Choate, Hall & Stewart > Boston, United States > Firm Profile

Choate, Hall & Stewart > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Education Tier 2

The ‘extraordinarily skilled’ team at Choate, Hall & Stewart, lauded by one client as providing ‘service of the highest level’, specializes in advising research universities and medical institutions on the compliance risks associated with international research collaborations, economic and academic espionage, and undue foreign influence. The Boston-based practice is also equipped to handle whistleblower allegations and investigations by federal agencies, as well as investigations relating to sexual misconduct, Title IX, and fraud. Four partners share leadership: Christine Savage regularly assists academic and clinical research institutions with internal reviews and foreign influence mandates, while Alison Reif‘s expertise covers advisory and contentious labor and employment matters. Michael Gass is well-versed in admissions, financial aid matters, and antitrust issues; Cameron Casey completes the leadership group and majors on providing estate planning advice to high-net-worth individuals and families. Lyndsey Kruzer is noted for assisting education-sector employers with employment advice, while Mark McPherson has focused his practice on government and internal investigations involving healthcare fraud and securities fraud. Joan Lukey left the firm in April 2023.

Insurance > Advice to insurers Tier 2

Choate, Hall & Stewart‘s insurance practice demonstrates skill in navigating intricate disputes for prominent reinsurers and insurers, spanning reinsurance arbitrations to coverage litigation and appeals. With a focus on high-profile issues such as COVID-19, sex abuse claims, environmental concerns, terrorism, and opioid challenges, the practice positions itself at the forefront of insurance coverage discourse. Operating globally from its base in Boston, the practice extends its influence across the UK, Western Europe, Australia, Bermuda, and offshore markets. Guided by three co-heads, the team includes seasoned expert David Attisani, leading significant industry claims for clients like Swiss Re, Munich Re, and Liberty Mutual; J.P. Jaillet, who routinely advocates for major insurers, reinsurers, private equity firms, and corporations in complex business and coverage disputes, including reinsurance arbitration; and Robert Kole, bringing a wealth of experience in insurance/reinsurance advice, coverage opinions, litigation representation, arbitration guidance, and appellate work. Simultaneously, Kevin Finnerty, with a proven track record in various state and federal courts and arbitration settings, enhances the practice, demonstrating notable expertise in the financial services and biotech sectors, while Caroline Trusty supports the litigation department, specializing in insurer clients.

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

Choate, Hall & Stewart’s strong track record in public and private mergers and acquisitions makes the firm a key port of call for both strategic buyers and sellers as well as private equity investors. The Boston-based team has an international reach and is frequently active across cross-border transactional work, with a penchant for advising international companies on their entries into and expansions in the US market. John Pitfield co-chairs the practice and is well placed to assist clients in the health services, life sciences, and technology sectors on strategic transactional matters. Fellow co-chair Brian Goldstein is also well versed in matters involving clients from the health services and life sciences sectors and maintains close relationships with domestic clients as well as with middle-market and growth companies in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Israel. Tobin Sullivan further expands the team’s life sciences expertise and is a key contact for companies ranging from high-growth start-ups to multinationals.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: middle-market (Up to $500m) Tier 3

Choate, Hall & Stewart‘s Boston-based practice counts middle-market private equity and venture capital funds as well as public and private target companies in its client roster and is noted for its ability to act on both sides of growth investment transactions. Integrated expertise in healthcare and tech allows the team to guide sector-focused sponsors through all stages of their investments, while the ability to draw on internal tax and employment capabilities enables it to also handle complex mergers and joint acquisitions. Growth equity investment and leveraged buyout expert T.J. Murphy co-heads the practice together with Lee Feldman and venture capital specialist Sarah Camougis. Brian Lenihan’s private equity expertise encompasses both M&A and financing transactions, while Daniel Riley’s workload spans buyouts, growth equity deals, and capital markets matters.

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

From the firm’s Boston base, pharma research specialist Kristen Buteau and Brian Reese co-lead Choate, Hall & Stewart‘s patent prosecution group which is noted as making ‘everything so easy for the client’. The team has a focus on life sciences-related work in particular; expert in the sector Brenda Herschbach Jarrell is a standout member of the cohort, who is highlighted as being ‘particularly creative with her IP solutions for many prosecution, diligence and other matters’. The ‘truly exceptional’ Charles Lyon is equipped to assist investors and life sciences companies in their IP matters, while Stephanie Schonewald has particular expertise handling potentially contentious cases for biotech and pharma companies. Attorney John Rearick departed to Dechert LLP in July 2023.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 4

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 4

Choate, Hall & Stewart serves investors across the investment spectrum, from initial seed and Series A financings to advanced pre-IPO crossover rounds, with clients gaining from the firm’s notable intellectual property expertise. The firm’s investor-side representation includes its support of Bain Capital Life Sciences in the Series C financing of ADARx Pharmaceuticals. In the Boston-based business and technology group, co-chair Brian Goldstein focuses on supporting high-growth entities in the health IT, life sciences, and medical device sectors with financings, licensing agreements, and M&A activities. He shares leadership with John Pitfield, a private equity specialist. Meanwhile, Tobin Sullivan assists clients with venture capital and growth equity financings, corporate governance, and SEC compliance.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

Boston-based Choate, Hall & Stewart handles a range of restructuring services, providing a cradle-to-grave service including acting for companies, debtors and creditors in workouts, distressed asset and debt acquisitions as well as insolvency proceedings. Douglas Gooding co-chairs the practice with John Ventola, who is experienced in representing financial institutions in multi-tranche financial transactions. Kevin Simard has experience in advising national banks and private lenders, while Jonathan Marshall concentrates on corporate restructurings and loan workouts.

Real estate Tier 5

‘Prompt, earnest, hardworking, available, and thorough’, Choate, Hall & Stewart‘s real estate practice is located in Boston and provides assistance on a broad range of acquisitions, financings, and developments in addition to restructurings and workouts, with experience spanning industrials to multifamily, retail to sports. Lease work is another core part of the practice, with mandates surrounding company HQs, life sciences, and biotech facilities. The department is also noted for its experience advising on construction and architect contracts, particularly on the owner side. Paul Laudano leads the team with experience assisting public and private real estate companies, investment banks, and private equity companies, together with other investors and operators. He is joined by Adam Zaiger who, along with his experience advising private and governmental groups, has experience covering distribution facilities and data centers, among other areas. Gregg Cosimimr, meanwhile, is highlighted for his experience on transactions and deal structuring.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 5

Choate, Hall & Stewart’s Boston-based non-contentious tax practice regularly handles middle-market transactions, primarily advising private equity and venture capital funds. Practice head Olivier Léger is well known for assisting private equity fund sponsors with a wide range of matters, focusing on fund formation and portfolio company acquisitions and divestitures. Senior counsel Louis Marett has considerable experience representing private equity funds and their portfolio companies in connection with M&A  and fund formations. John Chambers represents private equity funds, corporations, and tech companies in relation to domestic and cross-border M&A, financing transactions, and restructurings. Kevin Sarro plays a key role in the team, advising private equity funds, portfolio companies, and financial institutions on growth equity investments, debt restructurings, and reorganizations. Judith Fiorini departed the firm in November 2023.