Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > Austin, United States > Firm Profile

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 1

The environmental team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP offers coast-to-coast expertise on environmental policy debates, regulatory developments, and litigation. It is particularly strong in issues relating to air, water, waste, chemicals and climate change at the state, local, and federal level. The team is led by Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan, with Duncan offering strong experience in compliance and permitting, particularly in relation to the CWA, and also the national environmental policy act (NEPA) and ESA. Matthew Leopold is former general counsel for the EPA and is experienced in shaping environmental law; he is strong in air quality, chemicals and hazardous substances matters. Kerry McGrath is experienced in National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) matters and water issues, with a focus on the mining, agriculture, and utilities sectors. In San Francisco, Shannon Broome is a name for risk management and ESG matters and environmental matters relating to California, while counsel Clare Ellis advises clients on California’s emissions laws, policy matters and CAA matters. Chuck Knauss is recommended for compliance, enforcement and litigation. Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.  

Environment > Environment: litigation

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP offers clients broad expertise in environmental litigation, which includes experience in in air, water, natural resources, waste, chemicals, and climate change. It stands out for its representation of industry associations on regulatory compliance and enforcement defense, as well as policy issues, with a focus on the chemicals sector. The firm has considerable experience of multijurisdictional cases and is also active in the oil and gas, automotive and manufacturing industries. The team is led out of Washington DC by Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan, with Duncan a key name for water and natural resources matters, and compliance and permitting issues, including those pertaining to the CWA, NEPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). San Francisco’s Shannon Broome focuses on ESG and climate change matters and is recommended for risk management and litigation, with over 30 years’ experience. William Brownell is also based in DC and has a strong track record in environmental litigation in cases before the US Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

Praised as a ‘top-notch team, with knowledge, client service, productivity, efficiency and value’, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP frequently leverages the expertise of the firm’s restructuring, bankruptcy, M&A and energy groups to advise on distressed and rescue financings, as well as capital and fund formation and financing transactions. The team has demonstrable experience advising on master trust securitizations and blockchain originated consumer loans, in addition to litigation finance securitizations, auto loans and credit receivables. In the firm’s Richmond office, Mike Nedzbala, who is noted for his expertise in MSR transactions, jointly leads the practice alongside New York-based Brent Lewis, who handles regulatory compliance mandates. The New York office is also home to mortgage-related securitizations expert Thomas Hiner, ‘pragmatic’ Eric Burner and ‘meticulous’ John Dedyo, who ‘has years of experience with securitizations backed by various different types of assets’. Based in Richmond, Amy Williams advises on structuring and closing asset-based finance transactions, while Cecelia Horner focuses on the income tax aspects of domestic and cross-border secured financings. New York-based Brit Mohler Dufilho and Washington DC’s Edward Douma, who ‘has worked on bespoke financings and securitizations’, are also key contacts in the group.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 1

Building global privacy compliance programs for private equity firms and advising on the data security implications of investment strategies forms an important part of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s privacy and cybersecurity practice. Global head Lisa Sotto assists clients on compliance with the CCPA and CPRA as well as other US state privacy laws. Sotto also leads the New York team on aiding clients in their response to data security incidents and subsequent investigations commenced by the FTC. Aaron Simpson is the go-to advisor for private equity and finance firms for regulatory compliance. The firm also leverages the experience of Washington DC-based Phyllis Marcus when advising gaming and tech companies on data security matters. Brittany Bacon is another name to note, working alongside Sotto on several matters. The firm has expanded its portfolio of security work for numerous energy, utility and critical infrastructure clients. Associate Danielle Dobrusin and counsels Michael La Marca, Adam Solomon and Jenna Rode are all key supports on matters, demonstrating the depth of expertise in the practice. All named lawyers are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP supports clients seeking to recover losses caused by COVID-19 business interruptions, opioid litigation, environmental pollution and cyber-attacks, while also handling D&O matters. Outside of recovery litigation, the practice advises clients involved in arbitrations and supports them in settlement talks, with particular strengths assisting the energy and hospitality and leisure sectors. Syed Ahmad leads the practice from Washington DC, representing clients in complex allocation disputes and rescission claims in addition to D&O, E&O and general liability coverage work. Miami’s Walter J. Andrews represents clients in disputes revolving around business interruption, product liability, construction defect and reinsurance disputes, while DC-based Lorelie S. Masters handles a broad range of claims including environmental, employment and business interruption liability. Andrea DeField, located in Miami, is a cyber insurance specialist, handling matters concerning ransomware, data breaches and social engineering.

