Washington has a higher concentration of people with JDs than anywhere else in the country, which means you’re probably out of luck if you want to pick a fight with the homeowners’ association over landscaping rules—chances are the HOA president litigates much higher-stakes matters for a living. Also, you should really keep your voice down if you must tell that lawyer joke while riding Metro. Finally, it means this list is pretty tough to compile.

Nonetheless, we give it our best effort every other year. Though it’s impossible not to miss some deserving folks, what follows is a directory of much of Washington’s top legal talent in 16 practice specialties, as voted by area lawyers. Choose a category below to learn more.

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