Chambers USA and Chambers Global Honor Duane Morris Attorneys
Duane Morris' practice groups received 18 citations for excellence in Chambers USA: 2012, and Duane Morris attorneys received an additional 65. The following excerpts from Chambers can also be found at www.chambersandpartners.com.
Antitrust
Pennsylvania
Wayne Mack of Duane Morris LLP is known for his representation of plaintiffs. He provides negotiation and mediation services as well as taking on litigation. He recently acted for five golfing manufacturers on a global anticounterfeiting initiative.
Banking & Finance
Pennsylvania
Dianne A. Meyer at Duane Morris LLP wins appreciative feedback for "providing a high level of service and for always being on top of things going on in the industry." She concentrates on commercial financing, including tax-exempt matters and healthcare projects.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Delaware
Michael Lastowski of Duane Morris LLP litigates in a range of bankruptcy cases on behalf of both debtors and lenders.
Massachusetts
This firm's Boston office is well known for its debtor-side representations, and has also handled various prominent creditors' cases in the last year. As an example, the team recently advised the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Quincy Medical Center Chapter 11 case. The attorneys maintain a broad base of expertise, encompassing bankruptcy, the enforcement of creditors' rights, out-of-court financial restructurings and cross-border insolvency.
Sources say: "Very senior, experienced attorneys."
Market sources agree that Paul Moore is an effective attorney in the field, noting that while "he is very knowledgeable and aggressive when he needs to be," he is also "able to relate and communicate well with everyone." He continues to advise CrossHarbor Capital Partners on its acquisition of The Yellowstone Club, a private ski and golf community which filed for bankruptcy protection during the economic downturn.
Clients appreciate that Jeffrey Sternklar "knows when to act as a lawyer and when to act as a business man." His broad practice covers debtor and creditor representations, as well as advice on the purchase of distressed debts and assets.
New Jersey
Walter Greenhalgh of Duane Morris LLP is praised as a strong bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring practitioner. "He is a good advocate. We like and respect him," one source enthuses.
Pennsylvania
This efficient team has strength in all areas of this market, including bankruptcy litigation, out-of-court settlements and restructuring. It earns particular respect for its representation of secured creditors, commercial acumen and willingness to understand individual businesses. The practice's extensive client base is supported by its impressive bench and nationwide presence.
Sources say: "They are proficient on the bankruptcy issues and good at finding business solutions; they are straightforward, no-nonsense and easy to work with."
Margery N. Reed is a well-known name in the market; she is "a knowledgeable and astute litigator" according to sources. She is singled out for her representation of financial institutions and insurance companies who are acting as creditors or secured lenders. "She has become an incredible expert," commentators note.
Lawrence Kotler is well regarded for his courtroom practice where he regularly represents trustees and debtors. He wins market praise for his strength in "identifying key issues and simplifying complicated matters."
Rudolph Di Massa's bankruptcy clients include financial institutions in both Pennsylvania and New York. "He will not waste time beating around the bush and has good business sense," approving commentators say.
James Holman also practices out of New York as well as Philadelphia. He impresses sources with his "commitment to clients and cases and deep investment in his strategy."
John Horstmann is appreciated for his ability to "think outside the box and come up with solutions." He comes highly recommended for his expertise in workouts and for his "accurate insights."
Construction
National
Clients appreciate this firm's extensive geographic footprint, which allows the construction team to efficiently handle multi-jurisdictional matters. It handles the full range of design, development, project management, financing, litigation and related work. It also has a strong reputation for cutting-edge matters, including PPPs, sustainable and green building and Building Information Modeling (BIM.) Of late it has acted for a major telecommunications contractor in a construction delay claim. Other clients include developers, general contractors, construction managers, architects and owners.
Robert Prentice chairs the group. He works out of the Philadelphia office and is particularly well-versed in contentious claims.
