Wilkinson Stekloff is pleased to announce the addition of 11 associates to the firm. This new class consists of highly accomplished attorneys who share a commitment to trial work and pro bono service.
“Developing the next wave of skilled trial attorneys is central to our firm’s identity. We are proud to welcome a class of such intelligent and driven associates. They will undoubtedly strengthen our team and deliver meaningful value to our clients,” said Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson.
“Our commitment to high-stakes trial work continues to attract top-tier talent. This incoming class brings impressive credentials, diverse experiences, and a passion for excellence. We look forward to supporting their professional growth,” said Founding Partner Brian Stekloff.
The new WS associates include:
Tomi Akinmola
Tomi returns to the firm after serving as a law clerk to Judge Jamar K. Walker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Tomi attended Washington and Lee School of Law, where she was an active member of the Black Law Students Association, a co-chair on the Moot Court Executive Board, a Kirgis Fellow (mentor for first year students), and a Research Assistant to Professor Cary Martin Shelby. During law school, Tomi competed in the Thurgood Marshall National Moot Court Competition, where she won the Best Brief Award in two consecutive years. She was also named Regional Champion and Best Oral Advocate for the Mid-Atlantic region. Tomi serves as an assistant coach for the competition now.
Neil Alacha
Neil returns to the firm after clerking for Judge Jed S. Rakoff on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and Judge Toby J. Heytens on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Neil attended Yale Law School, where he served as a Coker Fellow for a Constitutional Law course and was the co-recipient of the Harlan Fiske Stone Prize, the Potter Stewart Prize, and the William K.S. Wang Prize. Before law school, Neil earned an M. Phil. in International Relations from the University of Oxford, which he attended as a Rhodes Scholar, and his undergraduate degree from Harvard University.
Sarah Lee Best
Before joining the firm, Sarah clerked for Judge Eugene E. Siler, Jr., on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Judge Paul S. Diamond on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Judge John P. Cronan on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Sarah attended the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she was a senior editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. She received her B.A. with a double major in Neuroscience and Classical Languages from Vanderbilt University.
Cassandra Chee
Cassie was most recently a law clerk to Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Cassie attended American University Washington College of Law, where she was a note & comment editor of the American University Law Review. She also served as a student attorney in the Civil Advocacy Clinic, an intern with the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, and a judicial intern to Judge Reggie B. Walton of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Before law school, Cassie worked for several years in non-profit immigration legal services.
Daniel Cook
Before joining the firm, Daniel was a law clerk to Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He attended New York University School of Law, where he graduated Order of the Coif and served as a competitions advocacy editor for the Moot Court Board. He was also a member of the Federal Appellate Clinic and briefed a case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Before law school, Daniel was a vice president at BlackRock.
Melanie Fontes
Melanie previously clerked for Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and for Judge Emmet G. Sullivan on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Before her clerkships, Melanie was a litigation fellow at the Center for Reproductive Rights. Melanie attended Harvard Law School, where she was an oralist for the winning team in the 2019 Ames Moot Court competition. She also served as the executive online editor for the Harvard Law & Policy Review and as an executive technical editor for the Harvard Journal of Law & Gender. Melanie received her A.B. in social studies from Harvard University.
Aliyah Graves-Brown
Aliyah was a summer associate at Wilkinson Stekloff, during which time she worked on two trials. She attended Harvard Law School, where she served as a student attorney at Harvard Defenders and the Criminal Justice Institute, representing indigent adults charged with misdemeanor and felony charges. Aliyah is also a trained mediator through the Harvard Mediation Program. Upon graduation, she was recognized by the University for performing over 1,000 hours of pro bono service. Before law school, Aliyah worked as the program manager for the Georgetown Prisons and Justice Initiative. She received her B.A. in government from Georgetown University.
Connor J. Haaland
Most recently, Connor served as a law clerk for Judge David J. Novak on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. He was also a summer associate at Wilkinson Stekloff, during which time he worked on three trials. Connor attended Harvard Law School, where he was president and editor-in-chief of the Harvard Journal on Legislation, a finalist in the Ames Moot Court Competition, a research assistant to four different professors, and an active member of Harvard First Class. Connor received a B.A. from South Dakota State University, majoring in Spanish and global studies and minoring in economics and French.
Kellen McCoy
Before joining the firm, Kellen clerked for Judge Royce C. Lamberth on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Judge David S. Tatel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and Judge Raymond M. Kethledge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Kellen attended the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she was a comments editor of the University of Pennsylvania Law Review. During law school, she was co-chair of the Civil Rights Law Project, was a member of the Appellate Litigation Clinic, and was an Edwin R. Keedy Cup Moot Court winner.
Deon McCray
Deon was most recently a law clerk to Judge Richard M. Gergel of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. He attended Georgetown University Law Center, where he received the Dean William M. Treanor Achievement Award for outstanding leadership. He was also named Chapter Leader of the Year for his service as president of the Georgetown Law Black Law Students Association, and was an articles editor for the Georgetown Law Journal.
Jasper Primack
Jasper previously clerked for Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, and Judge David R. Stras on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Jasper graduated from The University of Chicago Law School, where he was a managing editor of The University of Chicago Law Review. He received his B.A. in political science from Boston University.