Akin‘s practice routinely appears before federal and state appellate courts across the US. Highly regarded for its strength in IP, administrative law, health and labor law cases, the group also stands out at Supreme Court level for its expertise in headline-grabbing pro bono matters, particularly cases concerning human rights, Native Americans, LGBTQ+ issues and immigrant communities. Department head Pratik Shah is a former assistant to the Solicitor General and recently represented Antonio Arteaga-Martinez before the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in a case concerning the rights of non-citizens in immigration detention. James E. Tysse‘s broad experience spans labor and employment, administrative, constitutional, energy and class action law; he recently scored a victory for the NFL before the 5th Circuit in a case concerning NFL players’ medical care. Other key names include Julius Chen, who has an emphasis on bankruptcy, IP and administrative law-related matters, and San Francisco-based Aileen McGrath, who was recently promoted to partner and possesses significant government-side experience following a former stint as co-chief of appellate litigation in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Climbing a tier in 2023 for its Court of Appeals work, Arnold & Porter secured a slew of recent victories in high-stakes business appeals and constitutional law cases in lower appeal courts across the country. On the US Supreme Court side, the group continues to cement its reputation as a safe pair of hands for landmark matters, particularly those concerning sovereign and constitutional rights. John Elwood heads the practice and successfully represented Allergan at the Fourth Circuit in a significant case discussing the False Claims Act. In a precedent-setting voting rights victory, Stanton Jones represented the National Redistricting Foundation in challenging North Carolina’s congressional and state legislative maps as unconstitutional. Other experienced names include Allon Kedem, who has argued 12 times before SCOTUS, and Denver-based Reeves Anderson. The group also benefits from an impressive cadre of younger lawyers, including next-generation partner Elisabeth Theodore, who successfully acted for the American Civil Liberties Union in challenging an Iowa law banning schools from offering masks to children with disabilities. Talented senior associate Andrew Tutt recently argued, and won, an employment law case before SCOTUS concerning sovereign immunity. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

On the Supreme Court front, Baker Botts L.L.P.’s Houston- and Austin-based team had a strong showing in the Texas Supreme Court over the past year. The group also regularly appears before SCOTUS, as well as lower appellate courts across the country. Arguably best known for its prominence in oil and gas-related work, the team’s expertise extends far beyond energy to encompass IP, healthcare, environment and employment-related matters, among others. Macey Reasoner Stokes heads the appellate section and successfully represented CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp before the Texas Supreme Court in a case reversing a multimillion-dollar verdict against it concerning personal injuries arising from a gas explosion. Aaron Streett, a former US Supreme Court clerk, chairs the Supreme Court and constitutional law practice; he is recognized for his record before the Fifth Circuit and DC Circuit, where he has argued 35 times across both circuits.

Bracewell LLP‘s compact practice punches above its weight in the energy sphere, where it handles complex appeals for clients such as Apache, Kinder Morgan and Venoco. Other areas of activity for the two-partner, Houston-based team include insurance, IP and environmental law. Department chair Warren Harris is noted for his broad experience in both federal and state appellate courts; he recently represented Jane Doe plaintiffs in a case alleging that Salesforce knowingly provided technology, support and services to facilitate the sex trafficking operations of its client, Backpage. Jeffrey Oldham re-joined Bracewell in December 2021 after serving as general counsel for Texas Governor Abbott. Yvonne Ho was appointed to the bench in March 2022.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP routinely appears before state and federal appellate courts across the country, where it represents both appellants and appellees in complex IP, securities, antitrust and class action-related cases, among others. The group is often involved in appeals for which it handled the preceding trial litigation, but it also picks up a significant volume of new mandates at appellate level. Litigation co-head Gary Bornstein is noted for his focus on antitrust, M&A and securities work; he co-steers the practice alongside Kevin Orsini–both are based in New York.