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

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP stands out for its strength in transactions involving the real estate, energy, accounting and private equity spaces. Steven Haas works from Richmond, and is proficient in change-of-control transactions, strategic M&A, and corporate governance matters. These are also core areas of activity for Steve Patterson in Washington DC, whose expertise extends to securities compliance. Houston-based Michael O’Leary is primarily engaged in energy M&A mandates.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s outsourcing team routinely undertakes multi-tower information tech and business process outsourcing matters, which includes various information management services and logistical support functions.  Jeffrey Harvey and Andrew Geyer lead global mandates, with the former the go-to for ITO and the latter the key contact for BPO. Randall Parks and Cecilia Oh, in Washington DC work alongside Harvey and Geyer on RFP and multi-vendor negotiations, with Oh also the main contact for clients in the financial services sector, providing advice on payment processing agreements, record management services and wealth management functions. Promoted to counsel in early 2022, Sharon Harrington and DC-based Jessica Yeshman are key names for clients in the retail, healthcare and financial services sectors. Senior associate Christina Edwards continues to be a key member of the team, drafting commercial, licensing and technology agreements. Watson Seaman is a key name to note for clients seeking advise on supply chain and business operations outsourcing transactions. Lawyers are in Richmond unless otherwise stated.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 2

Led by a trio of well-respected market figures, Howard Schreiber in Dallas and Laurie Grasso and Brett Gross in New York, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP continues to grow its offering its offering in affordable housing, life sciences and health care sectors. The firm routinely represents secondary market participants in the purchase and sale of real estate debt instruments, as well as advising a domestic and international lenders on financing of office, retail, industrial, hotel, data centers, multifamily and mixed-use properties. It also has significant experience with workouts and restructurings of existing financings, foreclosure on defaulted mortgage and mezzanine loans and the sale of REO properties. Peter Mignone and Matthew Halal are the other key figures in New York, and are recommended for mortgage, mezzanine, hospitality and construction lending.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 3

Richmond-headquartered firm Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is particularly active in single plaintiff and consolidated toxic tort actions with a nexus to the south of the country, a particularly fertile location for work in the space in light of the concentration of large energy and industrial companies headquartered in the region. Although the scope of the claims are broad, running the gamut from personal injury and/or property damage caused by exposure from a range of chemicals and natural occurring substances, the ‘results oriented’ team remains most active in the asbestos arena. Alexandra Cunningham, who co-heads the products liability and mass tort litigation practice alongside Houston-based Georgia Lucier, who ‘knows the law and medical science’, is key to much of the success the firm has had in the asbestos arena, whether it be in relation to direct occupational exposure cases, bystander claims or “take-home” cases. Benefiting from ‘good relationships with judges and adversary counsel’ developed over his many years in private practice, Houston-based partner Thomas Taylor  is also a key member of the team and is popular among oil and gas companies to defend them in big-ticket toxic tort cases. The firm has also been at the vanguard of disputes arising in the aftermath of Covid-19, and has established a nascent interdisciplinary group which combines mass tort litigators with OSHA and employment law lawyers to good effect, both from a risk management perspective and in any attendant tort litigation which may ensue, including wrongful death and personal injury defense and public nuisance claims.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents integrated oil and gas companies, natural gas pipeline companies, natural gas producers and developers of LNG facilities on a broad range of disputes. The energy litigation practice regularly acts for clients before FERC, as well as appellate courts, federal bankruptcy courts and state courts. The team advises on all aspects of environmental issues relating to oil and gas permitting, construction, operation and maintenance, as well as defending against administrative, civil and criminal enforcement matters. Additionally, audits, compliance and enforcement issues are commonly handled by the group, as well as oil pipeline regulatory mandates. Washington DC-based Deidre Duncan, who specialises in natural resources and water law, leads the practice alongside Dallas’ Myles Reynolds, who acts for natural gas utilities and midstream companies, and Houston-based Michael Morfey.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents clients in routine and contested federal and state regulatory proceedings, while providing regulatory guidance to support a variety of commercial transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and financings, as well as asset transfers and corporate transactions. Lawyers such as Ted Murphy (Washington, DC) and Kevin Jones (New York and Richmond) have experience in matters involved with FERC and state regulators, including the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The firm also has regional capability with matters involving FERC, and regularly acts for electric utilities in defense of actions brought under the Clean Air Act. Myles Reynolds, based in Dallas, focuses on counseling and representation of electric and natural gas utilities, as well as energy companies regulated by the state and feral agencies. Tab Urbantke advises clients on regulatory implications and risks of project development, capital market and commercial energy transactions.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP offers experience advising on development financing, and acquisition of energy projects and portfolios, with expertise across the US, Europe and Asia. The team is experienced in financing, tax environmental and land use, project development and real estate. Jeffrey Schroeder  is the head of the firm’s energy and infrastructure practice and focuses on domestic and international project finance, including development and asset, stock and portfolio acquisitions. Gregory Lang  is specialized in project and structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, with clients including developers, independent power producers and private equity funds, with Eric Nedell regularly representing borrowers and lenders in debt originations, restructurings and refinancing.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is noted for its expertise in oil and gas acreage, asset acquisitions and transactions surrounding exploration, production, development and transportation. The team advises on projects concerning onshore and offshore oil and gas ventures, in addition to major LNG projects in the United States and Latin America. Ian Goldberg leads the team and advises on a broad range of energy transactions, including upstream and midstream mergers, transactions and bankruptcy proceedings, while Michael O’Leary co-heads the firm’s corporate group, with considerable experience in corporate securities and M&A transactions arising out of the energy sector. Both Goldberg and O'Leary operate from the Houston office.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 3

