The Legal 500

Within Corporate restructuring, tier 6

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s ‘responsive, knowledgeable and practical’ team is led by co-chairs Mark Bloom (‘extremely intelligent, articulate, cordial and professional’), Keith Shapiro and Bruce Zirinsky from Miami, Chicago and New York respectively. Calling on the services of over 40 partners across an extensive national network, the ‘depth and breadth of expertise in the firm is an important aid’ – and it also ensures that it can turn its hand to debtor or creditor representations across the full spread of reorganizations, workouts, liquidations, and distressed M&A matters. Nancy Mitchell ‘commands respect and approaches complex issues with rationale and strong communication’, and Maria DiConza is ‘very responsive; practical and logical’; both were involved in representing Indianapolis Downs and India Downs Capital in their pending Chapter 11 cases – involving $600m of debt. The firm is also representing a group holding bonds issued by General Motors subsidiary, GM Nova Scotia in a $1.2bn litigation. Nancy Peterman ‘understands business issues and doesn’t get caught up with too much theoretical pontification’, and Diane Vuocolo ‘simplifies the most complex transactions in a business-friendly way’.

Within Structured finance , tier 4

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s structured finance and derivatives group handles securitized and structured products in a wide range of asset classes encompassing the mortgage, asset-backed, municipal and structured products markets. Acting for Fortune 500 companies, major financial institutions and specialized finance companies, the well-rounded practice operates on a truly national platform, with lawyers in New York, Washington DC, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Delaware, Virginia, Arizona, Illinois and California. The key practice contacts are New York’s Mark Michigan, who is recommended for securitization programs relating to student and automotive loans, timeshares and mortgages; and Dallas-based Michael Thimmig, who concentrates on asset-backed and mortgage-backed securitizations. Other noteworthy practitioners include Chicago-based Nancy Schimmel, ‘a fine lawyer, with a very commercial approach’, and Silvie Durham in New York, who handles commercial paper programs, structured transactions and products, OTC derivatives and futures agreements, and commodities trading issues. Practice clients have included JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Within Copyright, tier 5

Greenberg Traurig LLP's Kenneth Steinthal is 'excellent' in copyright litigation, particularly in new media matters. He has defended a number of emerging technology and online companies against infringement claims brought by music copyright owners. Alongside the practice's capabilities in contentious matters, it also has a strong focus on transactional work, with Atlanta-based Bobby Rosenbloum handling copyright licensing and agreement issues as well as litigation for film and music industry copyright owners and digital media companies.

Within Trademarks: litigation, tier 5

Greenberg Traurig LLP's main areas of focus include trademark disputes regarding gray market goods and anti-counterfeiting, particularly in the online sphere. The practice recently obtained an injunction for the NFL against numerous websites selling counterfeit merchandise. It also represented The North Face and Polo Ralph Lauren in an action to shut down foreign websites selling counterfeit goods via third parties. New York-based Roxanne Elings co-chairs the global trademarks group and is an expert in online counterfeiting issues. IP litigator Ian Ballon has expertise in internet and computer software-related issues, and recently represented eBay in the multi-defendant case Inman v Technicolor; he also defended eNom against claims relating to the transfer of domain names. James Donoian represented online company Adaptive Marketing in a trademark dispute regarding the use of Google AdWords and related domain names.

Within Employee benefits and executive compensation, tier 5

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s benefits attorneys are located in several of the firm’s offices in the US, with co-chairs Steven Lapides and Jeffrey Mamorksy in Miami and New York respectively. Mamorsky has ‘unparalleled ERISA expertise’, and Terry Moore, also in New York, is recommended for her ‘audit experience with the government and her attention to detail’. The team’s service is ‘timely, responsive, creative and efficient’. Recent work includes advising on pension plans, corporate governance, benefit plans and compliance matters. Associate Ira Reifer is also recommended for his ‘in-depth knowledge of healthcare law’.

Within Immigration, Greenberg Traurig LLP is a second tier firm,

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s business immigration and compliance group focuses on strategic immigration planning for US and international companies for the international relocation of personnel both from and into the United States. Additionally, its I-9 compliance group assists companies with drafting employment verification compliance policies, training sessions, internal audits, as well as representation in government audits. It also defends businesses involved in large-scale government raids. The firm’s lawyers have been requested by Congressional offices, the White House and other agencies to share their technical knowledge. Indeed immigration advocacy is a firm forte. Continuing to fight for comprehensive immigration and essential worker legislation, opposing enforcement only legislation, working on the Eb-5 investor extension legislation and private bills has kept its attorneys busy. Co-chair of the firm’s business immigration and compliance group and leading technical lobbyist Laura Reiff and Dawn Lurie have both worked closely with Senate and House staffers to draft and review legislative language in an effort to further comprehensive immigration reform. Recent work highlights include assisting in an H-2B vendor malfeasance matter and the resulting Department of Homeland Security investigation; interacting with both House and Senate judiciary staff, the firm advised on the federal e-verify legislation and its impact on major business clients; and representing international oil services and shipping companies to obtain permission for their foreign national employees to perform services on the outer continental shelf. Co-chair of the firm’s business immigration and compliance group Martha Schoonover is also highly recommended. Patricia Gannon has left the firm to join Wormser, Kiely, Galef & Jacobs.

