Overview

Hollingsworth LLP is among the nation’s leading litigation firms. For over forty years, we have focused our practice on complex litigation matters. We are nationally recognized as a go-to litigation firm for our work on high-stakes cases. Our attorneys have successfully tried cases in judicial hellholes across the country and on more fair playing fields as well. Our appellate experience extends to the United States Supreme Court, and we have argued extensively in the U.S. Circuit Courts and before many state supreme and intermediate appellate courts. Our record of success is reflected in the many reported federal and state cases in which we have been lead counsel.

We handle any litigation challenge, but the majority of our work is for corporate clients in the areas of products liability and toxic torts, environmental, natural resource damages, pharmaceutical products and medical devices, business interruption and commercial disputes, class-action defense, construction and engineering, federal claims, defense and government contracts, insurance coverage, investigations, risk management and mitigation, and white collar defense.

Our clients are multinational blue-chip companies, large and small domestic businesses, and an array of directors, officers, and other individuals. We are called upon to solve our clients’ toughest litigation problems nationwide and, in consequence, we regularly have the lead in landmark cases and on cutting-edge litigation theories and defenses. Because we have the tenacity and skill to win at trial and on appeal, we increase the likelihood of successful resolution at earlier stages of a case as well. We offer efficiencies unmatched at larger general practice firms and depth and experience unmatched at boutiques.

We independently advance our clients’ interests through our memberships in, among others, American Law Institute, Atlantic Legal Foundation, Chesapeake Legal Alliance, Defense Research Institute, The International Association of Defense Counsel, International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, National Defense Industrial Association, Product Stewardship Society, The Sedona Conference, and Washington Legal Foundation.

We maintain our only office in the District of Columbia and support our community as both lawyers and business people. We provide pro bono representation through the District of Columbia Bar Association and other local organizations. We participate in local fundraisers such as the annual Lawyers Have Heart 10k, Whitman Walker AIDS Walk, Gifts for the Homeless, and Breast Cancer Awareness activities, and we support numerous local charitable groups, including Bread for The City, Charlie’s Place, DC Greens, the Greater Washington Urban League, Langley Elementary School, Rising for Justice, Rock Creek Conservancy, The Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and Thrive DC, among others.

Founded:
1982
Size:
69
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
17
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
3

Rankings

Regional

Washington, D.C.

Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Insurance Law
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Construction

Firm Leadership

Donald W. Fowler
Managing Partner
Joe G. Hollingsworth
Founder

Rankings

Regional

Washington, D.C.

Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
2
Washington, D.C.
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Insurance Law
Tier
3
Washington, D.C.
Litigation - Construction

Practice Areas

Hollingsworth LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 4 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Appellate Practice
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Construction Law
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Environmental Law
  • Government Contracts
  • Insurance Law
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Mass Tort
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Toxic Tort

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Hollingsworth LLP proudly has 3 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Awards

Hollingsworth LLP is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Hollingsworth LLP has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Hollingsworth LLP continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
National Law Journal Midsize Firm List
National Law Journal Midsize Firm List
AmLaw Litigation Daily Litigators of the Week
International Interior Design Award for Davis Carter Scott
Frederick Douglass Human Rights Award from the Southern Center for Human Rights
National Law Journal Top Defense Wins of 2004
National Law Journal Top Defense Wins of 1997
Vault.com's 2013 15 Best Litigation Boutiques
National Law Journal Midsize Firm List
National Law Journal Top Defense Wins of 2001
2014 Thomas L. Sager Award Finalist
Lawyer Monthly's Pharmaceutical Products Liability Law Firm of the Year-USA
Corporate America Legal Elite 2015: Best in Products Liability Litigation - Washington DC
Global Law Experts' High Stakes Litigation Law Firm of the Year, Washington DC, and Pharmaceutical Products Liability Law Firm of the Year, Washington DC

Offices & Contacts

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