial on damages but further proceedings were stayed due to Alpha’s unrelated filing of bankruptcy.
Bank of New York Mellon Foreign Exchange Transactions Litigation– Defended the Bank of New York Mellon in litigation challenging foreign exchange services provided to customers.
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.
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