The Legal 500

Within Capital markets: debt offerings , tier 4

Demonstrating ‘outstanding business knowledge and appropriateness of advice’, Hogan Lovells LLP acts for a substantial roster of issuer clients, and the team is also handling an increasing number of mandates for managers. The ‘solid and effective’ team is able to ‘negotiate in difficult situations’ and can draw on the firm’s longstanding regulatory expertise to assist clients in regulated sectors in capital markets transactions. Recent mandates include representing New Corporation on its $1bn offering of 3.00% senior notes due 2022, and advising Smithfield Foods on its $1bn senior notes offering. Washington DC-based Stuart Stein advised National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation on two offerings of $300m and $400 collateral trust bonds. Petroleos de Venezuela, UnitedHealth Group, and WellPoint are also issuer clients. On the manager side, the team advised Morgan Stanley, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Barclays Capital as joint bookrunning managers, and Deutsche Bank Securities and RBC Capital Markets as co-managers in ERP Operating Limited Partnership’s $1bn offering of 4.625% Notes due 2021. In New York, the ‘competent and highly experienced’ Sina Hekmat is ‘dedicated to clients and to the success of their businesses’. Also recommended are David Bonser and Richard Parrino in Washington DC, Paul Hilton in Denver and Jeffrey Rubin in New York.

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Within Capital markets: equity offerings , Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

With a strong and balanced practice for both issuers and underwriters, Hogan Lovells LLP has the capability to advise on the full range of equity and hybrid securities offerings, with a focus on transactions relating to highly regulated industries. A team, led by Washington DC-based lawyers David Bonser and Prentiss Feagles, advised the underwriters, JPMorgan, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and KeyBanc, in the $292.56m IPO by Retail Properties of America. The team has expertise in the pharmaceutical industry, with Jon Layman and Laura Berezin in Silicon Valley acting for therapeutic drugs provider VIVUS on its $203m offering of common stock. Paul Hilton in Denver is recommended.

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Within Corporate restructuring (including bankruptcy), tier 7

Hogan Lovells LLP’s bankruptcy practice has a strong track record in advising corporate trustees but it receives a steady flow of instructions from borrowers, distressed investors and insolvency administrators. New York-based group head Robin Keller recently advised Wilmington Trust as the indenture trustee for $1bn of Vitro SAB’s 8.625% senior notes due 2012 and 9.125% senior notes due 2017 in various matters relating to Vitro’s bankruptcy proceedings, including Concurso proceedings in Mexico and its Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 proceedings in Texas. In a debtor-side highlight, the firm successfully represented Ambac Financial Group in its reorganization and the Chapter 11 plan was confirmed in March 2012.

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Within Financial services: regulatory, tier 4

Headed by Richard Schaberg, Hogan Lovells LLP’s ten-partner Washington DC-based team has ‘deep knowledge’ of the regulatory landscape and gives ‘practical business advice’ to a broad range of clients including national and state-chartered banks and trust companies, federal and state-chartered savings banks, and mortgage lenders. While domestic institutions remain the lifeblood of the practice, the recent merger has enabled it to provide a more complete service to international clients which are becoming an increasingly prominent element of the group’s workload. The team has been active advising on financial institution M&A transactions, particularly within the community bank space - which has witnessed significant consolidation of late. It advised Alliance Financial Corporation on its $233m sale to NBT Bancorp. Peopled with a number of former regulators, the group has significant credibility before the agencies. Consequently it has an excellent track-record at handling enforcement actions and is currently advising a major international bank in connection with numerous actions. The ‘smart responsive and dedicated’ Stuart Stein and Gregory Parisi are recommended. Clients include UBS, Barclays and Westfield Bank.

