Firms To Watch: Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

New appellate boutique Clement & Murphy PLLC was established in 2022 by former Kirkland & Ellis appellate stars Paul Clement and Erin Murphy. The team also draws on Bartow Farr, Andrew Lawrence, Harker Rhodes and Matthew Rowen —all of whom also joined from Kirkland & Ellis.
The rapidly growing appellate practice at Kaplan Hecker & Fink LLP added eight new clients over the past year. The team is particularly noted for its strong focus on election law.
Founded in 2021, Lehotsky Keller Cohn LLP calls on lawyers in Washington DC, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado. The practice is co-led by Scott Keller, who has argued 12 cases before the US Supreme Court, and former Texas Solicitor General Kyle Hawkins.
California boutique Stris & Maher LLP appears routinely before state and federal appellate courts nationwide. Peter Stris, who has an emphasis on representing plaintiffs, has argued ten cases before the US Supreme Court.

Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal) in United States

Akin

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.


Practice head(s):

Pratik Shah


Other key lawyers:

James E. Tysse; Julius Chen; Aileen McGrath; Lide Paterno


Key clients

Antonio Arteaga-Martinez


McDonald’s


Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)


Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians


Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V.


NFL


Comcast Cable Communications


CaptionCall


Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority


Westmont International


FirstEnergy Solutions Corp.


The Beer Institute


Mexican Tomatoes Associations


Resolute Energy Corporation


American Film Institute


HMTX Industries LLC


Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority


Work highlights


  • Represented Antonio Arteaga-Martinez in the US Supreme Court in a case concerning the rights of non-citizens in immigration detention.
  • Secured a win for McDonald’s in the DC Circuit in a long-running case brought by the National Labor Relations Board.
  • Secured a DC Circuit victory for SpaceX concerning the FCC’s grant of a license modification.

Arnold & Porter

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.

Practice head(s):

John Elwood


Other key lawyers:

Reeves Anderson; Elisabeth Theodore; William Perdue; Stanton Jones; Allon Kedem; Andrew Tutt; Sean SeLegue; Anthony Franze; Sally Pei


Key clients

LeRoy Torres


William Dale Wooden


Allergan


Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association


CSL Behring


ModivCare


Chelsea Polis


AIG


The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela


Dominican Republic


National Redistricting Foundation


American Civil Liberties Union


Abade Irizarry


Hologic


Oracle


Republic and Canton of Geneva, Switzerland


NC State Conference of NAACP


BP plc


City of Boulder, Colorado


LeRoy Torres


William Dale Wooden


Allergan


Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association


CSL Behring


ModivCare


Chelsea Polis


AIG


The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela


Dominican Republic


National Redistricting Foundation


American Civil Liberties Union


Abade Irizarry


Hologic


Oracle


Republic and Canton of Geneva, Switzerland


NC State Conference of NAACP


BP plc


City of Boulder, Colorado


Work highlights


  • Secured a 5-4 victory for LeRoy Torres before the Supreme Court, in a case establishing a structural constitutional principle and safeguarding the reemployment rights of hundreds of thousands of veterans and servicemembers.
  • Successfully persuaded the Fourth Circuit to affirm the dismissal of a qui tam case against AbbVie in a split decision.
  • Persuaded the DC Circuit, on behalf of the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, to strike down portions of a joint rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Baker Botts L.L.P.

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.

Practice head(s):

Macey Reasoner Stokes; Aaron Streett


Other key lawyers:

Thomas Phillips; Stephanie Cagniart; Mark Little


Testimonials

Great knowledge of the energy industry and issues of concern.’

Quick ability to analyze issues and identify arguments. Very good communication and excellent brief writing.’

Aaron Streett and Mark Little are highly knowledgeable and give sound advice regarding value of arguments.’

Key clients

AT&T


Baylor College of Medicine


BCCA Appeal Group


Calpine Corporation


CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.


Charter Day School, Inc.


Chevron Corporation


Committee on Investment of Employee Benefits


ConocoPhillips


ConocoPhillips Company


DHI Group, Inc. and Rigzone.com, Inc.


DISH Network


Dril-Quip, Inc.


Exxon Mobil Corporation


FedEx Freight, Inc.


FINRA


GMG Health Systems Associates, P.A.


Groff, Gerald E.


Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority


Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.


Hittle, Ronald


ITC Holdings Inc.


Janvey, Ralph S.


JSW Steel (USA) Inc.


Keurig Dr Pepper


Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline LLC


Landry’s, Inc.


Lockheed Martin Corporation


Lowe’s Companies, Inc.


Lyft, Inc.


Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC


MP Gulf of Mexico, LLC


National Association of Clean Water Agencies


Phillips 66


Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County


Qualcomm


Repsol Oil & Gas, LLC


Sand Canyon Corporation


Sunnova Energy Corporation


Tenaris Bay City, Inc.


Texas Oil & Gas Association


U.S. Chamber of Commerce


Vitol Americas Corp.


Xcel Energy


Zydus Pharmaceutical, Inc. / Cadila Healthcare Ltd.


Bracewell LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Warren Harris


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Oldham; Walter Simons


Key clients

BMC Software, Inc., a KKR portfolio company


Venoco, LLC


Data Marketing Partnership, L.P. and L.P. Management Services, L.L.C.


The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System


Hilcorp Energy Company


G.G. and Deanna Rose


Linda Moody


Apache Corporation


Westlake Chemical Corporation


Ampersand Chowchilla Biomass, LLC and Merced Power, LLC


Permian Highway Pipeline LLC


North Silo Resources, LLC


Linda Moody


McAllen Trust Partnership and James Argyle McAllen


The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System


Work highlights


  • Represented Jane Doe plaintiffs in a case before the California Court of Appeals First Appellate District, which alleged Salesforce knowingly provided technology, support and services to facilitate the sex trafficking operations of its client Backpage.
  • Acted for BMC Software in a lawsuit against IBM, after IBM unlawfully replaced the BMC mainframe software products licensed by AT&T with IBM’s own products.
  • Successfully represented Apache against Apollo Exploration in a series of oil and gas cases.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Gary Bornstein; Kevin Orsini


Other key lawyers:

Yonatan Even; Antony Ryan; Evan Chesler; Lauren Moskowitz


Key clients

Alarm.com Inc.


American Express Company


Boston Red Sox Baseball Club LP


Colgate-Palmolive Company


Epic Games, Inc.


Louis Dreyfus Company, LLC


Morgan Stanley


PG&E Corporation


Robinhood Markets, Inc.


