Adrienne E. Van Winkle has litigated a wide variety of complex civil matters before state courts, federal courts, and arbitration tribunals. She has tried multiple cases, including cross-examining significant witnesses (both fact and expert) and delivering closing argument.
A significant portion of Adrienne’s practice is devoted to defending accounting firms, including Big Four firms, in malpractice, regulatory, employment, and commercial matters. Adrienne has defended accounting firms in several multi-week arbitration hearings involving claims of audit malpractice. She routinely works with experts in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards. She also has deep experience defending both companies and individuals in auditing and accounting matters before the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In 2025, Chambers ranked Adrienne as “Upcoming and Coming” in Accountant and Auditor Liability. One respondent succinctly stated to Chambers: “Adrienne is excellent.”
Adrienne also has significant experience in other types of professional liability defense, tax controversies, and financial services litigation. She serves as the co-chair of the firm’s Tax Controversy practice group, and is a member of the Firm’s Hiring and Pro Bono Committees.
Adrienne earned a degree in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis and graduated summa cum laude, while also playing basketball for the Division III Bears and serving as team co-captain her senior year. Adrienne then graduated magna cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. Before joining Williams & Connolly in 2011, she served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Deborah Cook, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, in Akron, Ohio; and the Honorable Cecilia Altonaga, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, in Miami.
Representative Experience
- Co-chaired two-week arbitration trial defending Big Four accounting firm against claims of audit malpractice by a professional sports team
- Co-chaired bench trial in Delaware Chancery Court.
- Second-chaired bench trial in federal court defending brand pharmaceutical company against breach of contract claim by generic drug company seeking hundreds of millions in damages.
- Representation of a Big Four firm in a three-week arbitration trial involving claims by a bankruptcy trustee for a large insurer, in which the panel issued an award in favor of the accounting firm on all claims.
- Representation of a mutual bank and its officers and directors against tort claims brought by depositors seeking distribution of surplus capital, in which the Eighth Circuit upheld dismissal of all claims after oral argument.
- Representation of a national telecommunications company against tort claims, in which the court granted summary judgment in favor of the company at oral argument.
- Current representation of Big Four firm in professional liability litigation concerning audits of a bank holding company.
- Current representation of national accounting firm in putative class action concerning audits of investment funds.
- Current representation of Big Four firms in multiple PCAOB and SEC investigations.
- Representation of Big Four firm in PCAOB investigation relating to financial services audits, resulting in no enforcement action.
- Representation of Big Four firm in PCAOB investigation relating to an oil-and-gas audit, resulting in no enforcement action.
- Representation of a national accounting firm in a tax-preparation malpractice lawsuit.
- Representation of individuals and companies in tax controversy matters involving income tax, excise tax, gift tax, and FBAR issues.
- Representation of officers and directors of community banks in lawsuits brought by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation alleging negligence and breaches of fiduciary duty.