Chambers USA Honors Duane Morris Attorneys
Duane Morris' practice groups received 19 citations for excellence from Chambers USA: 2008, and Duane Morris attorneys received an additional 44. The following excerpts from Chambers can also be found at www.chambersandpartners.com.
Antitrust
Pennsylvania
The Firm: This national firm continues to grow, with 10 attorneys in the antitrust group. The team produces "quality work across the board," especially in the healthcare, financial services and insurance arenas. It recently represented Providian in a class action lawsuit brought by American Express against Visa, MasterCard and a number of banks, and acted for MetLife in class action litigation.
The Lawyers: Known for his "great reputation," Wayne Mack handles antitrust counseling, particularly in the healthcare industry, representing Adventist Health System, among others.
Banking and Finance
Illinois
The Firm: Clients feel that this outfit is a bit of a secret in the market: "Its name is not as immediately recognizable as some other firms, but it's a hidden jewel!" Most appreciated is "the way these attorneys move transactions forward - everything is very straightforward and commercial." This mid-market outfit has seen a prominent amount of work in the acquisition finance field; one recent highlight saw the squad act for a lender which was providing a loan to a professional football team.
The Lawyers: Kenneth Latimer possesses a "great negotiation style" as well as "superb drafting abilities."
Peers believe that the "extremely likable" Brian Kerwin is an "excellent ambassador for the department." Clients feel equally positive about this "straight-to-the-point" attorney, commenting that "other parties in the transactions often end up raving about his work."
Pennsylvania
The Firm: With 35 people in its finance team nationwide and a highly respected bankruptcy practice, this interdisciplinary group continues to work on all aspects of banking transactions, although it is particularly well known for its asset-based lending practice. The attorneys are admired for their "superb legal skills and practical approach" and are "well supported by a good group of junior partners and associates." The clientele includes universities, national and regional banks and healthcare systems.
The Lawyers: "Knowledgeable and responsive adviser" Dianne Meyer does a "wonderful job" in asset-based lending, particularly in the healthcare industry. "She doesn't throw up road blocks and is very conscientious in complying with her clients' requirements and deadlines," laud sources. Recent highlights include representing the agent and the lead lender in the $400 million financing of a new hospital.
While he is well known for his bankruptcy work, John Horstmann also heads the corporate practice group and handles international finance transactions. He has "fantastic business sense and comes up with innovative solutions," praise commentators.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Massachusetts
The Firm: Although small, this Boston-based [bankruptcy/restructuring] team is able to draw on the strength of the firm's nationwide web of offices to ensure that clients have all their needs met. Debtor work is central to the firm's strong reputation in the field; it recently acted as debtors' counsel in a Chapter 11 filing for a telecommunications giant. It also has the capacity to handle a variety of work, and it benefits from the strength of the firm's Delaware office, regularly acting for local companies.
The Lawyers: A "tough, no-nonsense lawyer," Paul Moore wins praise for his "ability to stay calm in situations where his mettle is tested." His uncompromising style has found favor with those who say: "He doesn't let anything get in the way of his clients' interests." Moore concentrates on debtors work.
Pennsylvania
The Firm: Although this firm "provides top-quality service," commentators question the strength of the group following the departure of a number of attorneys and the reduced presence of leader David Sykes. Nonetheless, it provides bankruptcy services to its national and international client list of debtors, creditors and creditors' committees. Observers praise the "fabulous and excellent lawyers," who provide "sound, business-oriented advice."
The Lawyers: David Sykes, though not as active as he used to be, is still regarded as "a real heavyweight" in the field and "a strong leader." He provides counsel to existing clients while continuing to serve as an expert witness. One client admired: "I was impressed with how he took charge and became personally involved in our matter."
Chair of the business reorganization and financial restructuring group, Skip Di Massa brings a "practical and detailed approach" to his representation of secured creditors and lenders. Interviewees consider him "an effective advocate who finds solutions easily" and is "great to work with."
