McDermott Will & Emery LLP > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

McDermott Will & Emery LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Healthcare > Health insurers Tier 1

With its full-service healthcare offering across contentious and non-contentious matters, McDermott Will & Emery LLP is a go-to choice for clients across the healthcare insurance sector, including major healthcare providers, private equity funds, and hospital groups, who seek the firm out for its ‘top-notch‘ healthcare insurers team. In Washington DC, Jeremy Earl advises health insurers on federal and state regulatory matters, as well as ACA market reform compliance, while Kate McDonald focuses her practice on state and federal regulatory and licensure compliance. On the contentious side, former federal healthcare fraud prosecutor Ankur Goel specializes in representing health industry clients in False Claims Act and Medicare Advantage litigation matters. Jerry Sokol, based in Miami, leads the overall practice. Also in Miami is transactional specialist Gary Scott Davis, concentrating on managed care mergers, joint ventures, and contractual matters. Other key names include Chicago’s Lisa Mazur and Eric Zimmerman, both in DC. Jason Caron and Kevin Miller left the firm in 2022, while Brian Stimson departed in September 2023.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 1

Douglas Carsten leads McDermott Will & Emery LLP’s life sciences industry group from Orange County. The ‘quality’ team exhibits ‘industry knowledge and innovative thinking‘ as it advises private equity and venture capital firms investing in life sciences on financings and deals, as well as digital health and technology companies seeking assistance regarding FDA and regulatory issues. Pollard primarily dispenses regulatory and corporate advice to medical device and biotech companies on matters concerning clinical research, post-market safety and compliance with FDA regulated products, and manufacturing. The ‘masterful‘ Carsten is a ‘tremendous litigator‘ who acts in lucrative patent and Hatch-Waxman cases. Working out of the Boston office, Sarah Chapin Columbia focuses on IP and patent litigation, while Michael Siekman assists with the development and defense of biotech patent portfolios and acquisitions. William Gaede supports the team from Silicon Valley with his experience in life science technology IP litigations concerning small molecules, proteins, and diagnostics. Counsel Anisa Mohanty, based in Washington DC, has extensive expertise in pre-market FDA strategy and post-market compliance, often advising medical product manufacturers and biotech companies. Vernessa Pollard departed the team to join DLA Piper LLP (US) in February 2024.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 1

The team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP displays ‘exceptional depth‘ as it advises a host of tech companies, private equity funds, hospitals, and ambulatory and surgical care clients, handling partnerships between service providers and digital tech companies, intellectual property, and governance issues. Jerry Sokol leads the team from Miami as the global head of the healthcare group, while Gary Scott Davis advises major health insurance companies on healthcare joint ventures and reimbursement transactions. In the Chicago office, Bernadette Broccolo has longstanding expertise in issues surrounding healthcare IT and compliance programs for academic medical centers, while Kerrin Slattery is adept at advising health systems and hospitals on transactional matters. Also based in Chicago, Sandra DiVarco is particularly adept at representing clients in restructurings and the legal aspects of clinical issues, and Monica Wallace exhibits both regulatory and transactional expertise when advising on Medicare and Medicaid enrolment, fraud and abuse matters. Charles Buck leads the Boston practice, and primarily handles healthcare transactions, while associate Gregory Fosheim supports the team from Illinois, contributing his expertise in outbreak responses, investment initiatives in clinical research and pharmaceutical procurement.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 1

The Dallas-based team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP advises both high profile IT service providers and buyers on digital transformation projects, cloud-sourcing and application implementation as well as management deals. Clients in the healthcare and life sciences, aviation, automotive, insurance, retail and publishing as well as tech sectors routinely seek out the firm for its application developments, ERP platforms and revenue cycle management project assistance. Shawn Helms and Jason Krieser co-head the technology and outsourcing group- Helms is a key contact for handling outsourcing disputes regarding termination of traditional and tech-driven outsourcing relationships, and frequently works alongside Krieser on tech development and licensing matters pertaining to software, infrastructure and platform as a service transactions. David Guedry and Caitlin Howe are key names for the buying party in digital transformation and ERP implementation deals. Howe also supports Heather Bethancourt in matters concerning the enhancement of healthcare clients operational performance through outsourcing data analytics functions. Associate Raja Chatterjee is also a key practitioner in the team.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 1

