The Legal 500

Within Capital markets: debt offerings, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

With a strong emphasis on providing counsel to issuer clients, DLA Piper LLP has ‘excellent experience’ and debt offerings knowledge which ‘goes beyond the legal mechanics’. The team is highly rated for its ‘focus on the material issues of the transaction at hand’ and its ‘client inclusion’. The firm acts for clients in the real estate, natural resources, sports and technology sectors, and with the arrival of two new partners in 2010 in Chicago and New York respectively, the firm is steadily growing its wider capabilities. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and responsive’ Jamie Knox represented Life Technologies in a senior notes offering of aggregate amount $1.5bn in March 2010. JDA Software Group is another key issuer client. Jack Kantrowitz is also recommended, while global chair of the corporate and finance practice Roger Meltzer is a ‘top-notch lawyer’ and has over 30 years’ experience in the field.

Within Corporate restructuring, tier 6

DLA Piper LLP’s flourishing practice continues its growth strategy with the recent hiring of former King & Spalding LLP partner George South. Sitting in the New York group, South is an excellent new addition to a 34-strong team which can now boast capabilities in New York, Chicago and on the West Coast. With this enhanced domestic manpower, the US team is increasingly viewed as a credible option for clients engaged in major domestic and cross-border bankruptcy-related matters and was lauded by one client as having ‘an understanding of bankruptcy almost at the level of the best law firms in the market’. Led by ‘excellent’ co-chair Thomas Califano, this level of sophistication was recently underscored by the firm’s much vaunted representation of Erickson Retirement Communities and affiliated debtors in its $365m Chapter 11 proceedings. Having to deal with a complex web of creditors, non-profit partners, property managers and regulators, a plan of re-organization was accepted only seven months after filing for Chapter 11 protection ensuring senior residents did not lose their initial entry deposits. Other highlights included advising troubled company PTC Alliance on the $140m Section 363 sale of most of its assets to Black Diamond. This followed seven months of hotly contested litigation brought by third party secured creditors who objected to the asset sales. Department head Jeffrey Schwartz led on the aforementioned matter and is an integral part of a team which also includes the well-regarded vice-chairs Timothy Walsh and Alan Solow.

Within Structured finance , tier 6

DLA Piper LLP’s Boston-based Ronald Borod, who ‘has deep experience, fantastic judgment, and brings extraordinary value to the deal’, heads the firm’s structured resolution group, which is credited with creating innovative products and strategies designed to maximize value in distressed structured or securitized asset acquisition. The group recently represented Spring Hill Capital in the first tobacco fee securitization since the financial meltdown; the complex transaction required the issuance of a note secured by legal fees payable tobacco companies over a 14 year period following awards granted under the Medicaid reimbursement tobacco litigation. The ‘high-caliber and responsive’ Jonathan Black is also recommended.

Within Healthcare and life sciences, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s healthcare and life sciences practices field lawyers with diverse skills and experience. The firm expanded its resources in April 2010 when it hired five partners and four other attorneys to join the Sacramento office from the now-defunct firm of McDonough Holland & Allen PC. Among the new arrivals was litigator Stephen Goff, who also doubles as one of three co-chairs of the healthcare practice; the other co-chairs are Kimberly Egan and senior policy advisor Senator Thomas Daschle in Washington DC. The firm’s clients include healthcare service providers, insurers, teaching institutions and research organizations, manufacturers and physician groups on their corporate, finance, regulatory and litigation needs, part of which includes product liability and IP matters. Recent highlights include advising Ascent Healthcare Solutions on its $565m sale to Stryker, and Johns Hopkins Health System on its acquisition of Sibley Memorial Hospital and its affiliates. In litigation, it represented Sutter Health and Eden Medical Center in Alameda County Superior Court to win summary judgment against Eden Township Healthcare District, which had sought to invalidate a $300m hospital construction and leasing agreement.

Within Patent licensing and transactional , tier 4

The licensing team at DLA Piper LLP includes nearly 200 IP lawyers, making it one of the largest in the US, and with excellent technical knowledge and an almost unrivalled geographical reach, it is well placed to cater to wide-reaching multinational clients. The team is led by John Allcock in San Diego. Based on the other side of San Diego, well-respected senior counsel Knox Bell comes highly recommended for his work in the biotech and life sciences sector. Significant matters in 2010 included assisting a client in relation to worldwide freedom-to-operate analyses, worldwide patent filing strategies, and collaborations and partnerships with leading stem cell research institutions. The team also worked with one of the largest multinational electronics manufacturers on a global brand redesign.