Widely acknowledged as a ‘go-to’ firm for appellate work, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP‘s formidably deep bench nationally is reflected by its consistent involvement in complex appeals across the US. A dominant player in cases involving government powers–an increasingly topical trend–the group also excels in business and international disputes. At the US Supreme Court level, Washington DC-based Helgi Walker recently scored a unanimous victory on behalf of the National Association of Broadcasters in a high-profile case concerning media ownership restrictions. Other key contacts in Washington DC include former Solicitor General Theodore Olson, Miguel Estrada, who has argued 24 cases before SCOTUS, and department co-chair Thomas Dupree. Allyson Ho, who has recently secured high-profile wins at the Fifth Circuit and Texas Supreme Court among others, and Julian Poon additionally co-chair the practice from Dallas and Los Angeles respectively. Also in Los Angeles, Theodore Boutrous is sought after for his premier record before federal and state appellate courts, including SCOTUS. The group was strengthened in 2022 through a trio of lateral hires: Lauren Goldman joined in New York from Mayer Brown, where she was co-head of the supreme court and appellate practice; Jonathan Bond rejoined the firm in Washington DC after serving as an Assistant to the Solicitor General; while Gregg Costa, formerly a judge for the Fifth Circuit, joined in Houston.

Lawyers in Goodwin’s practice demonstrate ‘deep and insightful strategic thinking‘, according to clients. A popular choice to represent life sciences and technology clients in appellate work, in line with the wider firm’s signature strengths, the group also had strong recent showings in financial services, class actions and social justice-related appeals. In Washington DC, seasoned group co-chair William Jay is widely lauded for his top-level experience, which includes arguing 17 cases before SCOTUS. Jay is currently representing Novartis in appellate matters related to ongoing European patent litigation between it and Eli Lilly. Also in Washington DC, next-generation partner Brian Burgess is singled out as an ‘outstanding writer and oral advocate‘, while Jaime Santos is noted for her record in ERISA, patent, and constitutional law-related litigation. In Boston, key contacts include department co-chair Kevin Martin, highly active associate Gerard Cedrone, and David Zimmer, who has a focus on IP, administrative law, and consumer finance-related matters.

Greenberg Traurig LLP brings to bear a robust record in appellate work, which has seen members of its team argue before the US Supreme Court as well as all 13 federal circuit courts. Drawing on platforms across the country, with particularly well-staffed groups in Miami, Austin and New York, the practice handles appeals concerning class actions, energy, election law, labor, IP and administrative law, among others. Among its recent wins, Austin-based Dale Wainwright successfully represented CR Bard before the Fifth Circuit in a failure-to-warn case involving medical devices. Wainwright co-chairs the practice alongside Miami-based Elliot Scherker and New York-based Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick. Dominic Draye, who splits his time between Washington DC and Phoenix, is also noted.

Haynes and Boone, L.L.P.’s ‘extraordinary appellate team’ ranks among the market leaders in Texas, yet the firm’s appellate activity extends far beyond its home state to encompass federal and state courts of appeal across the country, with its record before SCOTUS particularly impressing. US Supreme Court practice chair Daniel Geyser splits his time between Denver and Dallas; he has argued 13 cases before SCOTUS, including recently representing Alexandru Bittner in a high-stakes dispute over tax-related penalties. Other key contacts include Dallas-based Ben Mesches, who leads the appellate practice group, and Houston’s Mark Trachtenberg, who is ‘brilliant, thorough, attentive, and passionate about his work’.

