Jan 2024–Present
Current role
Of Counsel
Wiley Rein LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Civil LitigationIntellectual Property AttorneyLitigation Support SpecialistEnvironmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)Appellate Litigation
About
Krystal represents and advises clients in a variety of complex litigation and appellate matters in state and federal courts. She has served in legal capacities in both public and private entities, including the U.S. Department of Justice and federal trial and appellate courts, and has extensive litigation experience ranging from pre-complaint investigations and discovery disputes to critical motions practice, trial preparation, and appeals. Krystal specializes in providing creative litigation solutions to give her clients a strategic advantage, both in and out of the courtroom.
Her experience spans a wide variety of practice areas, including government contracts, intellectual property, products liability, antitrust, environment and product regulation, telecommunications, health care, as well as election law and government ethics. Krystal’s appellate work, including before the U.S. Supreme Court, has focused on significant individual rights and First Amendment issues. Krystal also maintains an active pro bono practice.
Krystal served as a law clerk for the Honorable Mark S. Davis on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (the “Rocket Docket”). In addition, she served as a law clerk for the Honorable Alice M. Batchelder on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Roles
Feb 2018–Jan 2024
Former role
Associate
Wiley Rein LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Civil LitigationAppellate Litigation
Dec 2016–Dec 2017
Former role
Law clerk
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
(appointed)Ohio
Law ClerkResearchLegal Assistance
Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Alice M. Batchelder, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.
Sep 2015–Sep 2016
Former role
Law clerk
U.S. District Court
Virginia Eastern
Law ClerkResearchLegal Assistance
Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Mark S. Davis, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.
Jan 2015–May 2015
Former role
Legal Intern
Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice
(appointed)District of Columbia
Legal Officers and Practitioners
Aug 2014–Dec 2014
Former role
Judicial Intern
U.S. District Court
(appointed)District of Columbia
ResearchLegal Assistance
May 2014–Aug 2014
Former role
Summer Associate
Wiley Rein LLP
Washington, District of Columbia
Legal Assistance
Representative matters
Experience
May 2025
Defend ship-builder in putative class action regarding no-poach antitrust conspiracy in the Rocket Docket. Defend global defense contractor in government contracts action in the Rocket Docket. Represent renewable energy company in products liability suit against solar panel manufacturer. Represent lobbying firm in high-profile, international CFAA, trade secret, and civil RICO case. Represent telecommunications company in multi-billion dollar FCA litigation. Successfully represented DNA analysis company in dismissal of patent infringement suit in the Rocket Docket. Successfully represented campaign committee in obtaining preliminary injunction against enforcement of state campaign finance rule that violated the First Amendment. Successfully represented nonprofit in dismissal of citizen-suit brought under the Federal Election Campaign Act, including protection of First Amendment and privileged materials in discovery. Represent nonprofit organization in amicus filings regarding the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) before the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Defended government contractor against improper and abusive arbitration claim, including assertion of arbitration waiver and civil contempt charges. Successfully represented restauranteur in suit against former partner for fraud and conspiracy that caused the shutdown of award-winning restaurants. Represented nonprofit think tank in amicus filings in the Ninth Circuit and the Supreme Court opposing California’s A.B.5 legislation regarding independent contractors. Successfully represented luxury car manufacturer against patent infringement claims and in bringing offensive counterclaim for inequitable conduct. Successfully defended nonprofits’, political organizations’, and individuals’ First Amendment rights and related privileges in response to litigation subpoenas. Successfully represented and defended government contractor in dual-track misappropriation and computer fraud litigation in state and federal court. Successfully represented corporations in responding to FTC and DOJ business-competition investigations. Successfully represented prominent medical practice in trademark infringement and unfair competition suit.
Recognition
Honors
Ones to Watch
The Best Lawyers in America directory
May 2025
Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory of "Ones to Watch" for Appellate Practice (2024-2025) and Commercial Litigation (2022-2025)
DC's "Rising Stars"
Super Lawyers magazine
January 2023
Named one of DC's "Rising Stars" in Constitutional Law by Super Lawyers magazine (2023)
Publications & speeches
The Joy of Using Federal Civil Procedure to Solve Your Client’s Problems
The American Bar Association's Litigation Journal
May 2024
Link"Nowhere Man": Treat LLCs Like Corporations to Ensure Diversity Jurisdiction Remains Viable
The American Bar Association's Litigation Journal
January 2024
LinkThe Rocket Docket: Ensuring Clarity and Predictability in Civil Litigation
The American Bar Association's Litigation Journal
January 2023
LinkNew OCC Regulations Clarifying The Enforceability Of Interest Terms Should Be Entitled To Judicial Deference
Wiley.law
June 2020
On June 2, 2020, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) published a Final Rule to clarify that a bank may transfer a loan without impacting the permissibility or enforceability of the interest term in the loan contract, thereby resolving the legal uncertainty created by the Second Circuit in Madden v. Midland Funding, LLC, 786 F.3d 246 (2d Cir. 2015).
Courthouse Steps Decision: USAID v. Alliance for Open Society International, Inc.
The Federalist Society — Teleforum
June 2020
LinkCourthouse Steps Oral Argument: USAID v. Alliance for Open Society International, Inc.
The Federalist Society — Webinar
May 2020
Topics: Litigation • Free Speech & Election Law