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Within Project finance, Hogan Lovells LLP is a third tier firm,

Clients praise Hogan Lovells LLP’s ‘exemplary level of service’, and its ability to draw on ‘worldwide resources, substantial collective expertise and deep bench of associates’. The team, which predominantly acts for sponsors, is also singled out for its ‘top-rate’ oil and gas and energy project financing expertise. It has an established Latin America practice headed by Miami-based José Valdivia, which is particularly active in conventional and renewable energy and infrastructure projects, and is assisting a growing roster of Chinese clients investing in the region. The team advised Venezuelan state-owned oil and gas company Petróleos de Venezuela on a number of its project-related transactions, including a joint venture with PetroChina for the development, construction, and financing of an $8bn oil refinery in China. The team is also advising Recursos Naturales y Celulosas on the $200m project financing for the development of a hydroelectric generating plant in Guatemala, and is representing state-controlled Trinidad Generation in the development and financing of a $700m gas-fired combined cycle facility in Trinidad. In another highlight, the firm acted as lead project counsel for Dominion Cove Point in its project to build liquefaction facilities and LNG exporting services at its existing LNG terminal in Maryland. The ‘extremely knowledgeable, very sharp and proactive’ team includes Miami-based Miguel Zaldivar, who co-chairs the global projects practice; Keith Larson, who ‘embodies all the firm’s strengths’; and ‘excellent’ Baltimore partner Brian Chappell, whose ‘engineering background gives the team an extra edge’. Evan Koster joined from Dewey & LeBeoeuf LLP in January 2012.

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Within Energy: renewable/alternative, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

Mainly based in Baltimore and Miami, Hogan Lovells LLP’s ‘very capable’ energy practice shows ‘a strong work ethic, much collective expertise and a strong bench of associates’. The group has been busy advising on project developments and financings in the US and internationally. Major clients from the sector include SunEdison, which instructed the firm on the negotiation of pre-paid power purchase agreements with CPS Energy for 30MW of solar energy from facilities in San Antonio; and Exelon, which the firm advised on a 16MW solar facility in Maryland. New York-based Edith Webster and Baltimore-based Edward Sledge worked together representing Edison Mission Energy on obtaining a $235m financing for a portfolio of wind farms. They also acted for Redwood Trails Wind, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, in obtaining $250m in financing for 238MW of wind energy projects located in Oklahoma and California. Significant M&A transactions handled by the practice in 2012 included advising RPM Access on the sale of the 150MW Vienna wind farm to MidAmerican Energy Company; and assisting a European utility with the sale of three wind farms with a total capacity of over 700MW. Miami-based Luis Perez and Tom Woolsey are also recommended, along with the ‘excellent’ Brian Chappell in Baltimore, whose ‘engineering background in addition to legal expertise is a rare combination’.

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Within Environment: litigation, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP continues to represent the state of Florida in water-related litigation involving the federal government, Alabama and Georgia. The case covers issues of ecology, the fishing industry and the water demands of the respective states. The firm also won a case at verdict for natural gas development company Antero Resources in a toxic tort lawsuit brought by a family in Colorado, which was notable as being one of the first lawsuits involving hydraulic fracturing. Elsewhere, the firm represented Daimler Trucks North America and Detroit Diesel in a successful case contesting EPA’s decision to allow a competitor to pay penalties in order to sell engines that do not conform to emission standards. The practice is co-led by James Banks and Scott Reisch, with the team being based in offices in Washington DC and Denver. Former EPA lawyer Adam Kushner joined the firm in 2012.

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Within Healthcare: health insurers, Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP’s noted regulatory practice advises major insurer clients on a variety of issues, in particular Medicare/Medicaid matters. In litigation, a team from Washington DC is acting for a ‘Big Five’ insurer in a series of Sherman Act class actions; and for a managed care organization (MCO) in commercial arbitration related to its acquisition of a Medicaid managed care business. Among several mandates for UnitedHealth Group, the Denver office is currently advising the insurer on a qui tam False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuit alleging violation of Medicare Advantage Plan marketing regulations; and on various international joint ventures in the healthcare IT and electronic health records (EHR) space. Miami-based Craig Smith, Denver-based Michael Theis, and Washington DC-based Melissa Bianchi are the key contacts.

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Within Healthcare: life sciences, Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP’s deep regulatory bench has been active in both non-contentious advice and defense of government investigations. A team from the firm’s New York and Tokyo offices is representing Takeda in two pending Hatch-Waxman cases against generic companies Zydus Pharmaceuticals and Mylan Pharmaceuticals. In a strong year on the capital markets front, Baltimore-based team head Asher Rubin - ‘a fantastic lawyer’ - was part of a team which acted for Tesaro on its $81m initial public IPO and $58.5m follow-on issuance of series B preferred stock. Key lawyers in the firm’s substantial Washington DC regulatory team include Philip Katz; David Fox, a former FDA assistant chief counsel for enforcement; and former AstraZeneca senior director Christine Bloomquist, who joined in June 2012. The firm has life sciences capacity across the US with other teams concentrated in California, New York, Philadelphia and Colorado.

