BakerHostetler > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

BakerHostetler > The Legal 500 Rankings

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 2

Baker & Hostetler LLP is active on a number of different fronts, but counts TMT deals in the middle-market as its keystone. The practice is distinctly knowledgeable of inbound transactions, a particular forte of team co-head Steven Goldberg, and oversees deal flows from the UK, India, France, Germany, Spain and elsewhere in Europe. Asim Grabowski-Shaikh is based in New York alongside Goldberg and recently made partner, having garnered significant exposure to M&A, securities offerings and de-SPAC transactions.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: transactional and regulatory Tier 2

In the advertising and marketing space, BakerHostetler is particularly known for its activity at the intersection with digital media, privacy and protection of digital assets. Traditional advertising matters are paired with data and privacy work, including in connection to blockchain and cryptocurrency, the metaverse, NFTs and AI, and FTC-related work. The team handles a broad range of matters thanks to its integration within the wider digital assets and data management department. Linda A. Goldstein in New York, who mainly focuses on complex transactions and regulatory issues, co-leads the practice together with Amy Ralph Mudge in Washington DC, who specializes in FTC investigations, NAD challenges and class action defense. Always in Washington DC, associate John Ferry represents clients before the NAD, the FTC and state attorneys general, as well as in federal court in cases involving claim substantiation, sweepstakes and promotions, and social media campaigns. In October 2021, Daniel Kaufman joined the Washington DC team from the FTC, further expanding the team’s capabilities in the area.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 2

BakerHostetler is well known in the market for having a specialized digital assets and data management group, which particularly stands out in the litigation and class action disputes space, as well as providing a full service around data. The firm particularly stands out in the insurance sector, but the team’s experience also spans to e-commerce platforms, payment service providers, social media players and fintech entities. Incident response, global cybersecurity compliance and tech transactions complete the offering. The practice is led by Theodore Kobus III in New York, whose main clients include Marriott, Abbott and Garmin. Also in New York, associate Nichole Sterling focuses on privacy and data protection, information governance, and emerging technology. In Cincinnati, Craig A. Hoffman is the main contact for security incidents, response preparedness and digital risk advisory work. In May and October 2021, Dallas's Craig Carpenter and Washington DC-based Daniel Kaufman joined the firm from Holland & Knight LLP and the FTC, respectively.

Tax > Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) Tier 2

Bolstered by the arrival of Alexander Reid from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in July 2021, the tax-exempt practice at Baker & Hostetler LLP has a full service offering to clients, leveraging its firm wide capabilities across IP, cybersecurity, and government relations. Housed in Washington DC, the practice is now under the leadership of Reid, who has deep experience advising on tax planning, tax controversy, and transactional matters. He also specializes in non-profit governance, and advises leading universities, foundations, and charities. The core team includes Matthew Elkin who advises on corporate structures for non-profits, particularly the formation of investment funds and joint ventures, and Edward Beckwith who is the name for operational matters of charitable and educational organizations. In Cleveland, Chad Makuch works in private wealth and advises private foundations on fiduciary best practices, grant making, and compliance.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 3

BakerHostetler attracts praise for its ‘stellar US litigation team with immensely capable partners‘. Washington DC-based Mark Cymrot, who counts sovereign states among his key clients leads the ‘remarkable‘ international arbitration and litigation team, while ‘top-tier fraud and recovery lawyer‘ and intellectual property litigator Oren Warshavsky and David Sheehan jointly head the global fraud and international asset tracing and recovery team from New York. Other names to note include ‘superb litigator‘ Gonzalo Zeballos in New York, who excels in international investigations, and Houston-based energy disputes expert Sashe D. Dimitroff.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3

Industry focus > Transport: rail and road - litigation and regulation Tier 3

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 3

BakerHostetler employs the combined bench strength of its team to provide comprehensive copyright counselling and registration advice to publishers, authors, designers and architects. In addition, the group represents domestic and multinational corporates including J.M. Smucker and Big Lots Stores, in high-value cross-border copyright disputes. The practice is headed by two veteran copyright litigators: firm-wide chair Mark Tidman in Washington, DC and national trademark and copyright team leader Deborah Wilcox in Cleveland, a specialist in the tech, manufacturing, technology, insurance and healthcare sectors. Nancy R. Frandsen offers copyright management and enforcement expertise in the Philadelphia office.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 3

Baker & Hostetler LLP’s cross-practice trade secrets team is a regular port of call for a diverse array of major corporates and regional businesses from the worlds of TMT, life sciences, energy, and manufacturing. Orlando-based co-chair Joyce Ackerbaum Cox handles both advisory and litigious matters, assisting clients with employee movement issues, non-compete strategies, and restrictive covenant claims before the federal courts. In New York, co-head John Siegal’s diverse contentious practice sees him handling trade secret injunction cases for various financial services, media, and real estate industry players in courts throughout the nation. Houston-based Mark Temple is reputed for his capabilities in executive disputes, while Scott McIntyre maintains an active trial and appellate practice based out of the firm’s Cincinnati office.

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

The team at Baker & Hostetler LLP advises high-profile international and global clients such asLG Electronics and the J.M. Smucker Company on the management, exploitation and the enforcement of their trademark portfolios. In Washington DC, IP group chair Mark Tidman , who offers deep experience in trademark clearance and expansion, heads the group, along with national trademark and copyright team leader Deborah Wilcox in Cleveland, who represents clients across the manufacturing, technology, healthcare and insurance sectors. In Philadelphia, Kevin Bovard assists start-ups and multinationals with procurement and protection, and Lesley McCall Grossberg has significant litigation expertise, acting for companies in the financial services, social media, e-commerce, software, telecoms and food service industries.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense Tier 3

BakerHostetler is well versed in class and collective as well as single-plaintiff claims. With its specialist expertise in discrimination lawsuits, wage and hour claims and issues related to the FSLA and employee misclassification, the group is often retained by clients from a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, insurance, hospitality and telecommunications. Based in New York, Amy Traub heads up the practice. In Cleveland, Gregory Mersol focuses on discrimination, benefits and wage and hour matters. Supporting the team in Los Angeles is Margaret Rosenthal, whose expertise spans PAGA cases and wrongful termination. Kevin Shaughnessy in Orlando and Scott McIntyre in Cincinnati are also noted for their expertise.

Labor and employment > Labor-management relations Tier 3

Baker & Hostetler LLP operates a large labor and employment practice with a history of representing businesses in dealing with organized labor. Its key areas of expertise are in representing clients in hospitality, transport and mining. The team is led by Washington DC-based co-leader Jay P. Krupin, whose work includes union avoidance, strikes and due diligence, supported by Orlando-based co-leader Patrick M. Muldowney, and New York-based group chair Amy J. Traub. New York-based Paul Rosenberg remains active on behalf of a number of the firm's key clients.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance Tier 3

The Cleveland-based practice at Baker & Hostetler LLP  advises boards of directors, board committees and executives on governance and disclosure issues arising from corporate and M&A transactions, such as conflicts of interest, among others. Elsewhere, the group has expertise in proxy advisory firm recommendations and shareholder activism issues. Also notable is that a number of practitioners at the firm are particularly knowledgeable about federal securities law, including in relation to public company reporting and corporate governance requirements. Practice head Janet A. Spreen was part of the team that advised Bloomin Brands on governance and disclosure issues, which were significant, given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the company. John Harrington is also a name to note.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

BakerHostetler undertakes a range of commercial and investment arbitration cases, including complex state-to-state disputes. The national group is active across the full scope of industries, with technology, telecoms, and energy and natural resources standing out as core strengths. Key names in Washington DC include international arbitration and litigation group lead Mark Cymrot, investor-state arbitration head Kenneth Reisenfeld and Analia Gonzalez, who spearheads the Latin America arbitration and litigation practice. In Houston, Sashe Dimitroff is noted for his emphasis on energy-related matters. Marco Molina recently relocated to the Costa Mesa office to boost the department's West Coast offering.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 4

BakerHostetler has a busy practice representing public and private companies and individual executives in matters ranging from high-profile securities class actions to major governmental investigations, with extensive expertise in complex and often cutting-edge regulatory matters. Among its lawyers are former trial attorneys and senior counsel at the SEC and the DOJ, which gives the firm in-depth understanding of regulatory investigations. The white-collar and securities governance practice acts for clients in a diverse range of industry sectors, among them healthcare, energy, and financial services. John Carney and George A. Stamboulidis in New York lead the practice, along with Cleveland-based Steven M. Dettelbach . Carney acted for the receiver of Michael Kenwood Capital Management, a group of offshore hedge funds and related entities that pled guilty to multiple counts of securities and wire fraud, in a case that will test the ability of US courts to repatriate stolen assets from foreign jurisdictions.

International Trade > International trade Tier 4

BakerHostetler draws praise for its ‘wide variety of specialist attorneys who work together seamlessly‘. Certainly, the firm houses a broad international trade practice that spans trade litigation, national security matters and customs issues. On the national security front, ‘subject matter expert‘ Barbara Linney is noted for her work in export controls, economic sanctions and CFIUS matters. Michael S. Snarr co-heads the department alongside Linney and is a key contact for trade remedies and trade policy issues. Elliot J. Feldman also maintains a robust trade litigation practice, evidenced by his representation of significant Canadian producers in the ongoing softwood lumber trade dispute between the US and Canada. Lana Muranovic and Matthew Caligur are key names in Houston. Melissa Mannino, who specializes in national security matters, recently joined from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 4

Baker & Hostetler LLP offers a full-spectrum patent prosecution service with notable expertise across a wide sector range, including computer technology, life sciences, electrical and chemical engineering, aeronautics, and biotechnology. Washington DC’s Kenneth Sheehan, who handles a wide array of patent work, including prosecution, licensing, litigation, and transactions, and earns praise for his ‘technical expertise, very high-quality standards and business acumen’, is a key contact of the group. Tayan Patel and Hussein Akhavannik, also in Washington DC, and Stephanie Lodise in Philadelphia, are also noted. The firm includes a number of attorneys with an extensive background in regulatory bodies such as USPTO. The firm also operates from its office in Atlanta.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 4

BakerHostetler notably advises on multi-employer plans, public company executive compensation arrangements and health and welfare plans. From the firm’s Columbus office, Susan Lubow, who focuses on ERISA compliance issues, jointly leads the practice alongside Cleveland-based Raymond Malone, who frequently acts for tax-exempt organizations such as research universities and hospital systems. Also in Cleveland, Jennifer Mills and Susan Whittaker Hughes focus on health and welfare plan matters, while Columbus-based counsel Seth Hanft advises on HIPAA compliance issues. Ann Caresani, who operates from the Cleveland office, is another key member of the team. Columbus-based Georgeann Peters recently retired.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 4

Baker & Hostetler LLP fields a sizeable employment counseling and training group. It has an established track record in advising large, multinational clients on workplace issues, and regularly advises clients on all aspects of employment law and employment-related statutes, including on issues involving leave, hiring and firing, immigration, non-competition agreements and prevention of trade secrets theft, among other areas. The team is led by New York–based group chair Amy Traub, who focuses on the healthcare, hospitality and retail sectors.

Real estate Tier 4

Baker & Hostetler LLP‘s practice is co-chaired by Robert H. Gebaide in Orlando and Wendy Markham in Atlanta, with support from a sizeable team of real estate specialists in the Michael Pappert-led Houston office, alongside its Cleveland and Washington DC teams. Areas of expertise include acquisition, sales, financing, and development of offices, healthcare, hospitality and master-planned communities, as well as in regulatory compliance and environmental permitting.

Tax > International tax Tier 4

Based in Washington, DC, Baker & Hostetler LLP advises on tax-related matters related to cross-border transactions, general corporate law, and forensic tax controversies. It is particularly strong dealing with cross-border mergers, joint ventures, and restructurings, as well as taxable presence for corporations and private equity funds. Brian Davis leads the team and covers both complex cross-border tax disputes and transactional work. Jeffrey Paravano deals with tax controversies, investigations, and litigation, cross-border tax planning, as well as REIT and venture capital transactions. Chairman of the firm Paul M. Schmidt is a tax specialist covering transaction structuring and international tax controversies.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 4

Baker & Hostetler LLP represents domestic and international clients on IRS appeals, tax audits, and litigation. It has particular expertise representing tax exempt organizations and representing in SALT-related litigation. Firm-wide chair of the tax group Jeffrey Paravano is based in Washington DC and focuses on multi-jurisdictional tax disputes and audits, as well as IRS appeals. He works alongside associate Nicholas Mowbray, who covers tax controversy for clients in the oil and gas industry. Based in Ohio, Edward Bernert is an expert in SALT controversy at all levels of court, while chair of the firm Paul M. Schmidt represents clients in IRS audits. In Cleveland, tax controversy co-lead Michelle Hervey represents major players in manufacturing, real estate, and agriculture. New York office leader Elizabeth Smith is a specialist in cross-border tax representation for clients in the financial services sector. In 2021 tax controversy specialists Alexander Reid and Matthew Elkin joined the DC office from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP in July and August, respectively.

Industry focus > Healthcare: service providers Tier 5

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

The practice at BakerHostetler is well known for its patent litigation capabilities acting before the Court of Federal Claims, showcasing its combined expertise in IP and government contract law. The group also holds a solid reputation and presence in other US venues, including the PTAB, the ITC, and the federal circuit, and while it shows a particular strength in the technology sector, it skillfully acts in a wide gamut of industries. Comcast, HP, L3 Harris Technologies, and Crown Holdings, are among the group’s client roster. Daniel Goettle in Philadelphia, Kevin Kirsch in Cincinnati/Columbus, and Leif Sigmond in Chicago and Philadelphia’s John Murphy are key names. Katrina M. Quicker left the firm in February 2021.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

BakerHostetler has a breadth of expertise covering the ‘full array of bankruptcy-related work’, placing particular focus upon distressed M&A, restructurings, workouts and litigation. It is well equipped to advise across a range of industries such as energy, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare and retail. Renowned sector expert Elizabeth Green leads the bankruptcy practice from Orlando, offering broad expertise across the firm’s offering.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 6

Working collaboratively between departments and across offices, BakerHostetler consistently works on the full scope of tax-based mandates for clients in the real estate, energy, manufacturing, insurance, and financial services sectors. Practice head Jeffrey Paravano is highly experienced in both transactional and planning instructions, ranging from venture capital transactions to federal policy analyses. Chairman Paul Schmidt is recommended for his knowledge of international taxation, while John Lehrer is a key contact for the firm’s hospitality and media clientele. Cleveland practice head Michelle Hervey‘s broad focus encompasses debt and equity issuances, and private equity investments, while Alexander Szilvas and Nathan Ware are recommended for tax credit finance matters in the property sector. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.