Jones Day fields a destination appellate practice, which is recognized for its ‘superb combination of legal expertise, strategic thinking and communication skills‘. A consistent fixture on high-profile appeals nationally, both before SCOTUS and federal and state appellate courts, the group can turn its hand to complex cases across all key business and constitutional spheres. Among its recent high-profile SCOTUS victories, Yaakov Roth successfully represented the North American Coal Corporation in reversing a DC Circuit decision that gave the EPA authority to transform the power sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, Noel Francisco was granted a petition for certiorari filed on behalf of Glacier Northwest in a case discussing the interplay between property rights and the National Labor Relations Act. High-profile figure Michael Carvin has a prominent record in challenging state and federal regulations; he successfully represented two trade associations of consumer lenders before the Fifth Circuit in securing a decision that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding mechanism is unconstitutional. In New York, department head Traci Lovitt convinced the Second Circuit to reject an appeal by former IBM employees concerning the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. Hashim Mooppan, who has argued four cases at the US Supreme Court, and of counsel Beth Heifetz are also experienced names, while  Jeffrey Johnson is a talented up-and-coming partner. Benjamin Mizer left to become General Counsel at the US Office of Personnel Management. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Comprised of ‘creative lawyers who focus on solving issues’, King & Spalding LLP houses a comprehensive appellate practice, which has notched up appearances before federal and state appellate courts nationwide, as well as the US Supreme Court. The group’s ability to leverage subject-matter experts from across the wider firm’s regulatory and litigation practices is a significant differentiator and it is particularly experienced in the energy, IP, and life sciences and healthcare spheres. Jeffrey Bucholtz, who is noted for his experience in representing FDA-regulated companies, co-chairs the department together with Ashley Parrish, whose practice has a strong administrative law dimension; both are based in Washington DC. The team also includes Silicon Valley-based Anne Voigts, who recently paired up with Washington DC-based Medicare reimbursement specialist Daniel Hettich to represent Empire Health Foundation before SCOTUS in a case concerning reimbursement rates for hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of indigent patients.

Historically a strong player in appellate matters, Kirkland & Ellis LLP has established an impressive record of involvement in major cases at the federal courts of appeals, state appellate courts, and the US Supreme Court. In Washington DC, former Deputy Associate Attorney General John O’Quinn is noted for his expertise in IP and regulatory-related cases; he is representing Safeway in False Claims Act litigation alleging that defendants’ pharmacies misrepresented their usual and customary prices. George Hicks splits his practice between Washington DC and Dallas; he recently secured a win in the Eleventh Circuit for BP Exploration & Production in one of the first appeals addressing the ‘Back-End Litigation Option’ process established by the Deepwater Horizon medical settlement agreement. In New York, Jay Lefkowitz is recommended for his broad trial and appellate experience; he recently secured appellate victories for New Mountain Capital portfolio company, Ciox Health before the Ninth and Seventh Circuits. Washington DC-based William Burgess additionally stands out for his emphasis on patent and regulatory-related appeals. The firm saw some significant changes to its appellate practice in 2022: Paul Clement and Erin Murphy left to launch a new boutique and several attorneys followed, including Bartow Farr and Harker Rhodes.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s premier appellate practice is commended for its ‘strong bench with a number of very talented advocates’. Among its other key attributes, the group stands out for its enviable win record, which saw the team argue five cases before the US Supreme Court during the 2021 term, and prevail in four. The team is also routinely engaged by Fortune 500 companies to handle complex and high-stakes cases before federal and state appellate courts. High-profile practice head Gregory Garre has argued 47 cases before the US Supreme Court; he recently acted alongside Roman Martinez to successfully represent Carlos Vega–a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy–in a case establishing that police officers cannot be held liable for money damages under Section 1983 for failing to provide a criminal suspect with a Miranda warning. In another SCOTUS matter, Melissa Arbus Sherry, highlighted for her ‘great courtroom presence‘, delivered a unanimous win for Boechler PC in a complex taxpayers’ rights case. Other key contacts include Richard Bress, who has significant Supreme Court experience, and Michael Bern, who successfully represented Strabag on appeal in a €100m dispute with Libya regarding harm to Strabag arising from the Libyan Revolution. All named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Mayer Brown argued more than 50 cases before federal and state appellate courts over the past year and notched up over 24 wins, including for high-profile clients such as Meta, General Motors and Planned Parenthood. Equally adept at representing clients in business and constitutional cases, the sizeable team is active across the country. In one of 2022’s most headline-grabbing matters, Washington DC-based Nicole Saharsky successfully represented the players of the US Women’s soccer team in their appeal of an adverse summary judgment ruling on pay equity. Seasoned appellate specialist Andrew Pincus, also in DC, is highly regarded for his track record in complex appeals; he recently secured a victory for HSBC at the DC Circuit in an Anti-Terrorism Act lawsuit. In a significant case before the US Supreme Court, Chicago’s Timothy Bishop represented two major industry groups in a challenge to California’s Proposition 12, which argues that the regulation of business practices outside of California’s borders violates the dormant commerce clause of the US Constitution. Other experienced names include DC’s Evan Tager, who recently convinced the Ninth Circuit to reverse a district court’s decision denying AT&T’s motion to compel arbitration in a consumer class action, and former Illinois Solicitor General Michael Scodro in Chicago. The group also leans on a talented band of younger lawyers, including Chicago-based associate Avi Kupfer, who has presented oral argument in 14 appeals. Lauren Goldman recently left the firm.

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

The appellate practice at national litigation boutique MoloLamken LLP is commended by sources for its ‘unmatched intellect, knowledge of law and strategic case management’. A popular choice for complex cases involving patents, energy, telecoms, and sovereign immunity-related issues, the ‘super humble, but really smart’ group consistently appears before the Supreme Court and other federal courts of appeals. Firm co-founder Jeffrey Lamken spearheads the practice and has argued 27 cases before the US Supreme Court;  he successfully represented Amgen in obtaining Supreme Court review of a Federal Circuit decision holding certain of Amgen’s patents invalid for a lack of enablement. In another SCOTUS case, Lamken teamed up with up-and-coming partner Lucas Walker, noted for his ‘great writing style’, and Michael Pattillo, who has strong experience in high-stakes patent cases, to represent Abitron Austria in a case concerning whether the Lanham Act applies to foreign sales. Robert Kry, who has extensive expertise in acting for or against foreign sovereigns and state-owned entities, is also recommended. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC. James Barta left 2022 to become Deputy Solicitor General of Indiana.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP handles a significant volume of appeals before state and federal appellate courts, while it also has experience in arguing, and winning, cases before the US Supreme Court. The practice is driven out of Washington DC by David Salmons, who recently teamed up with fellow DC partner Michael Kenneally to represent Tesla in a challenge to a National Labor Relations Board order concerning unfair labor practices. The group also draws on the experience of San Francisco-based Thomas Peterson, who has argued more than 75 appeals before state and federal appellate courts, and Houston-based William Peterson, who has a focus on patent appeals in the Federal Circuit.

‘A very efficient, experienced and user-friendly team’, Morrison Foerster handles appeals in every area of law, and in all appellate courts, but is arguably best known for its formidable record in IP appeals before the Federal Circuit. In Washington DC, group co-chair Deanne Maynard is noted for her strong track record before the US Supreme Court, where she has argued 14 times, winning 11. Maynard recently obtained a positive result for Pivotal Software, when SCOTUS granted a petition for a writ of certiorari requesting review of a major securities law question. In another high-profile case, Washington DC-based Brian Matsui secured a victory for CR Bard in the Federal Circuit, winning a reversal and reviving CR Bard’s invalidity challenges to patent claims asserted against it in district court. Other key contacts include Washington DC office head Joseph Palmore, who co-heads the department, San Francisco-based James Sigel and of counsel Lena Hughes, who has significant experience in the Second Circuit, where she clerked on both the appellate and district courts.

Securing strong praise from clients and peers alike, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP houses a deep and broad practice that excels before federal and state appellate courts nationwide, including the US Supreme Court. According to sources, its ‘written work product and oral advocacy are among the best’, with its collaborative approach also a recurring theme among interviewees. Enjoying strong relationships with major corporations, including Johnson & Johnson and Gilead, the team also frequently handles cases concerning human rights on behalf of death row inmates, veterans and others. The practice is driven out of New York by highly regarded appellate expert Joshua Rosenkranz, who recently reversed a $325m verdict against Johnson & Johnson in talc litigation alleging that plaintiff’s use of Johnson’s Baby Powder caused cancer. In Washington DC, Mel Bostwick represented Kevin George, a disabled veteran, before the Supreme Court in a high-profile case concerning veteran benefits. In another major SCOTUS matter, Washington DC’s Robert Loeb represented David Ramirez and Barry Lee Jones in a highly technical case discussing prisoners’ rights to present evidence in federal court. Other key names in Washington DC include Eric Shumsky, who is sought after for IP and technology-related appeals, Mark Davies, who has argued 50 appellate cases, and senior associate Jeremy Peterman. In San Francisco, newly promoted Elizabeth Moulton ‘is a force to be reckoned with when at the podium’.

