Akin Named an Am Law Litigator of the Week Runner-Up
The American Lawyer has named Akin a runner-up for its Litigator of the Week series for securing the dismissal of the long-running criminal prosecution of Bijan Rafiekian. Mr. Rafiekian is a former U.S. government official and one-time business partner of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.
Mr. Rafiekian’s five-year legal battle, which included a two-week jury trial and two appeals to the Fourth Circuit, began in 2019 when he was indicted for allegedly conspiring with Mr. Flynn and others to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act by acting as a secret operative of the Turkish government (learn more here).
Akin Supreme Court & appellate partner James Tysse argued the appeal at the Fourth Circuit. The trial team was led by partners and former prosecutors Stacey Mitchell and Mark MacDougall. They were joined at trial by Mr. Tysse, counsel Adam Bereston, associates Samantha Block and Madeline Bardi and senior legal assistant Adria Hicks. Robert Trout of Schertler, Onorato, Mead & Sears LLP served as co-counsel.
