Blank Rome LLP > Pittsburgh, United States > Firm Profile

Blank Rome LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Philadelphia Elite > Commercial disputes Tier 1

Daniel Rhynhart, co-chair of Blank Rome LLP’s litigation department, has a strong record in high-profile, high-publicity disputes. Rhynhart has secured major wins in complex business, tech, and pharma disputes across the country, both in court and arbitration. In a standout involvement, he represents VGXI in several high-stakes intellectual property and contractual litigations. This includes a significant trade secrets dispute with Inovio Pharmaceuticals, where VGXI successfully defended against an emergency injunction and continues litigation.

Philadelphia Elite > Corporate and M&A Tier 1

Philadelphia Elite > Intellectual Property Tier 1

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 1

Blank Rome LLP represents policyholders exclusively, with recovery specialists across Washington DC, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and several other key locations, acting for a variety of blue-chip clients in disputes spanning most of the key drivers of first and third-party losses of recent years, including asbestos, environmental damage, PFAS and toxic torts, COVID-19, and more, notably representing CVS Health Corporation in relation to the liabilities arising from its dispensation of opioids, and various religious institutions in coverage disputes connected to sex abuse cases. Reputed coverage partner James Murray leads the practice alongside Los Angeles-based Linda Kornfeld, who has significant experience in Bermuda Form arbitrations, and seasoned trial lawyer John Gibbons is particularly active in emerging risk areas such as media liability, biometric and data privacy, reps and warranties, and various professional liability and first-party loss insurance. Also filling the bench is seasoned recovery veteran John Heintz and  Washington DC-based Robert Jacobs, who comes highly recommended for Bermuda Form arbitrations and has recovered significant sums for clients in the chemicals industry. In New York, trial lawyer Jared Zola is a key contact for high-profile clients, and in Los Angeles, Mary Craig Calkins has over 35 years of experience litigating high-profile coverage disputes. Lisa Campisi handles disputes for PE firms, financial entities, and various Fortune 100 companies, and is experienced in catastrophic weather events. Omid Safa‘s broad practice includes guiding clients on cyber liability matters and reps and warranties claims. Chicago-based Rikke Dierssen-Morice is particularly noted for her construction and product recall coverage practice, Natasha Romagnoli is a key contact for schools and non-profits, and Helen Michael handles a wide range of coverage disputes from DC. Jeffrey Schulman joined the team in August of 2024 from Pasich LLP, and specializes in sex abuse claims. Kyle Brinkman is another name to note.

Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 1

The ‘very responsive and hardworking’ maritime practice at Blank Rome LLP is renowned for its deep bench of shipping litigators and regulatory attorneys, well-equipped to handle complex maritime regulatory matters and shipping disputes. With offices in Washington DC, Houston, New York and Philadelphia, the team advises on the full gamut of maritime matters, with particularly strong expertise in Jones Act and ballast water compliance. In Washington DC, leading maritime law expert Jeanne Grasso co-chairs the national maritime practice, advising clients on regulatory compliance and pollution incidents response; Houston-based Keith Letourneau leads on major litigations involving vessel arrests, maritime lien claims and collisions; and Thomas Belknap leads the New York team, specialising in a wide range of domestic and international shipping disputes.  Jonathan K Waldron  is a specialist in regulatory matters at the Washington DC office, alongside trade sanctions-expert Matthew Thomas. Kierstan L Carlson represents corporate and individual clients in high-stakes government investigations and litigation. In New York, John Kimball  leverages deep shipping litigation experience involving maritime casualties, whilst William Bennett III is recommended for his ‘excellent client relationship approach’. Lauren O’Brien left the firm in January 2025.    

New York City Elite > Corporate and M&A

Boston Elite > Corporate & M&A

Chicago Elite > Commercial disputes

Ohio Elite > Commercial disputes

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas

Blank Rome LLP’s energy litigation team is well-versed in federal and state regulatory compliance, enforcement, and dispute resolution. The firm regularly represents clients before FERC and the CFTC in enforcement matters and has significant experience securing regulatory approvals, including for LNG terminals and natural gas infrastructure. The team also advises on rate, tariff, and administrative litigation. Led by Mark Haskell, the practice includes Brett Snyder, who focuses on energy regulation, and Lamiya Rahman, who represents energy companies and financial institutions in regulatory and litigation matters before key agencies.