California
Originating from the East Coast, Duane Morris has effectively established a strong foundation and an impressive client base in the areas of transportation, telecommunication and pipeline-related matters on the West Coast. The group provides a broad range of services, and is also increasingly active with integrated project design and PPP work. Recent highlights include its representation of Bechtel in a telecommunication construction claim, and its role on behalf of environment engineering firm Carollo in relation to litigation connected to the Walnut Creek pipeline explosion cases.
Sources say: ?Excellent in whatever we ask them to do."
Robert Hendrickson is a leading litigator and arbitrator in the field. Clients praise his excellent qualifications and industry knowledge, highlighting him as a great asset to their projects: "He knows the industry very well; a quick study when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of our company."
Lock Holmes is highlighted in particular for his expertise in rail-related construction work. His highlights also include his representation of Airis Holdings in relation to the development of a 400,000 sq ft air cargo terminal in San Francisco International Airport. His clients describe him as "very responsive and proactive, looking out for both opportunities and solutions."
Illinois
Duane Morris represents a range of public and private owners and developers, construction managers, prime contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in matters involving industrial, energy, commercial and green building and sustainable projects. Clients applaud the team's abilities in international and cross-border work. It recently represented McHugh Construction in relation to a dispute with the developer and owner of the Elysian Hotel, involving a $7 million claim and a $20 million counterclaim.
Sources say: "I have the highest opinion of the attorneys at this firm. They are very responsive and seriously take into account the value of service as compared to fees incurred."
Sources are full of praise for Charles Lewis, whom they describe as "exceptional and really strong in arbitration and mediation." He represents a wide variety of clients in a host of construction matters, including negotiation and breach of contracts, mechanics' liens and claims. He has recently been involved in a significant amount of foreclosure work.
New York
The highly rated construction practice at Duane Morris primarily represents owners, though it also advises nonprofit institutions, sureties and contractors. It maintains around 20 construction lawyers in New York. One example from the team's rich array of work is its advice to the September 11 Memorial & Museum Foundation on the construction of the Memorial Museum on Ground Zero.
Sources say: "Duane Morris brings a legal background with a practical business perspective focused on its client's best interests."
Frederick Cohen is particularly noted for his expertise in mediations and other alternative dispute resolution procedures, where he typically represents owner-developers, as well as other clients.
Richard Dyer is "unflappable and has seen everything." He handled Tutor Perini's litigation in state court over its construction of a $150 million highway interchange.
Ken Lazaruk is praised for both his strategic advice and for being "hard-working, responsive and very intelligent." His "intimate knowledge of details is outstanding."
The "practical, calm and wise" Arthur Silverman advised on the construction of a 300,000 sq ft tower as part of the City Point redevelopment in Brooklyn. He "is academically brilliant but also knows you need to get these agreements done so that people will actually sign them."
Allen Ross has many years' experience in the construction industry and is described as "one of the finest construction lawyers in New York."
Washington, D.C.
Dan Toomey of Duane Morris LLP is an outstanding construction surety lawyer. Well regarded among peers, his work is considered to be of "the highest caliber," while clients laud him for being "very proficient and an expert in his field." Recently, he has been working on an interesting case for the First Baptist Church of Glenarden involving the alleged wrongful termination of a metals contractor.
Corporate/M&A/Private Equity/Securities
Illinois
Duane Morris handles the full range of corporate and M&A transactions, with particular expertise in venture capital, private equity investments, securities offerings and defense against takeovers. It recently advised EDC ATM Subsidiary and Efmark Deployment I in their acquisition by Cardtronics, valued at $145 million.
Sources say: "They've done a great job on every task they've undertaken for us - they have been nothing but professional and knowledgeable about whatever issues were thrown at them."
Brian Kerwin is a familiar name on the Chicago market, with "strength in mergers and acquisitions," and an "ability to keep things moving quickly and accurately." His practice centers on the representation of businesses, lenders and private equity funds.
One client enthused that David Kaufman is "very practical - he never gives you the run around and he's always very accessible - I can get him anywhere, anytime." He works on behalf of investors, underwriters and issuers in securities offerings, as well as traditional corporate and M&A matters.
