Blank Rome LLP > Philadelphia, United States > Firm Profile

Blank Rome LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 1

Blank Rome LLP advises clients on litigation across a spectrum of insurance coverage claims, including notable claims concerning sexual harassment and abuse and multi-jurisdictional matters concerning alleged violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act, while continuing to handle COVID-19 business interruption, natural disaster and D&O claims. In addition, the practice also supports clients in arbitration under the UK’s Arbitration Act, including Bermuda Form arbitrations. The team is led by Jim Murray and John Gibbons in Washington DC, representing clients in major sexual abuse coverage and representation and warranty claims respectively, and Los Angeles-based Linda Kornfeld, who advises on COVID-19-related claims. In New York, Jared Zola handles high value litigation and arbitrations, while Natasha Romagnoli assists with sexual abuse and discrimination claims in addition to D&O matters. In Washington, John Heintz advises clients on claims ranging from environmental contamination to employment discrimination class actions, while Omid Safa represents clients in D&O disputes and cyber matters and Kyle Brinkman handles mass tort and environmental liability issues. Of counsel Daniel Rylaarsdam handles a range of first and third party claims out of the Los Angeles office.

Transport > Shipping: finance Tier 1

Fielding a dedicated ship finance team from its Washington DC, New York and Houston offices, Blank Rome LLP‘s broad maritime client base includes shipyards, owners, operators, cargo interests, lenders and investors. The firm’s US maritime practice has an enviable market reputation for structuring ship finance transactions involving foreign investment in the Jones Act trade, as well as ship financings registered under the laws of Liberia and the Marshall Islands. It is also experienced in vessel finance, construction, sale, purchase and chartering mandates, and routinely represents debtors and creditors in maritime restructuring and bankruptcy matters. Practice head and the firm’s lead ship finance and transaction practitioner Anthony Salgado stands out for his knowledge of Jones Act citizenship issues (and related laws administered by the Coast Guard and Maritime Administration) and their impact on US ship financings and transactions, and Douglas Shoemaker in Houston focuses on complex maritime transactions and litigation. Providing key support at senior associate level, Natalie Radabaugh‘s workload is concentrated on maritime transactions, corporate governance issues and ship financing matters. All advisers mentioned are based in Washington DC, unless otherwise stated.

Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 1

Fielding one of the largest shipping practices in the US, Blank Rome LLP has enviable experience in maritime arbitrations, while housing a go-to team for shipping clients facing catastrophic events. It also stands out for its experience in issues involving the Jones Act and other coastwise trade laws. Other specialisms cover ballast water, offshore compliance, oil spill liability, and maritime immigration and visas. The national maritime and international trade practice is co-chaired by Washington DC-based shipping regulatory expert Jeanne Grasso, William Bennett III, who is a senior litigator in the New York shipping team, and highly-regarded maritime litigator Keith Letourneau in Houston. The practice also showcases John Kimball, who acts in maritime casualty, charterparty and insurance coverage disputes, maritime litigator Douglas Shoemaker and the ‘great‘ Jeremy Herschaft in Houston, and Thomas Belknap Jr, a key maritime emergency response team member. Also in DC, Matthew Thomas has longstanding maritime regulatory experience, while senior counsel Jonathan Waldron is a shipping regulatory specialist. Lauren Wilgus is a noteworthy shipping disputes partner, and the senior associates to note are Houston-based Zachary Cain, along with Stefanos Roulakis, Dana Merkel and Emma Jones in DC. All attorneys are based in New York, unless otherwise stated.

Government > Government contracts Tier 2

Leveraging its team of former federal prosecutors, government attorneys and GAO lawyers, Blank Rome LLP stands out for its track record in the defense, IT, software and aerospace fields. Rated for its ‘impressive mastery of government contracts matters’, the group regularly handles bid protests, False Claims Act cases and cost accounting issues. Washington DC-based practice is also noted for its experience in M&A-related government contracts matters, and is led by state and federal procurement law expert Justin Chiarodo. Scott Arnold has a strong background in bid protest, suspension and disbarment, internal investigations and compliance programs. Dominique L Casimir is a popular choice for accounting firms, major defense contractors and health insurers. Other key practitioners include Elizabeth Jochum, Luke Meier and Stephanie Harden.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 3

Focused on domestic and global private equity and strategic transactions, Blank Rome LLP is active in a multitude of sectors, including tech, manufacturing, and healthcare. Corporate clients of all sizes turn to the team for assistance in the full spectrum of public and private M&A transactions, take-privates and employee stock ownership plan acquisition deals. Louis Rappaport in Philadelphia serves as outside counsel to a myriad of business clients, both in relation to transactional and corporate governance issues. He oversees the practice alongside two partners based in New York: Peter Schnur, whose areas of expertise range from private equity deals to corporate divestitures and finance, and Kathleen Cunningham, who brings together experience in M&A, securities offering and SEC reporting.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 4

Blank Rome LLP is a prominent name for SALT matters nationwide, and regularly represents high-net-worth-individuals and Fortune 50 companies in a broad range of audits, appeals, and litigation. Craig Fields, based in New York, leads the firm’s SALT group, in addition to co-leading the tax, benefits, and private client group. Also based in New York are Nicole Johnson, a SALT specialist who joined from Morrison Foerster in February 2020, and Mitchell Newmark who has experience litigating state and local tax matters before judicial courts and administrative tribunals nationwide. Eugene Gibilaro, who made partner in January 2023, is a name to note.

Real estate Tier 5

Blank Rome LLP nationwide practice focuses on sales, acquisitions, development, equity investments, financings, joint ventures, and restructuring. In particular, the firm is highly recommended for multi-property and portfolio deals and its strong commercial leasing practice, headed by Sam Walker in New York, which is known for acting on retail chain rollouts. Samantha Wallack is another name of note in the same office. Steven Shoumer chairs the practice from Philadelphia.

International Trade > Trade remedies and trade policy

Finance > Commercial lending