Firm Profile > Norton Rose Fulbright > Dallas , United States

Transport: rail and road - finance Tier 1

M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

Norton Rose Fulbright was recently focused on growing its corporate and M&A capabilities in New York, Houston, San Francisco and Los Angeles, with the adding of lateral partners and non-partners. The team advises a vast range of buyers, sellers, financial investors, and investment banks on domestic and cross-border M&A in the public and private sphere, including disposals, transactions, regulatory matters, corporate governance, shareholder activism and general commercial and corporate advisory issues. Dallas' Glen Hettinger is corporate, M&A and securities head and his industry expertise crosses retail, energy, asset management, banking, hi-tech and gaming; Houston-based Gene Lewis is US business practice head; and Sheldon Nussbaum co-chairs the corporate, banking and business department in the New York office. New York co-partner-in-charge Steve Suzzan advised (alongside the firm's London office) a gold mining business on its merger with another gold mining company; also in New York, Charles Hord III assisted an infrastructure private equity firm with the acquisition of electric power generation and distribution businesses; Kessar Nashat acted for an electric power company in its acquisition of power generation assets; and David Barrett, who has extensive experience with transactions involving financial institutions, financial services firms and fintech businesses, advised a private equity firm on the sale of all its ownership interests in an insurance broker. The New York office also acted for an energy company, on the acquisition of an oil sands entity and Dallas' Bryn Sappington advised an oil and gas exploration and production company on its merger with another oil and gas company. Brian Fenske is a key Houston practitioner.

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal Tier 1

The New York-based team of Norton Rose Fulbright represents creditors in major municipal restructurings, in and out of court and is particularly ‘strong in workouts for monoline insurers’. The team is representing a group of insured bondholders, who are part of the COFINA bondholder coalition, which collectively represents the largest group of organized holders of bonds issued. The firm acted for a bond insurer with $300m in general obligation bonds issued by Hartford, the capital city of Connecticut, when the city was in severe financial distress. The team also assisted the insurer of approximately $2bn of warrants, in the Jefferson County, Alabama Chapter 9 case, obtaining a favorable ruling for the client. A key figure in the team is recently promoted partner Eric Daucher, who is noted for his ‘extensive experience’.

Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright has experience handling advertising litigation for its consumer and pharmaceutical brand clients. San Antonio-based Saul Perloff and Jeffrey Margulies in Los Angeles jointly head the practice and are recommended particularly for Lanham Act litigation and defending consumer class action cases, respectively. Perloff and Paul Keller in New York are taking the lead in representing Provepharm in litigation against Akorn, alleging false advertising of Akorn's unapproved methylene blue product in comparison to Provepharm’s approved and highly purified Provay Blue product. The team is also defending Neogenis Labs against allegations that its labeling and commercial advertising violate Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act in ligation brought by ThermoLife. A consumer class action matter led by a team around Margulies is the representation of Deoleo US and Safeway in claims relating to each client’s labeling of olive oil.  

Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 2

The team at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has focused on commercial and business litigation and arbitration in the energy sector - specifically contentious work arising from disputes over contracts such as joint operating agreements (JOAs), gas sale and purchase contracts, crude oil trading agreements, and oil and gas leases. Additionally, the firm's wider expertise in energy regulation gives it the ability to represent clients at federal- and state-level permitting proceedings. Daniel McClure (Houston) is the name to note for upstream litigation, such as royalty disputes. Bob Comer (Denver) and Stephen Dillard (Houston) are also noteworthy.

Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright advises clients on M&A, project financing and commercial agreements such as corporate PPAs. Washington DC-based Keith Martin and New York-based Benjamin Koenigsberg jointly head the practice group. Other key figures include New York-based Todd Alexander, who specializes in solar, wind, hydro, biomass and fuel facilities projects, and Washington DC-based Noah Pollak, who was recently promoted to partner. The department also saw a number of departures in 2018; New York-based Michael Pikiel and David Gillespie, as well as Washington DC-based Patrick Groomes left for Winston & Strawn LLP, and Brian Greene and Rohit Chaudhry joined the Washington DC office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Energy: transactions: conventional power Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has experience of gas-fired power projects, corporate PPAs, gas hedges, and various forms of distributed generation and energy storage projects. Key contacts include New York-based Benjamin Koenigsberg, 'a true leader in every way', who focuses on the renewable sector, and Keith Martin, who is based in Washington DC and has 'tremendous knowledge of the project finance market'. Also recommended is New York-based Todd Alexander, who acts for developers and lenders in energy-related projects, including solar, wind, hydro, biomass, biofuel, fertilizer and clean coal facilities.

Energy: transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright provides 'high quality legal support' in relation to the construction of LNG facilities, pipelines and storage unites, and also handles transactions and projects in the downstream and petrochemicals sector. The global energy practice is headed in the Houston office by John Mauel, who has 'a brilliant non-confrontational way of advocating for a position in a negotiation'. Other key figures in the Houston office include Deborah A Gitomer, Jay Stiffler and Julie Mayo, the last of whom has 'an exceptional memory that allows her to keep track of agreement linkages' and also demonstrates 'outstanding ethical standards and meticulous drafting capabilities'. Also recommended is associate Jessica Rodriguez, 'a rising star in the LNG practice, who is thorough and has an excellent work ethic'. Dallas-based Mark R Wasem left for Spencer Lane LLP and Washington DC-based Patrick Groomes joined Winston & Strawn LLP.

International litigation Tier 2

The 'excellent' team at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP has 'deep expertise of the field' and has over 80 litigators in New York, many of whom handle complex cross-border matters. The team is representing a sovereign body with multiple enforcement proceedings in the United States arising from an foreign arbitral award involving a dispute in the energy sector. The firm also advised a former bank executive on criminal and enforcement proceedings brought by the DOJ, the SEC and the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority concerning securities fraud. Houston-based Gerard G Pecht leads the global dispute resolution and litigation practice, while Richard S Krumholz in Dallas leads the US group. Also recommended in Houston are Mark Baker and Kevin O’Gorman.

Product liability, mass tort and class actions: automotive/transport - defense Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright advises manufacturers and service providers on product liability litigation in the automotive sector. Steven Jansma, who heads the products, pharmaceuticals, medical and mass tort practice in San Antonio, is defending a tire company against various product liability claims, including a wrongful death case regarding an accident allegedly caused by a failed tire. In other work, the team is representing a client as regional trial counsel in several personal injury lawsuits involving the installation and replacement of tires on vehicles. Stacey Martinez in Austin is another name to note.

Product liability, mass tort and class actions: toxic tort - defense Tier 2

Headed by Steven Jansma, the products, pharmaceuticals, medical and mass tort department at Norton Rose Fulbright has expertise in environmental litigation, groundwater contamination cases, chemical exposure and natural disasters claims, and specializes in the defense of companies from the energy industry. Stephen Dillard and Jessica Farley acted for major oil and gas and chemicals companies in MDLs relating to groundwater contamination. Also recommended is Brett Young, who often represents clients in toxic exposure lawsuits. All named partners are based in Houston.

Transport: aviation and air travel - finance Tier 2

The New York-based team at Norton Rose Fulbright is regularly engaged in portfolio transactions. Indeed, James Tussing advises Apollo Aviation on portfolio acquisitions of aircraft on lease to airlines worldwide, and also advises on the credit facilities to finance those acquisitions. Leasing transactions are also a key area of expertise and, in another highlight, Tussing advised Willis Lease Finance Corporation on an ABS transaction secured by approximately 55 leased aircraft engines. Latin American deals are also a speciality, and in this space Sean Corrigan advised LATAM Airlines on the $302m financing of a 32 aircraft portfolio with a bank syndicate led by DVB Bank SE. Alyssa Marie Vazquez jointly heads the team with Tussing and Corrigan, and senior associate Kelli Sallemi is also recommended.

Transport: shipping - finance Tier 2

Norton Rose Fulbright regularly acts for US and foreign banks in international shipping transactions. The team is instructed by funds, governmental finance support entities and capital markets issuers, and is often involved in advising on non-traditional sources of ship financing. Restructuring and bankruptcy-related mandates are also a key area of activity for the team. New York-based Brian Devine, who is an expert on Liberian and Marshall Islands law, heads the team. Also recommended in New York are counsels Kassandra Lydia Savicki and Julie Pateman Ward. Brad Berman left the firm in 2018.

Energy regulation: conventional power Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP's 70-lawyer power and alternative energy projects department is well equipped to handle conventional energy regulation matters. Advisory work is a key activity for the group, spanning matter of compliance, enforcement and electric transmission tariffs. Joseph Williams and others represent the owner of a gas-fired generator in a complaint against an ISO with the objective of altering market design. Additionally, Williams and Jonathan Franklin (head of the appellate practice) act for a regulated electric utility in a petition for review of FERC orders on transmission cost allocation. Major investment banks and government bodies also feature on the firm's client list. Williams is joined by Keith Martin and New York-based Benjamin Koenigsberg in heading the practice group. Associate Anna Biegelsen often assists with matters involving FERC and the CFTC. Robert Shapiro is also recommended. Named attorneys are based in DC, unless otherwise noted.

International arbitration Tier 3

Headed by Houston-based practice co-head Mark Baker, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP is 'a powerful force' in oil and gas arbitration. In particular, the group is noted for its special ability to 'cross-over seamlessly on civil court litigation, arbitration and regulatory issues'. The practice group advised a mining company on enforcement proceedings against the Republic of Venezuela, which brought together a multi-jurisdictional team led by Washington DC based co-head Matthew H Kirtland. In the Houston office, Kevin O’Gorman is described as 'the power behind the throne' and senior associate Denton Nichols is also recommended.

International tax Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright's practice is led by head of global tax Andrius Kontrimas, based in Houston. The practice's client focus spans energy, healthcare, finance and other sectors, and team advises on, among other things, global tax planning, transfer pricing, joint ventures, M&A and tax controversies. Tax group co-head William Cavanagh specializes in corporate, partnership, private equity and international tax matters. Cavanagh is advising an infrastructure private equity firm on the acquisition of Latin American and Caribbean electric power generation and distribution businesses from subsidiaries of a NYSE-listed holdings company. Michael Flamenbaum is advising a Canadian bank on the acquisition of a Canadian-US lender, valued at C$1bn. Dallas-based Todd Schroeder joined the team in January 2018 from Baker McKenzie LLP. Attorneys mentioned are based in New York except where otherwise indicated.

Product liability, mass tort and class actions: pharmaceuticals and medical devices - defense Tier 3

The products, pharmaceuticals, medical and mass tort practice at Norton Rose Fulbright regularly acts as counsel and trial team for manufacturers in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors. Headed by Steven Jansma in San Antonio, the team also handles non-contentious sector-related work such as risk mitigation. Jonathan Skidmore in Dallas and Austin-based Stacey Martinez are other key members of the practice group. Sara Brinkmann joined Reed Smith LLP in May 2018 and Randall Richardson departed to found Randall S. Richardson PLL in August 2018.

Structured finance: securitization Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright provides its clients 'a truly global platform', from which it advises originators, issuers, rating agencies and financial institutions on a wide range of ABS transactions, often involving nascent asset classes such as certain types of consumer loans. In addition to consumer and marketplace loan securitizations, department head Patrick Dolan has experience of deals involving property tax liens, PACE bonds, and consumer and commercial solar loans. Also of note, acting in conjunction with the firm's London office, Dolan was involved in a particularly innovative shari'ah-compliant securitization. Other contacts include Andrew Coronios and George Baptista, who joined the team in 2018 from Mayer Brown.

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

Timothy Kenny heads the practice at Norton Rose Fulbright from Minneapolis and is a specialist in licensing, prosecution and strategic portfolio management. He represents several high-profile clients in enforcing their marks, both in the US and internationally. The team also includes Austin-based Alicia Morris Groos; she was recently engaged by a key client for federal trademark registration and brand protection, specifically on the internet and social media platforms.

US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Considered 'the best among its peers' by some, Norton Rose Fulbright represents clients in IRS examinations, IRS fast-track mediation, IRS appeals, and litigation in the Tax Court and federal district courts, as well as before the IRS competent authority office. Robert Morris jointly leads the US tax practice out of Houston and advises clients on state tax disputes, transfer-pricing issues, tax sharing agreement disputes, and matters involving allegations of tax fraud and potential criminal tax charges. Also in Houston is of counsel Charles Hall, who represents the firm's large corporate clients in controversy matters. Jasper Taylor and Stephen Kuntz are also noted. Robert Kovacev is a key name and splints his time between Washington DC and San Francisco.

US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP leverages its strong oil and gas practice to advise on a steady stream of energy and natural resources transactions. It also has notable experience in cross-border M&A, financial services mandates and private equity and hedge fund formation. William Cavanagh assisted with the tax structuring aspects of I Squared Capital’s acquisition of IC Power’s Latin American and Caribbean electric power generation and distribution businesses from subsidiaries of Kenon Holdings. In Dallas, William Bowers handles federal income tax planning for complex transactions involving corporations, partnerships and REIT’s; he and Todd Schroeder, who joined in January 2018 from Baker McKenzie LLP, advised Equity Bancshares on its mergers with Kansas Bank Corporation and Adams Dairy Bancshares. David Gillespie left for Winston & Strawn LLP in February 2018. All named partners are based in New York unless otherwise specified.

Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Robin Adelstein leads the antitrust department at Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP from the New York office. In recent highlights, Layne Kruse     - who splits his time between Houston and Washington DC - teamed up with David Foster to secure a summary judgment for a household name technology company in litigation filed by a competitor alleging the client and other power tool manufacturers conspired to boycott its safety technology. Also notable in New York is Mark Robertson, who is jointly representing a disposable lens manufacturer alongside Adelstein in putative class actions claiming a group of lens manufacturers conspired to engage in horizontal price-fixing and vertical price maintenance in violation of the Sherman Act. On the healthcare front, Houston-based Darryl Anderson was part of the team advising a health system on one of four suits filed against US hospitals claiming a conspiracy to depress nurse wages. Gerald Stein joined the firm from the FTC as senior counsel.

General commercial disputes Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright has experience litigating cases with wide-ranging implications and its broad office network gives it an edge in multi-jurisdictional matters. The firm also stands out for its active pro bono practice. It is particularly strong in the energy sector; recent highlights include representing an oil and gas company on civil liability issues arising out of an incident in Texas. The firm further bolstered its cybersecurity and data protection expertise with the hire of Jeewon Kim Serrato from Shearman & Sterling in San Francisco and Chris Cwalina from Holland & Knight in Washington DC. M Scott Incerto and Thomas McCormack co-head the commercial litigation practice from Austin and New York, respectively. Judith Archer and Thomas Hall are additional contacts in New York, and Beau Cox is a name to note in Dallas.

Healthcare: life sciences Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright’s areas of strength in the life sciences industry include antitrust, IP, data privacy and cybersecurity matters as well as litigation. Global head of the life sciences and healthcare practice is Stacey A Martinez, who splits her time between Austin and Houston, while Debbi M Johnstone leads the US team from the Houston office. New York's antitrust specialist Robin Adelstein is well versed in class action litigation. Gina Shishima in Austin is recommended for her patent law expertise. Former practice co-head Frederik Robinson and Cori Annapolen Goldberg moved to Reed Smith LLP, while health technology transaction expert Andres Liivak left to White & Case LLP.

Healthcare: service providers Tier 4

The range of healthcare services provided by Norton Rose Fulbright covers M&A and joint ventures, regulatory matters such as fraud and abuse, reimbursement, licensing and government enforcement disputes, as well as bet-the-company litigation, employment law and intellectual property. Debbi Johnstone and Yvonne K Puig and Jerry A Bell are the key partners in Texas, while Thomas E Dowdell leads the regulatory team in Washington DC. St Louis partner-in-charge James Wiehl heads up the transactional practice across the US, while New York transactional and regulatory partner Andrew Roth and St Louis Stacey Murphy are other names to note.

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

The ‘responsive, knowledgeable and easy-to-work with’ Norton Rose Fulbright has ‘an excellent reputation in the market’ and gives ‘very clear, concise advice with a global perspective’. Experienced in Chapter 11 cases for creditor committees as well as on the debtor side, the firm specializes in complex, cross-border work, particularly for energy, shipping and banking sector clients. The ‘world class leader’ Howard Seife is ‘very knowledgeable about both US and international restructuring and bankruptcy issues’. He chairs the practice from New York, alongside fellow chair Louis Strubeck, who splits his time between Dallas and New York. Their team includes recommended practitioner Andrew Rosenblatt in New York, who is ‘a pleasure to work with’, as well as the recently promoted partners Eric Daucher, also in New York, and Dallas-based Ryan Manns. The firm represents a bank, as indenture trustee, in the judicial restructuring of notes totaling over $5bn, related to a company that filed for bankruptcy in 2016. In another highlight, the department is acting for an client in a Chapter 11 relating to one of the world's largest suppliers of fuel to the shipping industry. The client is providing $532m in DIP financing and serving as stalking horse purchaser.

Securities litigation - defense Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright handles securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits and internal and government investigations for companies, boards of directors, board committees and senior executives in a range of industries. It has notable experience in SEC, DOJ and FINRA matters and Kevin Harnisch in Washington DC, who leads the SEC enforcement practice, is currently handling a high-stakes matter that will examine whether spoofing and layering can be considered manipulative trading. Global head of litigation Gerard Pecht in Houston obtained the dismissal of a Section 11 IPO class action for a client.

Trademarks: litigation Tier 4

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP's practice is headed by Minneapolis-based Timothy Kenny and is particularly active in handling international litigation. The enforcement of rights against infringement, dilution and countering are all specific strengths with the practice regularly representing clients in relation to TROs and Preliminary Injunction motions. Kenny demonstrates a proven track record in federal trademark matters as well as TTAB proceedings. Another name to note is the highly recommended Austin-based Michael Metteauer.

Merger control Tier 5

From New York, Robin Adelstein heads Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP's antitrust and competition practice, which recently welcomed senior counsel Gerald Stein from the FTC. In recent highlights, Washington DC-based Daniel Wellington is handling the antitrust aspects of a proposed worldwide transaction that would combine two leading providers of cybersecurity services. Layne Kruse, Darryl Anderson and Marc Collier are the main names to note in Texas.

Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

Norton Rose Fulbright has a varied practice, with a recent caseload including pharmaceutical, technology, telecoms and consumer product-related highlights. Jeffrey Lewis in New York represented Purdue Pharma in litigation against defendants Alvogen and Actavis regarding 35 patents in nine consolidated suits aimed at stopping the launch of a generic version of Purdue Pharma's pain medication Hysingla. Uni-Systems instructed the team in a suit brought against the United States Tennis Association and the architects and engineers responsible for the retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, involving patent infringement, trade secrets and unfair competition elements. Houston-based practice head Charles Walker, New York's Paul Keller and David Heskel Ben-Meir in Los Angeles are other names to note. Qualcomm, Expedia and AT&T also feature on the client roster.

Real estate Tier 5

Norton Rose Fulbright provides advice on real estate issues including joint ventures, acquisitions, financing, leasing and development, with the firm's clients including institutional and private equity investors, lenders, borrowers, landlords, tenants, developers and real estate advisors. The firm is adept at handling projects relating to industrial, multifamily and mixed-use properties, shopping centers, medical office buildings and hospital facilities, as well as developments in the energy sector. Austin-based US real estate head Jane Snoddy Smith represented a Melbourne-based developer on a $200m private equity joint venture for the financing and development of an urban multifamily mixed-use tower in Houston, Texas. Austin-based Josh Bernstein recently advised a developer on the acquisition and financing of a mixed-use development acquired via sealed bid auction from the Texas Department of Transportation; the investment is expected to exceed over $500m over several years. The New York team was strengthened by the addition of partners Jill Block and Marc Shapiro from Mayer Brown. Mitchell Lubart in New York is also recommended.

Project finance

With experience acting for lenders and sponsors, Norton Rose Fulbright is highly regarded for its experience in advising on finance mandates for renewable energy and conventional power projects. Tax equity deals are also a key area of focus for the team, where Robert Eberhardt in New York and Keith Martin in Washington DC, who is co-head of projects, are noted. Martin and Joseph Williams, who is also based in Washington DC jointly head the department, which also includes Noam Ayali, Robert Shapiro, Jeremy Hushon, who focuses on the financing of energy and infrastructure projects in emerging markets, Paul Weber and Sarah Devine, who regularly handles cross-border mandates. In New York, co-head of projects Benjamin Koenigsberg, Todd Alexander and Ikenna Emehelu are also recommended. Michael Yuffee joined Winston & Strawn LLP in February 2018.