McDermott Will & Emery LLP acts in IRS audits, administrative appeals, and trial and appellate litigation for high profile multinational clients, including numerous Fortune 100 companies. The department has strength in SALT matters and transfer pricing disputes, with key expertise in tax disputes in the digital market. Jane Wells May leads the department from Chicago. May focuses on SALT matters for major corporations in the manufacturing, retail, healthcare and energy industries, while Johnson has a practice focused on complex tax disputes, and has experience representing taxpayers in all stages of civil and criminal tax proceedings. Also based in Chicago is Catherine Battin, a SALT specialist with a history of defending internet sellers. Stephen Kranz, in Washington DC, is a key name for matters related to digital taxation, and has expertise in state tax reform. The San Francisco office houses Charles Moll, who is particularly active on SALT matters before the California tax authorities, and Troy Van Dongen, who is active nationwide, and has a background in property taxation. Boston-based Richard Call handles SALT litigation before administrative and judicial bodies.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Praised for its broad capabilities across transactional and advisory mandates, McDermott Will & Emery LLP solidifies its reputation with a steady stream of big-ticket instructions for Fortune 100 companies, as well as various public and private corporations. Washington DC-based co-head Tim Shuman focuses on cross-border acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings and liquidations, handling a significant number of internal spin-offs and tax-free reorganizations. Fellow co-head Jane Wells May anchors the firm’s state and local tax offering. Also in DC, Caroline Ngo‘s expertise further spans foreign tax credit planning and bilateral income tax treaties – an area in which David Noren excels. Lowell Yoder and Damon Lyon are noted for their cross-border M&A and global tax planning acumen, while the New York-based John Lutz specializes in structured finance, derivatives, and hedge funds. Other recommended individuals include the tech-focused Dominika Korytek in San Francisco, and international tax expert Jeffrey Maydew. All named lawyers are based in Chicago unless noted otherwise.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 2

Drawing upon the expertise of product liability and mass tort litigators spread throughout the country, including many with first-chair trial credentials, McDermott Will & Emery LLP is well-positioned to defend high-profile clients in the energy, agro-chemical and life sciences sectors, against a diverse array of litigation, including those involving groundwater contamination, glyphosate-based product claims and claims involving mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. Miami-based team head Anthony Upshaw  is frequently at the forefront of the highest-stakes matters handled by the team, including its ongoing representation for Bayer in relation to legacy Monsanto PCB products, as well as in numerous claims brought in state and federal courts in the long-running Roundup litigation. In New York, James Pardo  is also a key member of the team by virtue of his skill at handling both private and government-led enforcement actions relating to a myriad toxic tort infractions. Pardo remains particularly active in the oil and gas sector, and has led the firm’s efforts for the industry in relation to MTBE product liability claims.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has an electric regulatory practice in Washington, DC known for representing independent power producers and other power companies in FERC and appellate capabilities. The team provide counselling and representation on energy regulatory, reliability, markets, transmission, interconnection, and compliance matters, including electric matters under the Federal Power Act. Neil Levy  is recognized as having developed a strong independent power producer practice, and he routinely assists clients with a wide-range of issues around markets, transmission and interconnection access. David Tewksbury has over 35 years of experience advising major industry players on issues arising under federal and state laws, and was involved in the matter of EPSA and Others, where the firm filed and prosecuted a complaint to FERC that led to significant expansion of mitigation rules for the PJM Interconnection. Stephanie Lim stands out for her experienced practice representing and advising independent power producers, power marketers and trade associations.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

With a particularly strong development and financing practice, McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s global energy project finance group is sought out by clients for advice on the whole range of renewable energy, including wind and solar power, biomass, geothermal, and renewable natural gas projects. In Los Angeles, co-chair and former president of the American Wind Energy Association Edward Zaelke stands out with his in-depth knowledge of project finance and private equity transactions, while Miami-based co-chair Philip Tingle is well known as energy tax expert in the renewables sector with broad experience in representing buyers and sellers of electric generation facilities, including utilities, power producers and financial institutions. Carl Fleming in Washington D.C. is especially recommended for his expertise on debt and tax equity financing, as well as his niche knowledge on zinc battery projects. In Miami, tax expert Heather Cooper is also recommended for her experience in restructurings and M&A, as well as tax incentive financing related to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Praised by clients for his ‘huge knowledge and high commitment’, New York’s James Salerno regularly advises multinational corporate and business entities in the US, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa on all stages of development for construction and financing of renewables projects.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

McDermott Will & Emery LLP handles a range of insurance and reinsurance disputes for its clients, including insurance tax liabilities and issues concerning captive insurers. Insurance coverage litigation is the core work of the practice, which is particularly strong in the health insurance sector, where it advises major clients on disputes and appeals across the United States. The firm has also handled environmental insurance disputes centered on asbestos claims and issues arising from Superfund Sites, and furthermore is able to advise on regulatory matters, including cross-border insolvency matters. The practice’s leadership group is made up of insurance and reinsurance litigators Margaret Warner and Ryan Smethurst in Washington DC, following the December 2022 retirement of Jane Byrne. Dan Brown left the firm in August 2022 while John Finston took up a role with the New York State Department of Financial Services in October 2022.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 2

McDermott Will & Emery LLP employs the full bench strength of office locations across North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region, providing expertise in counselling and enforcement, to household names such as Hitachi and the New York Life Insurance Company, across such sectors as food and beverages, fintech, professional services, transportation, insurance, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and apparel. The team is headed by trademark prosecution authority Christina Martini in Chicago and life sciences and medical industry expert William Gaede in Silicon Valley. In Washington DC, Robert Zelnick counsels clients on brand building and trademark licensing. Other key figures include international brand strategist Jennifer Mikulina in Chicago, domain name specialist Sarah Bro at the Orange County office, and associate Eleanor Atkins at the DC office.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 2

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has an experienced team that advises clients on retirement plans, fringe benefits, ESOPs, fiduciary duties and plan investment, as well as the potential impact SECURE 2.0 may have on their businesses. The group demonstrates a particular specialism in healthcare matters, advising multinational and financial services corporations on a number of varying health and welfare plans. Furthermore, the practice is abreast of emerging challenges for businesses to navigate, such as increased DOL audits in the wake of strengthened cybersecurity attacks on employee retirement plans, travel expenses in a post-Covid work environment, and redesigning benefit plans in response to Dobbs vs Jackson. Boston team and wider practice head Andrew Liazos is a trusted advisor to both multinational companies and individual entrepreneurs and executives, providing expert advice pertaining ERISA, fiduciary duties, executive compensation matters, and pay, bonus and severance issues. The Chicago-based Todd Solomon handles pension, profit sharing, and employee stock ownership plans, while Allison Wilkerson focuses on the design and implementation of non-qualified plans and executive compensation arrangements from the firm’s Dallas office. Counsel Alden Bianchi strengthened the team in Boston, arriving from Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. in December 2022.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has expertise in advising major domestic and international players on retirement plans, welfare benefits, and ESOPs. The firm’s client base includes healthcare companies, financial service entities and commercial aircraft manufacturers, with the group routinely assisting these corporations with high-value M&A and complex private equity deals. Global practice head Andrew Liazos is based in the Boston office,  bringing vast experience in representing Fortune 500 companies and executive committees in relation to compensation plan governance concerns and fiduciary issues under ERISA. Diane Morgenthaler and Todd Solomon are both based in Chicago, with the former specializing in handling employee benefit issues involved in corporate transactions such as acquisitions and reorganizations, while the latter focuses on counselling fiduciaries on their investment policies. In Dallas, Allison Wilkerson advises on equity compensation plans and profit sharing. In New York, Evan Belosa supports executive officers and employees from the financial services industry with compensation matters.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 2

