Firm Profile > Norton Rose Fulbright > Dallas, United States
Norton Rose Fulbright Offices
2200 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 3600
DALLAS, TX 75201-7932
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.
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Testimonials
‘This practice has the smartest PF lawyers in the space. Rob Eberhardt has deep industry knowledge and excellent commercial intuition. He is reasonable and solutions oriented’
Key clients
Clearway Energy
Longroad Energy Partners
Origis Energy
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
8minute Solar Energy
Nomura Securities
Credit Agricole
Bank of America, NA
Investec
International Finance Corporation
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.
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Key clients
Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation
National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
Taconic Capital Advisors
Whitebox Advisors
Goldentree Asset Management
Cornwall Capital
Merced Capital
Cyrus Capital
Polygon Investment Partners
Puerto Rico Public Buildings Authority
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.
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Testimonials
The team is a real force to be reckoned with and provides a diversified offering.
Keith Martin is a dean of the energy tax world.
Keith Martin is the guru of tax equity structures.
Benjamin Koenigsberg is very active in the renewables space.
Todd Alexander is fantastic.
Key clients
Ørsted North America
Ullico
8minute Solar Energy
Origis Holdings USA
Hannon Armstrong
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
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.
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Testimonials
‘The team has a real ability to provide cross-border support for a range of services including M&A and corporate governance’
‘There are a range of language skills and previous in-house experience that bring a truly commercial approach’
‘The firm has depth in a variety of specialties’
‘The individuals I have worked with are responsive and available throughout the day and evening, if needed’
‘They are knowledgeable, good communicators, and reasonable’
Key clients
Medidata Solutions
Barrick Gold Corporation
Cleco Corporate Holdings
Ørsted
Veritex Holdings
Bombardier
Ullico
Total
Kirby Corporation
Tokio Marine HCC
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.
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Testimonials
‘I am a client of Norton Rose Fulbright in the US, Canada and Europe. Among all the firms I deal with, Norton Rose is my go-to firm for rapid responses as well as excellent advice and direction. I am also confident in the team’s expertise.‘
‘Gerard Pecht is an extraordinarily talented, experienced and savvy attorney, who has guided my company and its board of directors through many difficult situations with successful results, both domestically and internationally. He always assembles a highly competent team that is right-sized for the situation.‘
Key clients
Bank of New York Mellon
Gold Reserve Inc.
Lek Securities Corp.
Sierra Oncology
Silikal GmbH
Vicinay Cadenas, S.A.
Mobil Investments Canada, Inc.
Vanrx Pharmasystems Inc.
XBiotech USA, Inc.
Uranium Energy Corporation
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.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
‘Highly efficient team players’
‘They have learned the business and contribute as team players as opposed to just being lawyers’
‘Stand out lawyers include Steve Jansma and Troy Vancil’
Key clients
Walmart
Sunoco Marketing & Terminals LP
Energy Transfer Partners
Vulcan Materials Company
BMW AG
Cooper Tire and Rubber Company
Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack
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.Practice head(s):
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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.
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Testimonials
‘The team is highly experienced in a nuanced field that is oftentimes filled with too much clutter’
‘They can cut through the science and get to the root of the matter’
‘They are very efficient and deliver a quality work product’
‘Steve Dillard has decades of experience not only in law, but in the science. He can describe complex issues of law and science to both the judiciary and the jury in a way that can only be described as gifted. And the icing on the cake is he is very efficient in doing so’
Key clients
Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
EOG Resources
American International Group (AIG)
Phillips 66
ConocoPhillips Company
Sunoco Marketing & Terminals
Energy Transfer Partners
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.
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Key clients
Anadarko Petroleum
BP America
Noble Drilling
Cheniere Energy
Chevron
Exxon Mobil
Energy Transfer Partners
Phillips 66
Medallion Midstream
Shell Oil
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.
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Key clients
Cleco Corporate Holdings
Enel Green Power
GS EPS
American Infrastructure Funds
Ullico
Hannon Armstrong
Starwood Energy Group
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.Practice head(s):
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Testimonials
The team provides a very focused and commercial service.
Key clients
Cheniere Energy Partners
International Finance Corporation
Enbridge (U.S.) Inc.
PDC Energy, Inc
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.
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Key clients
Carlyle Aviation Group
DAE (formerly AWAS)
Emirates
Mitsui & Co
Air Canada
Republic Airways
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.Practice head(s):
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Key clients
ABN AMRO Bank
Banco Santander
Bank of America
Citibank
Deutsche Bank
Gener8 Maritime
Northern Fund Management America
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
National Australia Bank
DNV GL
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.