Within Patent litigation: full coverage, tier 6

DLA Piper LLP has ‘subject matter expertise and trial experience’, and is backed by a strong international focus and reach. Technology remains its main strength, representing leading hi-tech names such as Toshiba and Samsung in litigation, including before the ITC. Patent trial lawyer John Allcock recently led a cross-border team, including Sean Cunningham, representing Motorola in settling its smart phone war with Research in Motion. Allcock and Cunningham also represented Ricoh in an ITC filing against Oki Data. Trial expert Mark Fowler is leading for Oracle in a number of lawsuits, while Stuart Pollack represents pharmaceuticals companies Galderma and Abbott. ‘Best in class’ Drew Wintringham recently defended Siemens VDO and other automotive manufacturers, achieving a million-dollar award against the plaintiff. The hire of an LA-based IP group from Hogan Lovells US LLP, including Richard de Bodo, who now co-leads the patent litigation practice, adds further depth.

Within Patent litigation: International Trade Commission, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP has a notable track record handling cases before the ITC, with a good number of trial wins and the ability to handle multi-jurisdictional cases from start to finish. It recently represented Japan-based Ricoh in its lawsuit against Oki Data regarding printing and imaging devices, with the respondent found to have violated one of five patents-in-suit. Based in San Diego, US chair of the firm’s IP and technology group John Allcock and Sean Cunningham represented Overland Storage, a data protection provider, in a complaint brought against Germany-based BDT, a tape automation supplier. Mark Fowler represents well-known hi-tech corporations, and the team’s hire of Richard de Bodo from Hogan Lovells US LLP provides additional ITC trial experience.

Within Trademarks: non-contentious (full coverage), tier 4

DLA Piper LLP has a 25-strong team in the US dedicated to managing trademarks across the globe. The firm’s great geographical reach assists its ability to manage of global portfolios for large multinational companies, and its prestigious client list includes Christie’s, Covidien, ESPN, Genentech, Harley-Davidson, Pfizer, The Associated Press and Verizon Wireless. Ann Ford leads the team from Washington DC, and specializes in communications and media law. In 2010 the team was retained by one of the world’s largest associations of investment professionals to implement a worldwide brand protection strategy and manage its global portfolio, and it also manages the Lance Armstrong Foundation global trademark portfolio. It made a number of strategic partner hires in 2010, including New York-based Frank Ryan from Nixon Peabody LLP, who is ‘highly capable, knowledgeable, and very conscious of understanding and achieving clients’ goals’.

Within Real estate investment trusts (REITs), DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s strength in real estate carries through to its REIT offering, which has a strong transactional focus and expertise that covers both the publicly traded and non-traded REIT markets. The practice is centered on Chicago and New York, but can also call across the firm’s national network where extra resources are required. Recent highlights include advising Wells Core Office Income REIT, a non-traded real estate investment trust, on a $5.7bn offering of common stock. It also advised the underwriters to Mid-American Apartment Communities, a real estate investment trust that focuses on acquiring, owning and operating apartment communities in the Sunbelt region of the US. The group represented longtime client Equity Residential on the acquisition of three luxury apartment buildings in Manhattan for a total of $475m with the assistance of the New York real estate group. On the debt side, it advised Banc of America Securities, JPMorgan Securities and Wells Fargo Securities as joint book-running managers in Equity One’s offering of $250m senior unsecured notes due 2014. Raleigh-based Robert Bergdolt provides valuable expertise in non-traded, publicly offered REITs.

Within Product liability and mass tort defense: automotive/transport , DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s product liability group has an excellent reputation and is well equipped to handle major litigation for big-name clients from the automotive and other transport sectors. Significant recent cases include acting as primary defense counsel for Veolia Transportation with regard to the aftermath of the September 2008 Metrolink rail disaster in Los Angeles, which resulted in the deaths of 25 people and injuries to over 130 others. Other clients include Porsche Cars North America, for which the firm serves as national counsel with respect to its asbestos-related automotive litigation and select consumer product liability class action litigation, among other matters. The client regularly instructs the group to advise on liability exposures as part of new product development, most recently with respect to hybrid vehicles. The firm acts as regional counsel for Toyota defending personal injury lawsuits concerning “unintended acceleration” allegations against Toyota and Lexus vehicles. It also acts for Toyota nationwide in defending product liability lawsuits relating to rollover and other product liability matters. In Baltimore, Joel Dewey is ‘an excellent courtroom advocate’ who is ‘always absolutely precise’. Practice group chairs Loren Brown in New York, William Kiniry in Philadelphia and Christopher Young in San Diego are all recommended. Philadelphia-based James Brogan is recommended for tire cases.