With thorough expertise in US to German immigration, McDermott Will & Emery LLP assists clients on immigration matters pertaining to M&A and also advises high net worth private individuals and families on cross-border immigration and expatriation. Practice head Joan-Elisse Carpentier works from New York and represents individuals, corporations, entrepreneurs, and non-profits with immigration and nationality law. Paul Hughes is located in Washington DC, and has challenged a breadth of administrative agency actions, enjoying a successful track record in defending investors, trade groups and universities in maintaining their flexible immigration system.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 2

With great geographical reach in the US and internationally, McDermott Will & Emery LLP enjoys a strong reputation in the middle-market M&A space, where it frequently advises chemicals, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing clients. New York-based Todd Finger has deep experience advising private equity and corporate clients active in the life sciences, consumer products, media and retail industries. Leader of the global transactional group Harris Siskind and Frederic Levenson, who co-heads the private equity practice, are based in Miami. Wilson Chu is a name to note in Dallas, while Brooks Gruemmer is a key contact in Chicago for strategic and private equity clients. Sam Snider ‘is an excellent attorney’ in Atlanta, who specializes in M&A, corporate minority investments and joint ventures.

Tax > Financial products Tier 2

Tax > International tax Tier 2

McDermott Will & Emery LLP represents large Fortune 500 multinational companies in addition to public and private mid-size smaller companies, offering a strong transactional and advisory practice covering large M&A, spin-offs, transfer pricing and corporate restructuring. Additionally, the team regularly advises high-net worth individuals including private clients, their trusts and estates. Tim Shuman  leads the practice, operating out of Washington DC, with expertise in cross-border acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings and liquidations. Damon Lyon and Lowell Yoder, based in Chicago, focus on global planning and international controversies. Also in DC, Caroline Ngo frequently counsels both inbound and outbound clients on a broad range of international tax issues.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

McDermott Will & Emery LLP is noted for its high-level specialist healthcare antitrust and FTC practices, combining a steady stream of HSR filings and merger approvals with standout capabilities in government merger investigations and litigation, also working regularly on transactions in the tech and defense sectors, among others. The team includes diverse merger and contentious antitrust experts, with practice head Raymond Jacobsen working on major US and international mandates in industries including defense, medical devices, and biotech, while former FTC Mergers II lawyer Joel Grosberg has a strong knowledge of FTC and DOJ merger processes, advising on acquisitions, sales, and joint ventures. Jon Dubrow is a prolific HSR counsel and also focuses on securing first-stage approvals for highly scrutinized deals, Gregory Heltzer stands out for his merger defense work, and Lisa Rumin has also seen success in defending mergers in the healthcare, pharma, and biotech against investigations by state and federal authorities. Chicago’s Stephen Wu  plays a key role in the firm’s health antitrust offering. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

The growing appellate practice at McDermott Will & Emery LLP added seven new clients to its roster over the past year, including Astellas Pharmaceuticals, and the Electric Power Supply Association. The Washington DC-based group’s increasing activity was reflected by its recent promotion of appellate-focused lawyers Andrew Lyonsberg and Sarah Hogarth to the partnership. Among its recent key cases, the team has represented an array of multinational corporations, trade associations and financial institutions on appeals involving constitutional law, business disputes and immigration law, among other matters. Paul Hughes, who has argued before the Supreme Court nine times, co-heads the practice together with increasingly prominent next-generation partner Michael Kimberly.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3

McDermott Will & Emery LLP is noted for its expertise in defending accounting firms and their partners in Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations and securities lawsuits, in addition to maintaining a robust healthcare litigation practice and advising on high-value disputes concerning intellectual property issues. Key clients include oil and gas entities, healthcare providers, pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, private equity investors and satellite companies, among others. In the firm’s New York office, John Calandra, who has demonstrable experience in cases involving space law and satellites issues, leads the practice alongside Los Angeles’ William Donovan and Jon Dean. Other key contacts in the group include Andrew Kratenstein and Joshua Simon, who operate from the firm’s New York office.

Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 3

Cross-border insurance M&A is the focus for the team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP, which advises insurers, private equity investors and holding companies on the sales, purchases and mergers of insurance companies, in addition to providing regulatory support. The firm is also well-versed in handling insurtech matters, assisting both new and established clients with corporate, tax and regulatory issues. Practice head Michael Halsband is a highly experienced insurance and reinsurance industry specialist, with particular expertise in transactional mandates. Michael Byrne is the team’s insurtech specialist, also handling transactional and regulatory matters. All lawyers mentioned are New York-based.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 3

Silicon Valley-based intellectual property head William Gaede, Chicago-based patent prosecution head Ahsan Shaikh, who leads on a number of the team’s prominent matters, and Boston-based IP transactions and licensing head Edward Gordon , are key leaders of the team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP, with Silicon Valley’s Judy Mohr particularly focused on pharmaceutical and medical device matters, developing and defending portfolios for clients in these industries. The team continues to represent major clients such as Meta and related platforms, Panasonic and EA, with Boston’s Jenny Chen and Michael Siekman leading on key matters, an example being the multi-jurisdictional life sciences patent prosecution matter regarding a number of CRISPR Therapeutics’ lead programs. Partner Margaret Sampson notably joined the team in Austin, Texas from Baker Botts L.L.P. in July 2022.

International Trade > Trade remedies and trade policy Tier 3

The ‘very deep and experienced’ group at McDermott Will & Emery LLP handles a broad mix of trade remedy and policy issues, with strong skill sets in countervailing duty and antidumping proceedings, WTO and NAFTA dispute settlement, and trade negotiations. Increasingly sought after by sovereign clients, the Washington DC-based team has recently assisted the UK Government with various trade negotiations, including UK-Mexico, UK-CPTPP and others. It also continues to represent the Government of Canada in the ongoing dispute with the US over US imports of softwood lumber from Canada. Carolyn Gleason co-heads the practice and is acting for Musco Family Olive Co in several trade proceedings involving US olive imports from Spain. Other key contacts include counsels Raymond Paretzky and David Levine, both of whom handle a range of import relief, customs, export controls and trade sanctions matters. Counsel Timothy Hruby recently joined the DOC, and in May 2023 a team around former department co-chair Joanne Osendarp, Eric Parnes and Alan Kashdan also left the firm.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3

McDermott Will & Emery LLP’s standalone ERISA litigation practice is experienced defending ERISA claims and has a particular focus in employee stock ownership plans, achieving several dismissals of actions relating to ESOP transactions and defending against Department of Labor investigations. The practice regularly assists fiduciaries across 401(k), pension and ESOP plans, and acts as counsel for the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC). The practice, led by Christian Nemeth and Ted Becker, based in Miami and Chicago respectively, works closely with the wider litigation and employee benefits teams to offer subject matter advice on a range of ERISA-related claims. Becker specializes in ESOP litigation as well as regulatory investigations, while Nemeth represents institutional and individual ERISA fiduciaries at both state and federal levels.

Labor and employment > Labor-management relations Tier 3

McDermott Will & Emery LLP covers matters concerning union relations, collective bargaining and NLRB negotiations on behalf of major clients operating out of the technology, transportation, alcoholic beverages, airline and arts sectors. Advice and representation around the National Labor Relations Act is another core pillar of the group’s practice. The labor management team is led by Chicago’s Michael Sheehan, while San Francisco’s David Durham provides representation and advice to businesses in all matters involving labor unions. Fellow San Francisco-based attorney Christopher Foster is another key name, leading the firm’s labor subgroup. October 2022 saw the departures of Ron Holland and Ellen Bronchetti.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 3

McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s team operates out of Chicago and works with executives, in-house counsel and HR departments to protect against workplace problems. The practice is well-versed in advising companies on how to avoid claims of discrimination, wrongful termination and leaves of absence. Michael Sheehan heads the team and advises private and public clients, touching on areas like senior executive exits, sexual harassment claims and whistleblower complaints. Rachel Cowen is experienced in trade secret litigation while Maria Rodriguez advises on employment law compliance.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 3