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Key clients
Alfasigma USA, Inc.
Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC
Boltex Manufacturing, Co.
Mission Pharmacal Company
Neogenis Labs, Inc.
Provepharm, Inc.
Safeway Inc.
Standard Homeopathic Company and Hyland’s, Inc
Techtronic Industries Company, Ltd
Toyota Motor Corporation
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.
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Testimonials
‘The team leads have a deep knowledge of the law and “mechanics” of e-Discovery. They have national (indeed, international) reputations so that they are convincing to third parties. They are thought leaders.’
Key clients
Boehringer Ingelheim
Primary Residential Mortgage
SAP
GlaxoSmithKline
Gilead Sciences
Parmalat
USAA
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.
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‘Strong team with diverse skills across arbitration and experience in state courts‘
‘Deep knowledge of arbitration in the oil and gas sector‘
‘The team works seamlessly with the client’s in-house legal team and business. The advocacy of Mark Baker and Kevin O’Gorman is exceptional.‘
‘Kevin O’Gorman is an exceptional and talented lawyer, whose clients have come to expect creativity and results.‘
‘Kevin O’Gorman has deep knowledge of the oil and gas market, and is a skilled advocate in the international arbitration space. He is a problem solver, superb lawyer and advocate. He is clearly a lawyer who takes a passionate interest in his client’s business, aims and objectives and selflessly strives to get the best result possible for his clients. Kevin is always able to build a valuable and genuine rapport with tribunals, ensuring his submissions are treated with respect at all times.‘
Key clients
Noble Energy
Vicinay Cadenas
Mobil Investments Canada
Flowserve
Gold Reserve Corporation
NNPC
The Republic of Kazakhstan
Chevron
Shell
Halliburton
Martin-Baker Aircraft Company
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.
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Key clients
Flotek Industries
Lek Securities Corp.
XBiotech USA, Inc.
Bellicum Pharmaceuticals
Sierra Oncology
Uranium Energy
Earthstone Energy
Erin Energy
MoneyGram
Payment Data Systems, Inc.
Concordia International
Scottsdale Capital Advisors Corp.
Citizens Inc.
Rackspace Hosting
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.
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Key clients
TerraForm Power
Ormat
8minutenergy Renewables
GE Energy Financial Services
Eagle Creek Renewable Energy
Enel
NRG Energy
Société Générale
Brookfield
EDF Trading North America
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.Practice head(s):
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Fair Isaac Corporation
FICO
SHOPHQ
Tiff’s Treats
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.
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Testimonials
‘Norton Rose Fulbright is excellent in developing strategy to deal with IRS controversies; also very creative with estate planning strategies.’
‘Charles Hall and Robert Morris are very creative and attentive to our business needs and how to help us find a way to solve our differences with the IRS in a mutually acceptable way.’
‘Keith Martin is an unparalleled legal tax mind.’
‘Joseph Sleeth is very creative and attentive to our affairs to keep our estate planning strategy up to date and help us take advantage of new planning ideas and changes in the estate tax law.’
Key clients
HSBC
Shire Pharmaceuticals Group
Deutsche Finance International (DFI)
JP Morgan Asset Management
Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC)
Energizer Holdings
SNIPUT
Exin Financial Services Holding
Laurentian Bank
I Squared Capital
Quatar Petroleum
Braskem
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.
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‘The practice is excellent in developing a strategy to deal with IRS controversies; it is also very creative with estate planning strategies.‘
‘Charles Hall and Robert Morris are both very creative, attentive to our business needs, and help us find a way to solve our differences with the IRS in a mutually acceptable way.’
‘Joseph Sleeth helps us take advantage of new planning ideas and changes in the estate tax law.’
Key clients
Meredith Corporation
Delek US Holdings
Diamond Offshore Drilling
Nabors Industries
Bluescape Resources Company
Vega Energy Partners
Noble Corporation
Baker Hughes Co.
Adams Offshore
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.
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Testimonials
‘Deep industry knowledge and broad experience across a range of transactions relevant to our business.’
‘Encyclopedic in the relevant areas of tax law and practice; very commercial and effective at getting complicated transactions across the finish line.’
‘David Burton – Exceptional market knowledge and insights within the renewable energy tax space.’
Key clients
C2 Energy Capital
Laurentian Bank of Canada
John L. Wortham & Sons
Tervita Corporation
Shell Oil
Deutsche Bank Securities
GE Energy Financial Services
ExxonMobil Chemical Company
Bombardier
Noble Drilling
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.
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Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
Willis-Knighton Hospital System, Louisiana
Phillips 66
CHRISTUS
Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Bausch + Lomb
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.
