August 25, 2026
Willkie has been named among the finalists and partner Kristin Bender a Rising Star honoree for the upcoming D.C. Legal Awards 2026, presented by The National Law Journal and Law.com.
Willkie is a finalist for Antitrust Litigation Department of the Year, highlighting the leadership and achievements of the Firm’s Antitrust & Competition team in D.C., headed by partner Katrina Robson.
Kristin Bender, a partner in the Litigation Department and a member of the Crisis Management Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Group, has been named a Rising Star in the General Litigation category. The award spotlights Kristin as one of the D.C. market’s most accomplished litigators age 40 and under, and recognizes her commitment to pro bono service and civic contributions.
Kristin’s practice centers on high-stakes disputes and crisis management on behalf of leading commercial entities and public individuals. She has served as trial counsel for plaintiffs and defendants on numerous federal trials. She also maintains a strong regulatory practice, with a particular focus on the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The winners will be recognized at the D.C. Legal Awards in Washington, D.C., on October 20.
Read more about the D.C. Legal Awards 2026 here (subscription may be required).
Willkie is a finalist for Antitrust Litigation Department of the Year, highlighting the leadership and achievements of the Firm’s Antitrust & Competition team in D.C., headed by partner Katrina Robson.
Kristin Bender, a partner in the Litigation Department and a member of the Crisis Management Group and the Strategic Motions & Appeals Group, has been named a Rising Star in the General Litigation category. The award spotlights Kristin as one of the D.C. market’s most accomplished litigators age 40 and under, and recognizes her commitment to pro bono service and civic contributions.
Kristin’s practice centers on high-stakes disputes and crisis management on behalf of leading commercial entities and public individuals. She has served as trial counsel for plaintiffs and defendants on numerous federal trials. She also maintains a strong regulatory practice, with a particular focus on the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
The winners will be recognized at the D.C. Legal Awards in Washington, D.C., on October 20.
Read more about the D.C. Legal Awards 2026 here (subscription may be required).
