Williams & Connolly LLP is pleased to announce the election of Matthew Heins, Andrew Lemens, Michael Xun Liu, Ben Picozzi, Joseph S. Sandoval-Bushur, Annie E. Showalter, and William Snyderwine to its partnership, effective January 1, 2026.
“Williams & Connolly is delighted to welcome this exceptional group of individuals into the partnership,” said Executive Committee Chairman Joe Petrosinelli. “They have demonstrated their dedication to the firm and to our clients, and will continue to uphold our tradition of commitment to excellence in all that we do.”
The seven new partners are:
Matthew Heins - Matthew’s practice focuses on civil litigation and government investigations. His practice spans a broad range of substantive areas including antitrust, First Amendment and media law, products liability, professional responsibility, and complex contract and business disputes. Matthew has represented clients across a variety of industries including private equity, higher education, banking and finance, accounting, construction, and pharmaceuticals.
Andrew Lemens - Andrew’s practice focuses on complex civil and criminal matters. He represents clients in a range of civil investigation, litigation, and arbitration proceedings, with a particular focus on technology and pharmaceutical clients in high-stakes antitrust and intellectual property disputes. He also has significant experience representing entrepreneurs, executives, and board members in criminal proceedings, including on allegations of wire, healthcare, and securities fraud. Andrew has appeared and argued in federal and state courts across the country at both the trial and appellate levels.
Michael Xun Liu - Michael focuses his practice on intellectual property disputes and patent litigation. He has extensive experience litigating cases involving pharmaceutical compounds, biotechnology products, medical devices, and computer technology. Michael has managed every stage of litigation, from complaint through trial. In addition to his practice before district courts, Michael regularly handles appeals before the Federal Circuit, and he is also a registered patent attorney who represents clients before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Ben Picozzi - Ben’s practice focuses on patent litigation and related disputes. A significant portion of Ben’s work involves the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and he has represented clients in all stages of litigation, from trials in various U.S. district courts, to appeals before the Federal Circuit, to proceedings before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. In addition to his litigation practice, Ben has also provided prelitigation counseling on patent and antitrust issues.
Joseph S. Sandoval-Bushur - Joseph’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation and investigations. He has represented clients at all stages of litigation, and has briefed and argued dispositive motions and appeals in courts across the country. Joseph has been a member of several trial teams and served as co-lead counsel in a high-stakes arbitration. His experience spans a variety of industries, including health care, technology, and consumer products.
Annie E. Showalter - Annie’s practice focuses on products liability defense. She has experience in complex, multi-jurisdiction litigation, including cases consolidated through the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, state-court litigation proceedings alongside an active multidistrict proceeding, and informally coordinated litigation. Annie has also been involved with complex civil litigation in other substantive areas, including numerous False Claims Act cases. A member of several trial teams, Annie has represented clients at all stages of litigation.
William Snyderwine - Will focuses his practice on civil litigation and trial work. He has represented corporations, law firms, and individuals in high-stakes cases in a broad range of matters, including products liability, professional liability, breach of contract, fraud, and trade secrets. He has successfully represented clients throughout all stages of litigation in state courts, federal courts, and arbitrations around the country.
About Williams & Connolly LLP
Williams & Connolly is recognized as one of the world’s premier litigation firms. Our lawyers successfully handle significant civil and criminal matters in courts across the country and forums around the world. We bring a unique blend of talent, tenacity and teamwork to every case we manage in the relentless pursuit of the best possible outcomes for our clients. For more information, visit www.wc.com.