Adam Kleven

Adam Kleven is a senior associate at Vinson & Elkins in Washington, DC whose practice focuses on appeals, critical motions, and strategic counseling. Adam helps clients navigate complex legal issues from pre-litigation planning through trial and appellate review. He frequently advises on government regulation and enforcement in administrative, civil, and criminal matters. His experience includes constitutional, statutory, and administrative law disputes, with particular work involving the False Claims Act, fraud, personal jurisdiction, procedural issues, energy law, and U.S. Supreme Court matters.

Adam earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, magna cum laude, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif, served on the Moot Court Board, and was Articles Editor of the Michigan Law Review. He earned B.A. degrees in Political Science and Communications from the University of Michigan with highest distinction. He clerked for Judge Karen Nelson Moore of the Sixth Circuit and Judge Christopher R. Cooper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Adam has written dozens of briefs in federal and state courts and argued before the D.C. Court of Appeals and D.C. Superior Court. His representative work includes Supreme Court briefing, False Claims Act appeals, FERC-related energy cases, criminal appeals, constitutional disputes, punitive-damages issues, tax whistleblower jurisdiction, and motions to dismiss federal claims. He has served as lead counsel on appellate and amicus briefs and helped clients address procedural questions that can determine whether claims proceed, judgments stand, or cases return for further proceedings.

Adam Kleven is admitted in the District of Columbia and Michigan, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court, multiple federal appellate courts, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. His practice combines appellate writing, oral advocacy, and strategic counseling for disputes involving difficult legal questions and extensive records. He identifies controlling issues, shapes persuasive briefs, and positions matters for effective review. His experience across regulatory, civil, and criminal contexts supports a broad litigation and appellate perspective.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Vinson & Elkins LLP
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, State Bar of Michigan
• Mentor, The Appellate Project

Licensed State

• District of Columbia
• Michigan

Education

• University of Michigan Law School
  Juris Doctor (JD) (Magna Cum Laude)
• University of Michigan
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science and B.A. Communications

Awards & Badges