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Within Healthcare: service providers, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP’s full-service practice provides national coverage and includes a renowned regulatory team. The firm serves as outside counsel to the American Hospital Association with recent work including filing Amicus briefs regarding the PPACA on its behalf in the Supreme Court; and analyzing the prospects for a potential challenge to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) policy requiring direct physician supervision of hospital outpatient therapeutic services. Clifford Stromberg and Torrey McClary were part of a team that represented the University of Colorado Hospital Authority in its merger with Poudre Valley Health Care to create the $2.5bn University of Colorado Health system. The group is involved in significant transactional and regulatory work for Texas and Florida-based clients and includes a practice group dedicated to long-term care providers - particularly those based in New York state. Isabel Dunst head the group which includes regulatory lawyers Sheree Kanner and Stuart Langbein; highly regarded Stark Law and anti-kickback expert Thomas Bulleit; and antitrust specialist Robert Liebenluft.

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Within Insurance: advice to insurers, tier 4

Hogan Lovells LLP’s global insurance litigation practice provides a ‘very good service’ with ‘fast response times’ that is ‘in tune with the needs of its clients’. The group, co-headed by David Hensler in Washington DC, has expertise in representing health insurers and in cross-border coverage and insolvency matters. Miami-based Laura Besvinick is ‘highly knowledgeable on the law’ and ‘consistently provides outstanding legal service’. David Newmann in Philadelphia is ‘proactive and pleasant to work with’. The ‘highly professional’ Pieter Van Tol and ‘very skilled litigator’ Sean Keely are recommended in New York. The practice secured a victory for Executive Risk Indemnity before the New York Appellate Division, First Department, in a dispute with Starwood, which sought coverage under an E&O policy. Another significant win was for Federal Insurance Company in a class action alleging fraud in a large-scale public auction of convenience stores. Ongoing matters include multi-district litigation for longstanding client Chubb and the representation of Travelers in the liquidation proceedings of ELNY.

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Within Overview,

Within the legal market, the implosion of Dewey LeBoeuf LLP’s renowned insurance practice continues to make its mark with some of its most prominent partners settling at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Patton Boggs LLP, and others at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, Mayer Brown, Clifford Chance, Hogan Lovells LLP, Sidley Austin LLP, and DLA Piper.

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Within Copyright, tier 4

Underpinned by its global presence, Hogan Lovells LLP acts for a number of leading, internationally recognised names in the entertainment and media sector on copyright enforcement, registration and litigation matters. It has been handling a number of copyright infringement cases regarding some high-profile works in film and publishing industries. Dori Ann Hanswirth has a strong focus on representing media sector companies. She previously settled a case on behalf of Fox News Network and News Corporation as defendants to a copyright infringement case regarding the use of video footage of the late Michael Jackson’s ex-wife Debbie Rowe in a news report. Litigator Eric Lobenfeld co-heads the national IP practice and provides strong expertise in trial and appellate work. Slade Metcalf retired in 2012.

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Within Private equity funds, tier 5

Hogan Lovells LLP’s ‘team of private equity experts is able to give balanced advice that combines a legal perspective with an understanding of the business consequences’. 15 US-based partners and ten associates handle the structuring and formation of private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, real estate and mezzanine funds, and can call on a further 80 lawyers globally to assist in the establishment of US and European funds, as well as offshore vehicles. It handles GP-side instructions for clients such as ACON Investments and Alpine Investors, as well as LP work. In 2012, it represented Bluestone Capital Partners in the formation of a $30m fund to invest in government services companies. Practice head David Winter has ‘vast knowledge of the industry and a strong tax background. His representation of both funds and investors gives him expert knowledge of what investors are looking for’.

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Within Real estate investment trusts (REITs), Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP has ten partners who dedicate their time to providing REIT-related regulatory and transactional advice to both issuers such as Chesapeake Lodging Trust and First Potomac Realty Trust, and institutional investment banks such as Citigroup and Wells Fargo Securities. It is this balance of issuer-side and underwriter-side representations that clients prize highly, as well as its track record in cutting-edge REIT-related capital markets and M&A transactions. In 2012, it represented Goldman Sachs and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Empire State Realty’s proposed IPO, and acted as underwriters’ counsel to JPMorgan, Citgroup, Deutsche Bank and KeyBanc in Retail Properties of America’s $293m IPO. On the issuer side, it represented Public Storage, one of the largest owners of self-storage facilities, in four preferred stock offerings with an aggregate value of $1.7bn. It also represented DuPont Fabros Technology in its $65m offering of common stock. Joint practice heads J Warren Gorrell and David Bonser are recommended.

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Within Employee benefits and executive compensation, tier 4

‘We are a company with complicated plans and issues’, and Hogan Lovells LLP ‘has been up to the challenge’. The firm advises on all aspects of employee benefits and executive compensation, and has additional depth in related areas such as securities, banking and financial services, and healthcare industry regulation. Representative clients include the National Association of Dental Plans. Martha Steinman joined the firm from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP in 2012 where she was co-chair of its global compensation, benefits and employment department. Now she co-chairs the practice group at her new firm with Kurt Lawson, who is also highly recommended. The group includes Joseph Rackman, who ‘responds quickly and has always given thoughtful and informed advice’. Former practice head William Neff sadly passed away in 2012.

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Within Immigration, Hogan Lovells LLP is a third tier firm,

When advising clients on the employment of foreign nationals or establishment of US operations, Hogan Lovells LLP’s immigration team has the back up of the firm’s domestic and global tax, and labor and employment specialists. The firm operates at the intersection of export control laws and immigration laws to help clients address deemed export issues, including the creation of export screening procedures and enforcement matters related to deemed export violations. It also handles all of the visa needs for an organization’s US operations. It provides counsel in compliance challenges, responds to questions arising from site visits, and advises on internal policies and procedures. The group has considerable experience advising on immigration issues related to international M&A, reorganizations and restructurings, joint ventures, strategic alliances, and project financing. Specific work highlights included advising Dr Pepper Snapple Group on the transfer of key personnel from non-US operations and the sponsorship of employees for permanent resident status, including through filings in the outstanding researcher category for one of the key R&D scientists employed by the company. It also worked with Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles to facilitate the transfer of a significant number of employees from Spain to the United States to assist the US subsidiary in meeting contractual obligations on a major US contract. Beth Peters and Aleksander Dukic are both recommended.

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Within International trade, Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP’s ‘very professional’ and ‘proactive’ practice is ‘highly client-responsive’ and is valued for its ‘expertise in litigation’ and ‘expert advice on trade relations’. The firm acts for governments and corporations and advises on areas including export controls, economic sanctions, trade remedies, WTO disputes, CFIUS representations, anti-corruption compliance and customs compliance. Deen Kaplan, who is ‘valued as a legal tactician’, and Mark McConnell, a ‘super litigator’ and a ‘strategist and statesman’, make a ‘formidable combination’ and, along with the rest of the team, ‘bring a distinct gravitas to international trade disputes that serves the client well’. Kaplan and McConnell continue to lead advice to the Chinese government in the countervailing duty and antidumping investigations in the solar panels dispute. The pair, in conjunction with the firm’s Moscow office, are also defending Ford Motor Company’s Ford Ortosan joint venture in the Russian antidumping investigation into light commercial vehicles (LCV) from Poland, Italy and Turkey. Craig Lewis is ‘exceptional’ at guiding clients through antidumping trade laws and forms a ‘great team’ with T Clark Weymouth. Anthony Capobianco was promoted to the partnership in January 2013. Beth Peters, who does a ‘great job’, and Ajay Kuntamukkala have ‘extensive industry knowledge’ and are ‘on point’.

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Within Product liability and mass tort defense: aerospace/aviation, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP has a distinct focus on product integrity advice. The team has seen an increase in instructions on matters based outside the US, including litigation arising from foreign accidents. Houston-based Thad Dameris acts as national counsel for major aircraft manufacturers including Airbus. He recently represented it in litigation stemming from the crash of an A310 freight aircraft, operated by a Central American cargo company. Dameris also represented the same client in litigation following the crash of Air France Flight 447. Seasoned litigator Bruce Oakley is notably experienced in questioning expert witnesses, and Christopher Odell is particularly strong in cases involving third parties and co-defendants. The pair recently defended Airbus against personal injury claims brought by non-US passengers, allegedly caused by turbulence. Trevor Jefferies is vastly experienced in electronic discovery processes, whereas Washington DC-based David Weiner focuses on legal briefing. The team’s experience also extends to runway-overrun incidents. Other clients include Vector Aerospace, Eurocopter and Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty.

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Within Product liability and mass tort defense: automotive/transport , tier 4

Hogan Lovells LLP’s main focus is on providing class action defense representation for various automotive manufacturers, and the practice is underpinned by the firm’s significant regulatory expertise. The team recently represented a major US car company in multi-district litigation concerning allegedly defective vehicles, which was heard before the US District Court for the Central District of California. Michael Kidney, who is highly recommended for cases concerning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), recently advised an Asian automotive client regarding a putative nationwide class action, helping it to achieve a favorable settlement. The practice also represented a client in the US District Court Western District of New York, in a putative class action alleging defects in brake rotors and calipers. Hyundai Motor America is also a client, as is Carnival Corporation, which Houston-based Thad Dameris is representing in all US litigation arising from the grounding of the Costa Concordia cruise ship.

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Within Product liability and mass tort defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices, Hogan Lovells LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP’s firm-wide experience in life sciences industries underpins its product liability offering, and it attracts praise for its combination of regulatory lawyers and product liability trial attorneys. The team handles lawsuits nationally, as well as FDA investigations and litigation under the False Claims Act. The group recently attracted several new clients to its roster and continued to act as national product liability counsel to a major US biopharmaceuticals company and an Asian medical devices manufacturer. Notably, the firm hired life sciences expert Barry Thompson from Reed Smith LLP to join the Los Angeles office in 2012. Washington DC-based practice head Michael Kidney is recommended, as is Lauren Colton in Baltimore.

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Within Supreme Court and appellate, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

The ‘knowledgeable and efficient’ practice at Hogan Lovells LLP is based around the complementary talents of former acting solicitor general Neal Katyal - who clients ‘think the world of’ - and the highly esteemed Cate Stetson; the pair joint-head the team. The firm represented the petitioners before the Supreme Court in Diane Knox v Service Employees International Union, a First Amendment case about an undisclosed mid-year fee imposed on union members and non-union members. Katyal and Stetson also recently joined forces in representing US Airways on an important ERISA matter. At the appellate level, the firm is known for its ‘bottom up’ approach - the firm’s associates regularly argue appeals - and also for the scope of its work from death penalty matters, to obscure environmental challenges, and nuclear agency instructions. Signature appellate clients include National Port Authority of Liberia, Ford Motor Company and Google.

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Within White-collar criminal defense , Hogan Lovells LLP is a third tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP ‘ranks among the best in the nation’, particularly when it comes to healthcare fraud, leveraging off its esteemed healthcare regulatory practice. The group is ‘strong, broad and nationwide’, enabling it to handle ‘serious and important litigation’, and the team is ‘highly responsive’ with ‘great expertise and proactive strategies’. It recently had two rounds of success for key client Orthofix: a reduced fine following an investigation into violations of US foreign bribery law, and, for its subsidiary Blackstone Medical, a $30m settlement to resolve a qui tam complaint and related criminal investigation, without criminal charges or penalties. United Health group is another institutional client; the firm is advising it in relation to Medicare fraud, among other things. In Washington DC, the names to note are practice leader and ‘major player’ Peter Spivack, Robert Bennett, who has a longstanding reputation in this field, and the ‘unbelievably great’ Ty Cobb. Denver-based Michael Theis is ‘truly an expert in this area of law’, and a ‘great partner and thoughtful strategist’. As to be expected from a ‘big and solid firm’ such as this, the group’s national reach takes in further offices; these are located in Silicon Valley, New York, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Baltimore.