Starz Entertainment, LLC


Work highlights


  • Secured a precedential Ninth Circuit decision for Starz Entertainment, affirming that the Copyright Act did not impose a time-based bar on damages for copyright infringement claims separate from the three-year statute of limitations.
  • Successfully represented American Express at the Second Circuit, when it secured a decision affirming the dismissal of antitrust claims relating to AmEx’s anti-steering rules.
  • Secured a victory for Alarm.com before the Federal Circuit in litigation against the USPTO.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Dupree; Allyson Ho; Julian Poon


Other key lawyers:

Theodore Boutrous; Theodore Olson; Miguel Estrada; Helgi Walker; Thomas Hungar; Lauren Goldman; Jonathan Bond; Gregg Costa


Key clients

National Association of Broadcasters


Chevron Corporation


One Technologies


United Behavioral Health


Visa


UBS


Meta


Walmart


Hewlett-Packard


Amrock


National Association of Broadcasters


Chevron Corporation


One Technologies


United Behavioral Health


Visa


UBS


Meta


Walmart


Hewlett-Packard


Amrock


Goodwin

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.

Practice head(s):

William Jay; Kevin Martin


Other key lawyers:

Jaime Santos; David Zimmer; Brian Burgess; Gerard Cedrone; Andrew Kim; Edwina Clarke; Michael Giannotto


Testimonials

‘Goodwin Procter’s appellate group includes not only lawyers with extensive appellate experience, but also lawyers with extensive experience in the various subject matter areas as well.’

‘William Jay, David Zimmer and Kevin Martin are all appellate lawyers with extensive experience, strong brief-writing skills and great oral advocacy skills.’

‘Lawyers’ key strengths include deep and insightful strategic thinking and masterful writing and oral argument.’

‘Michael Giannotto is a very experienced and insightful strategic thinker, but he is also personable and practical with a good sense of humor.’

Brian Burgess is an outstanding writer and oral advocate, who is also very attentive to the needs of his clients.’

Key clients

Alvotech hf


Boeing Company


CNA Insurance


Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories


Medidata Solutions


Novartis


Personalized Media Communications


Rocket Mortgage


Teachers Investment and Annuity Association


Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.


Alvotech hf


Boeing Company


CNA Insurance


Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories


Medidata Solutions


Novartis


Personalized Media Communications


Rocket Mortgage


Teachers Investment and Annuity Association


Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Representing Novartis in appellate matters related to ongoing European patent litigation between it and Eli Lilly in Ireland, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands, and the European Patent Office.
  • Representing Boeing in its appeal from class certification in a multibillion-dollar RICO action.
  • Representing Teachers Investment and Annuity Association in an appeal before the Second Circuit.

Greenberg Traurig LLP

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 CiparickDominic Draye, who splits his time between Washington DC and Phoenix, is also noted.

Practice head(s):

Elliot Scherker; Dale Wainwright; Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick


Other key lawyers:

Dominic Draye; William Eye; Justin Bernstein; Skip Watson


Key clients

C. R. Bard, Inc.


Activision Blizzard, Inc.


Telemundo Television Studios LLC


Hornblower Yachts LLC


Related Group


Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC


Centurion of Florida LLC


Academy Sports + Outdoors


Electric Boat Corporation


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented CR Bard Inc before the Fifth Circuit in a failure-to-warn case involving medical devices.
  • Successfully represented Activision Blizzard in obtaining a reversal on appeal, which held that a putative class action case brought against it must be resolved in a non-class arbitration.
  • Successfully defended Telemundo Television Studios before the Eleventh Circuit in a copyright infringement case.

Haynes and Boone, L.L.P.

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’.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Geyser; Ben Mesches


Other key lawyers:

Mark Trachtenberg


Testimonials

‘Haynes and Boone has an extraordinary appellate team. They work collaboratively-both with the client and the trial lawyers. They’re responsive and pay attention to detail.’

‘Mark Trachtenberg is the best appellate lawyer I know. He’s brilliant, thorough, attentive, and passionate about his work. I can’t recommend him highly enough.’

Key clients

Archer and White Sales, Inc. / McKool Smith, P.C.


Todd Kurtin


Alexandru Bittner


Gary Varjabedian and Jerry Mutza


Alfred H. Siegel, Trustee of the Circuit City Stores, Inc. Liquidating Trust


Martin Gottesfeld


Lisa Crain, et al.


Shaun A. House and Demetrios Pullos


Jesse Polansky, M.D., M.P.H.


Denise A. Badgerow


Unified Patents, LLC


Twitter, Inc.


SurgiSil


Curo Health Services, Inc.


Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Obtained a victory for IDEXX Laboratories, before the Fourteenth Court of Appeals of Texas, in a patent-licensing lawsuit brought by the University of Texas.
  • Successfully persuaded a Texas appellate court to overturn a $110m fraud verdict against BBVA.
  • Retained by Pizza Hut to defend a trial decision at appellate level.

Jones Day

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.

Practice head(s):

Traci Lovitt


Other key lawyers:

Michael Carvin; Noel Francisco; Yaakov Roth; Hashim Mooppan; Beth Heifetz; Jeffrey Johnson; Amanda Rice


Testimonials

Superb combination of legal expertise, strategic thinking and communication skills (both oral and written).’

Noel Francisco is the most capable, empathetic and humble lawyer I have ever met.

Yaakov Roth is a genius beyond compare and a master with strategy and prose.’

Key clients

Chevron Corporation


Community Financial Services Association of America


Experian Information Solutions, Inc.


Flowers Foods


Fox News Network


Glacier Northwest, inc.


International Business Machines Corporation


North American Coal Corporation


Qualcomm Incorporated


R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company


University of Michigan


U.S. Steel Corporation


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the North American Coal Corporation at the Supreme Court, with the reversal of a DC Circuit decision that gave the EPA authority to transform the power sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Secured from the Supreme Court, on behalf of Joseph Percoco, a petition for certiorari challenging Percoco’s conviction for honest-services fraud arising from conduct when he was a private citizen serving as campaign manager.
  • Represented two trade associations of consumer lenders in securing a Fifth Circuit decision holding that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding mechanism is unconstitutional.

King & Spalding LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Bucholtz; Ashley Parrish


Other key lawyers:

Anne Voigts; Daniel Hettich


Testimonials

‘Creative lawyers who focus on solving issues. Willing to provide direct opinions and views without too much hedging or qualification.’

‘Ashley Parrish is a creative lawyer who quickly sees through complex matters to the core legal issues. Strategic thinker who focuses on end game as well as next steps. Understands, and can help navigate, not just the legal environment but also the broader political and external environment.’

Key clients

ABB, Inc.


AbbVie (including Allergan)


American Clinical Laboratory Association


American Honda Motor Co


Atlanta Gas Light Company


BASF


Benefytt Technologies


Bristol-Myers Squibb


Care Alternatives


Chevron Corporation


Delta


Eaze Technologies, Inc.


Empire Health Foundation


Equifax


Everport


Federal Reserve Banks


Florida Hospital Association


Google


Halliburton


Hope Medical


Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.


Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.


James Shaw


Julia Hahn


JW Aluminum Company


Lyft, Inc.


Melinta Therapeutics


Mid-American Apartments, Inc.


Molina Healthcare


Nawai Wardak Transportation Company


Novo Nordisk


NSO Technologies


Postmates Inc.


Purdue Pharma


R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.


RD Legal Funding


SmileDirectClub


Stokes


Texaco, Inc.


The Federal Reserve Banks


Triangle Capital Corporation


U.S. Chamber of Commerce


Walmart


Work highlights


  • Represented Empire Health Foundation before the Supreme Court in a case concerning reimbursement rates for hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of indigent patients.
  • Successfully convinced the Supreme Court to grant its petition for certiorari in a Section 1983 case against a state trooper for malicious prosecution.
  • Represented JW Aluminum as counsel of record in opposing a petition for certiorari to the Supreme Court in litigation addressing whether the obligations imposed by the Coal Act are subject to discharge in bankruptcy.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

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.













Practice head(s):

John O’Quinn


Other key lawyers:

George Hicks; Jay Lefkowitz; William Burgess


Key clients

BP Exploration & Production, Inc.


CIOX Health


Gulfport Energy Corporation


Lannett Company, Inc.


Motorola Solutions, Inc.


NetChoice


Parma Investments Ltd.


Safeway Inc.


Ultra Petroleum Corporation


Safeway, Inc. (Albertson Companies, Inc.)


SuperValu, Inc. (Albertson Companies, Inc.)


American Samoa Government


Sanofi


Work highlights


  • Scored 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.
  • Obtained a major appellate victory over the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), when the Fifth Circuit vacated four FERC orders issued against Gulfport Energy Corporation.
  • Represented SuperValu, and a number of its affiliates, in a whistleblower case alleging that pharmacies misrepresented their usual and customary prices in violation of the False Claims Act.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

New entrant to the table for 2023, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP boosted its appellate practice through its recent combination with Washington DC-based litigation boutique Robbins, Russell, Englert, Orseck & Untereiner LLP. The merger sees the arrival of high-profile appellate specialist Roy Englert, who has argued 21 times before the US Supreme Court, prevailing in 18, as well as trial and appellate lawyer Matthew Madden. Comprised of ‘insightful and concise’ advocates, the group had a particularly strong year in bankruptcy-related cases, where it could leverage the wider firm’s robust restructuring expertise. The team has also recently handled cases involving voting rights, financial services, IP and environmental law, among other matters.


Practice head(s):

Roy Englert


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Madden


Testimonials

Roy Englert, Matthew Madden, and their team are exceptional appellate lawyers, who quickly understand the specifics of a business and the application of those specifics to the case.’

Their arguments are insightful and concise. And most, importantly, they win.’

Lawyers stand out for their experience and focus. You get their expertise applied to your matter.

Key clients

Irving Picard, Trustee for the Madoff estate


Dr. Xiulu Ruan


Ad hoc committee of governmental and other claimants in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma


Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County


Highland Capital Management, L.P.


Outdoor Recreation and Conservation Organizations


Ten scholars of Alabama history and the making of the modern South


Industry groups representing pork producers and farms in Canada, Mexico, and Illinois


Sutton 58 Associates LLC (affiliated with Gamma Realty)


Rohm Co., Ltd.; Rohm Semiconductor USA, LLC


Field Intelligence, Inc.


Sirius XM Radio Inc.


New York Intellectual Property Association


Work highlights


  • Secured a major victory for Irving Picard, Trustee for the Madoff estate, before the Second Circuit.

Latham & Watkins LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Gregory Garre


Other key lawyers:

Richard Bress; Melissa Arbus Sherry; Roman Martinez; Michael Bern


Testimonials

I work at a peer law firm and have recommended this firm to others in the Supreme Court space because they have a strong bench with a number of very talented advocates.’

Melissa Arbus Sherry has a great courtroom presence and is a superb brief-writer.’

Key clients

Boechler P.C.


ZF Automotive US


Carlos Vega


Union Pacific Railroad Company


The Andy Warhol Foundation


Michelle Cochran


Miguel Luna Perez


National Organization of Veterans Advocates (NOVA)


Netflix


Starkist


Northwestern University


Thomas Buffington


CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.


Restoration Robotics


US Soccer Federation


The Gap, Inc.


Michigan State University


Mayer Brown

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.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Pincus; Nicole Saharsky


Other key lawyers:

Timothy Bishop; Evan Tager; Michael Scodro; Avi Kupfer; Carmen Longoria-Green


Key clients

3M


AT&T


Cargill


Facebook (NKA Meta)


General Motors


Google


Nestlé


Spotify


The Bank of New York Mellon


US Chamber of Commerce


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the players of the US Women’s soccer team in their appeal of an adverse summary judgment ruling on pay equity.
  • Represented two major industry groups in a constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 12 before the US Supreme Court.
  • Secured a Second Circuit appellate win for Citibank in a $500m wire transfer case with widespread industry implications.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Paul Hughes ; Michael Kimberly 


Other key lawyers:

Andrew Lyonsberg; Sarah Hogarth


Key clients

Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance


Advanced Medical Technology Association


U.S. Chamber of Commerce


National Association of Manufacturers


Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA)


Vanda Pharmaceuticals


Express Scripts


Medicaid & Medicare Advantage Products Association of Puerto Rico


Blackboard, Inc.


Virginia Healthcare and Hospital Association


Electric Power Supply Association


New England Power Generators Association Inc.


Independent Power Producers of New York


NCAA


Bankers Trust


Astellas Pharmaceuticals


NCR Corporation


Various pro bono clients


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Information Technology Industry Council at the DC Circuit in their defense of the Optional Practical Training program.
  • Successfully represented the Independent Power Producers of New York in challenging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s rejection of the New York Independent System Operator’s rate tariff filing.
  • Represented the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association and the Medical Society of Virginia in a constitutional and regulatory challenge against the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services.

MoloLamken LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Lamken


Other key lawyers:

Michael Pattillo; Robert Kry; Lucas Walker; Rayiner Hashem; Sara Margolis; Sarah Newman


Testimonials

‘Friendly, personal service. Unmatched intellect, knowledge of law and strategic case management. Familiarity with technology, intellectual property, commercial contracts, international conflict of law and the appellate court process.’

‘Very down to earth people. Super humble, but really smart.’

‘Jeffrey Lamken is outstanding. He does a fantastic job preparing for very complicated arguments.’

‘An extremely competent team. Very flexible and easy to work with.’

‘Jeffrey Lamken has a huge experience with US Supreme Court proceedings. Lucas Walker has a great writing style.’

‘A brilliant team. Very hard-working. Jeffrey Lamken is outstanding.’

‘Jeffrey Lamken is an absolute pleasure to work with, coupled with a formidable intellect, clarity of thought and depth of experience with appellate and Supreme court process.’

Key clients

Amgen Inc.


Abitron Austria GmbH, Abitron Germany GmbH, Hetronic Germany GmbH, Hydronic-Steuersysteme GmbH, ABI Holding GmbH, Albert Fuchs


The Humane Society of the United States


Merck Sharp & Dohme, LLC


Uniloc 2017, Uniloc USA, and Uniloc Luxembourg


Vermont National Telephone Company


The Regents of the University of California, the University of Vienna, and Emmanuelle Charpentier


Wi-LAN


PJM Interconnection


Ericsson Inc.; Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson


The Gap, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Represented the Humane Society of the United States in the US Supreme Court in defending California’s Proposition 12 against a dormant Commerce Clause challenge.
  • Represented Amgen in the US Supreme Court in a case challenging the Federal Circuit’s interpretation of the Patent Act’s ‘enablement’ requirement.
  • Represented Abitron Austria GmbH in the US Supreme Court in a case concerning whether the Lanham Act–the primary US trademark statute–applies to foreign sales.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

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.


Practice head(s):

David Salmons


Other key lawyers:

Thomas Peterson; William Peterson; Bryan Killian; Michael Kenneally; Stephanie Schuster


Key clients

Tesla, Inc.


Southern California Gas Company


Missouri Foster Children


The Boeing Company


Baxalta Inc. and Baxalta GmbH


National Gas & Electric, LLC


Expedia, Inc. (WA)


AstraZeneca


Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS)


Nippon Shinyaku Co.


ConocoPhillips Company


Novo Nordisk


Restaurant Law Center


Amazon.com, Inc.


Hotels.com, L.P.; Expedia, Inc.; Hotwire, Inc.; TripNetwork, Inc.; Internetwork Publishing Corp.; Orbitz, LLC; and Travelnow.com, Inc.


Amazon Inc.


Work highlights


  • Represented Tesla in challenging a National Labor Relations Board order finding unfair labor practices based on a tweet by Elon Musk.
  • Served as coordinating and litigation counsel for Southern California Gas Company and Sempra Energy concerning a set of interrelated legal matters arising from the 2015 natural gas leak at the Aliso Canyon storage facility.
  • Secured a win for several online travel companies, including Hotels.com and Expedia, in a US Supreme Court case concerning cost awards.

Morrison Foerster

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.


Practice head(s):

Deanne Maynard; Joseph Palmore


Other key lawyers:

Brian Matsui; James Sigel; Lena Hughes; Seth Lloyd; Matthew Kreeger


Testimonials

‘A very efficient, experienced and user-friendly team. There seems to be deep experience and good advice with practical steps, which is reassuring.’

‘Senior counsel Matthew Kreeger and Brian Matsui seem very experienced and I feel that I am in good hands.’

Key clients

VMware, Inc.


Banc of California


Renesas Electronics Corporation


C.R. Bard, Inc.


Walmart


Ralphs Grocery Co.


AK Futures LLC


The UPS Store, Inc.


National Abortion Federation


Canaccord Genuity


Work highlights


  • Scored a win for Pivotal Software, when the US Supreme Court granted a petition for a writ of certiorari requesting review of a major securities law question.
  • Secured a victory in the Federal Circuit for VMware in an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit involving virtual system optimization software.
  • Obtained three wins, in three separately argued cases, for Renesas Electronics Corp, which stemmed from Broadcom Corporation’s allegations that Renesas’s system-on-a-chip components infringed Broadcom’s patent claims.

Munger, Tolles & Olson

California-headquartered national firm Munger, Tolles & Olson punches above its weight in the appellate area, with the ability to draw on a host of Solicitor General’s Office alumni. Most notably, former Solicitor General Donald Verrilli is considered by many to rank among the leading appellate advocates in the country; he successfully represented the American Hospital Association before the US Supreme Court in a successful challenge to a major Medicare reimbursement rule change. A former Assistant to the Solicitor General, Elaine Goldenberg has argued 12 cases in the US Supreme Court; she recently represented Lyft in two successful federal appeals discussing the scope of the transportation-worker exception to the Federal Arbitration Act. Ginger Anders, also a former Assistant to the Solicitor General, recently represented Dzhokhar Tsarnaev in a case discussing the scope of the Eighth Amendment right to present mitigating evidence at the penalty phase of a capital trial. In San Francisco, Benjamin Horwich is noted for his experience in competition law and federal preemption-related cases. Rachel Miller-Ziegler, who was recently promoted to partner, is also recommended. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Other key lawyers:

Donald Verrilli; Elaine Goldenberg; Ginger Anders; Benjamin Horwich; Rachel Miller-Ziegler


Testimonials

Donald Verrilli: quality, quality, quality. Excellent in-depth preparation, easy to work with, excellent advocate, respected by the Court.

Key clients

BNSF Railway Co.


Southern California Edison, Edison International and Edison executives


Lyft, Inc.


Applied Materials, Inc.


Block, Inc.


Google LLC, Waze and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.


Intel Corporation’s Board of Directors


AbbVie, Inc.


Ideker Farms


Chevron Texaco Capital Corporation


LinkedIn


The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century Fox and Paramount Pictures Corporation


The Walt Disney Company


99 Cents Only Stores


American Hospital Association


Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.


LinkedIn


The State of North Carolina


Berkshire Hathaway Life Insurance Company of Nebraska


Fairfax County School Board


Confederación Hípica de Puerto Rico, Inc.


Dzhokhar Tsarnaev


Robert Olan


Roy Harness


Karl Fontenot


Thewodros Wolie Birhanu


Work highlights


  • Representing Grayscale Investments in a challenge in the DC Circuit to a decision by the SEC to deny a proposal by a national securities exchange to list and trade shares of Grayscale Bitcoin Trust.
  • Represented Lyft in two successful appeals in the First Circuit and Ninth Circuit respectively, which discussed the scope of the transportation-worker exception to the Federal Arbitration Act.
  • Represented the American Hospital Association before the US Supreme Court in a successful challenge to a Medicare reimbursement rule change instituted by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2018.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

A terrific team of appellate lawyers’, O'Melveny & Myers LLP won cases in every federal circuit court over the past year–it also argued and briefed several cases before the US Supreme Court. In Washington DC, group chair Jonathan Hacker has argued six cases in the US Supreme Court; he recently secured a Delaware Supreme Court ruling that Chubb Group was not obligated to defend Rite Aid Corp against lawsuits accusing the drugstore chain of contributing to the nationwide opioid epidemic. Other key contacts in Washington DC include appellate and white-collar crime specialist Michael Dreeben, who previously served as a Deputy Solicitor General in charge of the government’s criminal docket in the Supreme Court. In Silicon Valley, special counsel Jeffrey Fisher scored a high-profile victory for petitioner Darrell Hemphill, which fortified the right of criminal defendants to cross-examine witnesses against them. In New York, Anton Metlitsky is highlighted by sources as a ‘terrific writer, an excellent oral advocate, and a pleasure to work with’; he represented the Center for Reproductive Rights, as co-counsel alongside Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, in a highly reported case concerning abortion rights.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Hacker


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Fisher; Michael Dreeben; Anton Metlitsky; Kendall Turner


Testimonials

‘Brilliant lawyers, amazing writers and former Supreme Court law clerks. A terrific team of appellate lawyers that help each other prepare through effective moot court sessions.’

‘Jonathan Hacker and Anton Metlitsky are my two go-tos.’

‘O’Melveny, and Anton Metlitsky in particular, is our go-to appellate practice. Anton, in our estimation, is simply the best in the country at handling high-stakes appeals up through the Supreme Court. He’s a terrific writer, an excellent oral advocate, and a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

Airlines for America


American Airlines


Center for Reproductive Rights


Chubb Group


City of Austin, Texas


Facebook (Meta)


Fidelity Investments


Johnson & Johnson


LG Electronics


NBCUniversal


Samsung Electronics


Sirius XM Radio, Inc.


Teamviewer US


Twentieth Century Fox


United Airlines


US House of Representatives General Counsel


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the City of Austin before the Supreme Court in a First Amendment case involving the City of Austin’s code for advertising signs.
  • Secured a win for Chubb Group in the California Second District Court of Appeal, affirming a lower court’s ruling that rejected the $150m Covid-19 coverage suit brought by United Talent Agency against a Chubb affiliate.
  • Won a victory for Johnson & Johnson in its nationwide opioid litigation, following the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s reversal of a 2019 ruling requiring the company to pay $465m for nuisance abatement.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

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’.

Practice head(s):

Joshua Rosenkranz


Other key lawyers:

Robert Loeb; Eric Shumsky; Mark Davies; Mel Bostwick; Elizabeth Moulton; Jeremy Peterman; Daniel Rubens


Testimonials

The partners I’ve worked with in Orrick’s appellate team are top notch. Their written work product and oral advocacy are among the best I’ve ever seen.’

Orrick provides a nicely integrated appellate experience, with expertise in many substantive areas.  I have worked with them as co-counsel on many matters and they are always professional, collaborative, and responsive.’

Orrick stands out for its use of technology in managing litigation dockets, which is especially valuable for technology clients. They are the industry leader in this area with top in-firm expertise. They are familiar with all the best legal tech.’

For years, we have retained Josh Rosenkrantz and his team to argue our most challenging appeals. It likely goes without saying in view of his credentials, but it bears repeating that Josh is brilliant.’

The practice exhibits exemplary teamwork and coordination, and seamless work product and service.’

The team was very responsive and had excellent communication skills. Josh Rosenkranz was a fantastic collaborator and invaluable partner on the project.’

Elizabeth Moulton is a smart, level-leaded, lawyer who works tirelessly in support of her clients. She has good instincts and is a force to be reckoned with when at the podium.’

Mark Davies has a terrific grasp of intellectual property law in addition to general appellate litigation.’

Key clients

Apple


Basin Electric Power Cooperative


BB Energy USA, LLC


Boeing


Broad Reach Power/Broadview Solar


Central Garden & Pet Company


Cheniere Energy


ConocoPhillips


Cox Communications


Credit Suisse


DISH Network, LLC


Facebook


Gilead Sciences


Instacart


Johnson & Johnson


Kars 4 Kids Inc.


Kohler Co.


Lyft


Micron Technology Inc.


Microsoft


Regents of the University of California


The Renco Group, Inc.


RingCentral


Sonos, Inc.


Sunny Balwani


Synopsys, Inc.


Twitter


Unicolors, Inc.


Walmart


Apple


Basin Electric Power Cooperative


BB Energy USA, LLC


Boeing


Broad Reach Power/Broadview Solar


Central Garden & Pet Company


Cheniere Energy


ConocoPhillips


Cox Communications


Credit Suisse


DISH Network, LLC


Facebook


Gilead Sciences


Instacart


Johnson & Johnson


Kars 4 Kids Inc.


Kohler Co.


Lyft


Micron Technology Inc.


Microsoft


Regents of the University of California


The Renco Group, Inc.


RingCentral


Sonos, Inc.


Sunny Balwani


Synopsys, Inc.


Twitter


Unicolors, Inc.


Walmart


Work highlights


  • Successfully obtained a reversal of a $325m verdict against Johnson & Johnson in talc litigation alleging that the plaintiff’s use of Johnson’s Baby Powder caused cancer.
  • Obtained a 6-3 victory for Unicolors at the US Supreme Court in a case involving the rights of creators who rely on the US copyright registration system to protect their IP.
  • Successfully represented Kite Pharma in an appeal involving the reversal of a $1.2bn patent-infringement verdict against it.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

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.



Practice head(s):

Kannon Shanmugam


Other key lawyers:

Meredith Dearborn; Robert A. Atkins; William Marks


Testimonials

‘The Paul Weiss appellate team is outstanding. Kannon Shanmugam is the anchor of the team, and he alone would make any practice superb. They have the talent and resources to handle any case, and to handle it perfectly. I would rank them at the very top of any list.

‘Kannon Shanmugam is an absolute superstar. I’ve argued against him in multiple SCOTUS cases, and you won’t find a more talented, sophisticated, compelling lawyer–and he matches that with his overall humility and kind nature.’

Key clients

Atos Syntel


Becton, Dickinson and Company


Bezos, Jeff


Charles River Laboratories


CNA Financial Corporation


ExxonMobil Corporation


Fédération Internationale de Football Association


Fortenberry, Jeff


Goldman Sachs & Co.


Guy, Elliott


IBM


Mastercard International, Inc.


MGG Investment Group


Midwest Air Traffic Control Service


Oaktree Capital Management


PayPal, Inc.


Premier Rehab Keller, P.L.I.C.


Reagan National Advertising of Texas, Inc.


State of Oklahoma


Verizon Communications


Proskauer Rose LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Mark Harris; John Roberts


Other key lawyers:

Myron Rumeld


Testimonials

‘The partners are all renowned expert in their fields. They were able to map out the litigation step-by-step and predict the outcomes.’

‘Associate Josh Esses is a superstar and his attention to detail is superb. Makes complex legal theories easy for non-experts to comprehend.’

Key clients

Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico (FOMB)


The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation


City of Coral Springs, Florida and other Florida municipalities


Amherst College and thirty-two other colleges and universities


The Board of Trustees of Chicago State University


OneSource Medical Diagnostics, LLC


ARKK Food Company


D&H Distributing Company


Sanofi Pasteur Inc.


Weyerhaeuser Company


Alvogen, Inc.


Magnetar Capital LLC


Neuberger Berman


The American Council on Education and twelve other educational organizations


Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP’s appellate practice forms a key part of the wider firm’s signature dispute resolution offering. With recent experience in arguing before state and federal courts of appeals, as well as at the Supreme Court, the team is well positioned to handle the full gamut of matters, from high-stakes business appeals through to complex pro bono cases. Senior counsel and appellate chair Kathleen Sullivan splits her time between Los Angeles and New York and possesses an enviable record in constitutional law matters. Sullivan recently convinced the Delaware Supreme Court to uphold a judgment permitting Mirae Asset to terminate its $5.8bn deal to buy a group of luxury hotels. In Washington DC, Derek Shaffer won a precedent-setting First Amendment decision from the DC Court of Appeals on behalf of Unification Church International. Other recommended names include New York-based Sanford Weisburst, who has argued appeals in nine of the US Courts of Appeals, and John Bash, whose practice is divided between Austin and Washington DC.

Practice head(s):

Kathleen Sullivan


Other key lawyers:

Sanford Weisburst; Derek Shaffer; John Bash


Testimonials

‘The team we worked with prepared the appeal course very well. We went through moot court twice and when the oral argument really began, we as clients, could easily feel that the opposing counsel were not as well prepared as ours.’

‘We got the good result finally. I recommend the firm to a lot of colleagues when they have litigation in the US.’

Key clients

The California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”)


Avery Dennison Corporation


C.R. Bard Inc., Bard Peripheral Vascular Inc.


Elon Musk


Iraq Telecom Limited


PPG Industries, Inc.


Airbus SAS


Just Energy Group, Inc.


Block, Inc.


hiQ Labs, Inc


Cisco Systems, Inc.


Snail Games USA, Inc. and Wildcard Properties LLC


Rhapsody International, Inc., n/k/a Napster, Inc.


Caruso Management Company


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences


Skillz Platform Inc.


Mirae Asset Global Investments


Family trusts and related entities associated with Samuel J. Heyman


Unification Church International (“UCI”)


Google, LLC


TotalEnergies E&P USA, Inc.


Berkeley Research Group, LLC


Work highlights


  • Represented the California Institute of Technology in defending a $1.1bn judgment for patent infringement in the Federal Circuit.
  • Convinced the Delaware Supreme Court to uphold a judgment permitting Mirae Asset to terminate its $5.8bn deal to buy a group of US luxury hotels.
  • Convinced the Delaware Supreme Court to reverse a summary judgment against the Heyman family trusts in connection with a $3.2bn sale of the chemicals business International Specialty Products Inc to Ashland.

Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP’s well-established appellate practice is comprised of individuals who have collectively argued before state and federal courts across the country, right up to US Supreme Court level. Appellate group chair Kim Watterson divides her time between Los Angeles and Pittsburgh and maintains a broad practice, with robust skill sets in the financial services and managed care industries, among other fields. Other key contacts include: San Francisco-based Raymond Cardozo, who is a former Deputy Attorney General in the Office of the California Attorney General; Houston-based Alan York, whose practice spans appellate and trial litigation, and James Martin, who operates out of Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Practice head(s):

Kim Watterson


Other key lawyers:

Raymond Cardozo; Alan York; James Martin; Brian Sutherland; Kasey Curtis


Testimonials

‘The firm has a great appellate law practice.’

‘The firm’s partners and associates have experience in the oil and gas industry and know the relevant issues.’

Ropes & Gray LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Douglas Hallward-Driemeier


Other key lawyers:

James Batchelder


Key clients

Apax Partners


Central Brooklyn Homeowners of Color


City of Boston


DACA Recipients


Emerson Electric


H.I.G. Capital


Investment Company Institute


IP Bridge, Inc.


MOAC Mall Holdings LLC


Massachusetts Medical Society and the Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation of Massachusetts


Nuveen Funds


Samsung Electronics


Target Corporation


Tribune Company pension plans (and approximately 30 clients, mostly major public and private pension plans and funds)


George Lee Tucker, II


Washington State School Directors’ Association


Work highlights


  • Represented the City of Boston before the US Supreme Court in a First Amendment case that concerned the City of Boston’s program flying certain non-governmental flags outside Boston City Hall.
  • Won a decision in the Eleventh Circuit that affirmed the dismissal of a False Claims Act case against HIG Capital.
  • Led and coordinated the defense of $8bn worth of fraudulent conveyance litigation against 30 clients seeking to recover payments made to shareholders in a leveraged buyout of Tribune Company.

Selendy Gay PLLC

New York-based litigation and investigations boutique Selendy Gay 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.

Other key lawyers:

Sean Baldwin; Philippe Selendy


Key clients

National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA


Cerberus Capital Management


U.S. Bank


Amsterdam Avenue Redevelopment Associates


Kenneth Krys and Greig Mitchell as Joint Liquidators for three BVI funds: Fairfield Sentry Limited; Fairfield Sigma Limited; Fairfield Lambda Limited


Mohammed Ali Rashid


Brookdale


Mohammed Aljabri, New East (US) Inc., New East 804 805 LLC, New East Back Bay LLC and New East DC LLC


Community Voices Heard and N.Y. Tenants & Neighbors


A proposed class of investors who traded on Binance


Weingarten, et al. v. Devos, et al.|American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and 8 individual plaintiffs


Work highlights


  • Representing National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh PA before the New York Court of Appeals in a case concerning whether a $160m SEC disgorgement order issued against Bear Stearns constitutes an insurable event.
  • Representing Cerberus Capital Management LP, as plaintiff, in a $950m breach of contract action against the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
  • Representing US Bank, as plaintiff, in an action seeking recovery of hundreds of millions of dollars from DLJ Mortgage Capital Inc and Ameriquest Mortgage Company for their misconduct in originating and securitizing mortgage-backed securities.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Lynn Neuner; Jonathan Youngwood


Other key lawyers:

Joseph McLaughlin


Testimonials

‘Excellent writers, strategic thinkers and all around advocates at both the trial and appellate level.’

‘Joseph McLaughlin stands out. Joe is an all-around great lawyer both at the trial and appellate level.’

Key clients

Alibaba


Best Buy


Countrywide Home Loans, Inc.


JPMorgan Chase


Lehman Brothers’ Former Officers


Pacific Alternative Asset Management Co. and Prisma Capital Partners


Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners LP


Travelers


Micron


Vivint, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Secured an appellate win for Countrywide reversing a trial court decision and a dismissal with prejudice of claims in residential mortgage-backed securities cases.
  • Represented JPMorgan and affiliates in obtaining an appellate victory with the dismissal of a suit arising out of Thomas Petters’ Ponzi scheme.
  • Successfully won a pro bono appeal in a Title IX action on behalf of female student-athletes at Hawaii’s largest high school.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Continuing to make inroads into the highly competitive appellate space, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s Washington DC-based group notched up high-profile wins in a string of appeals over the past year. Practice chair Shay Dvoretzky is a ‘first-rate appellate lawyer at the top of his game‘, according to sources; indeed, he is already slated to argue at least three Supreme Court merits cases in 2023. Among Dvoretzky’s recent cases, he secured a victory for Eaton Corporation in major transfer-pricing cross-appeals before the Sixth Circuit. Promoted to counsel in 2022, Parker Rider-Longmaid recently argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of Texas death row inmate Rodney Reed in a pro bono case concerning DNA testing.

Practice head(s):

Shay Dvoretzky


Other key lawyers:

Parker Rider-Longmaid; Emily Kennedy


Testimonials

‘Shay Dvoretzky is a first-rate appellate lawyer at the top of his game.’

Vinson & Elkins LLP

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 Yeatescommands 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.

Practice head(s):

Marie Yeates; Jeremy Marwell


Other key lawyers:

Michael Heidler


Testimonials

‘The appellate group at V&E is excellent. They are smart and have tremendous resources at their disposal. They know the appellate law and rules very well.’

‘Marie Yeates is one of the most seasoned and effective appellate advocates in this region and beyond. She commands the room and enjoys the respect of the judiciary.’

Michael Heidler works closely with Marie Yeates and is quite accomplished in his own regard.’

They quickly grasp the issues and know how to present at the appellate level so as to grab the attention of the judges.’

Key clients

State Bar of Texas


Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC (subsidiary of Enbridge, Inc.)


Adelphia Gateway, LLC


Forterra Pipe and Precast LLC


Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (subsidiary of Enbridge, Inc.)


Texas Central Partners, LLC


U.S. federal courts


Electronic Frontier Foundation


Uber Technologies, Inc.


Society for Corporate Governance


U.S. Chamber Litigation Center


Interstate Natural Gas Association of America


National Association of Manufacturers


Energy Infrastructure Council


Professors Cassandra Burke Robertson and Irina D. Manta


Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

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.



Practice head(s):

Mark Perry; Gregory Silbert; Zachary Tripp


Other key lawyers:

Adam Banks; Edward Reines; Andrew Tulumello


Key clients

Apple Inc.


Morgan Stanley


Sanofi


Westinghouse Electric Company


Regeneron Pharmaceuticals


Brookfield Asset Management


Comcast Cable


Sears Holdings


Starbucks


HP Inc.


Work highlights


  • Won several appeals for Morgan Stanley resulting in a complete victory in multibillion-dollar litigation arising from Tribune Company’s leveraged buy-out, and Tribune’s subsequent bankruptcy filing.
  • Represented the respondent, Kieran Buckley, before the US Supreme Court in a case discussing the dischargeability of debt incurred by fraud.
  • Acted as lead appellate counsel to Apple in a Ninth Circuit civil antitrust appeal.

Wiggin and Dana LLP

Lawyers at Connecticut-headquartered Wiggin and Dana LLPmaintain 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.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Freiman


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Babbin; Aaron Bayer; Tadhg Dooley; David Roth


Testimonials

‘The team has always been very dedicated to our case. There have never been issues with deadlines or availability. Especially, the team sent us drafts quite some time before the court deadline on our request.’

‘The quality of the legal work has been outstanding while the team has been very sensitive to political and public relations questions. They managed to fulfill both needs without reducing the overall quality of the work. The team is also well connected.’

‘Jonathan Freiman is the leading partner for our case. Besides his excellent ability to explain tactics and the law to foreigners and non-native speakers, he performed outstandingly at the oral arguments at the DC Circuit and SCOTUS.’

‘Great identification with the subject matter. Good strategic advice. Lawyers maintain excellent communication and engagement with the client.’

Key clients

Federal Republic of Germany and the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (a consortium of government museums in Berlin; a German equivalent of the Smithsonian)


The Hartford Financial Services Group


Zurich American Insurance Company


Author’s Guild


Doctor’s Associates LLC


Mendota Heights Dental Center


Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation


Stamford Health/Stamford Hospital


Somatics, LLC


United Bridge Capital


Medical Protective Co.


City of Stamford, Connecticut (on behalf of municipal officials)


Hanover Insurance Company


Allied World Insurance Company


Gilliam & Sons, Inc.


Otis Elevator Company


Metalclad Insulation LLC


Yale New Haven Hospital


Bristol Hospital


Exxon Mobil Corp.


