Kristin A. Shapiro

Counsel

Washington, D.C.
T +1.202.861.1717
F +1.202.861.1783

Overview

Kristin Shapiro provides legal advice and representation in complex constitutional, statutory and ethical matters. Kristin's experience with a wide variety of executive branch agencies gives her a broad knowledge base from which to counsel clients. In addition, she has represented both Fortune 500 companies and individuals in high-profile litigation relating to the Class Action Fairness Act, the Torture Victim Protection Act, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the False Claims Act, among other statutes.

The National Law Journal recognized Kristin as a D.C. Rising Star in 2019.

Select Experience

  • Provided formal and informal legal advice to the White House, Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Government Ethics and the intelligence community regarding complex constitutional, statutory and ethical questions, including on pressing matters relating to the pandemic response.
  • Represented House officers in litigation arising from the denial of an atheist’s request to give the opening prayer, including drafting a brief in support of a successful motion to dismiss and the brief on appeal.
  • Represented a Member in First Amendment litigation brought by the American Civil Liberties Union concerning the blocking of constituents on Facebook, including drafting a motion to dismiss that convinced the plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit.
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Experience

  • Provided formal and informal legal advice to the White House, Department of Justice, Department of the Treasury, Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Government Ethics and the intelligence community regarding complex constitutional, statutory and ethical questions, including on pressing matters relating to the pandemic response.
  • Represented the House in precedent-setting litigation, including House v. Mnuchin (challenging the disbursement of funds on a border wall without appropriation), House v. Burwell (challenging the disbursement of funds under the Affordable Care Act without appropriation), and Committee on Oversight v. Holder (enforcing a congressional subpoena concerning Operation Fast and Furious).
  • Represented House officers in litigation arising from the denial of an atheist’s request to give the opening prayer, including drafting a brief in support of a successful motion to dismiss and the brief on appeal.
  • Represented a Member in First Amendment litigation brought by the American Civil Liberties Union concerning the blocking of constituents on Facebook, including drafting a motion to dismiss that convinced the plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss the lawsuit.
  • Represented the House in litigation arising from numerous Freedom of Information Act requests to federal agencies for congressional records, including drafting multiple summary judgment briefs.
  • Filed Supreme Court amicus briefs in Patchak v. Zinke (OT 2017), Sokolow v. PLO (cert denied), and Sierra Club v. Trump (emergency application).

Recognitions and Memberships

Recognitions

  • National Law Journal D.C. Rising Star (2019)
  • Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2016)

Prior Positions

  • U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel: Attorney-Advisor (2019 to 2022)
  • U.S. House of Representatives, Office of the General Counsel: Assistant General Counsel (2016 to 2019)
  • The Honorable Chief Judge Alex Kozinski, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: Law Clerk (2009 to 2010)

Admissions

  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
  • District of Columbia

Education

  • J.D., Northwestern University School of Law, 2009, magna cum laude; Northwestern University Law Review, Senior Colloquy Editor; Order of the Coif
  • B.A., New York University, 2004, magna cum laude