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Within Technology: data protection and privacy, Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Clients value Hogan Lovells LLP’s 27-attorney privacy and information management practice group for providing ‘pragmatic, business-relevant advice with minimal legalese’. Led by ‘knowledgeable, credible industry leader’ Christopher Wolf, commended for his ‘ability to merge traditional privacy regulations with industry best practices’, and healthcare privacy expert Marcy Wilder in Washington DC, the practice remains at the forefront of FTC privacy and enforcement work. The group is supported by head of information security, Jeffrey Lolley who advises clients on cyber security strategy. Wolf is the founder and chair of leading privacy think tank The Future of Privacy forum, which focuses on emerging challenges in FTC, FCC and NIST regulatory proceedings. Wilder advised Wal-Mart on its in-store pharmacies and health clinics and Verizon on health information technology, and assisted the Utah Department of Health with responding to a high-profile data breach. A prestigious client list includes American Express, Google and UnitedHealth Group. The group advises on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) matters and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) regarding the electronic transmission of health information. Big data analytics, cloud services and other concerns around healthcare data are key issues. The ‘pragmatic, consistent, articulate’ Timothy Tobin, and Melissa Bianchi, who has ‘an amazing mastery of technical details and has an immediate pulse on changes in the field’, are singled out for praise. Recent hire Harriet Pearson, former chief privacy officer at IBM, ‘brings enormous industry expertise’ to the team. Litigator Dean Hansell joined in Los Angeles from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.

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Within Technology: outsourcing, tier 4

Hogan Lovells LLP’s US practice is supported by the firm’s global outsourcing group and regulatory strength, and represents customers and vendors in multijurisdictional and cross-border mandates. Practice group head Philip Porter in McLean assisted the Ford Motor Company with outsourcing as part of its internal reorganization. Other work included advising CIBER on matters including the transfer of its outsourcing division to Savvis Communications. A prestigious client list includes Hulu, Ford Motor Company News Corporation and Time Warner Cable.

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Within Technology: transactions, tier 4

Hogan Lovells LLP team, led by Philip Porter in McLean and Stephen Kay in Los Angeles, handles strategic alliances, outsourcing and development agreements, technology transfers, and complex licensing arrangements, supported by the firm’s IP and telecoms strength and broad global footprint. Alexander Johnson in New York represented longstanding client NewsCorp in its acquisition of ESPN’s interest in ESPN STAR Sports, and Hulu’s acquisition of Providence Equity Partners’ interest in Hulu. Audrey Reed and Zenas Choi advised Time Warner Cable on IP and commercial service arrangements. Steven Kaufman and Randy Segal continue to advise the Mexican Government on the acquisition of a $1.5bn, three-satellite system. The group handled the IP elements of other big-ticket M&A deals, included Ford’s $1.8bn sale of Volvo Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Other highlights included advising CIBER on the sale of assets and the transfer of personnel to Savvis Communications Corporation. In Denver, copyright and trademark specialist David London represents software developers and vendors, internet service providers, computer chip and medical device manufacturers. Randy Segal and Michael Larner were promoted to partner. Trey Hanbury joined from Sprint Nextel.

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Within Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory, Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP Washington DC practice, led by Michele Farquhar and Dave Thomas, wins plaudits for its ‘unparalleled experience and expertise’. Supported by a global network of some 200 lawyers working in the technology, media and telecoms industry sector, the group’s regulatory and transactional specialists offer an impressive list of high-profile US and global clients a wide range of services. Close links with the FCC bring steady flow of compliance work and key FCC mandates, advising on spectrum auctions, smart grid and wireless issues. Farquhar and Ari Fitzgerald represented Vodafone on FCC, CFIUS and national security regulatory matters relating to its acquisition of Cable & Wireless Worldwide, as well as providing ongoing advice on foreign ownership, net neutrality and other topical concerns. Farquhar is representing Google on issues relating to mobile apps before the FCC, FTC, NTIA and other entities. Gardner Gillespie successfully represented Time Warner Cable in disputes and arbitrations around public, educational and government access funding. Thomas achieved a favorable settlement for Cox Communications in a case of first impression against Arkansas electric cooperative concerning access to utility infrastructure. Fitzgerald and Mark Brennan are advising General Motors and OnStar, the world’s largest vehicle-based communications and telematics service, on regulatory and consumer protection matters. The team provides ongoing advice to leading US cable television providers in their major investments in the wireless business, including assistance on spectrum policy, auction and post-auction strategy, FCC compliance and related investment matters. Daniel Brenner left the practice to serve as a judge on the Los Angeles Superior Court. Paul Werner was promoted to partner and Trey Hanbury from Sprint Nextel and Ed Thomas from the FCC joined the team. Clients include GE Health Care, Bright House networks, and XO Communications.