The appellate group at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has the ‘talent and resources to handle any case’, according to sources. Certainly, the thriving practice is recognized for its representation of corporations, prominent individuals and pro bono clients in major appeals with nationwide implications. A prominent SCOTUS record–it secured five Supreme Court wins over the past two years alone–is complemented by strong activity in federal and state courts of appeals nationwide and it argued before almost all of the federal courts of appeal over the past year. Go-to department head Kannon K. Shanmugam, based in Washington DC, ranks among the leading appellate lawyers in the country and one source asserts, ‘you won’t find a more talented, sophisticated, compelling lawyer‘. Among Shanmugam’s recent cases, he is spearheading the defense of ExxonMobil Corporation in novel litigation filed by state and local governments concerning climate change liability. The group also draws on the experience of San Francisco’s Meredith Dearborn, who is particularly noted for technology-related disputes, New York-based Robert A. Atkins, who has an emphasis on antitrust and corporate litigation, and associate William Marks. Associate Aimee Brown left to become Assistant to the Solicitor General.

Bankruptcy-related work is a key pillar of Proskauer Rose LLP’s appellate practice. In particular, its ongoing representation of the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico in relation to the restructuring of Puerto Rico’s public debt–the largest municipal restructuring in US history–continues to provide a significant volume of appeals. Other team sweet spots include sports, IP, antitrust, and ERISA. Mark Harris and John Roberts co-chair the department from New York and Boston respectively; they also co-lead the appellate work for the Puerto Rico restructuring. New York-based ERISA specialist Myron Rumeld is also noted for his adept handling of ERISA-related appeals.

Ropes & Gray LLP’s appellate and Supreme Court practice has recently handled cases involving a broad scope of issues, including constitutional law, IP, antitrust, securities and bankruptcy, among other matters. The national group is driven out of Washington DC by department chair Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, who has presented 18 arguments before the US Supreme Court. Among his recent cases, Hallward-Driemeier represented the City of Boston before SCOTUS in a First Amendment case concerning the flying of certain non-governmental flags outside Boston City Hall. Senior counsel James Batchelder, based in Boston, also brings to bear significant appellate experience.

New York-based litigation and investigations boutique Selendy Gay Elsberg PLLC fields a seasoned appellate practice, which has clocked up numerous appearances before the US Supreme Court, as well as federal circuit courts of appeal and state appellate courts, including extensive experience in New York’s federal and state appellate courts. Philippe Selendy and Sean Baldwin are active in appellate matters.

Composed of ‘excellent writers, strategic thinkers and all around advocates’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s appellate group sits within its formidable litigation offering. Closely integrated with its trial practice, the team is routinely involved in complex corporate appeals, with notable expertise in the financial services, insurance, class actions, and consumer products spheres. It additionally handles a significant volume of pro bono cases. In New York, Joseph McLaughlin is frequently involved in proceedings in trial and appellate courts across the country. Jonathan Youngwood and Lynn Neuner co-chair the overarching litigation department from New York.

Vinson & Elkins LLP’s appellate practice is distinguished by its marked focus on energy-related matters, as well as by its strong Texas footprint. That being said, the group’s expertise extends beyond the energy industry and it often acts alongside the firm’s trial lawyers to handle matters relating to the First Amendment, IP, tax, bankruptcy and commercial transactions, among other issues. Houston-based Marie Yeates ‘commands the room and enjoys the respect of the judiciary’. Yeates co-chairs the group alongside Washington DC-based Jeremy Marwell, who is noted for his niche expertise in energy-industry environmental and regulatory appeals. Former department co-head Thomas Leatherbury retired in January 2023.