With a ‘strong junior bench and experienced partners’, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is especially well regarded by clients, such as commercial banks, tax equity investors, institutional lenders and development finance institutions, that are seeking advice on complex financing structures, development and acquisition for projects in areas including wind, solar, and geothermal energy. The practice is especially recommended for its ‘high quality work‘ in tax equity financing. Jeffrey P. Schroeder leads the energy and infrastructure team and is well-versed in domestic and international project finance, including project development and asset, stock and portfolio acquisitions. Geoffrey Lorenz and tax specialist David S. Lowman Jr are recommended as well. In Richmond, meanwhile, Laura Ellen Jones is a key contact for clients undertaking tax credit transactions. Michael Klaus left the Los Angeles office in May 2022. Unless otherwise stated, all mentioned attorneys are based in Washington DC.  

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a buoyant practice driven by a significant flow of engagements from the energy, power and utilities sectors. The firm has an excellent record in representing issuers and underwriters and has landed major engagements from both sides of the fence in 2022, with a notably fine series of deals as underwriters’ counsel. Consumer products, retail, and REITs are also primary industries for the capital markets team. In the energy segment, Houston partner Courtney Cochran Butler continues to make an impression, including in green bonds and sustainability-linked bonds. Fellow Houston partner James Davidson is an experienced figure in REIT capital markets offerings. Susan Failla is rated for consumer and retail sector debt offerings, and Peter O’Brien, Steven Friend and Michael Fitzpatrick are also key partners in power and utilities. All named partners are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is highly specialised with its focus on REITs, power, energy, utilities, and consumer products and retail. It has a fine record in representing issuers and underwriters. With the slow IPO markets in 2022, the firm secured a number of at-the-market offering engagements. New York partners Peter O’Brien and Michael Fitzpatrick are noted for power and utilities offerings, and Richmond’s David Wright, Washington DC partner Robert Smith and Houston’s James Davidson are rated for REIT transactions.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Finance > Fintech Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a multi-faceted practice with strong credentials for representing banks, financial services and wealth management companies, while also doing an increasing amount of work for emerging and established fintech companies. The team’s capabilities cover the full spread of related issues, from compliance, regulatory, cybersecurity and data privacy matters, through to corporate financings, M&A, outsourcing and partnership agreements. The team is led by Erin Fonté, who co-chairs the financial institutions, corporate and regulatory practice from Austin. Another key partner is New York’s Lisa Sotto, global head of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity practice. The firm is making a push into the blockchain and distributed ledger space, with Washington DC partner Scott Kimpel a lead contact. The Dallas office hosts several top partners, including Peter Weinstock, who is active on the financial institutions side, and Jarrett Hale, who co-chairs the firm’s financial services litigation and compliance group.