University of Connecticut Health Center


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the Federal Republic of Germany and the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (its national museum) before SCOTUS, in a case involving the ownership of certain medieval artifacts; the case has returned to the DC Circuit on a novel issue.
  • Defended on appeal what was the largest judgment in Connecticut history at the time of its issuance on behalf of the Kuwaiti Ambassador to Austria in Marafi, Sadiq v. El Achchabi, Hind et. al.
  • Represented a medical device manufacturer before the California Supreme Court in a major product liability case.

Wiley Rein LLP

Among Wiley Rein LLP’s strong suits, the Washington DC-based practice stands out for its ‘knowledge of both substantive subject matter and appellate procedure in complex areas of trade law‘. Other key areas of activity include insurance, government contracts, election law and TMT. Combining trial and appellate expertise, department co-chair Claire Evans has extensive experience in the infrastructure, TMT and regulatory fields. Fellow co-chair Thomas Johnson Jr is a former general counsel for the FCC and has a significant regulatory dimension to his practice.

Practice head(s):

Claire Evans; Thomas Johnson Jr.


Other key lawyers:

Richard Simpson; Stephen Obermeier; Jeremy Broggi; Alan Price; Christopher Weld


Testimonials

‘Deep knowledge of both substantive subject matter and appellate procedure in complex areas of trade law, particularly Alan Price and Christopher Weld.’

Excellent work product and great litigators. We highlight Stephen Obermeier.’

Key clients

Nucor Corporation


CTIA-The Wireless Association


Nexstar, Inc.


United States Chamber of Commerce


CNA Insurance Companies


The Boeing Company


Allied World Surplus Lines Insurance Company and related Allied World companies


Republican National Committee


Verizon Communications


American Institute of Steel Construction


Work highlights


  • Successfully represented the Republican National Committee in persuading the Supreme Court to reinstate a stay of the private employer vaccine mandate issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
  • Successfully represented Vermont National Telephone Company before the DC Circuit in a long-running dispute over bidding credits associated with spectrum licenses.
  • Represented Verizon Communications in consolidated appeals before Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court in pole attachment litigation between Verizon and FirstEnergy operating companies.

Williams & Connolly LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Lisa Blatt


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Harris; Amy Saharia; Whitney Hermandorfer


Testimonials

Williams and Connolly appellate practice is second to none. They write some of the best briefs with clear distillation of complex issues. If we have a must-win appeal, we go to them.’

‘The team is very creative, handling some of the most novel legal challenges I’ve seen. They work well together to produce top-notch work product in line with direction from the client.’

‘Lisa Blatt and Sarah Harris are exceptional written and oral advocates. Their briefs are crisp and direct, much like their presentations at the podium. Indeed, their poise and forceful argument commands attention.’

‘The team includes some of the most well respected Supreme Court advocates of today. They can hold their own against a barrage of questions and speak to jurists of both conservative and liberal bent.’

Lisa Blatt is unstoppable in a courtroom. A brilliant legal mind but wrapped with common sense and down-to-earth style on argument. She is the best appellate lawyer full stop.

‘Lisa Blatt and Sarah Harris are top notch oral and written advocates. They stand out for their creativity, crisp writing, and confidence at the podium. They demand attention from judges/justices in the best way.’

Amy Saharia is the brief writer when you want the best brief and critical thinking you can get. She has written several of the most persuasive briefs I have read in my career. She also is excellent at taking a client idea and making it come alive in a brief.

Key clients

CVS Health


Harbor Breeze Corp.


Edward Lee Jones, Jr.


Selective Insurance Group, Inc.


Washington Post


Arbutus Biopharma Corp. and Genevant Sciences


Entrepreneur and Co-Founder of ZocDoc


GlaxoSmithKline LLC


Solid 21, Inc.


JTH Tax LLC d/b/a Liberty Tax Service


The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s disciplinary board


Robinhood Financial


Carlos Concepcion


Erik Egbert


Respondents Gregory Walters, Thomas Meyer, and Ray Trosclair


Lynn Goldsmith


Google


Turkiye Halk Bankasi A.S.


Kate Marie Bartenwerfer


Centro de Periodismo Investigativo Inc.


Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc.


Bank President Harry Calcutt


Work highlights


  • Secured a victory for CVS Health subsidiary, Caremark LLC, and others before the the Ninth Circuit in a case concerning whether claims brought by pharmacies run by federally recognized tribes are subject to arbitration.
  • Acted as national coordinating appellate counsel for Selective Insurance Group in connection with cases claiming business interruption insurance coverage for losses arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Successfully represented Carlos Concepcion in an appeal to the US Supreme Court concerning the reduction of his prison term under the First Step Act, the 2018 criminal-justice reform bill.

WilmerHale

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.

Practice head(s):

Seth Waxman


Other key lawyers:

Catherine Carroll; Mark Fleming; Thomas Saunders; Daniel Volchok; Alan Schoenfeld; Felicia Ellsworth


Testimonials

‘The experience and expertise of the appellate team at WilmerHale is unmatched.’

‘Between the various attorneys, they have successfully argued in courts of appeals at almost all levels, and they leverage that experience to provide practical and circumspect counsel.’

‘Mark Fleming and Felicia Ellsworth are an excellent team. They readily agreed to an alternative fee arrangement, worked well with trial counsel, clearly communicated the options, crafted expert briefs, recruited top-notch amici, and obtained an excellent result.’

‘Mark Fleming’s skill at oral argument was very impressive.’

‘They exhibit a very high standard professionalism in discharging their duties.’

Key clients

J. Stephen Tidwell and Barbara Walls


City of Chicago


Cisco Systems, Inc.


Meta Platforms, Inc.


Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and Members of the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Board of Governors


Twitter


Apple Inc.


Spokane Tribe of Indians


Daikin North America, LLC


Kenneth Humphrey


Democratic National Committee


Winston & Strawn LLP

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.

Practice head(s):

Linda Coberly


Other key lawyers:

Andrew Tauber; Brian Ferguson; Brandon Duke


Key clients

Schlumberger Technology Company


Occidental Petroleum


Bill Graham Archives


United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS)


Avanci, LLC


Kroll, LLC


Panasonic Holding Corporation


CSX Transportation


Champion Petfoods USA Inc.


Work highlights


  • Secured a win for Schlumberger when the Fifth Circuit affirmed a zero-recovery judgment in a $250m breach of contract dispute brought by Hess Corporation.
  • Secured a reversal of copyright class certification in the Ninth Circuit for Bill Graham Archives, in a copyright dispute brought by two separate classes of performers and composers.
  • Scored a victory in the Ohio Supreme Court on behalf of CSX Transportation, which reversed a decision of the state’s intermediate appellate court.