Maryland
Jay Cohen of Duane Morris LLP acts on behalf of venture capital funds and financial institutions, as well as large global corporate clients on a range of matters including fund formation, restructuring, and international acquisitions and transactions, with a particular specialty in acting for clients in Korea and Indonesia.
Pennsylvania
This well-regarded group continues to develop its already significant presence in the life sciences sector, and is now increasingly active representing emerging growth companies and venture capital funds. Clients repeatedly note the team's value, quality and competitive pricing.
Sources say: "The team operates well, they are bright and hard-working and the partners do a good job of pulling everything together."
Kathleen Shay represents a variety of clients from venture capital and startups to public businesses in the life sciences industry, advising on strategic innovation, securities financings and M&A. She recently advised Celator Pharmaceuticals on a venture capital financing. "She has a great appreciation of our company's objectives," a client notes.
John Coogan's market reputation is centered on his actions for venture capital funds and emerging companies. One source notes that "he knows how to negotiate, he does not posture and is a problem solver." Highlights include advising private equity fund Guardian Capital Partners on the purchase of a majority interest in R&D Circuits and acting on behalf of Rittenhouse Senior Living on its multiple acquisitions of various facilities.
Richard Jaffe is a seasoned practitioner who is particularly strong in the private equity and M&A fields. "He is a strong leader and has solid delegating skills," reports one impressed client.
Richard Silfen regularly advises private equity, securities and venture capital issues. He is regarded as an assertive presence in the market and enjoys a fine reputation for his technical skills. He recently provided securities expertise for Audiovox's acquisition of Klipsch group.
David Toner has in-house experience to bring to transactions and has maintained this relationship to continue advising Centocor on a variety of recent strategic alliances and investment agreements. His practice has a positive slant toward the life sciences arena and he recently advised Centocor on the sale of its global oncology diagnostic company to Japanese business Fujirebo.
Energy
National
Sheila Slocum Hollis of Duane Morris LLP is a former director of FERC's enforcement office, and is now a leader on federal regulation proceedings. She represents clients before a whole slew of bodies, including the FERC, DOE and DOI. Clients praise her legal acumen and personal characteristics: "She was well organized, demonstrated clear leadership and was extremely knowledgeable about all matters pertaining to energy. She was clear and articulate in how she communicated among parties."
Environment
New Jersey
Lawrence Diamond of Duane Morris LLP is an established name in environmental law and is known for his work on state Superfund sites. As the firm's Puerto Rico practice group chair, Diamond is also actively involved in counseling Puerto Rican businesses on environmental matters.
Healthcare
National
Miami-based Joanne Erde of Duane Morris LLP is "widely known and respected" for her Medicare and Medicaid expertise. Her practice encompasses matters related to reimbursement and coverage, and she can draw on significant experience representing clients before entities such as the Provider Reimbursement Review Board.
Florida
This compact practice represents individuals and institutional providers in, among other things, regulatory, transactional, litigation and taxation matters. Recent work includes representing a group of 15 hospitals involved in an investigation by the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit regarding alleged improper emergency room billings.
Sources say: "Very well known for transactional healthcare work."
Joanne Erde advises hospitals and other healthcare providers on Medicare and Medicaid payment, coverage and compliance matters. In particular, she is considered "one of the leaders" for payment issues."She is very talented."
Nanette O'Donnell is "one of the finest healthcare lawyers around," according to one source, who applauds her for being "smart and very effective." She focuses on managed care, antikickback, Stark Law, compliance and other regulatory matters.
Illinois
Duane Morris LLP is home to Nicholas Lynn, who has carved out a niche for himself in the representation of nursing home and pharmacy clients.
Immigration
California
Lisa Spiegel of Duane Morris LLP delights in finding novel approaches to immigration issues. Her years of experience have seen her prevail in difficult cases. Over the past year she has added the University of Phoenix to her list of clients.
Florida
Clients say Hector Chichoni of Duane Morris LLP offers sound advice and fluency on all aspects of corporate immigration and naturalization procedures. He is active in Florida, Texas and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Washington, D.C.
This full-service firm houses a highly praised immigration practice which has represented a number of Fortune 500, midsized and startup companies. Its attorneys are also able to guide individuals through difficult deportations and removals, and the practice has a notable focus on addressing foreign criminal convictions.
Denyse Sabagh heads the immigration group at the firm. Clients appreciate her strong reputation among key government agencies: "She is respected within all the agencies and doesn't mind taking on difficult cases. She is very responsive and imaginative, and leaves nothing to chance."
Insurance
National
This well-established insurer firm handles disputes across the country and is known for its deep bench strength. While the practice's critical mass resides in California, the team deals with issues on the East Coast and in the Midwest, allowing for a significant nationwide footprint. Key areas of expertise include coverage disputes and a range of professional and general liability claims on behalf of major insurance companies including XL, Great American and CNA.
Client Service "The firm's insurance practice has maintained a small and intimate feel even as it has moved into a larger firm."
Commercial Awareness: "The firm's mature and sensible way of dealing with conflicts and potential conflicts reflects a good understanding of the needs of its market."
Andrew Gordon is known among the policyholder Bar as a strong and effective adversary. Despite being based in the firm's San Francisco office, he is heavily involved with disputes on behalf of the London insurance market.
Leading California partner Philip Matthews is known as "a very strong lawyer who has been involved for many years." Clients afford him particular praise for his ability to deal with highly specialized and complex insurance coverage matters.
Senior New York practitioner Thomas Newman commands high levels of respect from the field. He is heavily involved in reinsurance disputes and also has an active appellate practice across the country.
California
Clients are effusive in their praise for this well-established West Coast stalwart, thanks to its deep expertise in the insurance industry. The group attracts particular recognition from the market for its experience in handling the full range of environmental and asbestos coverage disputes, although there is more diversity to the practice with strength in matters including general liability and insurance bad faith claims. Peers recognize the firm as a competitor both in California and across the country.
Sources say: "The firm's mature and sensible way of dealing with conflicts and potential conflicts reflects a good understanding of the needs of its market."
Andrew Gordon has recently handled a number of matters involving the London market, having represented CNA and RJ Kiln in a range of coverage cases. He enjoys a healthy reputation among his peers.
Peers and clients alike offer ringing endorsements of leading practitioner Philip Matthews, who focuses his practice on complex insurance and civil litigation. According to interviewees, "he is the consummate peacemaker, who always talks reason and sense."
Highly regarded player Richard Seabolt incorporates insurance as part of a broad commercial litigation practice. He has recently represented Republic Indemnity in a bad faith workers' compensation insurance case.
Practice head Max Stern deals with the full range of insurance coverage litigation including bad faith, coverage and regulatory dispute resolution.
Coverage litigator Ray Wong is described by sources as "a terrific lawyer and an extraordinary person." He is known as a stylish and effective practitioner in both negotiation and dispute resolution, and has also served as a mediator and arbitrator.
New York
Thomas Newman of Duane Morris LLP remains a respected figure within the New York insurance and reinsurance Bar. He has handled complex reinsurance arbitrations in both the USA and London.
Intellectual Property
Georgia
This acclaimed practice handles noncontentious patent, trademark and copyright matters for a diverse range of clients, including multinational and Fortune 500 companies, as well as IP litigation. The attorneys have expertise in an array of industries, from biotechnology and consumer products to media and entertainment.
Matthew Gaudet is an esteemed trial lawyer with a particular focus on patent litigation. His practice is national in scope, as demonstrated by his ongoing defense of Cisco Systems in patent infringement lawsuits brought throughout the USA.
Louis Norwood Jameson maintains an excellent reputation for his litigation work, which includes patent disputes, trademark and trade distress litigation and false advertising matters.
Pennsylvania
This firm's dedicated team handles the spectrum of IP matters including national litigation, clearance and registration. The Pennsylvania team has been involved in a series of complex technological issues, particularly involving biometric technology and pharmaceutical IP in patent and noncompetition matters.
