MaryAnn Almeida

Counsel

MaryAnn Almeida focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, including emerging issues facing technology companies and other innovators. Her practice includes antitrust, intellectual property, and First Amendment law, on appeal and in trial courts across the country. MaryAnn maintains an active pro bono practice, including defending her clients' First Amendment rights. Before joining the firm, MaryAnn practiced commercial litigation in Washington, D.C., and clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Before law school, MaryAnn served as a legislative assistant for Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives Tina Kotek.

Appellate

Regulatory Appeals

Representing group of transmission owners as petitioners and intervenors in D.C. Circuit appeals of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders (D.C. Cir., Ongoing)

Conklin v. University of Washington

Representing UW in appeal of successful defense of Public Records Act lawsuit arising from dismissed antitrust case (WA Div. I Court of Appeals, Ongoing)

Members of Congress amici

Represented group of members of Congress as amici in litigation challenging constitutionality of FCC's Universal Service Fund (5th Cir. 2022)

ACD Distribution v. Wizards of the Coast

Successfully argued Ninth Circuit appeal defending judgment as a matter of law based on novel choice-of-law issues (9th Cir. 2021)

In the matter of the search of information associated with specified email accounts

Served on a team of lawyers for Microsoft in challenging a court order obtained by the U.S. Justice Department restraining Microsoft from communicating with its customer about the government's search and seizure of customer data stored in the cloud by Microsoft. (2d Cir. 2021)

Tech Litigation

Sugarman v. Muddy Waters Capital et al.

Representing activist short seller against defamation, RICO, and unfair competition claims stemming from negative report published about plaintiff's connections with a convicted felon. Procured dismissal of lawsuit twice in California federal court and twice in Minnesota state court, where the plaintiff has appealed. (Minn. App. Ongoing)

J.A. v. Microsoft Corp.

Successfully compelled arbitration of consumer claims regarding Xbox controllers, including against minor plaintiffs (W.D. Wash. 2021)

Solutions 30 EE v. Muddy Waters Capital et al.

Represented internet-based activist short seller against defamation and unfair competition claims based on public reports of suspicious business dealings. Obtained full dismissal and award of attorneys' fees under California anti-SLAPP law (N.D. Cal. 2021)

Antitrust

State of Washington v. CHI Franciscan Health, et al.

Represented The Doctors Group, a multi-specialty group acquired by CHI/Franciscan Health, in litigation filed by the State of Washington in federal court seeking to declare the transaction anticompetitive and force divestiture. (W.D. Wash. 2019)

Admitted to Practice

Washington
District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit

Education

J.D., University of Chicago Law School, 2014, with honors
- Editor-in-Chief, University of Chicago Legal Forum
- Finalist, Edward W. Hinton Moot Court Competition
- Karl Llewellyn Memorial Cup for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy
- Thomas R. Mulroy Prize for Excellence in Appellate Advocacy and Oral Argument
B.A., Spanish and Politics, Willamette University, with departmental honors, cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa

Memberships & Affiliations

- Board Member, Washington Women Lawyers, 2018-present; President-Elect, 2021-2022

Professional Recognition

- Named "One to Watch" by Best Lawyers in Commercial Litigation, 2021-2025; in Intellectual Property, 2023-2025; in Appellate Practice, 2025
- Selected to "Washington Rising Stars," Thomson Reuters, 2024

Background

- Law Clerk, Hon. Robert L. Wilkins, United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, Washington, D.C.
- Associate, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, Washington, D.C.
- Law Clerk, Hon. Legrome D. Davis, United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania