Venable LLP > Baltimore, United States > Firm Profile

Venable LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 1

Venable LLP‘s corporate group helps clients of all sizes, ranging from early-stage enterprises to Fortune 100 companies, navigate complex issues in the context of domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures, equity financings, SPAC transactions and corporate governance matters. Practice leaders Frank Ciatto, who splits his time between Washington DC and New York, and Robert Bolger in DC are experienced in the full spectrum of M&A transactions, and handle both buy and sell-side mandates. Charles Morton, a reference for M&A involving middle-market companies in the healthcare, technology and consumer products industries, is based between DC and Baltimore. Anthony Rosso in Baltimore often acts for publicly traded businesses, emerging growth clients and entrepreneurs in restructurings, M&A and commercial contracts, which are all core areas of activity for Daniel Straga in DC.

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

The Washington DC-based team at Venable LLP frequently works for clients at the epicenter of the advertising space. Stuart Ingis co-chairs the tech and innovation group with Michael Signorelli, both of whom are key contacts for clients in the ad-tech industry. Ingis and Signorelli are known for counselling leading industry trade associations and coalitions that establish and enforce self-regulation for online advertising, including the ANA, IAB, and NAI. The experienced Emilio Cividanes participates in drafting federal privacy regulation and is skilled in representing companies under FTC investigations, resulting in favorable consent decrees. Cividanes also lobbies Congress and federal agencies on behalf of his clients. Recently appointed co-chair of the privacy and data security group Julia Kernochan Tama assists clients across a range of industries, not limited to financial services, IT and retail, on compliance strategies with privacy and data security laws, and also represents clients facing enforcement action by the FTC. Now a co-chair, Kelly DeMarchis Bastide counsels clients on compliance with federal and state marketing, e-commerce, privacy, security, and advertising laws and regulations. Tara Sugiyama Potashnik represents clients before the FTC, FCC, CFPB and state attorney general on privacy, cybersecurity, communications, marketing and autonomous mobility matters. Reed Freeman departed for ArentFox Schiff in September 2022.

Tax > Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) Tier 1

Venable LLP‘s group is strong in complex taxation issues and corporate governance work for a range of clients including charities, membership organizations, trade associations, advocacy groups, and private foundations. The practice has a nationwide reach and ‘is able to help with federal tax-exempt issues as well as specific state campaign finance laws.’ George E Constantine in Washington DC runs the team and solely dedicates his practice to assisting nonprofit organizations such as charities, associations, professional societies, advocacy groups, and other entities. Elsewhere in the team, experienced general counsel Janice Ryan, who is also based in DC, is lauded for her ‘excellent understanding of the law, the application, and enforcement of the law, as well as how to guide clients through the nuance’. Lindsay Nathan in New York ‘understands the balance between legal and business considerations’ and often provides strategic advice to political groups and nonprofit organizations. Former practice head Cynthia Lewin has now retired.

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

Co-headed by Kathleen Hardway  and Jason Rose , Venable LLP‘s Baltimore-based product liability and mass tort team has a strong reputation in the life sciences space where it combines deep industry and technical knowledge with excellent strategic awareness and regulatory expertise to good effect in many big-ticket consolidated disputes. The team is commonly brought in to act as national counsel on MDLs and is very adept at working in a collegial fashion with other counsel in “virtual law firm” settings. A member of the American College of Trial lawyers, Craig Thompson  is a key member of the team, particularly in the context of trial work, where he displays an excellent ability to distil complex scientific information into a compelling and simplified narrative for juries. The firm also has niche expertise defending vaccine manufacturers against claims of vaccine injury, an area that Dino Sangiamo is particularly accomplished.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

Venable LLP has a dedicated advertising offering that handles a full spectrum of litigation matters, including those involving online media and digital assets, as well as traditional advertising avenues, including labeling and claims. A key area of specialism for the firm includes the food, beverage, and supplements sector, though it also has particular expertise in the financial services and retail spaces. Washington DC-based Roger Colaizzi chairs the group and has substantial experience advising on cases relating to Lanham Act false advertising, unfair competition, and intellectual property matters, as well as experience representing clients before the FTC and NAD. Angel Garganta specializes in food and beverages advertising disputes, including those involving class action litigations, and is based in San Francisco. Daniel Silverman, based in Los Angeles, is well-regarded for his expertise in defending clients against false advertising consumer class actions, while Ari Rothman is noted for his experience in TCPA-related matters and is based in Washington DC.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 2

Venable LLP has a cross-departmental technology, media and commercial group spread throughout the firm’s corporate and IP transactions departments. The firm offers a comprehensive service to both its technology customer and vendor clients who work across a diverse range of industries, including media, financial services, automotive, hospitality, life sciences, healthcare and consumer products. The firm has seen an increasing amount of work in the media sector, particularly in relation to NFTs. Clients also benefit from the team’s expertise in related areas such as advertising, and privacy and cybersecurity, which is particularly important for data-driven transactions. The team is co-chaired by Jim Nelson in San Francisco and William Russell and Armand Zottola in Washington DC.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 2

