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Lawyers

Masha Hansford

Lawyers

Masha Hansford

Partner
Supreme Court & Appellate
Washington DC

Extensive experience advocating before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals. A former Assistant to the Solicitor General at the Department of Justice.

Masha has extensive experience advocating before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals, as well as litigating complex civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts across the country. Masha represents clients in complex and significant matters and brings strategic insight and persuasive advocacy to every case.

As an Assistant to the Solicitor General at the U.S. Department of Justice, Masha argued nine cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, prevailing in eight. Masha has briefed approximately 100 matters before the Supreme Court.

Masha also has played a significant role in formulating appellate strategy in federal courts of appeals on a wide range of issues, including bankruptcy, administrative law, criminal law and constitutional challenges.

In 2025, during her tenure at the Department of Justice, Masha received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service. 

Recognition

Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service, 2025

National Law Journal – “D.C. Rising Star,” 2019

Lawdragon – 500 Leading Litigators in America, 2026

Education

J.D., Stanford Law School
  • Best Oralist, Kirkwood Moot Court Competition
  • President, Stanford Law Review
A.B., Harvard University
  • summa cum laude

Clerkships

Law Clerk, Hon. John D. Bates, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, 2012-2013
Law Clerk, Hon. David S. Tatel, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, 2011-2012

Prior experience

  • Partner, Paul, Weiss, 2025-2026
  • Assistant to the Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 2020-2025
  • Counsel, Paul, Weiss, 2019-2020
  • Associate, Williams & Connolly, 2013-2019

Qualifications and admissions

  • District of Columbia
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