Peers praise Peter Cronk's "tremendous client loyalty." His practice is devoted to trade secret protection, technology transfer and litigating patents. Recently, he assisted Multimodal Technologies in its $130 million acquisition by MedQuist and represented Next Biometrics in various IP matters.
Labor & Employment
Florida
This firm has a busy labor practice in Florida which handles a considerable volume of wage and hour litigation. It also takes on a fair amount of discrimination, retaliation and whistle-blower cases. Work highlights include successfully counseling several transport sector companies on FMLA lawsuits and collective actions.
Michael Casey focuses mainly on union avoidance and collective bargaining. Sources confirm that he is "a significant player who can definitely hit the ball hard."
Georgia
Joseph Ciucci of Duane Morris LLP is rated for his employment litigation expertise. Of late, he has handled various OSHA and disability discrimination cases.
Pennsylvania
This national firm runs its labor and employment practice out of two offices in Pennsylvania. Attorneys at the firm provide advice on union disputes and assist in fighting organizing drives. They have recently been involved with a major class action case incorporating eight hospitals in the Philadelphia region. They also run a successful training institute supporting the practice, and current clients include Catholic Health East and Rite Aid.
Sources say: "Excellent value for money and a good working relationship."
Thomas Servodidio provides counsel to businesses and individuals on a broad range of employment matters. He has defended wrongful discharge, wage and hour and discrimination claims for clients, and is highly experienced before the NLRB.
Jonathan Segal focuses on the healthcare sector, advising high-profile clients on preventive action and union-related issues. One client states: "I have 100% confidence in him."
Litigation: General Commercial
New Jersey
Gregory Haworth of Duane Morris LLP, an experienced financial services litigator and bankruptcy attorney, is well equipped to handle a range of business disputes. He has been involved in representing individuals in various shareholder disputes and is retained by Valley National Bank to handle significant litigation matters.
Pennsylvania
This firm continues to demonstrate strength in a broad range of litigation areas, providing support to clients from the pharmaceutical, software development, real estate and financial industries. Recently it has represented SAP in a complex RICO litigation and has also handled work for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Sources say: "Extremely strong support." "Fantastic, I get an immediate response."
John Soroko elicits positive comments from peers and clients alike, with one respondent noting: "He is certainly as billed, an excellent litigator with fantastic insights." His practice covers securities litigation, corporate governance issues and commercial litigation.
Matthew Taylor is a "very respected lawyer" and his counsel is sought by major global players such as SAP. He has experience in a diverse range of commercial litigation, including employment, securities and product liability matters.
Dana Klinges has recently been handling a range of litigation issues for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Her advice is also solicited by the NFL on antitrust matters. Sources say: "I think she was very good."
David Landau has an active practice which spans the areas of employment, IP and complex commercial litigation. He is at the forefront of technological developments both pretrial and during trial.
Real Estate
Maryland
Duane Morris LLP is home to Thomas Totten, who specializes in real estate development and financing work. He acts on behalf of individuals, developers and healthcare clients, on a wide range of matters, including acquisitions, leasing, construction and land use
Pennsylvania
Attorneys at Duane Morris are able to assist clients on a wide range of real estate matters, including leasing, restructuring, eminent domain and development. They have recently represented Shelbourne Capital on healthcare-related work involving the building of assisted living facilities across the country. The team has also recently handled work in the hotel and hospitality industry.
Sources say: "An outstanding firm that was very responsive and understood our expectations."
David Augustin has been active in the acquisition and disposition of apartment buildings. He is regarded as a "very good technical lawyer."
Drew Kapur focuses his practice on the specialist area of land value litigation. He has recently acted on behalf of an oil company in a complex condemnation case.
George Kroculick handles eminent domain and tax relief matters among other issues. He regularly represents developers and manufacturing companies.
Marc Brookman is known to peers as "quite a fine lawyer." He represents owners of previously undeveloped property. He has recently been involved on a major residential project and handling related drainage issues.