The "hugely talented" Margery Reed earns praise for her work in bankruptcy law, business reorganization and insurance insolvency. "She has all the qualities you want in a lawyer," declared one client.
John Horstmann chairs the group's corporate practice, handling international finance transactions. He covers matters including corporate reorganization, out-of-court workouts and creditors' rights, achieving "practical yet creative solutions for his clients."
Commentators are impressed with Lawrence Kotler's extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law and "good sense of judgment." His clients, including Chapter 11 trustees, creditors' committees and large institutional unsecured creditors, value how he "keeps his cool even in the most difficult situations."
Construction
Illinois
The Firm: The "responsive and helpful" construction attorneys at this national "one-stop shop" have an excellent reputation with clients: "They know the construction business well and have great experience." The group represents general contractors and managers in breach of contract, excessive change and loss of productivity matters.
The Lawyers: The "first-rate" Charles Lewis is "very responsive and an all-around excellent lawyer," in the opinion of clients. He acts for general contractors in breach of contract, delay, loss of productivity and excess order claims in the courts, and also represents clients in contract drafting and negotiation matters on a national level. He is currently representing a contractor who is building a $7.5 billion casino in Las Vegas.
New York
The Lawyers: Allen Ross' "great credibility with opposing counsel" gives him "a unique ability to solve problems," report clients. He possesses a broad understanding of real estate law in addition to his extensive knowledge of construction.
Fred Cohen has accumulated more than 35 years of litigation and trial experience and is noted for his proficiency in cases involving delay, defective performance and structural failures. He typically represents owner-developers, nonprofit organizations, contractors and sureties.
Richard Dyer is praised by sources for his successful representation of owners in negotiation. Much of his time is devoted to contractual matters, alongside design agreements, surety bonding and insurance.
Arthur Silverman is "a highly experienced and well-respected adviser" in the fields of project finance and construction agreements.
Corporate/M&A/Private Equity
Illinois
The Firm: Clients praise this firm because its lawyers are "well versed in corporate issues, professional, prompt, and get results." This Philadelphia-headquartered firm is growing, with a large national and international footprint, has recently opened offices in Singapore and Vietnam and has signaled its intentions to ramp up its London offering.
The Lawyers: Focusing on securities, M&A and private equity, David Kaufman was repeatedly praised by clients: "His biggest strength is he takes a practical approach - he understands the law completely and what our company's goal is." He acted for Inland Retail Real Estate Trusts on its $6.2 billion merger with Developers Diversified Realty, the second largest retail REIT transaction to date.
Pennsylvania
The Firm: "A tremendously broad-based firm that has grown over the years," Duane Morris is a favorite with clients for mid-market transactions. Clients from the life sciences, IT and technology industries turn to the firm for traditional M&A, public finance and private equity advice. The outfit drew particular praise from smaller companies who valued the fact that their work was "not shoved out to junior associates. The turnaround time is quick and the decisions pragmatic, which is a tremendous advantage for a small company."
The Lawyers: A new entrant to the rankings, Frederick Dreher is considered to be one of the practice's "standout names" for corporate work, particularly M&A and securities matters.
Kathleen Shay's practice covers a range of corporate finance issues. She has specific expertise in the venture capital, technology and healthcare industries, where "she can tackle the particularly thorny issues and not get caught up in a lot of the minor points," highlight sources. Clients also admire her "real interest in and respect for emerging growth companies."
David Toner advises clients on M&A, private equity investments, strategic alliances, divestitures and joint ventures issues. Commentators praised his "practical, creative and business-oriented advice."
Georgia
Philip Thompson of Duane Morris LLP divides his time between mid-market acquisitions and special project finance, and in 2007 represented companies in Portugal, Switzerland and the Netherlands. He also teaches courses in private equity and cross-border transactions at the business schools of Emory and Georgia Universities.
Texas
Having left Weil Gotshal to build the corporate capability of Duane Morris LLP, Charles Harrell continues to commit himself to corporate finance and M&A, delivering "practical, common-sense advice" to clients.