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Within Telecoms and broadcast: transactional, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP’s telecommunications group, led by Stephen Kay in Los Angeles and Steven Kaufman in Washington DC, is supported by the firm’s global reach and regulatory prowess. Recently promoted partner Randy Segal in McLean represented longstanding client Orbital Sciences Corporation in satellite related acquisitions and dispositions, strategic joint ventures and global satellite program issues. He advised Columbia Capital on US and international telecommunications investment activities. A team led by Alexander Johnson in New York represented News Corporation in numerous transactions, notably the acquisition from Disney and ESPN of ESPN’s equity interest in ESPN STAR Sports (ESS), giving News Corporation full ownership of ESS. The group advised Fox International Channels on its joint venture with RCN in Columbia to launch Spanish language television network MundoFox. Johnson advised on Hulu’s acquisition of the equity stake in the company previously held by Providence Equity Partners. Kaufman is advising General Electric Capital Corporation in the $228m sale of the GE-23 Satellite to Eutelsat. Other high-profile clients include Verizon Communications, PAETEC, Knology and the Mexican Government.

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Within Antitrust, Hogan Lovells LLP is a second tier firm,

Acting for blue-chip clients such as American Express, Ford and IBM, Hogan Lovells LLP is ‘a high-quality firm, with knowledgeable lawyers’, who are recommended for their varied regulatory backgrounds. The practice handles merger clearance matters, antitrust litigation as well as cartel cases, and is chaired by Janet McDavid; an ‘expert practitioner and the “go-to” antitrust attorney’. McDavid recently led the team that successfully represented Verizon on the DOJ’s investigation into the clients’ agreement to purchase wireless spectrum from four of the country’s largest cable companies. Other work highlights saw Logan Breed and Michele Harrington advise Ariba on its $4.3bn acquisition by SAP; and J Robert Robertson representing Illinois Tool Works in the FTC investigation into the sale of its finishing business unit to spray-equipment giant Graco. The practice is centered in Washington DC, and here the ‘pragmatic and business-focused’ Joseph Krauss has ‘strong ties with the regulators and a deep understanding of the industry’. In 2012, Lynda Marshall left for a position in the antitrust division of the DOJ.

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Within M&A: large deals ($1bn-5bn), Hogan Lovells LLP is a first tier firm,

Hogan Lovells LLP houses ‘trusted advisors that are a great return on our investment’. The practice was kept busy over the past year by the upswing in large-cap and mid-market M&A deal activity, and saw practice growth in industry sectors where the firm has strength, including aerospace, defense and government services, financial services, life sciences, REITs, media, telecommunications and technology, and energy and natural resources. A key differentiator for the firm’s corporate practice is its ability to leverage its global platform. Large deal highlights included advising News Corporation, which, through the Fox Networks Group, agreed to acquire a 49% equity stake in the YES Network, the most highly valued regional sports networks in the US; and representing the transaction committee of the board of directors of Knology in a landmark transaction, involving a private auction process that resulted in the all-cash sale, valued at $1.5bn, of Knology to WOW, a competitive provider of residential and commercial high-speed internet, cable television. In the mega deal space, the team advised Equity Residential on the $16bn acquisition of Archstone Enterprise from Lehman Brothers Holdings; and represented Dell in connection with its announced definitive merger agreement, under which its founder, chairman and CEO, in partnership with global technology investment firm, Silver Lake, will acquire Dell, the transaction valued at $24.4bn. Mid-market mandates included advising MarkWest Energy Partners, a midstream natural gas gathering and processing company, on its strategic $512m acquisition of Keystone Midstream Services, a joint venture of Stonehenge Energy Resources and affiliates of Rex Energy Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation. Richard Horan Jr, in Northern Virginia, is co-chair of M&A practice development; Washington DC-based Joseph Gilligan is global M&A co-chair; and global co-corporate head Stuart Stein and firm chairman Warren Gorrell Jr are also key contacts. Glenn Campbell, David Gibbons and Michael Silver are rated advisers in Baltimore; William Curtin III, Alexander Johnson and Waajid Siddiqui, in New York, are well regarded. Johnson is ‘committed, very technically strong, and a hard worker’. James FitzPatrick Jr joined, in New York, from Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP.

