Hudson Cook added to its stable to legal experts last week, announcing that Francesca Gross has joined the firm as an associate in its Washington, D.C. office, focusing on litigation, regulatory compliance, and government investigations.

Hudson Cook highlighted Gross brings a strong foundation in federal practice and administrative law. She most recently served as an EEO attorney at the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), where she litigated cases before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

In that role, Gross led negotiations, drafted dispositive motions and appellate briefs, advised on compliance with key federal statutes — including Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, and the Rehabilitation Act — and secured more than $300,000 in settlements on behalf of clients.

Prior to her time at AFGE, Gross served as an attorney advisor with the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she worked closely with senior attorneys on regulatory matters, internal compliance, and preparing defenses for bid protests before the SBA’s Office of Hearings and Appeals.

Gross began her legal career as a judicial law clerk to Judge Karla Smith of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Md., drafting detailed bench memoranda and judicial orders on complex legal issues.

“We are thrilled to welcome Francesca to the firm,” said Lucy Morris, who is partner in Hudson Cook’s Washington office. “Her depth of experience in administrative litigation and federal employment law will immediately benefit our clients, and her thoughtful approach to advocacy is a great fit for Hudson Cook’s collaborative culture.”