Energy and Natural Resources
Georgia
The Firm: Duane Morris has, perhaps more than any other firm, positioned itself to take advantage of the new wave of nuclear plant planning and construction. Many of the 27 lawyers comprising its new, US-wide nuclear practice group were involved in the litigation following the last raft of activity, in the 1980s. The Atlanta energy team focuses on advisory and contentious regulatory work in nuclear and other areas, and comes highly recommended by clients as a "sharp, diligent and hard-working set of attorneys." The firm's style came in for particular praise, one commentator distancing Duane Morris from "those in-your-face lawyers who've seen too many legal shows on TV." Interviewees were also pleased by the group's approach to client service: "Somehow, they always seem to make me feel like I'm their only client. Even some in-house counsel don't manage that."
The Lawyers: "Mild-mannered but effective," Chuck Whitney devotes his time to regulatory advice and state and FERC litigation, particularly with regard to nuclear power. Clients laud his vast experience: "No matter what pops up, Chuck always seems to have had prior experience of it."
Washington, D.C.
Sheila Slocum Hollis of Duane Morris LLP enters the tables following warm market recognition. She has built up a good track record advising on domestic and international natural gas, electricity, and nuclear regulatory and transactional matters. Her recent highlights include acting as independent counsel for the board of PJM Interconnection in a complex special investigation.
Environment
New Jersey
The Firm: This international firm fields an experienced and proven environmental team in New Jersey. The lawyers include some of the true environmental law pioneers, and the practice enjoys an enormous geographic footprint, covering places as far afield as Puerto Rico. Another hallmark of the team is its activity on federal EPA issues, frequently involving air and water legislation throughout the country. Clients particularly acknowledge the "depth at the firm - I can't think of any improvements needed and we are a fairly demanding client."
The Lawyers: Lawrence Diamond's many years at the EPA make him "a brilliant tactician for dealing with the regulators." He also heads the firm's environmental work in Puerto Rico.
Clients/Work Highlights
The firm represented an energy company in the aftermath of an acidic wastewater release in a wetlands area, and directed several internal investigations relating to the CAA. Beyond the US mainland, the firm also represented a multinational corporation in the defense of several CWA investigations concerning wastewater treatment and ocean discharges.
Healthcare
Florida
The Firm: This compact five-attorney team may be smaller than some of its competitors but it "is certainly staffed with very talented lawyers." The group benefits from being part of the Duane Morris brand and from the resources on offer across the firm's national network. In recent years, the firm has bulked up its Florida healthcare practice through a series of strategically astute hires. The group predominantly focuses on representing institutional clients such as hospitals and nursing homes in a range of matters stretching from transactional work to regulatory issues and litigation. Clients particularly appreciate the team's "responsive, practical, solution-oriented and thorough advice."
The Lawyers: "Witty, tough and a strategic thinker," Joanne Erde has proved to be "a worthy asset to the team." She has developed a niche practice advising on Medicare reimbursement issues and is held in high regard in the market for her hard work.
Nanette O'Donnell is another example of the high-caliber attorneys comprising this team and is similarly endorsed for her strengths in compliance, licensing and fraud and abuse matters.
Illinois
The Firm: An eight-strong team is distinguished by its expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, where it focuses on litigation and regulatory compliance, and counts the National Community Pharmacists Association among its clients. The group is also noted for its experience of the nursing industry. "One of the firm's strong points is that it is very customer friendly," remarked one client; "the things I do require immediate attention and the firm responds to that." The team benefits from offices in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Philadelphia and New Jersey, and draws on these resources to offer advice that is informed from a national perspective.
The Lawyers: Nicholas Lynn's practice concentrates on pharmaceutical law, healthcare litigation and regulatory compliance matters. Equipped with "a tremendous amount of knowledge," he has established a solid reputation.
Insurance
National
The Firm: This large national practice enjoys a significant market presence, according to competitors, many of whom regard it as a "major nemesis." Philadelphia and San Francisco are the insurance group's main hubs, but the firm is also "emerging as a significant player in New York, acquiring D&O expertise and participating in high-profile seminars there." Its West Coast expertise, stemming principally from the 2006 merger with Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft, continues to heighten the firm's visibility in the market: "It has a much stronger platform for insurance coverage issues than it did a few years ago. Lawyers there do almost all of the London Market insurance work in California and the Southwest." Also know for its prominent work on environmental and asbestos liability-related matters, the firm is valued by clients for its "extraordinary abilities at both trial and appellate level."
The Lawyers: Philip Matthews "is a master of insurance law who is one of the best for strategy and tactics." Clients and peers are united in their praise for this "first-rate lawyer," who undertakes high-profile coverage litigation and "counsels clients on the very best possible way forward." Toxic and environmental claims are his particular strengths.
Although his practice now extends beyond pure insurance matters, Richard Seabolt continues to impress the market as "diligent, practical and smart." Litigation is his strong suit, and he was described by one source as "one of the best trial lawyers I have ever seen. He doesn't just know insurance law - that man knows how to try a case."
Andrew Gordon is a "solid and dependable performer" who shines at mastering the logistics of complex, multi-party cases.
In New York, Thomas Newman "brings a wealth of expertise and has the ability to recognize the issues" when working on complex reinsurance arbitrations. "He's an excellent appellate lawyer: thoughtful, creative and extremely on the ball. People feel confident when he's representing them."
California
The Firm: With a team of 30 lawyers in California and extensive national resources, this firm maintains its position as a preeminent insurance practice. Peers recognize the strength of the team, saying that "as a group, the firm's lawyers are among the most knowledgeable in the insurance arena." Duane Morris maintained Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft's long-established London markets insurance practice after the two firms merged in 2006. It continues to draw significant recognition for work in that area, counting Lloyd's as a major representative client, and the lawyers' "understanding of the dynamics of the London and Lloyd's insurance markets" is highly appreciated by clients. The firm is renowned for its coverage litigation, with both an appellate group and trial lawyers available to work on it. The team also counsels insurers on bankruptcy and reorganization matters and assists them with transactional affairs.
The Lawyers: "First-rate lawyer" Philip Matthews receives consistently high praise from clients and peers, who laud him as "creative, no-nonsense and very strategic about settling things for his clients - he is extremely effective in working with peers to get cases resolved." His practice encompasses both insurance and reinsurance work, involving claims ranging from sexual abuse to asbestos and toxic torts.
"Talented trial lawyer" Andrew Gordon is "skilled at the logistics of big cases." His caseload in the past year has included environmental, D&O and pollution coverage matters.
"Practical, smart and diligent," Richard Seabolt recently broadened his practice beyond insurance to encompass wider commercial litigation, yet nevertheless remains a prominent figure in the insurance world.
"Superb litigation lawyer" Ray Wong has recently been handling coverage actions relating to general liability involving pollution and asbestos claims.
New York
Insurance: Dispute Resolution
The Firm: Nationally, this firm is "emerging as a significant player," according to sources, and the New York office is correspondingly enjoying heightened market visibility. The team here is "prompt, thoughtful and strong across the board, in both insurance and reinsurance matters." The firm handles all aspects of insurance representation, acting in the defense of insureds in products liability, premises liability, workers' compensation and legal and medical malpractice, among others.
The Lawyers: Thomas Newman "brings to the table a wealth of experience and the ability to recognize important issues. Creative and forthright, he's always on the ball." He continues to build an impressive appellate practice and has tried several reinsurance arbitrations this year.
Intellectual Property
Pennsylvania
The Firm: Increasingly, the Philadelphia office of this national practice is expanding its regional scope, offering its client base a full complement of IP services. It continues to produce "top-quality and reasonable" IP advice, particularly in the areas of trademark and patent prosecution. Sources value its "personable attorneys, who really make their clients feel important and are excellent at building long-term relationships."
