The Seahawks' DC Connection
No, Dan Snyder hasn't changed the name of our team to the Seahawks. But last year's Super Bowl champs do have a very close tie to the DC legal scene.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is covered if he ever needs advice on natural resource issues. The managing principal of environmental law firm Beveridge & Diamond, Ben Wilson, is Russell's uncle.
Last year, the law firm held a victory party after the Super Bowl win. Ben's holding the NFC championship banner above.
In the meantime, the "12th man" flag (a gift from Brad Marten of Seattle's Marten Law group) is proudly displayed in the reception foyer, with a football signed by Russell. Russell grew up in Richmond. Ben and his late brother Harrison, Russell's father, both played football at Dartmouth. Ben went on to Harvard Law.
The 100-lawyer firm also has big Patriots fans. In the Boston office, lawyer Brian Levey, above, sports a Gronk jersey and a football signed by retired Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi. The National Law Journal dug up an additional gem about a bet on the game: A Seahawks victory means Brian and Boston managing principal Marc Goldstein will wear Russell Wilson getups. Should Tom Brady and the Pats prevail, Ben will put on Patriots attire.
Ben, his wife and daughter are flying out to Phoenix for the game. Despite the excitement, the office is busy advising on issues from conflict minerals to China amending its environmental law for the first time since '89, and winning cases on land application of biosolids.