Government > Government contracts Tier 2

Blank Rome LLP regularly serves as government contracts counsel on M&A transactions, recently handling a number of such mandates for aerospace and defense clients, while also providing expert advice on high-value bid protests, FCA litigation, bet-the-company litigation and compliance advice. Other sectors in which the firm maintains an active practice include healthcare, maritime and technology. Justin Chiarodo co-leads the practice and has in depth knowledge of federal, state and local procurement law, handling both regulatory compliance and contentious contract litigation. Dominique Casimir advises major defense contractors on bid protests, suspension and debarment issues, FCA investigations and contract litigation, co-head Luke Meier similarly handles contentious bid protests, contract claims and fraud investigations as does Scott Arnold, who is an expert in foreign military sales, the foreign corrupt practices act and export control issues in this regard. Clients see Elizabeth Jochum as a ‘go-to’ government contracts practitioner, whose practice spans both contentious and non-contentious contracting advice. Other key members of the team include bid protests expert Stephanie Harden and FCA litigation specialist Robyn Burrows. Philadelphia based Michael Montalbano was made partner in January 2025 and maintains a broad practice encompassing advice on bid protests, M&A transactions and compliance matters for clients across the environmental, maritime, IT and cybersecurity industries. The rest of the team is based in Washington DC.

Transport > Shipping: finance Tier 2

The ship finance team at Blank Rome LLP represents significant clients on both the borrower and lender side, operating across offices in New York, Washington DC and Houston. The team handles the full range of maritime financing matters, with a significant recent mandate for Philly Shipyard Inc. seeing the firm negotiate a vessel construction agreement to build the first Jones Act compliant fallpipe subsea rock installation vessel. In the Washington DC office, practice head Anthony Salgado remains a key authority on Jones Act matters, notably Jones Act citizenship issues and their impact on US ship financings and transactions. Salgado’s practice extends to encompass Title XI financings, offshore shipping company bankruptcies, and shipping M&As and joint ventures, with strong expertise in Liberian and Marshall Islands maritime law issues. Natalie Radabaugh handles a wide range of US and foreign maritime transactions, including vessel secured financings, lease financing and vessel construction agreements. Based in Houston, Douglas Shoemaker has extensive arbitration experience concerning domestic and international maritime contractual disputes, whilst also being deeply involved in the US offshore wind industry.

Finance > Commercial lending: Advice to bank lenders Tier 4

Often advising lenders and private equity firms on an array on financing matters, Blank Rome LLP is well-versed in asset-based, mezzanine, and second-lien loans. Splitting his time between New York and Philadelphia, Lawrence Flick is focused on leveraged cash flow lending, leveraged lease transactions, and debt restructuring. In Philadelphia, Heather Sonnenberg’s caseload encompasses cash flow financing in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Notably, Sonnenberg is also a strong choice for lending transactions for JPMorgan, PNC Bank, and Siena Lending. Kevin Baum counts commercial finance companies, mezzanine lenders, and private equity firms on his client roster, while New York-based Harris Diamond  is skilled at secured and unsecured financing, as well as restructuring.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 4

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

Blank Rome LLP is renowned for handling financial fraud, securities fraud, antitrust, and internal investigations. Jerry Bernstein represents clients in criminal prosecutions and grand jury investigations, focusing on antitrust, securities, FCPA, tax fraud, and money laundering. William Lawler advises on FCPA, antitrust, anti-money laundering, and white-collar crime, serving corporations and individuals. Bradley L. Henry specializes in financial crime, FCPA violations, and economic sanctions, representing clients in DOJ, SEC, and BIS investigations.

Real estate Tier 5

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 5

Based in New York, the tax controversy practice at Blank Rome LLP has a highly experienced partner group focused on SALT matters. Its work spans everything from corporate franchise and income tax, to sales and use tax, personal income tax, and excise tax. The team led by Craig Fields is frequently called upon to advise on the tax implications of complex corporate transactions and reorganizations for a client roster that ranges from Fortune 50 companies to small family-owned businesses and individuals. Up-and coming partner Nicole Johnson, who recently handled an $11m case for DuPont, is among the firm’s ‘very knowledgeable attorneys with expertise in multiple jurisdictions’.

International trade and national security > Trade remedies and trade policy

International trade and national security > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions

Finance > Commercial lending