The Lawyers: "A well-rounded and versatile lawyer," Peter Cronk is applauded for his expertise in litigating and procuring patents, trademarks and copyrights.
Immigration
Washington, D.C.
The Firm: Part of a top-flight commercial firm, this immigration practice stands on its own merits. Its lawyers cover the whole spectrum of immigration matters and represent a host of clients ranging from Fortune 500 players to smaller start-up companies. Unlike some other business immigration practices, this group also chooses to represent individuals, including professors, researchers and foreign investors. It has developed a particularly deep expertise in J visas, and has also carved out a niche for itself in the representation of medical professionals, an area in which it is held in the highest esteem. Clients wax lyrical about the breadth of coverage the team has managed to cultivate: "Essentially, they are strong in all facets: they are always on top of new legislation, proposed legislation, case law and, most importantly, the workings of the governmental agencies."
The Lawyers: Denyse Sabagh continues to be "at the top of her game." She is identified as one of the leading immigration experts nationally, and is renowned for her corporate immigration practice. She is also recognised for her command of criminal matters relating to deportation cases. Clients appreciate Sabagh's fighting spirit, reporting: "She is a true advocate who won't give up. She takes on tricky cases and fights for them. She's just fabulous."
Roberta Freedman has crafted a name for herself in the J-1 visas field, and spends most of her time securing visas for physicians and medical personnel. Her "hard-working attitude" has won her fans among peers and clients alike.
Andres Benach is at the forefront of an emerging generation of practitioners. His practice focuses on immigration litigation and deportation.
Labor and Employment
Pennsylvania
Thomas Servodidio of Duane Morris LLP represents management in traditional labor law issues. He has a successful track record as chief negotiator in collective bargaining issues, particularly on behalf of clients from the healthcare industry. "He is never confrontational and is extremely well respected by all sides, including the unions," said one client, while another source added: "He is extremely knowledgeable about labor relations. We rely on his expertise 100%."
Litigation
Pennsylvania
The Firm: Clients praised this litigation team as "an outstanding group that has a real focus on client service and is always a pleasure to work with." The 100-strong department comprises "excellent and top-rate attorneys" who handle a diverse range of complex commercial litigation with notable expertise in securities and products liability litigation. The group is also strengthening its construction department, hiring a number of additional attorneys. Sources rated the firm because "it does not overstaff a matter" and is "persistent in getting a case finished."
The Lawyers: John Soroko continues his superb work in corporate and securities litigation, undertaking the defense of securities class actions among other issues. Clients valued his "exceptionally strong leadership skills" combined with his "creative legal imagination." He represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in an action to enforce Pennsylvania usury laws against a company operating in the state.
Scott Kramer won client recommendation for his trial practice handling securities litigation, copyright and trademark litigation, products liability and healthcare-related litigation. Interviewees singled out this excellent attorney's "fearless attitude when it comes to difficult cases."
"A real up-and-coming star," Matthew Taylor is building a good reputation as a trial lawyer, taking on a diverse array of cases from medical device matters to commercial real estate disputes.
New Jersey
Gregory Haworth of Duane Morris LLP handles financial, fiduciary, stockholder and real estate cases. Clients describe him as "a calm and methodical lawyer" who is very effective in the courtroom. A "level-headed lawyer who can always be relied on to do the right thing."
Real Estate
Pennsylvania
The Firm: A new entrant to the rankings, Duane Morris is slowly building its real estate presence in the state and benefits from its strong network of national offices. Although it predominantly covers transactional issues, the group is increasing its workload in condemnation matters and land value litigation for a client base that features a number of multinationals, including major oil companies.
The Lawyers: Drew Kapur attracts attention for his advice on relocation assistance, eminent domain and condemnation issues.
George Kroculick has carved out a niche for himself in eminent domain and highway access management and control matters. A "knowledgeable and focused" lawyer, he also handles real estate litigation.