Within Leading trial lawyers Leading trial lawyers

Within Product liability and mass tort defense: consumer products (including tobacco), tier 4

According to clients, Greenberg Traurig LLP is ‘a firm that we have complete confidence in’ and ‘the service is very good across the board’. Representing Canon USA, it recently defeated class action certification relating to inkjet printer cartridges and secured the dismissal of two similar nationwide class actions against the client. As one of Lorillard’s trusted advisers, the firm has been assisting it in a case challenging requirements for tobacco products to prominently display large signs containing graphic, color images of diseased or decayed organs with the words, ‘Quit Smoking Today’. The team has previously defended the company in a number of nationwide class actions. Alan Mansfield in New York is ‘brilliant and has an amazing ability to analyze cases and situations’, is ‘very good with judges and opposition lawyers’, and ‘would appeal to a jury almost anywhere’. Other key names to note are the practice co-chairs, Chicago-based Francis Citera and Miami-based David Ross.

Within Product liability and mass tort defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices, Greenberg Traurig LLP is a second tier firm,

Greenberg Traurig LLP has an excellent record of trying cases to verdict, exemplified by its recent work for I-Flow in which the firm obtained a complete defense verdict following a four-week trial in a case involving three consolidated lawsuits relating to a continuous local anesthesia infusion drug pump. It also serves as national counsel for Medtronic, defending against product liability claims relating to various medical devices. Synthes, and its subsidiary Spine Solutions, instructed the firm in relation to the clinical trials it sponsored for ProDisc, an artificial disc replacement device. Summary judgment for the client was obtained on the basis of federal preemption. Other recent instructions include acting for Teva Pharmaceuticals USA. Atlanta-based Lori Cohen ‘does an incredible job on device cases’. Other recommended attorneys include Victoria Lockard, also in Atlanta, and Pamela Overton in Phoenix, Peter Antonucci in New York and Jose Isasi in Chicago.

Within Product liability and mass tort defense: toxic tort, Greenberg Traurig LLP is a second tier firm,

Greenberg Traurig LLP devises creative defense strategies, tries high-stakes cases involving pollution claims and has substantial appellate capabilities. It is currently defending Coronet Industries against wrongful death, personal injury, medical monitoring and property damage claims by over 1,100 plaintiffs arising from purportedly contaminated water and air at a former manufacturing facility. The group is also defending Mosaic in a class action for economic damages as a result of approximately 65 million gallons of process water released into Hillsborough Bay during Hurricane Frances. Other recent work includes preparing and submitting a brief on behalf of amicus curiae Business Roundtable, which was aligned with power companies; the case tested whether state attorneys general could bring common law nuisance claims against large emitters of greenhouse gases. Glatfelter instructed the practice to act in a dispute over cleanup and natural resources damage arising from the presence of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in waters in Wisconsin. Tampa-based David Weinstein is recommended.

Within Securities: shareholder litigation, tier 5

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s clients state it provides ‘the best service in the market’ due to ‘speedy turnaround times’ and ‘succinct advice that always hits the mark’. Lawyers are ‘always prepared and know every angle in civil securities fraud cases’, with Atlanta-based Terry Weiss recommended for his ‘excellent knowledge of the financial services industry including products, supervision practices and in house policies and procedures’. John Sten is also recommended as a ‘very effective lawyer with a tremendous ability at trial’ and led the successful representation of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation in a nationwide securities class action claiming the company made false statements that artificially inflated its stock price. The firm also has an excellent reputation for enforcement matters and successfully represented James Tambone, a former co-president of Columbia Funds Distributor, in a SEC civil enforcement action.

Within Trade secrets, tier 4

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s platform comprises 32 offices in the US and Europe, providing wide coverage for clients in a range of industries to protect their business-critical information. Of the 600 litigators within the firm, five partners stand out as particularly experienced in the trade secrets arena, and have been active in the sphere of restrictive covenants affecting the actions of departing employees and the use of technology by competitors and employees to obtain information which violates proprietary interests. Of these, New York partner Jonathan Israel is praised by clients as ‘very knowledgeable, thoughtful, thorough, exercises good judgment, and a great strategist and responsive. Additionally, he is a hell of a nice guy’. Israel is assisting Coface North America to obtain damages and a preliminary injunction enforcing non-compete and other restrictive covenants against the former president of a business acquired by the client. Todd Wozniak is active on behalf of several individuals engaged in disputes with former employers relating to restrictive covenants.

