Firm Profile > Norton Rose Fulbright > Dallas, United States

Norton Rose Fulbright > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Project finance

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is popular with both sponsors and lenders on major conventional power, renewables, and LNG projects. As well as greenfield developments, the firm is also involved in major refinancings and restructurings, as well as novel P3 structures, and debt and tax equity financings. Clients benefit from a strong presence across the firm's network of US offices, and while the bulk of the team are in Washington DC and New York, the firm also has lawyers in Houston and Austin. Keith Martin and Benjamin Koenigsberg respectively co-head the team from Washington DC and New York. In the capital, partners such as Noam Ayali have developed a strong track record for cross-border project financings, while in New York Todd Alexander and Robert Eberhardt are noted for their renewables and power expertise.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal Tier 1

After having been promoted to Norton Rose Fulbright's partner in 2018, Eric Daucher is now at the head of the municipal restructuring and bankruptcy department. The position had been left vacant in April 2019, when star attorney Lawrence Larose left the firm to join Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP. Daucher, who is based in New York, acted on landmark cases such as the restructuring of Puerto Rico and on Chapter 9 proceedings in Detroit, Michigan and Jefferson County. His team includes Texas-based practitioners - notably Toby Gerber, who supports him with reorganizations, syndicated lendings, and troubled debt workouts. James Copeland is an associate to watch.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 1

'A real force to be reckoned with', Norton Rose Fulbright's 'diversified renewables offering' sees it instructed by developers, investors and lenders across the gamut of corporate and financing activity in the sector. The firm is, however, perhaps best-known for its work on the borrower/sponsor side and is regularly involved in some of the biggest-ticket M&A mandates in the market, including its work for Danish wind energy powerhouse Ørsted on its $510m acquisition of Deepwater Wind Holdings from DE Shaw. Spearheaded by the 'dean of the energy tax world' Keith Martin from Washington DC, the team is also at the forefront of the tax equity market and is frequently the first port-of-call to clients seeking the most commercial and creative solutions to maximize the tax benefits within the sector. New York-based partner Benjamin Koenigsberg co-heads the projects team alongside Martin and is 'very active in the space' for lenders and borrowers, with a particularly strong track record in relation to transactions in the off-shore wind sector. The 'fantastic' Todd Alexander is also a key member of the team and handles a significant amount of work for Hannon Armstrong, a leading investor in climate change solutions.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

Leveraging 'a range of language skills and previous in-house experience', Norton Rose Fulbright has 'a real ability to provide cross-border support for a range of services including M&A and corporate governance’. The practice group acts for clients ranging from family-owned businesses to multinational corporations, and has developed particular expertise in the financial services, energy and healthcare sectors. Dallas-based Scarlet McNellie heads the corporate, M&A and securities practice, while Gene Lewis in Denver heads the firm's business practice. Other key contacts include Glen Hettinger in Dallas, who advises public and private companies on capital raises and M&A deals, and Kessar Nashat in New York, who has experience of a wide variety of corporate and securities transactions. Also of note, over the past year the US team has added to its ranks a couple of partners with experience practice overseas: Chris Pearson moved to New York team the firm's London office, and John Nelson Chrisman joined the Dallas office from Clyde & Co LLP in Hong Kong.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 2

Praised by its clients as a ‘go-to firm for rapid responses’, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is a prominent player in the multi-jurisdictional litigation space, where it represents large corporations and financial institutions. The group specializes in cross-border securities litigation, and thanks in part to its integration in the firm's global litigation network, the team is well positioned to handle parallel securities proceedings instituted in multiple countries. The team is also strong in investigations, and recently enhanced its capabilities in this space with the appointment of Sam Ramer, who served as senior associate counsel to the US President before joining the Washington office in March 2019. Also recommended in this space are recently promoted litigation co-head Bill Leone (New York) and disputes group co-head Matthew Kirtland in Washington DC, both of whom have expertise in white-collar crime enforcement. The wider dispute resolution group is led by Richard Krumholz and Gerard Pecht, in Dallas and Houston, respectively. Reflective of the group’s geographic reach, the team’s client roster is varied and includes clients in the energy, mining, financial services, technology, and healthcare sectors.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: automotive/transport Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright handles class actions and individual cases involving auto services, defective parts, and collisions and personal injury. Spread across several major commercial centers nationwide, the team is well placed to represent major automotive and parts manufacturers, including BWM, in MDLs and large-scale class actions. The team is headed by Steven Jansma in San Antonio, who leads the firm's auto services litigation work for Walmart. Brett Young is a contact in the Houston office.

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

Norton Rose Fulbright has experience in class actions and multi-district litigation, including the early disposal of matters through denial of class certification and dispositive motions. The firm serves as national coordinating trial counsel, national discovery counsel and regional counsel in a range of cases across the US, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical product defense. San Antonio-based Steven Jansma is head of products, pharma, medical and mass tort. He co-leads the practice with D’Lesli Davis, who serves as lead trial counsel for pharmaceutical and medical device clients in mass tort cases, MDLs and consolidated proceedings in state and federal courts. Also notable in the team is associate Ellie Norris, who focuses on representing pharmaceutical companies in complex disputes. Named lawyers are based in Dallas unless stated otherwise.

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

Known as a trial practice, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP covers the spectrum of disciplines related to nationwide disasters, from offices in Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, New York, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles. The firm is particularly experienced in acting for energy and chemical industry clients. San Antonio-based Steven Jansma leads the national team and has expertise in the defense of complex product liability and mass torts. Also notable are Brett Young in Houston, who focuses on catastrophic event response, personal injury, premises defense, product liability, and environmental litigation, and ‘hands down one of the country's most capable toxic tort defense lawyers’ Stephen Dillard, also in Houston, whose specialities include claims arising from commercial operations, hydraulic fracturing, natural resource damages, landfills, pipelines, and hazardous waste sites.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright has a track record in big-ticket, headline and complex disputes with substantial experience in upstream, midstream and oilfield services-related disputes. With extensive regulatory expertise, the group is able to provide a fully-rounded service, covering key areas including market manipulation, antitrust and environmental enforcement mandates. Commodities and derivatives enforcement issues are also areas of particular growth for the department. Melanie Rother jointly leads the energy and infrastructure practice and is an experienced trial lawyer, operating principally in the energy and technology sectors. Fellow co-head Reagan Brown is another prominent trial and appellate lawyer with notable experience in royalty cases. Dan McClure is also highly rated. All named individuals are based in Houston.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: conventional power Tier 2

Co-headed by 'tax equity guru' Keith Martin and financing lawyer Benjamin Koenigsberg out of Washington DC and New York, respectively, and also able to draw upon the expertise of transactional energy lawyers situated throughout the firm's vast international network, Norton Rose Fulbright's projects group is well-versed across both renewables and conventional power projects, both from a domestic and international perspective. At the vanguard of the development of the US independent power sector since its inception in the 1970s, the firm maintains strong sponsor relationships but has also successfully diversified its client roster over time to include investor and lender clients. The scope of the firm's work is broad across corporate, financing, regulatory and restructuring matters, and it is therefore well-placed to advise on deals throughout the life-cycle, from inception of the development of a project, on the operational needs thereafter and in relation to any pursuant M&A.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Attuned to market trends and developments, Norton Rose Fulbright is able to provide a 'focused and commercial service' to a wide array of oil and gas entities, including national and international oil companies, independents, and traders. LNG remains a cornerstone of the practice, with the firm continuing to advise a myriad stakeholders throughout the value chain and project life cycle, from project inception and development through to commercialization, project financing, and operational matters. The firm is, however, perhaps best-known for its financing work in the space, where Washington DC-based partner Noam Ayali has a particularly strong reputation for lenders. Houston-based associate Jessica Rodriguez is well-versed at corporate work across the oil and gas and LNG spaces. Based out of Houston and New York, respectively, John Mauel and Keith Martin  head up the firm's energy transactions and project finance groups.

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - finance Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright handles a full range of aircraft financing, leasing and sales and purchase transactions for international air carriers and leasing companies. The aviation group is headed by Alyssa Vazquez in New York, who regularly advise Carlyle Aviation Partners on portfolio transactions and leasing dealing with international air carriers, working in conjunction with colleagues across the firm's global network. Other key figures include finance department head Sean Corrigan and James Tussing, both of whom have decades of experience advising financial institutions and aircraft lessees in financing and leasing deals. Kelli Sallemi took an in-house position at Castlelake Aviation in January 2020.

Industry focus > Transport: shipping - finance Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright's New York-based shipping team advises on complex structured transactions and leasing deals, acting for bank lenders and corporates in public and private financings, as well as for non-traditional ship financiers, such as funds, governmental finance support entities. The maritime team and the wider transportation group are headed by Brian Devine, who has also been increasingly active in the financing of new LNG carriers and floating storage regasification unites. Also recommended are associates Kassandra Savicki and Nicholas Santangelo, who work alongside Devine in the team's most complex mandates.

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

Norton Rose Fulbright's key focus is on Lanham Act litigation and state law equivalents, with members of the practice area acting on mandates across the country. Additionally the firm has a solid track record in consumer class action matters at all levels of the court system, with group co-chair Jeffrey Margulies, who splits his time between the Los Angeles and San Francisco offices, coming highly recommended for his practice in this area. Fellow co-chair Saul Perloff sits in San Antonio and has a strong background as an intellectual property litigator. As such his practice focuses on the Lanham Act side of advertising law, with a particular following in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food, and consumer products sectors. The team was recently strengthened in the firm's Minneapolis office with the addition of IP and false advertising specialist Felicia Boyd, who joined from Barnes & Thornburg LLP in late 2019.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 3

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright is most noted for its ability to handle cross-border and international discovery mandates, drawing on the firm's global office network. In its global coordinating role, it has expertise in non-US data privacy regulations, data localization and state secret obligations. Information governance is another key area of expertise, and the group often advises corporates on pre-litigation matters. In litigation, attorneys benefit from in-house technology assisted review capabilities, as well as data analytics. Based in New York, David Kessler heads the US data and information risk group and the global discovery practice, while Andrea D’Ambra serves as head of the US e-discovery and information governance group.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright’s US-based international arbitration group works seamlessly with its colleagues from across the firm’s global network. Though the department's work reflects the firm’s global reputation in the commercial arbitration space, the team is also adept at handling investment treaty arbitrations, placing particular emphasis on IICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations. The majority of the team is based in the Houston office, and among them are global practice co-head Mark Baker, and Kevin O’Gorman, whom clients have singled out for arbitration initiated in relation to oil and gas sector disputes. The team also has a presence in Washington DC, where Matthew Kirtland is a name to note for disputes concerning the recognition and the enforcement of arbitral awards. The team’s client roster mostly consists of large corporations and global financial institutions, although it is also representing sovereigns, the Republic of Kazakhstan being one such example.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP climbs the ranking this year due to its powerful combination of regulatory enforcement and securities litigation capability, which it delivers through a network of offices across the US and internationally. With securities litigation skills in Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, New York, Washington DC and many other jurisdictions, the firm is well-placed to handle matters relating to industry hotspots, such as the emerging technology sector in Austin. The firm is also a key player in litigation involving the energy sector, and it has a growing presence in cases arising from the life sciences, biotechnology and financial services industries. Kevin Harnisch in DC leads the practice, in which Houston-based global head of disputes Gerard Pecht handles big-ticket securities litigation and SEC enforcement matters. Rodney Acker in Dallas is also recommended.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright handles a diverse range of work, including securitization of trade recievables, debt and settlement revenues, and renewables and infrastructure-related work, which frequently involves assets elsewhere in the Americas. Patrick Dolan is the primary contact; he has extensive experience in ABS and MBS, and has also handled more exotic securitizations including PACE bonds, aircraft leases and tax liens.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: conventional power Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is highly rated for its renewable energy expertise and is active in matters which span conventional power and alternative energy. The team advises a range of energy clients on compliance and enforcement matters, with notable experience in the development of open-access electric transmission tariffs; it also has extensive experience in market design regulatory proceedings. On the transactional side, the team frequently advised on the regulatory aspects of the acquisition and financing of power projects. Robert Shapiro is an experienced figure in DC in defending long-term power contracts before regulatory agencies and the courts; and DC-based Joseph Williams specialises in regulatory, compliance and enforcement matters before FERC and the CFTC. Power and battery storage expert Becky Diffen joined the Austin office from McGuireWoods LLP in mid-2019, and Anna Biegelsen is a key senior associate in Washington DC. Keith Martin and Benjamin Koenigsberg jointly lead the projects group from DC and New York, respectively, and John Mauel in Houston is global co-head of the energy practice.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright is particularly skilled in the areas of trademark processing, registration and prosecution. Minneapolis-based Timothy Kenny leads the team and recently advised the credit rating agency Fair Isaac on its rebranding strategy as FICO. Alicia Morris Groos in Austin is another contact in the practice group; she recently assisted the bakery chain Tiff’s Treats with the registration of various new products.

Tax > International tax Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is especially active in the energy, financial services, and healthcare sectors, where it advises on cross-border M&A, financing transactions and large-scale commercial deals. Headed by Andrius Kontrimas in the Houston office, the global tax team has ben particularly active in deals involving Canadian acquirers, and also regularly works alongside its colleagues in Canada and London to handle complex transactions involving various EMEA jurisdictions, Australia, the US and Canada. Robert Morris and William Cavanagh jointly lead the US tax group. The firm has made a number of hires to strengthen its transactional tax service and its tax controversy practice. Of particular note, David Burton joined in New York from Mayer Brown in April 2019.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright handles a range of domestic and cross-border tax matters, and is noted in particular for its expertise in the energy industry. The tax group is jointly headed by Houston-based Robert Morris, who handles tax controversy for a host of offshore drilling companies and energy-sector clients including Noble Corporation and Diamond Offshore Drilling, and William Cavanagh in New York, who has an active transactional practice, but also represents clients in disputes with state and federal tax authorities. Robert Kovacev and Steven Kuntz are other key figures, in Washington DC and Houston, respectively. Also of note, the team has made a few recent additions to its New York office: David Burton joined from Mayer Brown, while white-collar defense lawyers Mayling Blanco and Carlos Ortiz joined from Blank Rome LLP.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright's tax team advises clients on cross-border M&A and private equity and hedge fund formation, and is especially strong in energy taxation, where it has 'deep industry knowledge' of the renewables sector. Robert Morris in Houston jointly heads the practice group alongside William Cavanagh in New York, who specializes in corporate, partnership and private equity taxation. Jack Allender is another key contact in Houston, while Dallas-based William Bowers focuses on federal income tax planning. The firm further strengthened its tax practice with the addition of David Burton, who has 'exceptional market knowledge' and 'insight' into the renewable energy tax space. Burton joined the firm's New York office from Mayer Brown in April 2019.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright acts for clients on both sides of the fence in a wide variety of antitrust claims including RICO claims and business torts. Other topics covered range from monopolization and price discrimination to restraint of trade. The New York-based Robin Adelstein heads the US antitrust practice and regularly demonstrates experience with pharmaceuticals and consumer products industries. In Houston, Layne Kruse unites business and antitrust litigation with industry expertise in healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Eliot Turner is located in the same office and provides key support when defending claims brought under Section 1 and 2 of the Sherman act.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright's large international network gives it an advantage in cross-border disputes, but its US litigation department is also highly active in impressive cases for domestic clients at both state and federal trial level. A significant area of growth has been in antitrust litigation. Layne Kruse from the Houston office is representing Phillips 66 in an antitrust class action pending in California federal court which alleges the fixing of gasoline prices. Elsewhere, Stephen Dillard is defending Vulcan Materials Company against 25 separate lawsuits brought by water companies and municipalities in the State of New York for alleged groundwater contamination. Other key lawyers include co-heads of the commercial litigation team Thomas McCormack and Scott Incerto, who are involved in prominent litigation. Noted trial lawyer McCormack, acting as counsel to client Africard, attached a $35m townhouse in Manhattan owned by Niger in order to enforce a $46m judgment against the sovereign state, while Incerto is representing Farmers Group in an insurance class action in Texas.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright has a significant financial restructuring and insolvency practice group, which is mainly headquartered in New York and Dallas but shows a strong presence in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In 2019, the team dealt with numerous international restructurings and Chapter 15 cases in different fields and countries, including Canada (with Eric Daucher acting for the court-appointed monitor of Sears) and Brazil (where Andrew Rosenblatt follows the bankruptcy case of a drilling and oil and gas services company). Additionally, Howard Beltzer represented Deutsche Bank in the Chapter 11 of a helicopter leasing company. This 'broad bench of highly experienced practitioners' is led by co-heads Howard Seife and Louis Strubeck.

