Profile

Catherine Duval

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP

My Contact Information

Zuckerman Spaeder LLP
Washington, DC
Phone 1: (202)778-1895

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Chapter Location

Washington DC

Bio

The best results in a government investigation or confidential settlement are frequently nowhere to be found: not on TV, in a newspaper, blogged about, or tweeted.

Kate Duval represents clients in civil disputes and the highest profile government inquiries, often working to achieve the lowest possible profile for her clients. Her singular focus on clients’ goals and how best to achieve them defines her legal strategy and advice. Although she’s been described as a “top fixer” (by former Speaker of the House John Boehner), Kate prefers to consider herself a zealous, principled advocate for her clients.

Some of her clients include:

  • multiple AmLaw 100 firms facing professional negligence claims for hundreds of millions of dollars;
  • a Flint emergency city manager responding to congressional investigation of the Flint, Michigan, water crisis;
  • publicly traded companies conducting internal investigations in response to a variety of alleged employee misconduct;
  • an environmental litigation law firm defending against investigations and litigation related to global warming, environmental groups, and ExxonMobil;
  • an international company bringing a billion dollar contract claim against a former business partner; and
  • an attorney (successfully) fighting potential disbarment for actions taken in the course of representing a client.

In the Obama Administration, Kate led teams of lawyers responsible for investigations and oversight-related matters at two agencies, first as counselor to the commissioner of the IRS and later at the U.S. Department of State.

In those positions, she dealt with congressional committees on investigations, including into the Benghazi attacks, the IRS 501(c)(4) nonprofit application process, and email issues. She also prepared State Department and IRS staff for congressional hearings and other testimony.

Kate began private practice at Williams & Connolly LLP, where she represented companies and individuals in a range of litigation, including civil, professional liability, securities, and white collar matters. Before law school, Kate served as a legislative staffer for U.S. Senator James M. Jeffords (then-R-VT).

Kate teaches professional responsibility at Georgetown University Law Center as an adjunct professor. Her practice in professional liability and attorneys’ disciplinary matters is complemented by six years of service as a hearing committee member for the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board of Professional Responsibility, where she helped resolve attorney ethics and discipline issues.

Practice Areas

  • Complex Commercial Litigation
  • Congressional Investigations
  • Government Investigations
  • Internal Investigations
  • White Collar Crime