With the arrival of Washington DC-based duo Elliot Golding and senior counsel Robin Campbell  from Squire Patton Boggs in April 2022 as well as Kathryn Linsky, in New York, from an in-house position in August 2022, McDermott Will & Emery LLP has deepened its broad global privacy and cybersecurity group. Linsky focuses on privacy by design when advising clients on product and feature developments frequently involving AI and machine learning. The arrival of Campbell adds a dimension to the team with her specialism on undertaking global data compliance and breach response strategies in the autonomous vehicles and connected cars space. Likewise, Golding’s experience in working on innovative data compliance issues involving health-tech, biometrics, ad-tech and data monetization deepens the team’s expertise. Head of the US team Michael Morgan, based in Silicon Valley, works on both complex breach responses and global compliance strategies, involving US state privacy laws, GDPR and China’s Network Security Law. Boston-stationed Edward Zacharias and Daniel Gottlieb, in Chicago, are the key names for healthcare providers, insurers, pharmacies and medical device manufacturers on HIPAA compliance and investigation matters. Also in Chicago, Ryan Higgins is a further name to note for healthcare companies for data arrangements concerning transactions, while Jiayan Chen in Washington DC, covers big data issues pertaining to clinical laboratories, bioassets and big data transactions. Todd McClelland, in Atlanta, not only advises technology driven companies on responses to cyber incidents and also assists on pre-breach activities, namely incident response plan designs, vendor penetration testing and cyber tabletops. David Saunders in Chicago, is a key contact for state and federal level compliance advice.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 3

McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s Illinois and California offices have seen significant growth under the leadership of David Wolff in Chicago and Mal Serure in Los Angeles, welcoming Justin Bender to the Chicago office from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in February 2022, and a number of associates to the Los Angeles office. New York-based practice head Keith Pattiz is a recognized practitioner in the hospitality sector, representing numerous owners, operators and developers in their financing management agreements, retail leasing and all financing transactions. Also in New York, Scott Weinberg has extensive experience counselling specialty finance companies and REIT’s in the origination of commercial mortgage loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity, alongside securitizations, mortgage loan repurchase/warehouse facilities, and syndications.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 4

McDermott Will & Emery LLP stands out for its strength in the healthcare and life sciences sector, acting for major healthcare providers, insurers, and biotech clients in a range of cartel investigations and litigation, including cross-border investigations by international antitrust authorities. Raymond Jacobsen leads the team from Washington DC, an experienced antitrust lawyer with a focus on litigation. Joel Grosberg, also in DC, focuses on government antitrust investigations before the DOJ and the FTC and has notable agency experience from the FTC. In Chicago, Stephen Wu specializes in healthcare-related antitrust, while litigator Katharine O’Connor has significant experience in labor market litigation concerning alleged no-poach agreements.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

McDermott Will & Emery LLP offers a full spectrum of antitrust services including work on major class actions, cartel defense and private antitrust litigation and particularly stands out for its representations in the healthcare industry as well as consumer goods and tech. Global head of the antitrust practice Raymond Jacobsen advises on mergers and acquisitions and antitrust litigation in Washington DC and has significant experience in matters in the defense, life sciences and energy space. Michelle Lowery in Los Angeles is well-versed in counseling and litigating high-profile cases in the healthcare, manufacturing, and technology area. Nicole Castle provides legal counsel in criminal and civil multidistrict class action litigation concerning Sherman Act violations in New York. In Chicago, Katharine O’Connor and Stephen Wu focus their practices on complex litigation and investigations brought by regulators in an array of sectors, from healthcare to consumer goods. Former federal regulator and plaintiff’s class action lawyer Lesli Esposito in DC is also a key team member.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