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

DLA Piper LLP handles major litigation for a number of blue-chip consumer product clients, particularly from the food and pet food industries. The group represented Menu Foods in litigation following the recall of some of its dog and cat food products and negotiated a comprehensive settlement to resolve all claims. The team also represented the client in achieving voluntary dismissals with prejudice in two unrelated nationwide class actions alleging false advertising and violations of consumer protection statutes in the marketing of pet food. Other recent successes include representing Husqvarna and other manufacturers in settling a matter involving catastrophic personal injuries as a result of alleged product design defects. Other clients include Kraft and Deere & Company. The group is co-chaired by Loren Brown in New York, William Kiniry in Philadelphia and Christopher Young in San Diego.

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

DLA Piper LLP’s deep team of skilled litigators has earned a reputation nationally and globally, particularly in the context of coordination and strategizing in MDLs and other complex litigation. The firm’s global presence is particularly useful to a life sciences client base that is top-heavy with multinationals, for which products may be subject to recalls and litigation in various jurisdictions. The product liability practice acted as counsel for Wyeth (now part of Pfizer) in disputes across the US concerning the HRT medications Premarin and Prempro, including involvement in various discovery and evidentiary motion practices. The firm also acted in defense of Wyeth against plaintiffs pursuing a general causation challenge alleging that Premarin caused breast cancer. New York partner Loren Brown, one of the lead partners in the case, successfully argued that there was a lack of reliable evidence to support the allegation. Heidi Levine, also in New York, was another key figure in this litigation. New York-based Heidi Levine and Baltimore-based Joel Dewey are lead partners as national litigation counsel for GE Healthcare in a mass tort relating to Omniscan, a gadolinium-based contrast agent used in MRI scanning procedures, which is alleged to cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with severe renal impairment. The firm also represents Bayer in a number of significant One-A-Day and Yaz litigation cases.

Within Securities: shareholder litigation, tier 5

DLA Piper LLP’s ‘very responsive’ and ‘very competent’ securities litigation team offers ‘good levels of service, very good drafting’ as well as ‘good strategy and good value for money’. Among the partners, the ‘outstanding’ Robert Brownlie, who co-chairs the practice with Perrie Michael Weiner, comes highly recommended, while ‘the highly organised and structured’ Rich Hans is ‘good at handling complex litigations’. The firm recently strengthened its enforcement capabilities through the recruitment of Lou Mejia, who formerly served as Chief Litigation Counsel in the SEC’s enforcement division. Recent highlights include successfully defending E*Trade Financial Corporation and E*Trade Securities LLC against a securities class action on behalf of individuals who purchased auction rate securities from E*Trade between 2003 and 2008. After a three-week bench trial, the firm also obtained a defense decision for KOR Electronics and members of its board against derivative and direct claims made by minority shareholders. The case is now on appeal.

Within Technology: data protection and privacy, DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s data protection and privacy group is deeply involved in the evolution of data protection and privacy law at the international, federal and state levels. Its significant Washington DC presence is supported by an extensive national and global footprint. Commended for its ‘practical, actionable, comprehensive guidance’, the group advises on a broad range of privacy issues, assisting with compliance strategies and policies, regulatory investigations and transactional support and litigation. It represents both technology providers and customers, and handles international and cross-border matters, including data transfers and breaches. The group has particular strength in the financial services sector with regulatory and government affairs practice co-chair Thomas Boyd ‘a valuable legal adviser, who is mindful of issues that are important to clients’, providing privacy counsel to the National Business Coalition of leading investors and corporations, as well as advising global financial services organizations, notably Royal Bank of Scotland and Experian, on privacy related issues, including domestic/international data compliance and public policy. The group advises large IT and corporate clients on managing risk and security and dealing with data breaches. Jim Halpert in Washington DC, who is ‘adept at providing guidance about the broader legislative and regulatory landscape’, is counsel to the State Privacy and Security Coalition, the leading technology coalition on privacy, security, consumer protection, marketing, child online safety and internet advertising. Boyd and Heidi Salow, recommended as ‘responsive, helpful and a pleasure to work with’, assist Vanguard with data protection compliance for major global outsourcings, maintaining a privacy-compliant international investigations policy, and employee privacy issues. Litigator Michael O’Neil in Chicago defended one of the three US credit bureaus in a multi-district federal court class litigation challenging the disclosure of information in target marketing lists. Key clients include Alcatel-Lucent, Symantec, Kodak, GE and Verizon.

Within Technology: outsourcing, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s outsourcing group, led by Vincent Sanchez in Chicago, who chairs the US technology, sourcing and commercial practice, includes Mark Radcliffe in Palo Alto. Supported by the firm’s global footprint and strength in technology transactions, the group represents high-profile clients, notably in the financial services, healthcare and hospitality sectors. In 2010, it saw an increase in instructions involving outsourcing to new markets, notably Eastern Europe, Ireland and Latin America. Clients include APL, Bank of America, Bay Medical, HCL Technologies and Hyatt Corporation. William Russell and Jim Nelson joined Venable LLP’s New York office.

Within Technology: transactions, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s technology transactions team is a prominent presence on both coasts. Vincent Sanchez in Chicago, chairs the US technology, sourcing and commercial practice, handles complex commercial transactions, and advises on the acquisition, divestiture, and licensing of technology products, and services. Mark Radcliffe in Palo Alto offers strategic IP advice and expertise in open-source, cloud computing and social media. William Cook in Washington DC combines technology and telecoms expertise, notably advising Qualcomm. The firm’s huge international reach allows it to handle complex cross-border and multijurisdictional transactions for clients in a multiple industry sectors. The team continues to win big-ticket deals, notably in the financial services, pharmaceutical, hospitality and airline industries. The diverse specialisms on offer within the group differentiate it from its more generalist competitors. 2010 saw continued focus on cloud computing and open source software issues, where the firm’s association with leading consulting group Olliance represents a clear advantage. ‘Upcoming lawyer’ Jennifer Bauman specializes in social media advice. Outsourcing specialists William Russell and Jim Nelson left to join Venable LLP’s New York office. A prestigious client list includes Pfizer, eBay and Sony Corporation.

Within Antitrust, tier 7

Historically, DLA Piper LLP has been better known for its US antitrust litigation work, but its merger experience should not be overlooked; its recent work includes advising on a major merger within the digital TV market, which entailed dealing with antitrust and competition authorities in the US, Europe, and Asia. The vastly experienced David Bamberger, who is based in Washington DC, chairs the practice and is ‘one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the country; very accessible and mindful never to churn a file’. Offices in the US regularly collaborate on a range of deals, helping the team to provide an efficient and streamlined service nationally, while its broad international footprint reaches across the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Austria, Hong Kong, China and Australia to enable the practice to advise on multi-jurisdictional matters. Recent work for Bamberger includes representing a major airline in two multi-district class actions concerning air cargo and passenger pricing practices, part of a swathe of global litigation for which the firm also acts as global coordinating counsel. The group also won a victory for Reddy Ice Holdings, the largest US seller of packaged ice, when it convinced the DOJ to take no action against the company or any of its employees after a lengthy investigation into allegations of illegal agreements in the packaged ice industry. Additionally, James Nelson in Dallas is ‘a top-notch lawyer at a top-notch firm’, while Carl Hittinger in Philadelphia brings his ‘excellent experience’ and ‘tireless efforts’ to proceedings.

Within M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m), DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP has ‘excellent functional depth and global coverage. Service and response times are fantastic and the team brings real-world business acumen to each issue. It addresses the full range of corporate issues and can easily staff the most complicated issues. It is also very time-efficient and this leads to very reasonable fees. We would be comfortable recommending the practice’. Others say that ‘the firm is far and away the most experienced and talent-rich firm that we use for M&A transactions’. Recently, Andrew Gilbert and Michael Helmer opened the Florham Park New Jersey office, focusing on emerging growth technology companies and life sciences, and a group joined in New York from Nixon Peabody LLP, including Charles Baker, bringing a strong sports and media transactional practice. Highlights included advising Qualcomm Incorporated in the $1.925bn sale of certain spectrum licenses in the Lower 700 MHz frequency band to AT&T, the spectrum covering 300m people nationally, and representing AsiaInfo Holdings in its acquisition of Linkage Technologies International Holdings, a leading provider of software solutions and IT services for the telecommunications industry in China, in a cash and stock deal valued at $733m, creating the largest software company in China, AsiaInfo-Linkage. The practice also acted for electronics intelligence company Argon ST in its acquisition by the Boeing Company for $775m, and Applied Signal Technologies in its $500m acquisition by the Raytheon Company. Net 1 UEPS Technologies was assisted in its execution of a share purchase agreement to purchase substantially all of the share capital of KSNET, a leading payment processor in Korea. It also acted for Groupon in its reported $6bn buy-out offer from Google. Throughout 2010, the firm represented Groupon in the rejected Google offer, and in a number of its successfully completed acquisitions globally. Maryland-based Jason Harmon is ‘a key member of the team, who provides sound, timely advice’. Also in Maryland, Jay Smith Jr is ‘always available to deal with the difficult and complex issues’. In New York, global corporate and finance chair Roger Meltzer is a key contact.

