Rachel A. Oostendorp

Rachel Oostendorp’s practice focuses on appellate litigation and trial support in federal and state courts, with a special interest in constitutional law, including First Amendment and defamation. She also works on state and local government issues, including access to government-held information and local referenda challenges and initiatives.

Rachel assists with all aspects of appeals and litigation, including drafting dispositive trial motions and appellate briefs, preparing jury instructions and other trial support, and evaluating appellate issues. She often assists lawyers inside and outside the firm in preparation for appellate oral argument, including by participating in moot court sessions. Rachel is also active in pro bono matters at both the trial and appellate level, including amicus briefs.

Rachel clerked for the Honorable Adalberto Jordan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the Honorable Beth Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Prior to clerking, Rachel served as a fellow in the Georgetown University Law Center’s Women’s Law and Public Policy Fellowship Program, where she supported litigation and global policy advocacy by and for women living with HIV. She also holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Michigan.

• The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Appellate Practice (2023–2024)