Industry focus > Healthcare: advice to service providers Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright provides a wide range of transactional and regulatory services in the healthcare sector. On the transactional side the team handles M&A deals involving regulatory issues and affiliations, and on the regulatory side it has extensive experience in third party reimbursement rules and in False Claims Act and fraud litigation. Debbi Johnstone in Houston heads the group. The New York team, led by Andrew Roth, has a niche presence in medical school accreditation. The department has a strong presence in Texas with offices in Austin and Dallas, as well as in Washington DC and St Louis.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright's life sciences department is divided into teams handing product liability, merger clearance and antitrust litigation, IP, and data privacy matters. Austin-based chief operating officer Stacey Martinez specializes in product liability cases and matters involving exposure to toxic substances, while Debbi Johnstone in Houston has a wealth of experience in M&A, joint venture, compliance and reimbursement matters. Dallas-based D’Lesli Davis is noted for mass tort and product liability cases, and Carol Poindexter in Washington DC has extensive regulatory and litigation experience. The team also handles false advertising matters, and is representing ProvePharm in its false advertising claims against Akorn pertaining inaccurate labeling and marketing relating to methylene blue and its use to treat methemoglobinemia.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright stands out through its combination of cross-border strength, a highly successful PTAB practice and its in-depth knowledge of the patent issues underlying autonomous vehicles. The US team shoulders a busy district and Federal Circuit caseload, with ITC experience to boot, and can look back on a long string of successes in IPRs and covered business method reviews. With degrees in a wide spread of disciplines, including electrical, civil and mechnical engineering as well as physics, pharmaceuticals and biochemistry, the versatile team appeals to a varied client base, including many major international companies which benefit not only from the firm's domestic strength, but also from its global network spanning five continents. Charles Walker, the head of IP disputes, and James Repass, the global head of IP, are both based in Houston. Gina Shishima, the US head of intellectual property, is based in the Austin office. Felicia Boyd joined the Minneapolis office from Barnes & Thornburg LLP in November 2019, adding her broad IP practice in a key US location to the team. Other key offices are in Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. Laura Borst left the firm and Paul Keller joined Allen & Overy LLP in March 2020.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright's global IP group is led by Minneapolis-based Timothy Kenny, who has extensive experienced handling trademark disputes before the federal court and at the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Also in Minneapolis is Felicia Boyd, who recently joined the firm from Barnes & Thornburg LLP; she specializes in trademark and trade dress infringement cases.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright's fintech practice is rated for its 'knowledge of current developments in US national and worldwide cryptocurrency and blockchain industry'. The multi-disciplinary practice group is jointly led by regulatory and commercial litigation partner Ronald David Smith in Dallas, and New York-based Andrew Lom, who advises investment funds and financial institutions on transactional and regulatory matters. The group also benefits from strong intellectual property and data privacy capabilities. Paul Keller in New York is a name to note for patent and trade secrets matters.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

Norton Rose Fulbright accompanies clients from a wide range of industries in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures from start to finish. The department analyzes antitrust implications of proposed transactions, determines the required filings and secures agency clearance. Robin Adelstein in New York heads up the antitrust and competition practice group. The Washington DC-based Daniel Wellington plays a key role in the merger team, where he represents clients such as health care providers, hospitals, physicians and provider networks in sales and acquisitions. In January 2019 Vic Domen joined from the Tennessee Attorney General's office and Amanda Wait moved from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.

Real estate > Real estate Tier 5

Norton Rose Fulbright is known for its involvement in large-scale joint development projects across the US; however clients have noted the team's 'broad knowledge base', spanning acquisitions, financing and leasing across asset classes including shopping centers, medical office buildings and hospital facilities, and energy and industrial properties. Headed by San Antonio-based John Jennings, the team acts for development companies, institutional and private equity investors, bank lenders, institutional landlords and corporate tenants.