Three from the Class of ’94 Are Among AmLaw’s Best 45 Under 45

By Rebecca Barns

Multiple 1994 classmates wrote to let us know that Lorie Almon, Cate Stetson, and Helgi Walker were named to American Lawyer’s Best “45 under 45” in January. Candidates were nominated by industry sources, after which AmLaw reporters interviewed clients and opposing counsel before honing the list. Lorie, Cate, and Helgi made the final cut, earning the distinction “best of the best.”

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Lorie Almon co-chairs Seyfarth Shaw’s national wage and hour litigation practice group and is co-managing partner of the firm’s New York office. Her practice focuses on employment litigation, especially complex litigation and collective and/or class proceedings. In the past five years she has led or co-led the defense of no fewer than 50 employment class or collective actions brought against Fortune 500 and other significant companies. Almon has been instrumental in building Seyfarth Shaw’s labor & employment practice. American Lawyer cited her keen ability to persuade juries in challenging cases and her ability to work with co-defense counsel and across the aisle in a motions-heavy practice. “I was thrilled to learn that two other ’94 graduates were included  … Like many of our female classmates, Cate and Helgi have built enormously successful careers and I am so proud to be listed with them.”

Cate Stetson is a partner and director of Hogan Lovells appellate practice group in Washington, D.C. She has argued in most of the federal courts of appeals and in multiple state appellate courts, more than 30 appellate arguments in all. American Lawyer noted her remarkable appellate record, including a victory in a Ninth Circuit en banc case and subsequent defeat of certiorari in the Supreme Court of the United States. D.C. Circuit Judge David Tatel notes that Stetson is “one of the finest lawyers” who appears before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. “I'm honored to be on any list with these wonderful women,” says Cate, “and I am particularly proud of the showing of the Law School Class of 1994.”

Helgi Walker is co-chair of Wiley Rein’s appellate practice in Washington, D.C. American Lawyer noted her recent victory on behalf of Comcast Corporation in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The case involved the FCC’s authority to regulate Internet broadband service providers. Judges ruled against the FCC and found that the agency did not have the authority to regulate Comcast’s network management practices. In the American Lawyer article Walker’s clients remarked on her “staggering intellect” and “incredible judgment.” Walker says she appreciated the timing of the article. “I just barely made it under the 45-year-old bar, thank goodness!”