Finance > Project finance

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents governments, companies, and lenders in infrastructure projects ranging from managed toll lanes to courthouse constructions. Additionally, the firm focuses on acquisitions and financing of energy-related assets with a strong focus on the renewables space. John O’Neill heads the PPP and infrastructure practice from the firm’s Richmond office. The experienced lawyer is currently representing Virginia Passenger Rail Authority in a major rail service expansion project. In Washington, head of the energy and infrastructure team Jeffrey Schroeder guides domestic and international clients from both the conventional and renewable energy space through a range of transactions such as portfolio acquisitions and divestitures. Washington resident James Head specializes in university utility systems projects. Also in Washington, Vera Rechsteiner  is a tax structuring specialist with notable experience in the Latin American and Caribbean market.  Further recommended is Richmond-based Eric Nedell, a commercial financing specialist with a particular focus energy-asset based borrowing and lending.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Backed by a global network spanning five continents, the trademark team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP leverages the expertise of its team to act in every phase of litigation, from injunctions and temporary restraining orders to appeals before the Supreme Court. The practice is headed by brand protection expert John Gary Maynard, who operates out of offices in Richmond, VA and Washington, DC, where he co-leads the team with Tyler Maddry, a tech sector specialist. Special counsel Edward Colbert, who also works in the DC office, brings over 30 years of experience in the practice area to the team. Other key figures include Jeremy S. Boczko in New York, who acts in complex proceedings before the federal and administrative courts and in United States International Trade Commission (USITC) proceedings, and counsel Erik C. Kane in DC. Armin Ghiam in New York was promoted to partner in March 2022. The group's client base spans sectors such sectors as sports, retail, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and tech.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides a comprehensive cross-border service, advising major corporates such as Peanuts Worldwide and Mattel, on the clearance, registration, and enforcement of their international trademark portfolios. Brand protection expert John Gary Maynard, who operates out of offices in Richmond and Washington DC, co-leads the team with DC-based Tyler Maddry, a tech sector specialist. Stephen Demm, also in Richmond, handles trademark maintenance for clients in the energy industry. In New York, Jonathan Reichman applies deep experience to entertainment industry matters, and Jeremy S. Boczko, who assists clients with trademarks rights acquisition. Armin Ghiam in New York was promoted to partner in March 2022. James Rosini retired in March 2022, and Daniel Vivarelli  departed in May 2022.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is principally focused on compliance, global immigration, in addition to US immigration sponsorship matters, and advises both corporate and non-profit clients. The department assists on cases spanning across the manufacturing, pharmaceutical, retail, banking and healthcare sectors, and is co-led by Adam Rosser and Ian Band, who advises clients on an assortment of immigration and nationality law in addition to family-related matters. Shaena Rowland assists corporate clients with naturalization, non-immigrant and permanent residence as well as corporate I-9 issues, while Lieselot Whitbeck is based in Miami and works with companies in the development of multi-destination strategies for their global workforce. All mentioned individuals are located in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 3

The team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is jointly headed by Emily Burkhardt Vicente in Los Angeles, who is experienced in high-stakes employment litigation and taking class actions to jury trial, and Washington DC-based Kevin White, who has a particular expertise representing clients from the energy and retail industries. The team is highly experienced in collective and class actions, discrimination claims, wage and hour matters, trade secret disputes, and harassment allegations. Other key contacts include Washington-based Ryan Bates, who specializes in complex employment litigation, and Michele Beilke in Los Angeles who is particularly experienced in employment arbitration. The team in San Francisco includes Michael Brett Burns, who focuses on class actions and other complex litigation.

Labor and employment > Labor-management relations Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP its robust labor-management litigation practice, with a strong presence in the retail and energy sectors. The team focuses on discrimination investigations, wage and hour litigation, and the preparation of employer-employee policies. Two attorneys jointly head-up the practice: Los Angeles-based Emily Burkhardt Vicente and Kevin White, who splits his time between Washington DC and Houston.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s capital markets-focused group is highly active across both the equity and mortgage sectors. IPOs, rule 144A equity offerings and M&A on behalf of both public and private REITs are key focuses for the team, which is praised for its ‘deep and broad knowledge of REIT structures‘. George Howell and David Wright  co-lead the department, whilst Houston’s James Davidson is an expert on IPOs and SEC compliance. Completing the leadership team, Washington DC's Robert K. Smith  is an important port of call on the capital markets side, whilst Kendal Sibley focuses on tax issues arising out of equity and mortgage REITs. Lawyers are in Richmond unless otherwise stated.