Within Private equity buyouts, tier 4

DLA Piper LLP remains a key player in the middle to upper-middle-market arena, but is beginning to achieve roles in some higher-value transactions. The firm is making the most of its global ubiquity, with numerous deals involving emerging markets such as China and Brazil. The recent arrival of Chicago-based private equity specialist David Lee from Mayer Brown has given the firm greater links into Asia and also the infrastructure sector. The firm has also bolstered its expertise in distressed private equity through several senior level lateral hires. It recently represented Arbor Investments on its $180m sale of portfolio company Great Kitchens to ARYZTA. It also advised Wind Point Partners portfolio company Vertellus Specialties on its refinancing. Clients include Wind Point Partners, Arbor Private Investments and Mistral Equity Partners. Chicago and New York-based Steven Napolitano heads the department which includes New York’s Roger Meltzer, Christopher Giordano and Joe Alexander, who also practices out of the Atlanta office.

Within Venture capital and emerging companies, DLA Piper LLP is a second tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP is in the ascendancy, having recruited the highly reputed Curtis Mo from WilmerHale’s Palo Alto office in 2010. Mo has a wealth of emerging company clients and venture fund relationships. This ‘game changing’ move now gives the firm genuine credibility in Silicon Valley, and an even more solid national and global footprint. The firm is now considered a leader in clean technology (particularly solar energy), software and internet, while life sciences and biotech is another key area. Clean technology is a global focus of the firm and it clearly benefits from having a potent energy practice in Houston. Clients find its ‘global footprint’ a compelling factor, and praise its ‘very strong attorneys’, who are ‘hard working’, ‘extremely responsive’, ‘cost-efficient’ and ‘well-attuned to the market place’. Aside from the aforementioned Mo, the firm has a vast array of senior talent including Austin and Palo Alto-based Paul Hurdlow, renowned for his expertise in the software, semiconductor and gaming industries, and Austin managing partner Jim Montgomery. The firm now has a major market share of venture financings in the San Diego region, with Randy Socol and David Young to the fore. Other lead partners include Seattle’s John Steel, Atlanta-based Jeffrey Leavitt and Jeffrey Lehrer in the Northern Virginia office. Venture fund clients include Ignition Partners, Qualcomm Ventures, and Northern Lights Capital Partners. Growth company clients include national and global phenomenon Groupon, WhaleShark Media, Scivantage, and new start-up Smooth Stone.

Within Construction (including construction litigation), DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s construction practice handles work on an international and national platform, with 40 construction lawyers across the US alone. The well-connected team is experienced in representing clients throughout the construction process, acting for owners, contractors, design professionals and lenders, among others. Ross Altman, Robert Crewdson and Anthony Meagher, based in Chicago, Atlanta and Baltimore respectively, co-chair the US construction group, which has been active across government-funded projects, institutional developments and significant litigation cases. The firm is currently lead counsel representing The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the reconstruction of the World Trade Center site, including preparing and negotiating construction management, design and trade contracts. It is also working on cost-sharing agreements for the design and construction of other developments at the site, including three high-rise buildings and a transportation facility. The firm also represented affiliates of Johns Hopkins in disputes relating to the construction of a large research center for the National Institutes of Health on the Bayview medical campus in Baltimore, involving a significant claim by a large general contractor and claims by multiple subcontractors; the firm handled nine cases, including one appeal, and also advised the client on three separate federal government claims. In other litigation, the firm is representing a joint venture (between Heery International and a local Atlanta construction management firm, E R Mitchell Company) which is contracted by the DeKalb County School District in Georgia to oversee a $1bn school construction development. Following the client’s suspension from the project in 2006, the firm continues to handle claims brought by Heery/Mitchell against the school district for unpaid professionals, and will be defending the client, in the scheduled jury trial, against counterclaims from the school district, which include charges of billing fraud (estimated to be over $100m).

