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Vinson & Elkins’ Washington, DC, office provides legal services to domestic and international clients in numerous industries, focusing primarily on litigation and regulatory matters involving the federal government.

2200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 500 West
Washington, DC 20037

T +1.202.639.6500

F +1.202.639.6604


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Since 1973, the lawyers in the Washington, D.C. office of Vinson & Elkins provide legal services to domestic and international clients in numerous industries, particularly those with litigation and regulatory matters involving the federal government. Many of our lawyers have served in senior-level government positions, and have valuable experience directly relevant to their practice areas.

Some of the federal departments and agencies at which our lawyers have worked include the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, and the Army Corps of Engineers.

Our office hosts a number of practices that are either unique to Washington, D.C., or are often based here. These include Antitrust, Appellate, Environmental, Energy Regulatory, Tax Controversy, Intellectual Property, Government Procurement and Export Controls, Government Investigations, and White Collar Criminal Defense.

More than half of the partners in our Washington office have been recognized in surveys of legal excellence including Chambers USA, U.S. News & World Report, Legal 500 U.S., Who’s Who Legal, Benchmark Litigation, Super Lawyers, and The National Law Journal.  

The lawyers in our Washington office are committed to supporting the community through our relationships with several pro bono legal service organizations. The V&E veteran’s initiative pro bono program assists veterans and active duty military navigate legal issues they may be facing. Cases range from improper denial of military benefits to defending a Marine Corps officer in front of the first Marine Court of Inquiry. Our lawyers have also partnered with two organizations that provide legal advice to low-income clients. The Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia assists individuals and families with cases ranging from eviction to difficult custody matters. V&E lawyers have handled dozens of cases with Ayuda, an organization dedicated to helping clients navigate complicated U.S. immigration laws.

In addition to our extensive pro bono efforts, we are dedicated to community outreach. Since 2001, the lawyers and business professionals have mentored and tutored students from Thurgood Marshall Academy, Washington’s first law-themed charter high school which is located in a community with the most poverty and fewest resources in D.C. The office also hosted a fundraising event for Team Red White & Blue, a nonprofit organization that helps military veterans transition back into their communities after deployment.

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At Vinson & Elkins, we bring decades of knowledge, skill, and experience to our clients’ most complex legal matters.

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Insights

Client Alerts

Louisiana Presses Pause on Class VI Permitting

On October 15, 2025, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry issued an Executive Order (“Order”) halting the review of all new Class VI Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) well permits in the state and directed the state’s regulator, the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy (“LDCE”) to undertake a more careful review of pending Class VI permit applications.

October 17, 2025 • V&E Environmental Update

October 17, 2025 • 4-minute read

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Client Alerts

ESG Meets ERISA: Final Judgment Issued in American Airlines 401(k) ESG Lawsuit

On September 30, 2025, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor entered final judgment following a bench trial in a class-action lawsuit against American Airlines and its Employee Benefits Committee (the “EBC”), finding the defendants breached their duty of loyalty under the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) by allowing an investment manager’s environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) objectives to influence its investment decisions with respect to the company’s retirement plans (the “Plan”).

October 17, 2025 • V&E Governance and Sustainability Update | Published by Employee Benefit Plan Review, January 2026

October 17, 2025 • 5-minute read

Industry - Airlines and Aviation

Client Alerts

EPA Draws the Line: What Can You Build Before Getting an Air Permit?

What can project developers actually build before securing an air permit?

September 18, 2025 • V&E Environmental Update

September 18, 2025 • 4-minute read

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Client Alerts

Cartels: Antitrust Enforcement and Litigation

Over the last thirty years, Vinson & Elkins attorneys have played a leading role in some of the largest and most significant cartel matters worldwide.

September 15, 2025

September 15, 2025 • 1-minute read

Cartels: Antitrust Enforcement and Litigation Primer

Client Alerts

Government Enforcement Semi-annual Roundup

Vinson & Elkins is pleased to offer this round-up of recent developments in federal enforcement, with a particular emphasis on changes during the first few months of the second Trump administration.

September 10, 2025

September 10, 2025 • 1-minute read

Client Alerts

CARB Hosts Public Workshop on California Climate Laws

The California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) hosted a public workshop on August 21, 2025 to provide information on Senate Bills 253, 261 and 219 (the “California climate laws”) and solicit feedback from consumers and investors.

September 25, 2025 • V&E Governance & Sustainability Update

September 25, 2025 • 7-minute read

Client Alerts

DOJ Provides Insight Into Unlawful Discriminatory Practices, Highlighting Enforcement Risks for Federal Funding Recipients

On July 29, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum offering specific examples of what the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) considers to be unlawful discriminatory policies and practices under federal civil rights laws, as well as recommendations on best practices for employers to avoid engaging in unlawful discrimination.

August 4, 2025 • V&E Governance & Sustainability Update

August 4, 2025 • 4-minute read

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News & Achievements

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