McDermott Will & Emery LLP assists a diversity of clients across an assortment of industries, including healthcare, financial services, education, private equity, pharmaceutical, manufacturing and energy. The practice routinely assists in civil and criminal government investigations and litigation, as well as a spectrum of FCPA and anti-corruption investigations. Steven Scholes in Chicago regularly represents clients before the SEC, state securities regulators, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and numerous stocks, options, and futures exchanges. Laure McLane in Boston advises on parallel civil and criminal investigations pertaining to Medicare and Medicaid billing in addition to government contracts. Los Angeles-based Russell Hayman represents health care providers, pharma and biotech companies in criminal and civil fraud cases. Also in LA, Gordon Greenberg  is renowned for his money laundering expertise and has great experience assisting businesses in crime investigations and trials.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 4

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has an ‘outstanding securities litigation defense team, both in SEC regulatory and civil litigation matters’. The firm is best known for its work in class action matters in the key fora of New York, Delaware, Massachusetts, California, Illinois and Washington DC. Its client base spans a range of industries including energy, venture capital, investment banking, entertainment and accounting. Timothy Hoeffner in New York and Steven Scholes in Chicago are the lead partners. Scholes and ‘outstanding defense attorney’ Paul Helms, in Washington DC, are acting for seven former officers and directors of PG&E in a high-profile breach of fiduciary duty action originally filed as several shareholder derivative actions arising from the 2017 and 2018 wildfires in Northern California. Hoeffner achieved the dismissal of claims against accounting firm BDO in In re AmTrust Financial Services Inc., Securities Litigation. Seth Friedman is also recommended for defending accounting firms. New York’s Joel Haims  joined the team from Morrison Foerster in June 2022.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 4

McDermott Will & Emery LLP finds its strength within the development and financing of renewable energy and infrastructure projects, with a practice in solar and wind energy. The firm handles areas such as biomass and geothermal transactions, alongside having an energy tax practice. Christopher Gladbach is based in Washington DC works on complex equity and debt investments and advises both sellers and buyers in the power sector within M&A. Over in Los Angeles, Lloyd MacNeil is a partner who represents a wide range of clients on renewable energy and emerging energy technologies, advising on energy portfolio services and energy efficiency solutions. Debra Harrison practices in Washington, DC and has extensive experience advising on renewable energy transactions, with a focus on development and financing of solar photovoltaic projects in the United States and Europe.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 4

McDermott Will & Emery LLP acts for major oil and gas clients on a broad range of corporate transactions, including joint ventures, service contracts and M&A, in addition to asset management matters in the upstream and midstream sectors. The team also advises private equity firms on investments into large-scale energy projects. Team lead Jack Langlois focuses on the investment and financing of energy projects and assets in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors. Langlois operates from the firm’s office in Houston, while New York-based Parker Lee is another key contact in the group.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

McDermott Will & Emery LLP has made a significant impact on the market, landing a number of clients and major engagements in company IPOs, SPAC IPOs and de-SPACs. It represented Travis Boersma, the Founder of Dutch Bros. Coffee, in the company’s $500m IPO. New York partner Ari Edelman is a key figure for SPAC IPOs and de-SPAC transactions. Washington DC’s Thomas Conaghan co-heads the capital markets group and has an established record in equity offerings. Anand Saha joined the New York office from Clifford Chance in 2022.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 4

Collectively led by David Taub and John Lutz,  the team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP is well-versed in exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, with demonstrable experience advising on the derivatives aspects of municipal insolvencies, as well as weather derivatives. The practice is also well-placed to leverage its regulatory and tax expertise to advise on matters concerning tax hedging, trading policies and risk management procedures. Taub acts for financial institutions and other market participants on a range of derivatives transactions, including repos, swaps and forward delivery agreements, while Lutz and Kramer advise on the tax aspects of derivatives and structured products. Both Taub and Lutz operate from the firm’s office in New York, while Kramer is based in Chicago.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4

The intellectual property team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP conducts complex IP litigation nationally and internationally, often securing victories in federal district and appellate courts, as well as appearing before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The group particularly excels in the healthcare, pharma and life sciences area, acting for the likes of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Amgen, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals, United Therapeutics, and Mylan Pharmaceuticals. Operating out of Silicon Valley, William (Bill) Gaede is the global head of the intellectual property practice group, with experience litigating life science technologies including antibodies, proteins, small molecules, and diagnostics. Douglas Carsten co-heads the team, leading the life sciences practice group out of Orange County.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 4