Climbing a tier for 2023, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s recent hiring spree, coupled with its ability to lean on the wider firm’s top-tier bankruptcy offering, has seen its appellate profile rocket over the past two years. Among the new arrivals, the Washington DC office welcomed new department co-head Mark Perry in May 2022 from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Perry recently represented Apple–as co-counsel alongside his former firm–before the Ninth Circuit in a significant antitrust case brought by Epic Games. On the bankruptcy front, New York-based practice co-chair Gregory Silbert successfully represented Morgan Stanley in multibillion-dollar litigation arising from Tribune Company’s leveraged buy-out. Additionally, Washington DC-based department co-chair Zachary Tripp represented the respondent, Kieran Buckley, before the US Supreme Court in a high-profile bankruptcy case discussing issues of fraud liability. The group also includes New York’s Adam Banks, who had a strong recent run of appeals in the IP sphere.

Lawyers at Connecticut-headquartered Wiggin and Dana LLP ‘maintain excellent communication and engagement with the client’. With recent experience before various state appellate courts, all federal circuit courts and the US Supreme Court, the team is well versed in managing high-stakes appeals. New Haven-based Jonathan Freiman chairs the practice and handles a broad scope of matters, with a strong recent showing in cases concerning the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. Jeffrey Babbin and Tadhg Dooley, both of whom are based in New Haven, are also key contacts.

Fielding an appellate practice that is ‘second-to-none’, Williams & Connolly LLP secures rave reviews from clients who commend its key partners as ‘some of the most well respected Supreme Court advocates of today’. The Washington DC-based team handles a steady volume of appeals before state and federal appellate courts as well as the US Supreme Court. In terms of its enviable recent record before the latter, four partners have argued seven cases before SCOTUS in the past two terms, winning more than half. Sought-after appellate specialist Lisa Blatt is ‘unstoppable in a courtroom’; as evidenced by a tremendous SCOTUS record that has seen her argue 43 cases and prevail in 37. Blatt recently teamed up with Luke McCloud to successfully represent Carlos Concepcion before SCOTUS in a case concerning the reduction of Concepcion’s prison term under the First Step Act. In another SCOTUS win, Blatt paired up with Sarah Harris to successfully represent US Border Patrol agent Erik Egbert, who was sued in his individual capacity under the First and Fourth Amendments. In a win before the Ninth Circuit, Amy Saharia successfully represented appellant Harbor Breeze Corporation in a case concerning Harbor Breeze’s false advertising claim under the Lanham Act. The group also includes talented senior associate Whitney Hermandorfer, who has a focus on appellate and regulatory litigation. Luke McCloud recently left to join the Office of the Solicitor General.

Ranking among the market leaders for high-stakes appellate work, WilmerHale is widely hailed for the depth of its bench and the reputation of its senior partners. Indeed, for some, the ‘experience and expertise of the appellate team at WilmerHale is unmatched’. The national group routinely appears before state and federal courts across the US, right up to Supreme Court level, and is a particularly dominant performer in the Federal Circuit. High-profile department head Seth Waxman is a former US Solicitor General, who has delivered over 80 oral arguments in the US Supreme Court alone. Waxman recently paired up with Daniel Volchok to successfully represent the justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and the members and executive director of the Oklahoma Bar Association Board of Governors, before the Tenth Circuit in a case concerning the association’s mandatory-dues requirement. The team also leans on experienced practice vice chairs Catherine Carroll, who has argued four cases before SCOTUS, and Boston-based Mark Fleming, who has argued before SCOTUS seven times. Other key contacts include IP specialist Thomas Saunders and New York-based Alan Schoenfeld. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise. Danielle Spinelli recently retired.

Winston & Strawn LLP’s appellate practice is closely allied with its trial group, and its key partners are involved in cases in both spheres. Over the past year, the team secured several wins in state and federal courts of appeal. Most notably, it successfully represented Schlumberger when the Fifth Circuit affirmed a zero-recovery judgment in a $250m breach of contract dispute brought by Hess Corporation; Chicago-based department head Linda Coberly argued the appeal, while Houston-based counsel Brandon Duke took a lead role in the briefing. The group also includes Washington DC-based preemption specialist Andrew Tauber and IP-focused Brian Ferguson, who recently joined in Washington DC from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.