Within M&A: large deals ($1bn-5bn), Greenberg Traurig LLP is a second tier firm,

Much of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP’s year focused on complex restructuring transactions that involved refinancing, corporate governance and asset transfers. The practice’s representative M&A engagements included representing Pfizer in its $3.6bn cash acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals, and it also acted for Pfizer in the $2.38bn sale of its Capsugel unit, the world’s leading provider of pharmaceutical and dietary supplement capsules and other innovative drug- delivery systems, to private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. Other key matters included representing the US Treasury Department in the sale of its remaining equity interests in Chrysler Group, and advising Metals USA Holdings, a provider of processed carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum and other metals, in its acquisition of Richardson Trident. New York-based co-corporate chair Louis Bevilacqua ‘deserves special recognition for his management of the client relationship and for being key in all transactions’. William Mills III and Stewart Kagan are also key contacts. Clients say that ‘the knowledge and depth of the practice’s bench for multi-faceted transactions is superb’. In 2011, former senior corporate partner Dennis Block left to become senior chairman of Greenberg Traurig LLP’s global corporate and M&A practice.

Within Construction (including construction litigation), Greenberg Traurig LLP is a third tier firm,

Greenberg Traurig LLP provides a ‘superior level of service’ to a diverse list of clients, including owners, developers, construction lenders, construction managers, subcontractors, vendors, architects and engineers from the initial conception and project delivery of projects through to their completion; it handles both litigation and transactional matters, with experience in the negotiation of contracts and preparation of bids as well as the resolution of disputes. The practice is headed by the experienced Michael Hornreich, a qualified engineer, in Orlando, and the well-respected Jeffrey Walsh in Phoenix, who has 30 years of experience in construction law and litigation. The firm represented the San Jacinto River Authority in the development and negotiation of a $190m construction manager at risk agreement, as well as the pre-construction, and construction services contract, for the construction of the Surface Water Facilities Water Treatment Plant. James Miller ‘goes the extra mile when delivering services’, and Michael Burnett is also highly recommended; he has attracted significant work to the firm since his arrival from Coats Rose Yale Ryman Lee.

Within Land use/zoning, Greenberg Traurig LLP is a first tier firm,

Greenberg Traurig LLP’s ‘superb’ practice is traditionally strong in Florida, and the group’s co-chairs Debbie Orshefsky and Jay Segal based in the Fort Lauderdale and New York offices respectively. Orshefsky is working alongside colleagues from other practice groups within the firm on the Anthem Project, in which a consortium of developers, institutions, and industry professionals are proposing to create a unique veterans urban village on a 7-acre site in the City of Miami’s Medical District; the project is valued at $450m. The firm’s presence is also strong in New York, where it advised Extell Development Company on the Extell Riverside Center: an 8.5-acre, 3.1 million sq ft development on New York West Side. Reggie Bouthillier is highly recommended, for his ‘practical approach, attention to detail, and excellent communication and negotiation skills’.

Within Real estate, Greenberg Traurig LLP is a second tier firm,

Greenberg Traurig LLP has expanded to 30 offices across the US, and its real estate practice operates on a truly national basis. Its areas of focus include joint ventures, real estate finance, capital investments, leasing, development and planning, and it has seen a recent increase in private equity and REIT work. More than 200 lawyers make up the real estate team, which is ‘ extremely efficient, with the highest level of industry knowledge’; its ‘above excellent’ service is delivered with ‘a level of trust and honesty that is refreshing’. The highly acclaimed Robert Ivanhoe co-chairs the global real estate practice from New York, along with Corey Light, who is based in Chicago. Ivanhoe represented Glenwood Management in the acquisition of a large plot of vacant land in Manhattan and the subsequent $260m construction financing to develop a mixed-use tower block of more than 400,000 sq ft. Gary Kleinman of the New York office acted for Invesco Realty Advisors and Square Mile Capital in the acquisition of an $880m loan portfolio backed by 32 properties in 15 states from Bank of America; and also advised Square Mile Capital on a joint venture with Blackstone Group in the bid to acquire a $385m loan portfolio secured by limited service hotels throughout the US. Stephen Rabinowitz was instructed by Denihan Hospitality Group in the recapitalization of its New York City assets, a deal valued at $910m. The ‘phenomenal’ Michael Sullivan and his team in the Orlando office are ‘absolutely unsurpassed’. Richard Giusto in Miami and Milos Markovic in Chicago are highly recommended.

Within International tax, tier 4

Over 25 of Greenberg Traurig LLP lawyers spend the majority of their time working on international tax matters from the firm’s offices in Boston, New York, Miami, London, Amsterdam, Denver, Washington DC. The firm has recently been instructed in multi-billion IPOs, MA, and financings. It acts for major US and foreign investment banks and multinationals and is particularly recommended for its work in Latin America.

Within Tax controversy, tier 4

Barbara Kaplan chairs the ‘excellent’ tax audits and litigation practice at Greenberg Traurig LLP. Based in the New York office, Kaplan’s broad practice includes administrative and grand jury criminal tax investigations. The group includes former IRS litigator Phillip Pillar, who has worked in the tax controversy practice of a major international accounting firm and whose practice focuses on advising Fortune 500 companies, from the firm’s Washington and Philadelphia offices. The firm also has a solid SALT practice; Michelle Ferreira, in the San Francisco office, is particularly strong in this area, as is the ‘highly responsive’, David Bunning in New York. Tax collection issues and related government actions have proved a source of ongoing work for the firm, which prides itself on tackling an area left alone by many other firms. Charles Simmons is also recommended.