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Testimonials
‘We have worked with the NRF team for quite a number of years on a number of different mandates and they have never failed to provide timely, understandable and focused advice. they are our go-to team in NY and our start point for any dispute in the US.‘
‘Tom Hall for his approachability and availability and his willingness to give advice on a tiered basis; high-level experience based first, followed by thought-through researched opinion pieces. Robert Schwinger has helped on some assignments too and is highly knowledgeable and user friendly.‘
Key clients
Shell
Willis-Knighton Health System
Phillips 66
Robert Bosch Tools
Pfizer
ExxonMobil
Ascension Health
Farmers New World Life Insurance Company
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.
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Testimonials
‘Great experience on complex cross border insolvency matters and in working for foreign insolvency officeholders’
‘Howard Seife is an extremely experienced litigator and an excellent tactician with great manners in dealing with issues. Andrew Rosenblatt is very experienced in complex cross border matters, great to work with, works extremely hard and is very responsive’
‘Norton has a broad bench of highly experienced practitioners who have seen everything. They are particularly strong in cross-border matters’
‘Howard Beltzer is exceptionally knowledgeable, delivers high-quality results, has a tremendous depth of experience, and knows when to be combative’
‘Always impressed by the level of their expertise and the depth of their knowledge’
‘Andrew Rosenblatt and Eric Daucher are individually and collectively stand out partners in the New York market. Andrew is hugely experienced and adroit at leading his team drawing on cross border experience from countless cases; he has seen and been involved in most cases that matter from a cross border insolvency perspective. Eric’s knowledge of the law and ability to quickly and seamlessly pinpoint the relevant issues make him a joy to work with’
Key clients
Mercuria Energy Group
FTI Consulting Canada
Dean Foods
Elk Petroleum
Independent Directors of Claire’s
Board of Directors of Windstream Holdings
Francis Drilling Fluids
Bank of New York Mellon
NextEra Energy
Delaware Trust
Citibank
Banco Bradesco
BMW
Commerzbank
Bank of America
Cortland Capital Markets
AT&T
Shell
Texas Capital Bank
HSBC Bank
JP Morgan Chase
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.
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Testimonials
‘Their bench strength is terrific’
‘Very strong in US healthcare’
Key clients
Milford Hospital
Memorial Hermann Health System
Texas Health Resources
Kalispell Regional Healthcare
Fairview Health System
Providence Health System
Baylor Scott & White Health
Duke University Health System
Seton Family of Hospitals
Drexel University College of Medicine
Methodist Hospitals of Dallas
Intermountain Healthcare
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The antitrust team let by Robin Adelstein is uniquely pragmatic. She attracts top talent to the group and is able to bring in interesting cases and achieve optimal results. Moreover, the team, through Adelstein has a clear focus on antitrust in the life sciences space, giving them an advantage over some peers who focus purely on antitrust, without the very specific focus on life sciences. The team also appropriately staffs cases, but there is always significant oversight by partners‘.
‘Robin Adelstein is at the top of her game. She brings the pragmatism of an in-house lawyer, spending a large amount of her career working for large companies, including as the United States GC for a large pharmaceutical business. She is tireless in her efforts and understands the needs from an in-house perspective. Antitrust is not always pragmatic, but she brings this practicality to the practice, because she understands how a business needs to operate to be successful. She is always available if necessary‘.
Key clients
Medidata Solutions
Therapure Biopharma
ProvePharm
Bausch Health Companies
XBiotech USA
Mission Pharmacal
Sierra Oncology
Bausch Health Americas (a subsidiary of Bausch Health Companies)
Boston Scientific
Abbott Laboratories
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.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AT&T
Bookings.com
Expedia Inc.
Machinex Industries, Inc.
Match Group, LLC
Priceline.com
Proppant Express
Investments, LLC
Qualcomm Incorporated
Transocean Offshore
Deepwater Drilling Inc.
