Overview
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.