Real estate Tier 3

Led by Howard Schreiber  in Dallas and Laurie Grasso and Brett Gross out of New York, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP leverages bench strength nationwide to advise on high-end acquisitions and sales, financing, property development and leasing work, particularly in the affordable housing, and life sciences and health care sectors. Also in Dallas, Jeff Giese and Katy Carmical counsel global private equity firms, opportunity funds, and developers on a wide range of real estate assets including multifamily, retail, office, industrial, hospitality and golf. Other key New York-based lawyers include Anthony Bonan and associate Paul Greco.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents integrated oil and gas companies, natural gas pipeline companies, producers and developers of LNG facilities before the FERC, as well as the EPA and the DOE. This includes handling investigations and rate cases, in addition to all aspects of environmental issues surrounding oil and gas permitting, construction and operations. In the firm's Washington DC office, environmental law expert Deidre Duncan jointly leads the team alongside Dallas-based Myles Reynolds, who frequently acts for natural gas utilities and midstream companies. San Francisco's Shannon Broome is another key contact in the group.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP specializes in handling the whole spectrum of executive compensation and employee benefits matters arising in complex M&A and SPAC transactions. The team has vast experience of assisting domestic and international corporations across the finance, real estate, and energy sectors, with notable clients such as Sunlight Financial and DTE Energy. Austin-based Anthony Eppert co-heads the group, focusing on ESOPs and employee benefit arrangements, while the other co-head, Scott Austin, regularly advises on qualified retirement plans and executive employment agreements from the Dallas office. Kelly Ultis works in Houston, assisting companies with the design and implementation of new plans, and Jessica Agostinho supports clients with tax-qualified retirement plans from Washington DC. Counsel Michelle Lewis is also noted, operating out of DC.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has an experienced cross-disciplinary technology group with expertise in commercial contracts, outsourcing, IP and software licensing, M&A and joint venture agreements. The firm has recently advised several clients in the development and implementation of AI and machine learning technologies, including related issues on data privacy, ownership and rights. Jeffrey Harvey leads the well-regarded team from Richmond. Other key partners include IP co-head Tyler Maddry and Cecilia Oh in Washington DC. Randall Parks and Andrew Geyer in Richmond are also key.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP maintains a solid presence in the renewable energy space, handling a significant volume of transactional tax matters due in large part to the specialization of Houston-based co-head Robert McNamara. The team is also noted for handling tax-driven entities such as MLPs and REITs, as well as structured finance and securitization matters, an area in which fellow co-head Cecelia Philipps Horner is an essential contact from the Richmond office. Also in Richmond, Kendal Sibley concentrates on public and private REITs and private investment funds. Other recommended individuals include Leslie Okinaka in New York and Houston-based partners Thomas Ford and Allison Mantor. Dallas-based William Freeman joined the firm in October 2022, bolstering the firm’s energy-related tax work.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 5

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP handles the design and administration of various retirement, health and employee stock ownership plans, advising clients on the drafting and maintaining of equity and synthetic equity plans and a number of compensation arrangements. Austin-based co-head Anthony (Tony) Eppert focuses on executive compensation, ESOPs and employee benefit arrangements, while co-head Scott Austin, who is active in the firm’s Dallas office, has particular experience with handling deferred compensation matters, alongside qualified retirement plans and health and welfare plans.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s bankruptcy, restructuring, and creditors’ rights practice represents debtors, trustees, official and ad hoc creditor and equity committees, bank groups, and DIP lenders, and has a strong reputation for its work in the energy sector. With debtor- and creditor-side bankruptcy experience, Richmond-based Tyler Brown chairs the practice alongside Houston's Timothy Davidson, who also has broad experience representing debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, and committees in relation to Chapter 11 reorganizations throughout the US, as well as workouts and distressed acquisitions.