Wilkinson Stekloff is pleased to announce that 11 associates have joined the firm in our Washington, D.C. office—our second consecutive year welcoming a double-digit associate class.
This class consists of highly accomplished attorneys who share a passion for trial work and a commitment to pro bono service. They bring a wealth of experience from clerkships across the country, including at the state, federal district, and federal appellate court levels, as well as distinguished academic achievements from the nation’s most prestigious law schools.
“Developing the next generation of trial lawyers remains central to our mission,” said Founding Partner Beth Wilkinson. “I am thrilled to welcome another large and accomplished class who have demonstrated a strong interest in and enthusiasm for building their careers in the courtroom. We look forward to introducing them to our clients who will continue to benefit from our growing depth of skilled and dedicated attorneys.”
Founding Partner Brian Stekloff added, “Our ability to consistently attract exceptional talent reflects both the strength of our culture and the draw of our trial-focused practice. This group combines sharp intellect, diverse experience, and a genuine passion for trial-focused advocacy. We look forward to supporting their growth as professionals, and witnessing the impact they will have on our clients and communities.”
The new Wilkinson Stekloff associates include:
Shireen Ardaiz
Before joining the firm, Shireen clerked for Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She received her J.D. cum laude from Boston University School of Law, where she served as Senior Note Development Editor for the Boston University Law Review. She also received the Sylvia Beinecke Robinson Award for significant contributions to the law school community and won Best Brief in the Edward C. Stone Moot Court Competition. Before law school, Shireen taught middle school English and served as a grade level chair with Teach For America. She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary.
Scarlett Aylsworth
Scarlett previously clerked for Judge Dana M. Sabraw of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. She graduated from Harvard Law School, cum laude, where she served as an editor for the Harvard International Law Journal and was a member of the school’s team for the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition. Scarlett also worked as a research assistant and teaching fellow during law school, and has international work and academic experience in Barcelona and The Hague. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.
Tom Cassaro
Tom most recently clerked for Judge Robert L. Pitman on the U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York University School of Law, where he served as a Notes Editor for the NYU Law Review and was a semi-finalist in the Orison S. Marden Moot Court Competition. Tom also interned for the National Consumer Law Center and the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of New Jersey, after receiving his B.A. from Emory University.
Luke Churchill
Before joining the firm, Luke clerked for Judge Vijay Shanker on the D.C. Court of Appeals and for Judge Janis L. Sammartino on the Southern District of California. Luke received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where he served as an editor on the Stanford Law Review and won the Marion Rice Kirkwood Memorial Moot Court Competition. During law school, Luke interned with the California Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Enforcement section and the U.S.A.O. for the Northern District of California. Before law school, Luke worked for EAB as a research associate after graduating magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis.
Grace Driggers
Grace most recently clerked for Judge A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Jr. on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and previously for Judge Joseph F. Anderson, Jr. on the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Grace graduated from the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law summa cum laude and Order of the Coif. She received the Dean’s Medallion as the top-ranked law student in her class, was Editor-in-Chief of the South Carolina Law Review, and a volunteer member of the school’s pro bono program. Grace received her B.A. summa cum laude from Clemson University.
Guus Duindam
This past year, Guus clerked for Justice Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court of the United States, after serving as a trustee to the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and maintaining an active pro bono practice during his first year with the firm as an associate. Prior to joining us, Guus clerked for Judge Raymond Kethledge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and for Judge Judith E. Levy on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. He earned his J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was an Articles Editor for the Journal of Law Reform. Guus also holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Michigan, where his academic work focused on Immanuel Kant’s ethics and the philosophy of law.
Connie Gong
Before joining the firm, Connie clerked for Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia and for Chief Judge William H. Pryor on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She was also a Phillips Fellow in the Office of the Solicitor General. Connie graduated with high honors from the University of Chicago Law School, where she won the Best Oralist award in the Hinton Moot Court competition and served as an Articles Editor for The University of Chicago Law Review. Connie earned her B.A., cum laude, from Dartmouth College.
Mason Grist
Mason most recently clerked for Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, after earning his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law, graduating Order of the Coif. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Law Review, and also participated in the Capital Punishment Clinic, representing individuals in postconviction proceedings and drafting a petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court. Prior to law school, Mason served as the Director of Community College Partnerships at Hanover Research and graduated with honors from Washington and Lee University, where he was President of the Student Body Executive Committee.
Dino Hadziahmetovic
Dino previously clerked for Judge Cheryl Ann Krause on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He attended Harvard Law School, graduating magna cum laude, where he served as an editor for the Harvard Journal on Legislation and Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law. Before law school, Dino worked as an Assistant Research Analyst for the Arizona State Senate Appropriations Committee, after earning his B.A. from Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University.
Narayan Narasimhan
Prior to joining the firm, Narayan clerked for Judge Rodolfo A. Ruiz II on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. He graduated from The University of Chicago Law School, serving as Managing Editor of The University of Chicago Law Review and President of the South Asian Law Students Association. Narayan was also a member of the Jenner & Block Supreme Court and Appellate Clinic and interned for Senator Richard Blumenthal on the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary. He was previously a Fulbright Scholar in India, and earned his A.B., cum laude with high honors, from Harvard College.
Anna Stillman
Anna most clerked for Judge W. Duane Benton on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Shre received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she was a Comments Editor for the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, served on the board of the Penn Law Women’s Association, and was a member of the Advocacy for Racial & Civil Justice Clinic. Anna also earned an M.S. in Social Policy from the University of Pennsylvania and received her undergraduate degree from Princeton University.