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Within Private equity buyouts, tier 4

Hogan Lovells LLP is best known for its middle market work and its expertise in highly regulated industries such as life sciences and healthcare, technology and telecoms, financial services and energy. Even so, its practice is far from limited to just these sectors. Key clients include ACON Investments, ABS Capital Partners and The Gores Group. The firm’s venture capital expertise has also enabled it exploit the growth equity market and deals that sit between the traditional venture and private equity segments. Jeffrey Hurlburt is now leading the team from New York, a location that the firm has traditionally lacked private equity capacity, but with his presence and that of William Curtin and Alex Johnson, it now has the requisite firepower. Beyond New York, Denver’s George Hagerty and Robert Welp in McLean, Northern Virginia, are two of the team’s most respected practitioners. Hagerty recently led the team that advised MarkWest Energy Partners on its $512m acquisition of Keystone Midstream Services, another illustration of the firm’s expertise in the energy sector.

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Within Venture capital and emerging companies, tier 4

Hogan Lovells LLP’s growth in Silicon Valley in recent times has demonstrated its commitment to the emerging companies and venture capital segment. The firm has particular strength in regulated industry sectors, which the venture capital and emerging company team has leveraged to a large extent in life sciences, cleantech and technology/telecoms. The firm’s national and global weight also enables it to advise on later stage matters and exits. In 2012, it advised TESARO on its $81m IPO and $58.5m follow-on issuance of Series B preferred stock. It also advised Hyperion Therapeutics on its $57.5m IPO and $32.5m convertible note offering. Other clients include New Enterprise Associates, Founders Fund, Hyperion Therapeutics, Venrock, Norwest Venture Partners and MedImmune Ventures. Jeffrey Hurlburt heads the department, and Laura Berezin and Jon Layman have played an integral role in heightening the firm’s reputation in Silicon Valley.

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Within Real estate, tier 5

Based in Washington DC and New York, Hogan Lovells LLP’s real estate team has seven partners including ‘very insightful’ practice head Bruce Parmley and Carol Weld King, who co-leads the firm’s hospitality and leisure/gaming practice, an area of core strength. Parmley and King - both ‘extremely impressive’ - represented Gaylord Entertainment on the $210m sale of its management business to Marriott International. On the international side, Parmley advised Bright Start Holdings, the investment arm of the family of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in relation to a joint venture to develop a resort at Jumeirah Beach, Dubai. Parmley and Allen Hicks also advised the Schwan Foundation, the majority interest-holder in the Papagayo Four Season Resort, on the restructuring of its ownership positions; and the team represented the same client in the restructuring of subordinate debt on the Grand Canyon Ritz Carlton.

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Within Domestic tax: East Coast, tier 6

Hogan Lovells LLP’s East Coast tax practice is based primarily in New York and Washington DC, with one partner in Baltimore. Cristina Arumi heads the practice, with REIT work a core strength. The firm advises domestic and international clients on tax structuring for domestic and cross-border M&A and capital markets transactions. Tax-exemption is another key area for the firm. Work highlights included advising Equity Residential in its proposed $1.3bn purchase of a 26.5% stake in certain entities affiliated with Archstone from affiliates of Bank of America and Barclays. Arumi was joined by Prentiss Feagles in the transaction.

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Within Tax controversy, tier 5

Cristina Arumi heads Hogan Lovells LLP’s tax controversy practice in Washington DC, which is known for its its solid long-term client base. The team attracts a growing flow of domestic and international corporate and individual clients, in particular for its international reach and capability in providing transatlantic tax advice. Highly recommend Todd Miller is praised as having ‘a great understanding of the IRS, its processes and people within’, as being ‘always very conscientious and timely in his work’ and ‘of the highest integrity’. He has handled, in the past 12 months, an increasing number of matters related to planning, corporate transactions and transfer pricing.

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