Within Land use/zoning , DLA Piper LLP is a first tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP’s land use, development and government relations practice has a truly national presence, with lawyers across six offices coast to coast. Chicago partner Theodore Novak chairs the group, which handles contentious and non-contentious land use matters for a diverse client base. His team is advising on redeveloping the former US Steel Southworks site in Chicago, one of the largest brownfield sites in the US, into a lakeside community; in May 2010, $100m in public financing for the development was approved and work on the project is set to continue for the next two decades. Another highlight for the group was representing Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center in California on CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) and entitlement issues for the hospital’s 20-year expansion plan. The land use practice acquired a number of new clients in 2010, including the likes of BP America and Nestlé.

Within Real estate, DLA Piper LLP is a third tier firm,

DLA Piper LLP has real estate lawyers in 13 offices across the US, with the largest teams located in Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston and New York. ‘Terrific lawyer’ Jay Epstein chairs the 89-partner practice group. The team produces an overall excellent level of service and its members go ‘above and beyond the call of duty’. A significant deal for the firm is its continued involvement in the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a matter on which Jeff Keitelman is leading a team of nearly 60 attorneys. This team recently advised the client on the restructuring of its transaction with Silverstein Properties for the phasing and financing of three office towers on the eastern half of the site. Keitelman possesses ‘excellent business sense’ and ‘has a keen sense for developing and negotiating strategies’. Andrew Levy represented International Commercial Bank of China on its $355m financing of 650 Madison Avenue, the first loan closing under its new mortgage loan platform, for an entity owned by Ashkenazy Acquisition and The Carlyle Group. Epstein and a number of attorneys in Boston represented joint venture partners Elbit Imaging, Plaza Centers NV and Eastgate Capital Group on the $116m acquisition of Macquarie DDR Trust, which owns a portfolio of 78 retail properties across the US. Edward Goldman represented Hines Interests on the £655m sale of 300 North LaSalle in Chicago to KBS Real Estate Investment Trust II. Other clients include Archstone, New York Life Insurance Company and Tishman Speyer Properties. In addition to lawyers mentioned above, Richard Mendelson is recommended for his dedication to his clients and his ‘excellent business acumen, industry trend knowledge and the appropriateness of his advice’. Ross Green is ‘extremely intelligent’, ‘sharp’ and a ‘great problem-solver’. Kim Pagotto was promoted to partner in January 2011.

Within Domestic tax: East Coast, tier 6

DLA Piper LLP’s US national tax practice is chaired from New York by Bruce Wein, who acted as lead tax counsel for Pfizer in several potential acquisitions during 2010. Tax lawyers are also housed in Baltimore, Boston and Washington DC. The tax group assists the corporate, capital markets and restructuring departments across a wide range of instructions for client including major multinationals and numerous financial institutions. The ‘bright and knowledgeable’ Jeffrey Korenblatt is recommended in Washington DC. Clients include Dunbar Armored, Hewlett-Packard, HSBC International, ICON Capital and Moody’s Investors Service.

Within Domestic tax: West Coast, tier 4

DLA Piper LLP’s Californian 35-strong tax group is represented in Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego. Members contribute to the national, and international, tax practices, and also meet the demands of the challenging regional market. Larry Tannenbaum has a strong REIT following and Ellen van Hoften is known for her sophisticated estate and transfer tax planning. Neil Balmert provided tax advice to a venture-backed medical device company on a complex $500m taxable reverse cash merger. Arthur Rinsky, in Palo Alto, also has a broad business-oriented practice with a bias towards real estate and partnerships. Lawyers are based in San Diego except where otherwise indicated. Practice group clients include Allergan, Sanmina-SCI and Silicon Laboratories.

Within International, tier 4

DLA Piper LLP’s David Colker leads the global international tax group from Palo Alto, with US representation at partner level in Palo Alto, New York, where a European desk has been established, Washington DC, and more recently, Boston. The international tax group provides wide-ranging services through its global network, and has particularly strong links to the Chinese offices. The department expanded during 2010 with the lateral hire of two experienced partners. Recommended lawyers include Alan Granwell, in Washington DC, who is ‘very efficient and has excellent contacts in the IRS and US Treasury’ for planning and advance pricing agreements; Sang Kim ‘a very strong tax advisor’ with an excellent track record in post-merger integration; and Michael Lebovitz in Los Angeles for international tax planning and transactions. Members of the group recently advised Trident Microsystems in a definitive agreement with Netherlands-headquartered NXP Semiconductors, in which Trident acquired NXP’s television systems and set-top box business lines.