News

12.08.2010

Chambers and Partners 2010 highly ranked various Sheppard Mullin practice groups and attorneys:

CALIFORNIA

Antitrust

The Firm:  "This firm's antitrust work on behalf of Samsung has made it a prominent name in antitrust circles. The team has expertise in a variety of antitrust matters; criminal antitrust litigation, IP matters and consumer protection issues are all areas of strength. Recent work highlights include acting as counsel for Samsung, defending IP-related antitrust claims in its dispute with Rambus." 

Key Individuals:  "Gary Halling heads the firm's antitrust and trade regulation practice. He is recognized as the group's leading name for antitrust matters. The talented James McGinnis works alongside him."   

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

The Firm:  "This firm houses around 30 lawyers focusing on insolvency work throughout its California offices, and has particular strength in the San Francisco market. It represents debtors, creditors' committees and lenders in a range of bankruptcy and restructuring matters. Recent highlights include representing The Bank of New York Mellon as the largest indenture trustee in the Lehman bankruptcy." 

Key Individual:  "Michael Ahrens is 'a great attorney who always gets the job done, no matter how tough.'  He represents debtors and committees, and also handles some lender work. He recently represented one of the largest Chrysler dealers, Lithia Motors, in Chrysler's Chapter 11 case." 

Corporate/M&A Southern California; Corporate/M&A Venture Capital

The Firm:  "The firm's strength is in mid-market M&A, particularly for private companies and funds based in the energy sector. It has been busy in the current economic climate advising on the strategic acquisitions of distressed assets on both the buy and sell side. The firm also has a notable presence in the venture arena, where it handles financings and buyouts."  Sources say, 'The largest in the mid-market for corporate M&A work.'" 

Key Individuals:  "Lawrence Braun focuses primarily on M&A. He has a good relationship with aerospace company Northrup Grumman, which he recently advised in relation to the acquisition of Sonoma Photonics and the KillerBee product line from Swift Engineering. He is described as  'a hard-driving, highly qualified attorney who's very effective in negotiating M&A.'  David Sands focuses mainly on the buying and selling of venture companies. He also has a niche in the entertainment industry and recently represented TV production company Endemol USA in a number of acquisitions. Sources say he is "a thoughtful, diligent lawyer and a personable guy.'" 

Environment

"Randolph Visser of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is skilled in drinking water and air quality matters." 

Healthcare

"Kenneth Yood is particularly esteemed for his experience in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. His practice also includes certification, state licensing, and federal regulatory compliance." 

IP: Patent 

"Stephen Korniczky operates out of the San Diego office, where he serves as co-chair of the IP group. He focuses on patent disputes and strategic counseling in a variety of areas of IP law and is, accordingly, praised as a 'strong and versatile litigator.'" 

IT & Outsourcing 

"Brian Pass of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP focuses on commercial agreements between Internet companies, especially concerning monetarization. He is also known for work on software licensing and hosting, and recently represented Yahoo! in its ten-year Internet search and advertising deal with Microsoft." 

Labor & Employment

The Firm:  "Sheppard Mullin continues to increase its profile in California, with a team that covers a wide range of labor and employment matters. The firm is particularly prominent in wage and hour class actions and has considerable expertise in the healthcare and restaurant sectors, representing clients such as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Whole Foods."  Sources say, 'The lawyers are intelligent, responsive, give practical advice and are very familiar with the employment environment in California.'" 

Key Individuals:  "Richard Simmons is praised as 'intelligent, knowledgeable and a terrific litigator who literally wrote the book on wage and hour class actions. He understands the law and can explain it better than anyone.' Charles Barker represents management in both single-plaintiff and class action employment litigation. He recently obtained a favorable jury verdict in a long-standing wage and hour class action case. Tracey Kennedy is a 'well-respected trial lawyer - definitely someone you'd hire to win a case.'  She has particular expertise in wage and hour and discrimination cases and was recently successful defending a food industry client in a discrimination and harassment matter.  Michael Gallion 'provides excellent practical advice' to clients, which includes training and assisting with wage and hour audits. He is particularly experienced in complex wage and hour and discrimination class action cases, and is also licensed to practice in Tennessee." 

Litigation: White Collar Crime & Government Investigations

The Firm:  "Sheppard Mullin's 2009 acquisition of a team of white-collar experts increased its strength in the area, and the group has come to the fore as a major state player in a range of sectors and industries.   Sources say, 'A strong team that continues to bolster its presence in the region.'" 

Key Individuals: "Bryan Daly, a former Assistant US Attorney, co-chairs the government contracts and white-collar defense groups. He is a leading figure in contractor fraud and civil litigation. Recent highlights include representing Tyco International in a whistleblower action under the California False Claims Act. Another former Assistant US Attorney, Peter Morris has a broad white-collar defense practice and also handles healthcare, general business and securities litigation." 

Media & Entertainment: Litigation

The Firm:  "This premier media practice has the support of a full-service national firm. The team is noted for its extensive trial experience as well as for its expertise in a broad range of areas, including IP, First Amendment and finance-related litigation. Its impressive client roster includes such names as Disney, MGA Entertainment and Buena Vista.   Sources say, 'A broad practice staffed by true specialists.'"

Key Individuals:  "San Diego-based Guylyn Cummins is 'truly terrific – straight-talking and knows her stuff.'  She excels in libel, invasion of privacy, trademark and Internet-related litigation. James Chadwick 'never ceases to impress with the quality and thoroughness of his work.' Operating out of the Silicon Valley office, his practice covers First Amendment, copyright infringement and privacy litigation on behalf of media, online and technology clients. Los Angeles-based practice cochair Marty Katz recently represented Disney in a merchandising participation case relating to the film 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?'." 

Media & Entertainment: Transactional

The Firm:  "This stellar entertainment practice has a focus on the film, TV, new media and fashion industries, winning praise for its expertise in rights acquisitions, distribution and production agreements. The sizable team regularly advises movie studios on sophisticated financings with international elements. Recent work highlights include representing Microsoft in connection with a massive multibillion-dollar deal with Yahoo!. The group also undertakes a significant volume of work related to the Chinese and European markets."   Sources say, 'A great firm that we go to for day-to-day advice.'" 

Key Individuals:  "Winning plaudits from all corners of the market, Robert Darwell is head of the practice and has expertise in a wide variety of matters, with particular strength in complex global transactions. Corporate attorney Thomas Glen Leo 'knows his stuff,' according to sources, and is regularly involved in film financing matters." 

Real Estate; Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

The Firm: "Sheppard Mullin has a fine reputation for zoning and land use work. Interviewees highlight its impressive roster of lender clients.   Sources say, 'Terrific on the land use and affordable housing side.'"

Key Individuals:  "Robert Thompson is 'the leader of the group and very involved,' say sources. He handles both transactional and land use work. David Madway has a strong focus on CEQA compliance work, and a deep understanding of public development transactions.  'In the redevelopment area he is absolutely outstanding,' noted one peer." 

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Antitrust 

"Donald Klawiter is sought out for his expertise in criminal investigations and international cartel cases, and is currently involved in investigations in the financial services and telecoms sector. His highlights include representing an individual in a municipal bonds derivatives investigation, and defending Bristow Group in a class action suit involving offshore helicopter services." 

NATIONWIDE

Advertising: Transactional & Regulatory

The Firm:  "This firm is arguably best known for its advertising expertise in New York, but also fields experienced practitioners in California. Sports and entertainment are particular areas of strength; for example, the group is outside counsel to MillerCoors, which it advises on sponsorship agreements with teams in a various major sports leagues."  Sources say, 'They handle work for us anywhere we ask them to - they've got superb experience in international and domestic matters.'" 

Key Individual:  "Ben Mulcahy co-chairs the advertising and sports industry teams." 

Government: Government Contracts

The Firm:  "This highly regarded group has broad expertise encompassing False Claims Act litigation, bid protests, cost recovery, export controls, debarment and suspension proceedings, fraud investigations and corporate compliance programs, among other public procurement matters. The lawyers are based in the firm's Los Angeles and Washington, DC offices. In 2009, the firm favorably settled long-standing government and Qui Tam allegations against Northrop Grumman."  Sources say, 'A go-to government contracts group comprising aggressive and persuasive advocates.'"

Key Individual:  "John Chierichella is 'a first-class, fearless litigator with huge energy.'  His work includes bid protests, claims and appeals, cost issues, internal investigations and False Claims Act litigation." 

NEW YORK

IP: Trademark & Copyright 

"Paul Garrity of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has a broad range of IP experience with respect to trademarks and unfair competition issues. He is 'client-sensitive, communicates well and has a very thorough approach.'" 

Media & Entertainment: Litigation; Media & Entertainment: First Amendment Litigation

The Firm:  "This compact, highly regarded New York team complements the firm's premier California-based media and entertainment litigation group. The practice comprises talented lawyers who handle a variety of issues, from copyright and trademark cases to contract and First Amendment trial work.  Sources say, 'Top-notch industry knowledge and a real mastery of the law.'"

Media & Entertainment: Music

"Kenneth Anderson brings with him vast experience of representing composers, recording artists, record labels and managers."