Venable LLP remains notable for its deep expertise in matters of Maryland law, with an impressive track record for offering advice to the percentage of publicly traded REITs organized under Maryland law on a full-suite of matters including IPOs, stock and debt offerings, mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, and other transactions. The group is headed up James Hanks, while Patricia McGowan  maintains her practice’s emphasis on Maryland corporation law as it intersects with REITs. Carmen Fonda  is well-versed on capital markets transactions for REITs, whilst Brian Field and Christopher W Pate remain important ports of call for specific, complex questions of Maryland corporation law. Former co-chair Sharon Kroupa  retired from the firm in 2022. All attorneys mentioned are in Baltimore.

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 3

Venable LLP‘s experience in financial services regulation extends to compliance, enforcement and litigation, with a client portfolio comprised of innovative startups and long-standing brands in the space. Ellen Berge and Andrew Bigart are key names in the team, co-heading the firm’s payment processing and merchant services practice as well as the broader financial services group- Berge is a key contact for banks, marketplaces and card issuers seeking regulatory advice, paired with her active role representing payment companies in government investigations; Bigart specializes in anti-money laundering, payment network compliance and consumer protection. Jonathan Pompan complements this expertise, acting for a broad spectrum of clients, while senior associate Christopher Boone focuses on payment processing, blockchain and telecoms matters. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 3

The intellectual property litigation practice at Venable LLP acts frequently for leading companies in the life sciences, software, electronic, and industrial sectors, providing a full spectrum of services for these clients. Particularly strong in the pharma litigation space, the team represents innovative pharma companies, manufacturers of medical devices, and medical-related products. Based in New York, Dominick Conde, Frank Gasparo, Michael Sandonato, Scott Reed, and William E Solander all form part of the leadership, with Gasparo and Sandonato focusing on tech-related IP litigation, and Reed and Solander operating on the life sciences side. In Washington DC, Justin Pierce and Megan Woodworth also lead the team, with the latter focusing on tech sector work, while the other head of the team is Chicago-based Timothy Carroll.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: transactional and regulatory Tier 3

Venable LLP advises both leading brands across a variety of industries and advertising companies on a range of advertising and marketing matters. It is particularly well regarded for its regulatory expertise in this space, covering television, internet, and social media, as well as packaging and labeling. It also has a growing practice in relation to novel areas, including web3 and the metaverse. Leonard Gordon chairs the group from New York and has substantial experience handling regulatory compliance and investigations in this sector. Melissa Steinman has a particular focus on promotions and online gaming-related matters, while Ellen Berge specializes in the retail, digital advertising, and social media spaces. Eric Berman and Daniel Blynn are also noted for their FTC investigations expertise. Previous co-chair Jeffrey Knowles has recently retired from practice. All lawyers mentioned are based in Washington DC, unless otherwise stated.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 4

Operating out of the firm's Washington DC, the energy team at Venable LLP acts as lead regulatory and litigation shipper counsel in crude oil, petroleum and NG pipeline cases before the FERC, with demonstrable experience in litigation surrounding market rates, ROE development and other major pipeline cost and revenue issues. Richard Powers leads the practice and focuses on crude oil, petroleum and NGL regulatory and litigation cases before the FERC and other public utility commissions. Steven Adducci frequently represents trade associations in the energy sector, while Matthew Field has experience litigating discrimination and jurisdictional issues before the FERC. Gregory Wagner has considerable experience in the regulated crude oil and petroleum products industries.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

Government > Government contracts Tier 4

With a core focus in bid protests, the government contracts department at Venable LLP is notably active in the defense and healthcare sectors in addition to logistics services. Paul Debolt co-heads the team from Washington DC and he is thoroughly knowledgeable of claims, data rights matters and internal investigations. Scott Hommer also co-leads the team and is located in Virginia, often engaged in administrative law issues as well as, contract and regulatory litigation. Rebecca Pearson in DC represents clients before the Department of Justice and federal courts on civil matters concerning government contractors. Also Virginia-based, James Boland is noted for his experience before the Court of Federal Claims and Government Accountability Office.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 4

With thorough experience in representing government owners in construction environmental, land use, litigation and real estate matters, the team at Venable LLP handles a range of construction project, and is also well-versed in contractor and subcontractor bankruptcies as well as contract termination. Splitting his time between Chicago and New York, Kenneth Roberts has enjoyed signifcant success in alternative dispute resolution and co-leads the department alongside Heidi Rowe who is a permanent resident of the Chicago office; she frequently assists project owners with contract administration as well as enforcement, and claims management. Amanda Schermer MacVey works from Washington DC and is seasoned in assisting regulated utilities in prudence strategy for regulatory proceedings, while in Chicago, associate Andrew Donivan is also a name to note.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: transactions

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation