Firm Profile > Baker McKenzie LLP > Dallas, United States

Baker McKenzie LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

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

Baker McKenzie LLP's data privacy and security team is praised for its broad experience handling 'everything from data breaches to national security incidents to congressional investigations to foreign nations interfering in elections and stealing IP'. The group is jointly led by Chicago-based Brian Hengesbaugh, who has experience in advisory, compliance and regulatory issues, transactions and crisis management; Lothar Determann in Palo Alto, who focuses on advising technology sector clients; and cybersecurity experts David Lashway and John Woods in Washington DC. Michael Egan and Amy de La Lama —who are based in Washington DC and Chicago respectively — both have experience advising clients on global privacy matters including regulatory and transactional issues and breach notifications. Washington DC-based Jennifer Seale is another name to note for investigations and disputes, while recently promoted partner Brandon Moseberry in Chicago is rated for his experience of adtech matters. Also of note, the group further strengthened its litigation capabilities in Los Angeles with the additions of Perrie Weiner and Edward Totino from DLA Piper LLP (US).

Tax > International tax Tier 1

Baker McKenzie LLP advises multinational companies on all aspects of international and domestic transactions. The North American tax practice is chaired by Dallas-based Melinda Phelan in Dallas, who recently advised Whirlpool on the $1bn sale of one of its business operations to Nidec Corporation. Another key figure in the team is Christine Agnew Sloan in DC, who was involved in a litany of transactions for Boeing over the past year. Jeff Maydew chairs the global tax planning and transactions sub-practice group from the Chicago office, and Rafic Barrage in Washington DC heads the firm's North American tax planning and transactions group. Contacts in Houston include Kai Kramer, a name to note for corporate and securities transactions, and Julia Skubis Weber, a highly recommended tax specialist on the more junior end of the partnership. Significant international planning work is also being led by Stewart Lipeles in Palo Alto and Thomas May in New York. Also of note in 2019, TCJA expert Christopher Hanna joined as counsel in Washington DC from SMU Dedman School of Law.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 1

Baker McKenzie LLP represents multinational companies and high-net-worth individuals in domestic and multi-jurisdictional tax disputes, including transfer pricing controversies. The team has particular experience advising tech companies, pharmaceutical giants, and defense contractors, and also has a highly regarded SALT team. Contacts in Washington DC practice head George Clarke, who is known for his work in civil and criminal tax matters, and Duane Webber, who has led several of the firm's most sensitive cases over the past year. Robert Albaral in Dallas has experience representing clients in audits, administrative appeals, and judicial proceedings. In Palo Alto, Andrew Crousore is a contact for issues ranging from transfer pricing to the R&D credit, while Scott Frewing is a name to note for tax controversies, with a significant emphasis on Subpart F matters, foreign tax credits, and criminal tax penalties. Mark Roche was promoted to partner in San Francisco in 2019. Ethan Kroll left the firm for EY in April 2019.

Dispute resolution > International trade Tier 2

Spread across Washington DC, San Francisco, Palo Alto, New York and Chicago, Baker McKenzie LLP’s international trade practice is noted for its national coverage. Headed by Washington DC-based Janet Kim, the department places particular emphasis on its work relating to export controls and trade sanctions. Standout individuals in this space are Kim, San Francisco-based John McKenzie, Nick Coward, and Kerry Contini, that last of whom has been singled out by clients in particular. McKenzie is also highly experienced in customs law matters, acting for multinational clients in complex trade enforcement and compliance issues. Looking to trade remedy matters, Kevin O’Brien and his team have gained considerable experience of institutions such as the International Trade Commission, the International Trade Administration, and the World Trade Organization, particularly in the context of antidumping and countervailing duties.

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

Baker McKenzie LLP has a highly regarded global aviation practice, and is also distinguished by the strength of its multi-disciplinary UAV team. Washington DC-based Jennifer Trock heads both the firm's global aviation group and the UAV practice; she has extensive experience in foreign and domestic airline licensing, airline restructuring and citizenship requirements. The team also assists in NTSB investigation responses, international safety policy development, including conflict zone flight safety, and airport access matters. Kenneth Quinn has left the firm.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP's trademark team works on portfolio management, transactions and licensing for a number of international clients. New York-based Pamela Church leads the team and recently advised The C.S. Lewis Company on portfolio management and domain name issues surrounding Lewis' fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia. Also in New York is Lisa Rosaya, who worked alongside Church in the C.S. Lewis Company matter. David Davis is a name to note in the Chicago office; he has been handling matters relating to the trademark portfolio of the popular international fitness franchise F45 Training.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice is a go-to name for handling multijurisdictional transactions due to an expansive global presence and its comprehensive database of share and incentive plan precedents. Most recently, Chicago-based partners Maura Ann McBreen and Christopher Guldberg advised corporate clients based in France and Germany on cross-border acquisitions which involved complex issues surrounding golden parachute excise taxes and equity-based retention agreements. Barbara Klementz’s San Francisco-based team – which also includes Denise Glagau and Victor Flores – acts as benefits counsel to a suite of technology and digital security companies; niche mandates include employee shareholder issues, employee stock purchase plan adjustments and equity award conversions associated with high-value IPOs.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 2

Baker McKenzie LLP's team specializes in advising international and domestic clients on both IT and business process outsourcing transactions, including systems and hardware. Its work encompasses software procurement; agreements dealing with data processing; internet connectivity and IT joint ventures and IT aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Its client base spans the healthcare, automotive, and social media sectors. Michael Mensik retired from the partnership to become senior counsel with a focus on select key client management issues. His Chicago office replacement, Peter George, a 'pragmatic' lawyer, advises clients on complex business process transactions and licensing involving human resources, finance and accounting. Chicago-based technology and intellectual property expert Adam Aft has been promoted to partner, and is noted there alongside Samuel Kramer. Another key contact is Sonia Baldia in Washington DC who advises clients across various industries on cloud migrations, analytics, and e-commerce.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP‘s litigation and government enforcement practice has a significant strength in enforcement matters and complex commercial litigation. The group’s investigations-related practice in Washington DC was somewhat weakened with the departure of Edward Baldwin to Steptoe & Johnson LLP in March 2019; however, DC-based practice head Jennifer Semko remains a key contact for cross-border litigation. Also recommended is former prosecutor Colin Murray, a standout trial litigator based in San Francisco.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 3

Led out of New York and Chicago by James O’Brien, José Morán and Clyde Rankin, and also able to tap into the expertise of projects and energy lawyers spread throughout the firm's international network, Baker McKenzie LLP is well-positioned to advise clients engaged in renewables and clean technology-related work, from both a domestic and international perspective. Instructed by a diverse array of stakeholders, including developers, lenders, investors and end-users, the team is able to provide a balanced perspective to clients on the corporate, tax structuring, financing and ongoing operational aspects of wind, solar, geothermal, landfill gas, biofuels, biomass, waste-to-energy and ocean energy-related matters. It also been at the vanguard of the development of corporate renewable power purchase agreements and has advised numerous Fortune 500 companies utilizing such contracts in their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, while implementing more sustainable practices.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP provides legal counsel in relation to the development of environmental compliance programs, sustainability and CSR initiatives and climate change policies. The team is also experienced in agency enforcement matters, as well as counseling on regulated products and supply chains. Based in Chicago, the team is jointly led by John Watson and David Hackett, who regularly represent clients in federal and state enforcement proceedings, and also provide advice on environmental compliance matters. Another key contact is Douglas Sandler, who has experience of compliance issues relating to CERCLA, RCRA, CWA and state environmental and product regulations.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 3

A substantial portfolio of multinational plan sponsors utilizes Baker McKenzie LLP’s employee benefit and executive compensation practice for the full breadth of issues. Chicago-based practice head Maura Ann McBreen assists with single and multiemployer benefit plans, global retirement plan implementation, tax-exempt benefit plan wind-downs and de-risking strategies. Robust knowledge of 208G, 409A and 162(m) provisions is applied to the implementation and design of executive compensation packages for tech-focused clients on the West Coast, with practice head Barbara Klementz and Denise Glagau – both based in San Francisco – being leading names. The firm provides a knowledge-base of global incentive plan precedents and tax laws compiled through its significant international footprint.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP runs a full-service immigration group is composed of an integrated team of lawyers across the firm's employment, corporate, tax, and data privacy practices. Betsy Morgan leads the practice group from the Chicago office. Leveraging the firm's international network and its on-the-group expertise in employment-based immigration law and transactions, the US team is an attractive choice for multinational clients. Ginger Partee is the key name for I-9 and other compliance audits. Also based in Chicago is David Serwer, who has experience in immigration matters in the healthcare, energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. Serwer also has an active pro-bono practice, where he handles a considerable number of naturalization cases. Melissa Allchin was recently promoted to partner.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 3

Baker McKenzie LLP acts as trusted advisor for a range of international companies, particularly from the financial services and technology industries. The team's activity in diversity & inclusion and pay equity mandates, investigations as well as compliance queries in IPOs and data privacy matters is considerable. Projects such as spin-offs or workforce restructurings, often in an international context, are another area of expertise. This is also a focus for Palo Alto's Susan Eandi, who heads up the practice. Houston-based Emily Harbison's broad practice includes advising on executive mobility, wrongful discharge and wage-and-hour topics. Benjamin Ho in San Francisco is regularly involved in various transactions, and Joseph Deng in Los Angeles and Elizabeth Ebersole in Chicago are also noted.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 3

The team at Baker McKenzie LLP is noted for its solid expertise in outsourcing and software licensing agreements, and has also been kept busy advising clients on cloud computing and data-related transactions. Practice head Peter George has expertise in advising domestic and international clients on outsourcing, cloud computing and internet of things matters. Also recommended is Samuel Kramer, who handles blockchain-related licensing contracts and development agreements. Adam Aft, senior counsel Michael Mensik and Washington DC-based Sonia Baldia are notable names. Unless otherwise stated, named lawyers are based in Chicago. In August 2019 Leif King joined the Palo Alto office from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, and in May 2020 Marcela Robledo joined from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

The ‘proactive and commercial’ practice group at Baker McKenzie LLP handles M&A, conversions and spin-off transactions, joint ventures, private placements, DST structures and property acquisition transactions. Headed by Addison Braendel in Chicago, the team is also noted for its ‘great technical knowledge’ on the tax front. In addition, the practice group provides governance and securities law advice, both on a standalone basis, and in connection with debt and equity offerings.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

The US-based international arbitration team Baker McKenzie LLP uses the firm’s global network as a springboard for handling cross-border arbitrations, leveraging the availability of over 350 arbitration experts worldwide. As a result of an influx in investment-related disputes, the group is committed to developing its core investor-state practice. The department is led by North American arbitration group chair Michael Morkin and global group chair Brendan Cook, who are based in Chicago and Houston, respectively. In New York, the team is active in the enforcement of arbitral awards, an area where David Zaslowsky is a key contact. Grant Hanessian is also based in New York, and focuses on investment treaty arbitration.

Finance > Project finance

Baker McKenzie LLP is praised for its 'accessibility' and its 'customer and solution oriented approach'. Clients naturally benefit from the firm's massive global reach, allowing seamless access to key regions and jurisdictions, including Latin America where the team has an impressive track record. Energy, power, and renewables projects, including energy storage solutions, form a key part of the firm's offering, although lawyers also have good expertise in major transport infrastructure projects. The team has a good balance between borrower and lender work, and Chicago-based partners José Morán and James O’Brien, who jointly lead the team with New York's Clyde Rankin, regularly sit on both sides of the table. In New York, Margarita Oliva Sainz de Aja is noted for her strong Latin America expertise and chairs the firm's Latin Finance Practice, while Mark Tibberts has a good track record in energy infrastructure projects.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: conventional power Tier 4

Led from Chicago and New York by James O’Brien and Clyde Rankin respectively, Baker McKenzie LLP's projects team has a strong reputation in the market for the development and financing of power projects, including advice on corporate structures regarding power plant ownership and operation. Although the team handles a significant amount of purely domestic work, for a primarily developer focused client base, its sweet-spot is in relation to handling big-ticket international power projects, where it is effectively able to collaborate with lawyers from across the firm's extensive global network of offices.

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

Baker McKenzie LLP continues to grow its PTAB practice, with several exceptionally successful high-stakes inter partes reviews already under its belt. The group distinguishes itself from competitors through a combination of its strong software patent prosecution expertise, wide geographical reach as shown by its experience in the prosecution of global patent portfolios, drawing on its in-house Korean- and Mandarin-speaking practitioners to better counsel clients from China and South Korea, and its specialism in plant patents and plant variety rights as part of its life sciences offering. Additionally, the group is growing its expertise in patent issues regarding artificial intelligence. Mackenzie Martin in the Dallas office is the head of the practice. The other key office is in Washington DC. Matt Dushek went in-house to Pratt & Whitney and William McSpadden left for an in-house position at Cochlear.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 4

San Francisco-based practice co-head James Baker and Chicago-based co-head Lisa Brogan are go-to names at Baker McKenzie LLP for ERISA litigation. Typical mandates involve ERISA fiduciary litigation for insurance companies, lawsuits involving the denial of severance pay, healthcare plan disputes and defending defined benefit plan sponsors in withdrawal liability litigation. Baker also cites a niche expertise in acting for employer-sponsored plan participants against health plan service providers. 401(k) stock-drop litigation, ESOP disputes and cash-balance plan disputes are also handled.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense Tier 4

Global law firm Baker McKenzie LLP covers a broad spectrum of labor and employment disputes, be it class actions, single-plaintiffs or regulatory investigations. The Chicago-based William Dugan is well versed in litigation cases against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as in wage-and-hour matters. He jointly leads the team with Michael Brewer in San Francisco, who also knows contracts, wrongful termination and non-competition disputes well. Brewer's practice is complimented by the skill set of Michael Leggieri and Billie Wenter in the same office. Other names to note are the Los Angeles-based Robin Samuel and Arthur Rooney in Chicago. Miriam Petrillo left for DLA Piper LLP (US) in July 2019 and Meredith Kaufman set up Kaufman Law October 2019. The team made some big steps forward in March 2020, however, with the hires of Blair Robinson, Jeff Sturgeon, and Paul Evans; a trio of litigators that joined from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Baker McKenzie LLP provides a full range of tax advice to the firm's strong corporate client base. Jointly led by Jeff Maydew in Chicago and Rafic Barrage in Washington DC, the team advises on the tax elements of corporate restructuring, the taxation of financial products and state and local tax planning. Maydew has particular experience acting for clients in the aerospace, electronics and e-commerce sectors, while Barrage is a key figure for transactional tax issues in the life sciences and shipping industries. Also recommended is Miami-based James Barrett, who handles state and local tax matters, especially in the state of Florida.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

Baker McKenzie LLP's US antitrust team is part of the firm's fully integrated global practice. Over the past year, the department has undergone numerous personnel changes: John Fedele and Teisha Johnson were promoted to partner in January 2019 and January 2020, respectively. In December 2019, Mark Hamer was promoted to global antitrust chair and Creighton Macy assumed the post of North America chair in Washington DC. Both field government experience from their time at the DOJ's Antitrust Division and now jointly lead the US team.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 5

Baker McKenzie LLP's 'global spread is a big competitive advantage, as the firm is able to cover multi-jurisdictional matters seamlessly'. The group, which consists of former DOJ and SEC attorneys, has substantial court experience, as well as expertise in cross-border investigations. The firm's caseload spans criminal FCPA, tax, securities, immigration and fraud matters. In Chicago, Peter Tomczak serves as chair of the North American litigation and government enforcement practice group, and is an expert in internal investigations, particularly relating to FCPA violations. In Washington DC, Richard Dean and Reagan Demas are noted as 'expert when it comes to anti-corruption investigations.' In New York, co-chair of the global compliance and investigations group William Devaney focuses on cross-border matters.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 5

Led by Denmon Sigler, Baker McKenzie LLP 's ten-partner Houston-based oil and gas team is well-versed at advising on matters throughout the value chain, including as it relates to onshore and offshore exploration and production, infrastructure and pipeline developments, chemical and refining transactions and asset acquisitions. The Houston office also houses numerous lawyers with Latin American experience, including Luis Gomar, who has handled work for many oil and gas companies with successful bids to explore and extract hydrocarbons onshore and offshore under Mexico’s new energy framework.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 6

Baker McKenzie LLP is focused on cross-border transactions, acting as lead counsel on a wide variety of deals for clients in a range of industries, including tech and defense. The firm's core strength lies in healthcare and pharma, with its role as lead counsel to Galapagos in its $5.1bn collaboration with Gilead a clear highlight; that matter was led by 'smart negotiator' Olivia Tyrell in Chicago. Other key names in Chicago include Craig Roeder, who advised construction company Gebr. Knauf on the $7bn domestic acquisition of USG Corporation, and Michael DeFranco, the firm's global head of M&A. Alan Zoccolillo is co-managing partner of the New York office, and North American head of corporate and securities. The team has been strengthened by several lateral hires: respected Wall Street lawyer Mark Mandel joined from Milbank, and Leif King joined from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP as head of corporate in California. Further, in Silicon Valley tech transaction specialist Lawrence Lee joined the firm from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal

An inner circle of practitioners within Reed Smith LLP's wider restructuring and insolvency group is also active in municipal matters. Best known for representing lending institutions, creditor committees, and trustees, the team - under Peter Clark in Philadelphia and with Eric Schaffer's first-hand commitment from Pittsburgh and New York (where the litigation team sits) - has had a role on major international engagements such as in Puerto Rico and Argentina.