David Frederick describes himself and his colleagues at Kellogg, Huber, Hansen, Todd, Evans & Figel as “pike lawyers,” a term he first heard from a venerable local practitioner, Jacob Stein. “We take whatever comes down the pike,” Frederick said.

In part because the Washington firm is relatively small — 50 or so partners and associates — Kellogg Huber is able to take on a wide range of comers without the client conflicts that saddle some bigger firms.