Uni-Systems
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.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Boltex Manufacturing
Fair Isaac Corporation (d/b/a FICO)
Graco
SHOPHQ
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Norton Rose Fullbright (NRF) possess knowledge of current developments in US national and worldwide cryptocurrency and blockchain industry business, particularly issues that may impact participants of project worldwide. NRF appreciate the short, medium and long-term implications of our business proposal, and think strategically about the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and help us navigate to avoid legal issues that are likely to occur in this young industry sector.‘
‘Sean Murphy and Rachel Browndorf have been demonstrating a thorough knowledge of blockchain business-related legal issues and provided our Swiss Foundation relevant expertise to avoid financial market law violation in all critical jurisdictions of operations.‘
‘NRF’s smart contract/blockchain team are embedded in several national organizations discussing the impact of smart contracting on the legal world, and have relevant case studies and expertise to bring. We have collaborated on several conferences and presentations to Oil Industry specific groups about smart contracting and the presence of NRF and their partner’s contributions to those events was very well received. They are on the cutting edge of making natural language contracts more measurable. We have spoken with other large firms who are also interested in the space but are several years behind NRF. Also, their startup team has been integral to our fundraising efforts and very supportive as well as reasonably priced.‘
‘Chuck Powell has held our hand throughout the fundraising process and in dealing with our investors and our board, and through his experience and demeanor has deftly managed a number of issues. He has also adroitly deployed the NRF network of partners for specific events and conferences with us.‘
‘Norton Rose Fulbright delivers outstanding legal services and advice to our trade association. Our industry faces a lot of regulatory uncertainty, and Norton Rose Fulbright has an uncommon commitment to serving our needs, and the courage to give us straight answers.‘
Key clients
Adbank
Regen Network
Nexus Mutual
Lendingblock
Data Gumbo
Moneygram International
Web 3.0 Technologies Foundation
Entoro Capital and Entoro Securities
Escaroo
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.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Robert Bosch Tool Corporation
Willis-Knighton Hospital System, Louisiana
Phillips 66
CHRISTUS
Valeant Pharmaceuticals
Bausch + Lomb
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘For a really large firm, the attorneys are very personable and take an interest in your company and the work. They are particularly great when it is crunch time and you need a lot of resources brought to the table. They also have a broad knowledge base.’
‘Katy Van Dyke and Emily Jueng are very capable Associates who are fun to work with. Josh Bernstein is very knowledgeable and can find multiple ways to solve a problem.’
Key clients
BDT Capital Partners
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America
JPI
Charles Schwab
Capital Senior Living Corporation
Daiwa House
Knighthead Funding
Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group
Wyndham Vacation Ownership
Caydon USA Services
Norton Rose Fulbright > Firm Profile
The firm: Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. It provides the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. It has more than 4,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
Areas of practice: Norton Rose Fulbright is a global law firm. It provides the world’s preeminent corporations and financial institutions with a full business law service. It has more than 4,000 lawyers and other legal staff based in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa.
Recognized for its industry focus, Norton Rose Fulbright is strong across all the key industry sectors: financial institutions; energy; infrastructure, mining and commodities; transport; technology and innovation; and life sciences and healthcare. Through its global risk advisory group, Norton Rose Fulbright leverages its industry experience with knowledge of legal, regulatory, compliance and governance issues to provide its clients with practical solutions to the legal and regulatory risks facing their businesses.
Wherever it is, Norton Rose Fulbright operates in accordance with its global business principles of quality, unity and integrity. It aims to provide the highest possible standard of legal service in each of its offices and to maintain that level of quality at every point of contact.
Norton Rose Fulbright Verein, a Swiss verein, helps coordinate the activities of Norton Rose Fulbright members but does not itself provide legal services to clients. Norton Rose Fulbright has offices in more than 50 cities worldwide, including London, Houston, New York, Toronto, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Sydney and Johannesburg.
For more information, see nortonrosefulbright.com/legal-notices.
Offices: We have offices in the world’s most important business, financial and regulatory centres and are active in strategically important growth markets. Our offices are located in: Amsterdam ● Athens ● Austin ● Bangkok ● Beijing ● Brisbane ● Brussels ● Bujumbura** ● Calgary ● Canberra ● Cape Town ● Casablanca ● Dallas ● Denver ● Dubai ● Durban ● Frankfurt ● Hamburg ● Harare** ● Hong Kong ● Houston ● Istanbul ● Jakarta* ● Johannesburg ● Kampala** ● London ● Los Angeles ● Luxembourg ● Melbourne ● Mexico City ● Milan ● Minneapolis ● Monaco ● Montréal ● Moscow ● Munich ● New York ● Nairobi** ● Ottawa ● Paris ● Perth ● Piraeus ● Québec ● Riyadh* ● San Antonio ● San Francisco ● São Paulo ● Shanghai ● Singapore ● St. Louis ● Sydney ● Tokyo ● Toronto ● Vancouver ● Warsaw ● Washington DC *associate office
**alliance
Global Key Contacts
Financial institutions: James Bateson
Energy: Anne Lapierre and John Mauel
Infrastructure, mining and commodities: Nick Merritt
Transport: Harry Theochari
Technology and innovation: Nick Abrahams
Life sciences and healthcare: Jonathan Skidmore and Randy Sutton
Number of partners (worldwide): 1,000+
Number of other fee-earners (worldwide): 2,000+
Total staff: 7,000+
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner, United States | Jeff Cody | ||
Vice Chair, United States | Andrew Giaccia | ||
US head of intellectual property | Jim Repass | ||
US head of dispute resolution and litigation | Richard Krumholz | ||
US head of business practice | Gene Lewis | ||
Chief Operations Partner, United States | Gina Shishima | ||
Chief Operating Officer, United States | Stacey Martinez | ||
Financial institutions | Michael Steindorf | ||
Energy | Eddie Lewis | ||
Energy | John Mauel | ||
Infrastructure, mining and commodities | Douglas Fried | ||
Life sciences and healthcare | Debbi Johnstone | ||
Infrastructure, mining and commodities | Douglas Buchanan | ||
Technology and innovation | Richard Zembek | ||
Transport | Brian Devine |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Ms Denise Webb Glass | View Profile | |
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Mr Kristian W Gluck | View Profile | |
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Mr Brett C Govett | View Profile | |
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Mr Robert Greeson | View Profile | |
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Mr Shea Haass | View Profile | |
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Mr Glen J Hettinger | View Profile | |
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Mr Mike Keeley | View Profile | |
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Mr Scott Kortmeyer | View Profile | |
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Mr James V. Leito | View Profile | |
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Mr Ryan Manns | View Profile | |
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Ms Linda M Merritt | View Profile | |
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Mr Benjamin Ratliff | View Profile | |
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Mr Nathan Rees | View Profile | |
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Mr James Renard | View Profile | |
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Mr Jeff Richardson | View Profile | |
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Mr Bryn Sappington | View Profile | |
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Ms Kristen Savant | View Profile | |
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Mr Todd Schroeder | View Profile | |
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Ms Ellen Sessions | View Profile | |
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Mr Jonathan B Skidmore | View Profile | |
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Mr Ronald David Smith | View Profile | |
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Mr Michael C Steindorf | View Profile | |
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Mr Louis R Strubeck | View Profile | |
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Mr Michael A Swartzendruber | View Profile | |
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Mr Farooq Tayab | View Profile | |
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Mr R Ross Viguet | View Profile | |
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Mr Doug Wabner | View Profile | |
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Mr Winston Walp | View Profile | |
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Mr Gregory Wilkes | View Profile |
Diversity
We are committed to the goal of strengthening our diversity through recruiting, retaining and advancing lawyers and staff, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.
Our commitment is consistent with our recognition that it is the outstanding people within our business who are the source of our strength. Our colleagues—lawyers and staff—are our greatest assets.
We have long embraced the principles of equal employment opportunity. We further recognize that promoting diversity is an integral component of our continuing quest for excellence as individual lawyers and as a legal practice.
Comparative Guides
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Canada: Securitisation
Published: March 2020
Authors: Elana Hahn Abigail Court The authors would like to thank Tom Sutherland, articling student, for his assistance in preparing this article.
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Securitisation laws and regulations that may occur in Canada.
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South Africa: Bribery & Corruption
Published: July 2020
Authors: Marelise van der Westhuizen Andrew Keightley-Smith Sabeeha Kathrada-Khan Ntokozo Mbonani
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Bribery & Corruption laws and regulations that may occur in South Africa.
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Canada: Tax
Published: September 2019
Authors: Dominic C. Belley
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Tax laws and regulations that may occur in Canada.
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United States: International Arbitration
Published: November 2020
Authors: Matthew H. Kirtland Katie Connolly Esha Kamboj Eddie Skolnick Ernesto Hernandez
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to International Arbitration laws and regulations that may occur in United States.
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Advice to Lenders
- Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal
- Energy: renewable/alternative power
- M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m)
Firm Rankings
- International litigation
- Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: automotive/transport
- Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices
- Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort
- Advice to Sponsors
- Energy litigation: oil and gas
- Energy transactions: conventional power
- Energy transactions: oil and gas
- Transport: aviation and air travel - finance
- Transport: shipping - finance
- Advertising and marketing: litigation
- E-discovery
- International arbitration
- Securities litigation: defense
- Structured finance: securitization
- Energy regulation: conventional power
- Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing)
- International tax
- US taxes: contentious
- US taxes: non-contentious
- Civil litigation/class actions: defense
- General commercial disputes
- Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate
- Healthcare: advice to service providers
- Healthcare: life sciences
- Patents: litigation (full coverage)
- Trademarks: litigation
- Fintech
- Merger control
- Real estate