The team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP focuses on employment litigation and compliance, with the firm offering clients advice on wage and hour cases, both class and single-plaintiff actions, executive compensation disputes, and discrimination work. Michael Sheehan leads the team from Chicago and has a specialty in trade secrets. Julie McConnell continues to develop her partner-level practice. Ellen Bronchetti and Ron Holland left the firm in October 2022.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 5

McDermott Will & Emery LLP remains a trusted advisor for venture capital funds, investment companies, financial institutions and private equity firms, characterized by its ability to tackle middle market transactions surrounding acquisition financing, asset-based lending, convertible debt facilities and mezzanine lending matters. The leadership team features Michael Boykins and Stephanie McCann in Chicago as well as Los Angeles-based Gary Rosenbaum, a seasoned practitioner noted for his broad focus on finance transactions. With an emphasis on the healthcare sector, the group recently represented Cedars-Sinai Health System on the issuing of both a tax-exempt bond and a taxable bond.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

McDermott Will & Emery LLP stands out for its expertise in the healthcare and life sciences sectors as well as for advising private equity firms on distressed transactions, also acting debtors, sponsors, lenders, purchasers, and creditors in a variety of industries. With experience representing a broad range of clients in relation to Chapter 11 proceedings, out-of-court negotiations, workouts, and distressed acquisitions, Chicago-based Felicia Perlman heads the practice, with Darren Azman and Joe Evans in New York, alongside Chuck Gibbs in Dallas, and Daniel Simon in Atlanta, also key names in the team. Bradley Giordano has healthcare and energy sector expertise and notably led the practice’s representation of the official committee of unsecured creditors of clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals Inc. in connection with its Chapter 11 filing.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 5

Leveraging a deep bench of private equity specialists across New York, Boston, California, Washington DC, and other business hubs, the team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP continues to establish its reputation for guiding clients through a variety of complex acquisitions, dispositions, and leveraged recapitalizations. Key clients include a number of significant funds including H.I.G. Capital, AUA, and Convest Partners. In Miami, Harris Siskind has specialist knowledge of the securities and manufacturing sectors, while private equity co-chair Frank Steinherr is renowned for his skill handling complex leveraged buyouts. Also heading the PE practice from Chicago is Gregory Metz, who has broad industry experience encompassing distribution, manufacturing, and retail. New York-based Frederic Levenson is a go-to lawyer for take-privates and carve-outs, while Kristian Werling and Brooks Gruemmer handle a diverse range of acquisitions and investments from Chicago. In Boston, Kevin Sullivan joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in January 2023.

Real estate Tier 5

Following the major expansion of its Los Angeles and Chicago offices in the last few years, McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s New York office continues the trend and has welcomed the arrival of partners Megan Vallerie from Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Marshall Brozost and Alykhan Shivji from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and Billy Hildbold from Morrison Foerster, all joining in May 2022. The firm is well-known for its portfolio and representation of private equity clients, institutional investors and developers in acquisitions and dispositions. Global practice chair Jeffrey Steiner is experienced in restructuring, structuring and managing complex real estate debt and equity investments and investment vehicles in the US and worldwide. Justin Bender in Chicago is another key hire from Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Los Angeles’ Mal Serure is the go-to for REITs and Japanese clients.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 6

The team at McDermott Will & Emery LLP was twice strengthened in 2022, first with the hire of Prem Amarnani from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and then Luc Jansen from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2022. They join a practice spearheaded by Ian Schwartz, who receives client praise for his ‘sophistication when dealing and negotiating with LPs from different jurisdictions‘. The group acts for an array of institutional, boutique and first-time sponsors, with a substantial mid-market client base that David Nestler has been instrumental in growing. ‘Excellent advisor‘ Erica Moscarello is across fund formation and operation, as well as regulatory matters.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions

Finance > Fintech

Government > Government contracts

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds