Jones Day > Los Angeles, United States > Firm Profile

Jones Day > The Legal 500 Rankings

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 1

Jones Day’s antitrust and competition team leverages its significant agency experience to offer a strong litigation practice, advising major domestic and international corporations and banks across the healthcare, finance, transport, and protein industries on the full range of contentious antitrust issues. Craig Waldman oversees the team from Washington DC, working alongside seasoned litigator John Majoras, a key name for cartel follow-on litigation, large class actions, and merger challenges, and Julie McEvoy, who takes point on putative antitrust class actions in the pharma and protein industries. Also in the key team are David Kiernan, in San Francisco, and Cleveland’s Michelle Fischer; Kiernan is a key contact for clients in the tech and healthcare industries, while Fischer handles class actions in a broad range of industries. Tiffany Lipscomb-Jackson, in Columbus, is a key contact for clients in the petroleum, pharma, and automotive industries and has notable experience handling monopolization allegations, price-fixing cases, and bid-rigging claims. 2023 saw the firm expanding its agency experience with the arrival of Washington DC-based duo Koren Wong-Ervin and Kevin Hart, from the FTC and DOJ, respectively. Another new arrival is Minnesota-based Peter Schwingler, who joined from Stinson LLP in 2023; formerly at the DOJ’s Antitrust Division, Schwingler has a strong track record litigating merger challenges.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

A force in appellate work nationally, Jones Day maintains its formidable record before the US Supreme Court: during the October 2023 term alone, five of its partners appeared as counsel of record before SCOTUS in five different cases. Its enviably deep bench includes 48 former Supreme Court clerks as well as a former US Solicitor General in high-profile specialist Noel Francisco. Francisco had a banner year in both the intermediate and higher appellate courts, which included securing a major win for one of the ‘Varsity Blues’ defendants, in convincing the First Circuit to vacate all of his principal convictions. Yaakov Roth also notched up a strong 2022/23, which included scoring a unanimous SCOTUS victory on behalf of a former campaign manager for New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, in a case discussing federal corruption laws. Other key names include New York-based department head Traci Lovitt, who prevailed in the Second Circuit in four related appeals on behalf of IBM; Hashim Mooppan, who successfully represented Boeing in a CEQA dispute before the California Court of Appeal; and of counsel Beth Heifetz. Additionally, Jeffrey Johnson and Detroit-based next-generation partner Amanda Rice are also recommended. Michael Carvin recently retired. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 1

With attorneys possessing core product liability expertise spread across the length and breadth of the country, including many first and second chair trial lawyers, Jones Day has strength-in-depth to handle a varied range and volume of cases involving a variety of product defects. Atlanta-based team head Stephanie Parker has deep product liability and mass tort expertise and is currently acting for core client RJ Reynolds in smoking-and-health litigation across the country. She oversees the firm’s nationwide strategy for the tobacco giant, which has recently secured notable jury victories in high-profile matters, including in ‘Engle progeny’ lawsuits in Florida state courts. The firm has also been at the forefront of the opioid litigation and continues to defend Walmart against novel claims based on public nuisance and RICO, among others. Chicago-based first chair trial lawyer José Isasi has been key to the firm’s successes in numerous tobacco-related jury trials, although his subject matter expertise extends to other product liability-related matters across the consumer space, as well as the pharmaceuticals and medical devices arenas. Other recommended practitioners include Los Angeles-based Celeste Brecht, who has consistently achieved success in jury trials; Atlanta-based trial lawyer John Walker, who has been extensively involved in RJ Reynolds defense work; and New York-based Theodore Grossman, who is highly regarded for bet-the-company litigation.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 1

Combining exceptionally strong strategic and procedural prowess throughout the litigation process, with high-level substantive law and subject matter knowledge, Jones Day remains a popular choice among major domestic and multinational corporates when faced with high-stakes toxic tort allegations. As well as having exceptional firepower at a trial stage throughout the country, including in many plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, the team, which is led from Atlanta by Stephanie Parker, also excels in achieving dismissals at a pre-trial stage, regularly prevailing at Daubert evidentiary hearings as well as at a class certification stage. New York-based Theodore Grossman is a key member of the team, with his ongoing work for Daikin in the PFAS litigation further reinforcing his reputation for handling important litigation with potentially industry threatening ramifications. New York-based trial lawyer Leon DeJulius is also regularly involved in high-stakes toxic tort matters, recently securing the dismissal for Chevron of all public nuisance claims asserted in the pending MDL addressing purported liability for sales of the pesticide paraquat.

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 1

Jones Day‘s insurance recovery practice, operating across the United States and globally, specializes in diverse insurance work and complex litigation. The firm represents companies in disputes covering AKS and FCA violations, nationwide opioid litigation, sexual misconduct claims, and more, with involvement spanning professional liability, errors and omissions, class actions, cyber insurance, bodily injury litigation, and transactional liability insurance, including representations and warranties, warranty and indemnity, tax, and contingent liability insurance. Heading the practice from Los Angeles, Tyrone Childress serves as lead counsel, spearheading claims and litigation for corporate policyholders across the United States. His expertise encompasses complex insurance coverage claims, addressing major product liability claims, mass tort claims, and catastrophic property losses. In San Francisco, Richard DeNatale, a leading figure in cyber insurance law, provides crucial support to the practice. Based in New York, Edward Joyce brings extensive experience in insurance coverage litigation, specializing in professional liability, D&O liability, employee dishonesty, data breach/equipment damage, and unfair competition. Also in New York, Jason Lissy handles property loss, business interruption, and employment practices liability cases at both state and federal levels, alongside managing arbitrations and mediations.  

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 1

With a focus on intellectual property transactions in the high-tech (including AI), fintech, biotech and pharmaceutical industries, Jones Day‘s IP transaction department covers the development, licensing, acquisition, and commercialization of key technology and intellectual property assets. The US group is led by Ka-On Li in Silicon Valley, who focuses on commercial and licensing transactions for clients active in industries such as technology, life sciences and financial services and advise son outsourcing, IP commercialization, as well as software- and cloud-related matters. In San Diego, Thomas Briggs has vast experience negotiating cross-border licensing arrangements, while Robert Latta focuses on IP matters relating to the life sciences and environmental sustainability spaces. In New York, Warren Nachlis' practice covers a range of IP-related matters and particularly centers on the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and Scott Lyne focuses on corporate transactions, licensing, and counseling involving intellectual property and technology.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 1

Jones Day has a full-service intellectual property practice with trial lawyers capable of assisting clients with a wide range of tech and life sciences patent disputes. The group works across a wide range of industry sectors, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals and consumer products, and maintains relationships with notable clients including Johnson & Johnson, Qualcomm, and Tineco Intelligent Technology. The patent litigation practice is co-headed by trial lawyer David Maiorana in Cleveland, who has extensive experience acting in competitor disputes, Ryan Walsh in Atlanta, as well as San Diego-based Anthony Insogna, who is the global chair of the firm's IP practice. In Silicon Valley, Greg Lanier is a seasoned trial lawyer who specialises in tech sector infringement cases, having recently represented NXP Semiconductors in a patent infringement dispute against a competitor. The group also includes Sasha Mayergoyz in Chicago, whose broad practice covers a variety of tech patent disputes across all patent litigation forums, and IP litigator Sarah Geers in New York, who frequently represents pharmaceutical companies in a wide range of proceedings, including Hatch-Waxman litigation and jury trials.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 1

The trade secret practice at Jones Day is headed up by San Diego-based Randall Kay, who has over 30 years’ experience handling complex litigation in often international contexts, spanning France, Belgium, Taiwan, China, South Korea and Japan. Associates Alyssa Orellana and Nicholas Hodges are also key names in San Diego. Also in California are IP expert Andrea Jeffries in Los Angeles; litigation-focused ‘experienced trial attorney with a deep technical skillset’ Jennifer Bennett in San Francisco; Steven Zadravecz who is particularly experienced acting on behalf of the employer, and Cary Sullivan whose client portfolio spans the array of industry sectors, in Irvine. On the East Coast, Michael Oblon who works from the Washington DC office stands out in particular for his expertise handling litigation and counseling in relation to electronics and software tech-related work. The team is noted for its treating clients as if they are part of ‘one unified team’ and it represents such well-known names as MedImpact Healthcare Systems Inc. Its caseload includes complex matters of misappropriation brought against high-ranking executives; Zadravecz succeeded in such a matter brought by Applied Medical Resources after a seven week jury trial in Orange County.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 1

The practice at Jones Day is equipped to handle the gamut of contentious labor and employment matters, namely wage and hour class and collective actions, discrimination actions, wage and hour claims, collective bargaining, and mass arbitration of employment discrimination. The team regularly defends employers in the retail, aerospace, and oil-and-gas segments before the Supreme Court, courts of appeals and district courts. New York-based Matthew Lampe co-leads and specializes in defending employers in class actions under state discrimination, wrongful discharge, and other tort laws. Chicago-based Elizabeth McRee shares leadership of the group and has notable experience in state and federal wage and hour and antidiscrimination law. Also in Chicago, Michael Gray stands out for his knowledge of trade secret and restrictive covenant matters. In New York, Wendy Butler garners praise for her work defending management in employment-related litigation, while in Washington DC, Thomas Chiavetta has focused his practice on representing transportation-sector clients.

Labor and employment > Labor-management relations Tier 1

Working mainly between New York and Chicago, the deep bench at Jones Day is according to one client ‘the strongest management-side rail labor team in the country‘ and practitioners have a deep knowledge of the rail industry and the Railway Labor Act. The team also handles collective bargaining, union representation, and labor arbitration, and is also praised for its flexibility, namely ‘an ability to quickly and effectively staff matters with the resources that are necessary for any particular project.’ Matthew Lampe and Elizabeth McRee head up the team from New York and Chicago respectively and are well supported by David Birnbaum in Chicago who often acts as the lead labor lawyer in significant bankruptcy cases and M&A. Allyson Werntz, also in Chicago, and Brian West Easley in Minneapolis are also key team members.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2

Fielding a team of cartel experts, many of whom have experience serving in government agencies such as DOJ and FTC, Jones Day is highlighted by clients as ‘one of the few firms that can handle a cartel matter from investigation to potential trial’, and noted for its experience acting in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, energy and technology segments. In Washington DC, practice head Craig Waldman's broad practice extends to advice on ESG-related cartel issues. Also in Washington DC, Julie McEvoy is well versed in representing clients in both investigations and trials. Splitting his time between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Eric Enson is a port of call for international investigations, having a track record of defending companies against claims of price-fixing in the computer components, technology and auto parts industries, among others. Kevin Hart joined the firm’s Washington DC office in March 2023 from the DOJ, covering all aspects of criminal cartel investigations, prosecutions, and litigation, including federal criminal jury trials and grand jury investigations.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 2

Jones Day continues to handle high-stakes merger clearances for its domestic and international client base, as well as representing in DOJ and FTC investigations arising from proposed mergers and high-stakes litigation. The practice is steered by Craig Waldman, a former attorney in the FTC’s Mergers I division, who has specific expertise in the tech, life sciences and finance sectors. In a key demonstration of the firm’s international expertise, Michael Knight represented Evoqua Water Technologies Corp. in its $7.5bn stock-for-stock merger with Xylem Inc, a deal requiring approvals in multiple jurisdictions. Ryan Thomas is noted for his cross-border expertise, and is particularly active in the life sciences, AI and consumer goods sectors, while Aimee DeFilippo regularly represents clients before the DOJ Antitrust Division, FTC, and international antitrust enforcement authorities. The team has been bolstered by several hires in 2023, including Koren Wong-Ervin from Axinn Veltrop & Harkrider, Peter Schwingler from Stinson LLP, and Kevin Hart from the DOJ. Attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

Jones Day's large-scale business and tort litigation practice group is vastly experienced in nationwide bet-the-company commercial disputes. Washington DC-based practitioner John Majoras jointly leads the department alongside Atlanta’s Stephanie Parker . Trial lawyer Majoras is a key name for a broad suite of issues, including antitrust and product liability cases, consumer class actions, hostile corporate takeovers, and energy and media litigation, while Parker has extensive experience in high-stakes product liability and mass tort cases, leading the firm’s nationwide work in tobacco product liability litigation. Partner-in-charge of the New York office Leon DeJulius is an important point of contact for trial and appellate work, frequently appearing in federal circuit courts and state supreme courts. California-based attorney Karen Hewitt heads up the San Diego office and is well known in the market for conducting internal investigations involving criminal and civil issues, focusing on possible violations of federal law.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

The securities litigation and SEC enforcement practice at Jones Day is ‘extremely knowledgeable'. From offices across the US, the firm defends clients in securities and shareholder litigation, and in SEC enforcement matters. Henry Klehm in New York leads the group, and he is involved in a high-profile 10b5 case for the former CEO of mining company Rio Tinto. ‘Phenomenal attorney and litigator‘ John Tang in San Francisco comes highly recommended. He recently worked with Mike McConnell in Atlanta to assist former members of the Audit Committee of View, Inc. with a securities class action. Walter Davis is another key contact in Atlanta, and he brings to hear his three years’ experience as the first judge of Georgia’s state-wide Business Court. Cleveland-based Geoffrey Ritts, whose track record includes numerous cases concerning mortgage-backed securities and a multi-district litigation arising from the Bernie Madoff scandal, continues to play a prominent role in high-stakes cases.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 2

Jones Day‘s business restructuring and reorganization practice provides services in restructurings and bankruptcies across the US and globally, with the team advising a range of parties including debtors, lenders, creditors, shareholders and asset purchasers. The firm saw success in the matter of Diebold Nixdorf, where the team represented Diebold in connection with the first recognition by a Uh bankruptcy court of a proceeding taking place under the new Dutch restructuring law and a plan of reorganization approved by a Dutch bankruptcy court. Global head of the practice Heather Lennox  is based in New York and Cleveland and has represented a range of debtors and creditors in restructurings both in-court and out-of-court, while, also in New York, Corinne Ball  has a focus on corporate reorganizations and distressed acquisitions. Based in Los Angeles, Bruce Bennett represents clients in large corporate reorganizations in a variety of industries including gaming and aviation.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 2

Jones Day‘s ‘professional, knowledgeable, and intelligent’ team regularly acts for a varied client list of academic medical centers and digital health entities, with the group’s specialism being government enforcement litigation. Co-leading the team from Washington DC, Alexis Gilroy is well known for her deep knowledge of telemedicine and telehealth matters, routinely assisting clients with regulatory issues surrounding health AI. Chicago-based co-head Heather O’Shea is particularly adept at handling both federal and state government investigations concerning FCA and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) issues. Claire Castles works out of the Los Angeles office, contributing her experience in emerging public health threat response and regulatory waiver strategies, while San Francisco’s James Dutro represents a range of health systems and hospitals in affiliations and joint ventures. Based in Dallas, Kurt Copper is an FCA investigations expert who handles an array of payor-provider disputes. Kenneth Field left the firm in March 2023.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance Tier 2

Jones Day regularly handles ESG matters for Fortune 500 and other well-known clients hailing from the worlds of retail and consumer products, technology, and manufacturing. Alongside ESG matters, the team also offers demonstrable expertise high profile activism defense matters and internal investigations. Co-chair Randi Lesnick , who is based in New York, frequently advises clients on compliance, governance, and fiduciary matters, including ESG policies and disclosures relating to sustainability. A litany of domestic and international clients turn to Atlanta-based co-chair Joel May  , who advises on shareholder activism, proxy fights, and securities compliance matters. Lizanne Thomas has retired.

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

The cybersecurity, privacy and data protection team at Jones Day ‘has an extremely broad set of experiences upon which it can draw to advise its clients’; it handles a range of complex, large scale class action disputes along with government regulatory enforcement, and compliance advice in reference to developing technologies, notably including generative AI systems. Lisa Ropple, based in Boston, ‘is an outstanding partner in this practice area’: her longstanding expertise in handling data breach matters is paired with experience of both regulatory investigations and litigation in the area. Cybersecurity incidents both in the US and internationally are handled by the team, which is ‘global in nature’, Kerianne Tobitsch, in New York, is a key name for this area. Also in New York, Mauricio Paez is recommended for cybersecurity matters including risk management and the development of compliance programs. For litigation, California-based John Vogt is a go-to: his experience spans class actions involving theft of consumer data, heath care records, and financial information, while Atlanta-based Mary Alexander Myers is noted for her work on complex technology-driven transactions.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 2

Jones Day has a strong background in regulatory litigation, with a dedicated government regulation team that advises communications clients on FCC proceedings and class action litigation before federal courts. From Washington DC, the team represents wireless and wireline carriers, communications users and providers, utilities, manufacturers and developers of new technologies and services, and advises telecoms service providers on the full range of regulatory matters. From spectrum allocations and licenses to satellite and broadband regulation and network access, the group’s expertise spans approvals, dispute resolution, data protection and privacy and compliance across the sector. Donald McGahn and Francoise S. Labrousse co-lead the government regulation team. Bruce Olcott brings knowledge of international regulatory and licensing matters to the team, bolstering its international reach, as well as representing clients before US federal agencies and handling national security issues. Brett Shumate is active in crisis litigation, enforcement and class action litigation under the Communications and Telecommunications Acts and the TCPA. Focusing on cybersecurity and data privacy, with knowledge of international data protection laws, Jennifer Everett advises clients on compliance, data transfers and cyber-governance.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 2

Jones Day maintains a robust construction practice, handling arbitration cases, mediations, and business litigation, in addition to enjoying considerable success in procurement mandates, such as representing the Los Angeles Metro in high-stakes cases related to public transit infrastructure for the 2028 Olympics. Operating from the Los Angeles office, Daniel McMillan co-leads the team alongside Roy Powell, who divides his time between Dallas and Pittsburgh. Tarek Abdalla, who is also based in Pittsburgh, represents various owners, developers, and engineers in litigation relating to public and private projects in the energy and construction industries. Joseph Finley is another key contact in the group, whose Atlanta-based practice focuses on business litigation and arbitration mandates, while Dallas-based Joseph Van Asten specializes in fraud, compliance, and regulatory violations. With demonstrable experience in construction disputes, Houston lawyer Laurens Wilkes is also recommended. The team expanded its energy and infrastructure litigation capabilities in April 2024 with the arrival of New York-based lawyer Larry Dany, formerly of Eversheds Sutherland.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 2

Jones Day boasts a well-rounded real estate and financial markets practice, focusing on representing large banks as lenders as well as advising borrowers in both small and major financial transactions. Practice head David Paulson sits in San Francisco and represents commercial lenders in real estate transactions, as well as assisting with resolving and restructuring distressed loans. Co-head Richard Rosenblatt leads the team from Atlanta and is especially sought out for his expertise in bilateral and syndicated real estate finance transactions. Other key practitioners include Chicago-based real estate specialists John Rafkin and David Woods, Michael Riess represents lenders in secured and unsecured lending in Washington DC, and Mark Biggar advises commercial lenders from Cleveland. Recently promoted partner Daniel French is the go-to for lenders requiring advice on single-asset and portfolio transactions related to healthcare, industrial, multifamily, office, or retail.

Real estate Tier 2

Jones Day ‘s ‘diverse team’ works with domestic and international banks, private equity firms, and investors in a wide range of real estate transactions, acquisitions, and dispositions, as well as the areas of built-to-suit and build-to-lease properties, acting on both the buyer and seller, borrower and lender sides. The team operates across a broad spread of real estate assets with substantial deals including the acquisition of The Mirage Las Vegas Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas as well as a number surrounding single and multifamily residential developments. Experience also extends to the sports sector, where the firm assists clients such as the Golden State Warriors on various lease matters. Together, highly experienced real estate lawyer Robert Lee and real estate and infrastructure expert Brian Sedlak lead the team out of Chicago. In the same office, Trisha Mowbray is noted for her experience representing sponsors on private equity funds and investment vehicle aspects, alongside transactions and joint ventures. William Herzberger, based in Cleveland, is another highly experienced attorney with experience covering real estate finance, distressed assets, and deal structuring, across industrial, mining, and multifamily asset classes, among others. Meanwhile, Atlanta-based Richard Rosenblatt is especially known for his high-value transaction experience. Michael Austin and Kyle Baltes are also of note from the firm’s Chicago office.

Transport > Aviation and air travel: litigation and regulation Tier 2

Jones Day is home to civilian and former military pilots, as well as former senior Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Justice officers. The firm also fields former in-house aviation manufacturer lawyers. The practice’s track record ranges from defending mass-disaster commercial airliner crash litigation in the US and international courts, to defense-side aviation accident litigation. The team additionally acts in National Transportation Safety Board investigations; litigates disputes involving regional air service agreements, maintenance services, and engine, aircraft and spacecraft supply contracts; and defends airlines against passenger claims and ground-handling disputes. Other notable areas include the representation of aircraft owners and lessors in insurance coverage disputes following aviation accidents; and assisting corporate flight departments with risk-avoidance strategies. Pittsburgh-based John Goetz defends companies against business and tort litigation, while Stephen Cowen in Detroit is a former senior legal counsel from The Boeing Company. Over in Washington DC, Matthew Papez‘s experience includes representing an aerospace company in a government contract-related lawsuit alleging misappropriation of confidential information; and litigation and trial lawyer Patrick Haney is also experienced in aviation cases.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

The investigations and white-collar defense team at Jones Day is spearheaded by Theodore Chung in Chicago. Chung frequently conducts internal investigations for corporations as well as advises on compliance programs. Located in San Diego, Karen Hewitt is recommended for companies involved in complex business litigation and criminal investigations. James Loonam practices from the New York office; he has an in-depth knowledge of cases concerning FCA offences, insider trading, and accounting fraud. Other notable lawyers in the team include Hank Bond Walther in Washington DC and Adam Hollingsworth in Cleveland. Walther stands out for his extensive experience leading international fraud and corruption cases, while Hollingsworth regularly advises on matters relating to money laundering, identity theft, and tax offenses.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 3

Leveraging significant broad-based product liability expertise, as well as overarching healthcare and life sciences sector strength that draws from a multi-disciplinary offering encompassing, inter alia, expertise in regulatory matters and government investigations, Jones Day is well-placed to quickly and effectively mobilize resources to help protect major pharmaceutical and medical device companies against challenging multi-pronged disputes. Atlanta-based Stephanie Parker  oversees the product liability practice and is one of many experienced litigators with significant trial experience with respect to matters in the life sciences space; she recently won summary judgment for a pharmaceutical company in a highly publicized case alleging death by suicide allegedly caused by a popular dermatologic drug. Chicago-based first-chair trial lawyer José Isasi is also a key member of the team, as is up-and-coming Detroit-based trial lawyer Celeste Brecht .

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

The Houston-based team at Jones Day continues to advise an array of clients in the upstream, midstream, and downstream oil and gas markets on a variety of oil and gas transactions, encompassing energy mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and restructuring. The team is also routinely involved in regulatory matters, including due diligence and regulatory approvals. The firm’s global energy practice is spearheaded by Jeff Schlegel, whose capabilities are notably concentrated around M&A, project development, securities, and finance transactions for energy industry clients, while Kit Rockhill has considerable expertise in advising on international transactions such as specialized asset acquisitions and big-ticket liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects. Alexandra Wilde and David Stringer have left the firm.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Jones Day’s broad geographic coverage brings it a wealth of corporate relationships and a steady pipeline of capital markets engagements. Partners in Houston, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Chicago and New York have led significant debt offerings, including large-cap and mid-cap transactions. The firm has a broad mix of investment grade, convertible and exchangeable debt offerings engagements, along with high-yield bonds. Its presence across the US provides it with a sizeable corporate client base, along with a number of financial institutions. Cleveland’s Michael Solecki  and Andrew Thomas are key partners along with Bradley Brasser in Minneapolis and Atlanta’s Joel May. Rory Hood provides further expertise in New York and additional connections to financial institutions.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 3

Jones Day‘s multi-office strategy and its commitment to the industrials sector, provides it with a pipeline of deals, while financial sponsors also form part of the its client base. Much of its high-yield debt offerings are led by the Cleveland and Atlanta offices where Michael Solecki and Joel May are based. The New York and Silicon Valley offices also provide senior expertise as part of a large national capital markets practice. Rory Hood is a key figure in New York.

Finance > Commercial lending

Underpinned by a global reach, the commercial lending team at Jones Day is a popular choice for its ability handle cross-border financial transactions. The team’s remit also covers litigation and investigations for financial institutions, as well as a strong restructuring and reorganization offering. Based in the New York office, Brett Barragate jointly leads the practice alongside Rachel Rawson from the Boston office. Barragate’s practice encompasses debt facilities and the purchase and sale of financial assets, while Rawson is highly skilled at handling leveraged buyouts for private equity funds. In the Cleveland office, Kevin Samuels is highlighted for his expertise in leveraged finance transactions, asset-based financings and acquisition-related facilities in a cross-border context.  

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

Leveraging its global presence extending across Europe and Asia, Jones Day‘s ‘practical, efficient, and knowledgeable’ trademark practice demonstrates strengths in handling clearance, prosecution and portfolio management for clients active in the luxury brands, consumer goods and pharma sectors, to name a few. Leading the team from the firm’s Cleveland office, Carrie Kiedrowski is particularly noted for her expertise in handling and enforcing trademark rights related to the Internet, AI and machine learning alongside branding in the social media sphere. In Washington DC, John Froemming possesses vast experience in the transactional IP space, and in Cleveland’s Meredith Wilkes represents a varied roster of clients in high-stakes trademark, trade dress and false advertising work. In Houston, Anna E. Raimer bolsters the practice with her broad range of experience across clearance, prosecution and maintenance in the trademark space and associate Megan McKeown holds particular expertise in handling domestic and international trademark portfolios.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 3

The 'highly responsive, accommodating, and perceptive' practice at Jones Day has a track record of work on all manner of employment concerns, including advising on policies and procedures aimed at minimizing potential litigation exposure; implementing nondiscriminatory reductions in terminations, and investigating harassment and misconduct. The practice is co-headed by Matthew Lampe from the New York office, and Elizabeth McRee at the Chicago office. Lampe specializes in working on matters concerning discrimination and wrongful discharge in various states, while McRee is well-versed in counseling employers regarding legal compliance and litigation risk mitigation. In the Dallas office, Brian Jorgensen is particularly adept in advising clients on wage-hour compliance matters and conducting sensitive internal investigations. Operating from Houston, Joanne Bush works on a wide range of matters, some of which concern collective bargaining negotiations and misappropriation of trade secrets.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 3

Jones Day supports companies and investors across all stages, from inception through IPOs and mergers, with extensive experience in venture capital financing. The practice is led by Michael Earley, the firm’s global co-head of private equity, who is based in Chicago. Operating from Silicon Valley and San Francisco, Timothy Curry is praised as an ‘attentive partner’ who specializes in venture capital and growth equity financings, M&A, and IPOs for start-ups. In San Diego, Taylor Stevens is active in the technology and life sciences sectors, while Cameron Reese focuses on corporate formation, financing transactions, and M&A. Atlanta’s William Zawrotny guides start-ups, emerging growth companies, and investors in corporate venture capital deals, and Jeremy Cleveland in Silicon Valley brings expertise in venture capital financings, public offerings, and corporate governance. The US team’s offering was enhanced by Alexandre Wibaux’s relocation from Paris to New York in 2023, bolstering the firm’s ability to serve European clients expanding into the US market.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Jones Day’s non-contentious tax team, operating primarily from Washington DC and New York, advises private equity funds, sovereign wealth funds, and corporations, among other clients, on a wide range of issues. Edward Kennedy in New York, regularly advising Fortune 500 companies, investors, private equity firms, and hedge funds, leads the group alongside Washington DC’s Joseph Goldman, who has deep experience handling the tax aspects of M&A, post-acquisition integration, restructurings, and intellectual property licensing, with particular expertise in the life sciences space. Andrew Eisenberg in Washington DC advises on federal income tax issues concerning corporate M&A, including taxable and tax-free stock and asset acquisitions and dispositions, post-acquisition restructurings, incorporation transactions, and liquidating and non-liquidating distributions. Colleen Laduzinski, with considerable experience acting as tax counsel on both the debtor and creditor side, is partner-in-charge of the firm’s Boston office. DC’s Christopher Hanfling and Kelly Rubin in Dallas are key contacts, both with notable expertise in federal tax matters.

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 4

Jones Day’s financial market practice consists of attorneys who formerly served in regulatory bodies including the SEC and CFTC, and has attracted a strong client base of financial institutions. The group focuses on RMBS litigation, antitrust claims, and class actions. Co-leading the team in New York are Jayant Tambe and Brett Barragate – Tambe is regularly involved in complex, cross-border disputes such as securities, derivatives, and financial products litigation. Another notable name is Amanda Dollinger who has expertise in disputes and ESG matters.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Forming a key part of an integrated global disputes offering, Jones Day’s US group benefits from the ability to draw on international arbitration specialists in many of the world’s leading arbitration centers, with recent cases involving teams in London, Singapore, Paris, and Dubai, among others. The team has notched up a strong run of investment disputes of late, where it is particularly active against various post-Soviet and CIS states in ICSID and UNCITRAL cases. In Washington DC, Melissa Gorsline is a ‘very sharp and highly skilled advocate’ and possesses extensive experience in investor-state arbitrations. Also noted are Steven Smith in San Francisco; Stephen Pearson, based between New York and London; and Paul Hines in San Francisco.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

Praised as ‘subject matter experts’, the oil and gas regulatory team at Jones Day is well-versed in both FERC litigation and project development matters and maintains a diverse client base comprising producers, pipeline companies, distributors, and end users. Transactional support represents another key component of the practice, which works closely with the firm’s transactions group to handle regulatory approvals and due diligence. The Houston office comprises practice head Jeffrey Schlegel as well as James Olson, who regularly represents clients in administrative litigation before FERC. David Applebaum is based in Washington DC and fields a broad energy practice that includes internal investigations, policy matters, and enforcement issues.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 4

Fielding teams of skilled practitioners across the US, Jones Day attracts clients, who often come from the chemicals, energy, oil and gas, mining, manufacturing and waste management spheres, for its wide experience litigating environmental matters before state and federal courts. The group is home to Kevin Holewinski  of the Washington DC office, whose practice encompasses environmental, climate change and toxic tort work, Thomas Donnelly  who, based in San Francisco, has deep environmental law experience under his belt and is known for his ability to navigate litigation and regulatory enforcement proceedings within the oil and gas, mining and automotive industries. Over in Pittsburgh, Jane Story offers clients her expertise in representing Comprehensive Environmental Response and Compensation and Liability Act cases and defends clients against federal and state enforcement actions for alleged violations of environmental law.

Finance > Fintech Tier 4

Jointly led by Jayant Tambe in New York and Craig Waldman in Washington DC, Jones Day is lauded by clients as ‘deeply knowledgeable of the technology and financial aspects of the fintech space.’  The practice is also a key contact for payment processors and technology providers on international banking and financing regulatory matters, transactions, investigations, and litigation. Key members of the ‘thoughtful and experienced team’  also include San Francisco-based Abradat Kamalpour who is well-regarded for his capabilities in the establishment of crypto-based payment systems. In Dallas, Mark Rasmussen’s broad caseload encompasses contentious and regulatory blockchain, NFT, and stablecoin matters, while Kimberly Desmarais in New York boasts a strong lending background, with in-depth expertise in fintech acquisition finance and asset-based loans.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 4

Cleveland’s Carrie Kiedrowski co-leads the ‘very practical, efficient, and knowledgeable’ team at Jones Day, which demonstrates wide-ranging capabilities in trademark, advertising, and unfair competition litigation, drawing strength from an office network that covers the Americas, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions. Kiedrowski holds a wealth of experience in online trademark infringement issues and domain name disputes before the WIPO. Also in Cleveland is Meredith Wilkes, who operates for household name clients in trademark, trade dress, and design patent litigation. Based in Washington DC, veteran litigator John Froemming is well-versed in Lanham Act-related disputes. In Houston, Houston’s Anna E. Raimer strengthens the team with her experience before the TTAB, as well as her multi-jurisdictional capabilities, while Megan McKeown contributes her expertise across the sectors of airlines, media, and tech to the practice.

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

Jones Day manages benefit plans and executive compensation arrangements for acquisitions, dispositions, and joint ventures, bringing ‘extensive market knowledge’ to the table. The practice is jointly led by Miguel Eaton in Washington DC and Eric Mosier in New York, with Mosier experienced in advising private equity funds on leveraged buyouts, equity incentive plans, and employee benefit programs post-transaction. Patricia Eschbach-Hall in Cleveland offers expertise in a variety of areas, including deferred compensation plans, qualified retirement plans, and change in control agreements. Laura Bigler, also in Cleveland, specializes in compliance with the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA. In Washington, Kevin Noble counsels employers, fiduciaries, and service providers, and Miami-based Justin Walters advises on equity compensation matters.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 4

With considerable expertise in withdrawal liability, benefits issues in bankruptcy and pension de-risking, Jones Day boasts a successful track record in landmark litigation. Significant victories relating to the City of Detroit’s health and retirement system and the General Motors pension plan demonstrate the firm’s ability to handle high-level and complex ERISA work. Washington DC-based Evan Miller acts for corporate plan sponsors, multiemployer plan contributions and ERISA fiduciaries with an additional specialism in the restructuring of pension and retiree health liabilities. Meanwhile, Miguel Eaton co-chairs the employee benefits & executive compensation practice focuses on 401(k) fee cases, employee benefits and DOL investigations. ‘Expert in his field’ Kevin Noble advises clients on employee benefit plans, pension de-risking, and retiree health settlements.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 4

Leveraging expertise across the life science, tech, and consumer sectors, Jones Day offers bespoke advice on the whole spectrum of corporate transactions, with a specific focus on cross-border deals, including all-cash acquisitions as well as stock-for-stock mergers. The New York duo of Andrew Levine and Randi Lesnick co-head the practice and offer in-depth knowledge in corporate governance matters as well as in recapitalizations, and spin-offs. From Pittsburgh, David Grubman focuses on activist defense matters, while in Cleveland, Benjamin Stulberg concentrates on takeover preparedness and SEC compliance and Peter Izanec has experience in the food and beverage industries. Also in Cleveland, George Hunter is noted for his ability to advise on public mergers.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 4

Jones Day’s team combines deep capabilities in middle-market transactions with a robust presence in the bulge-bracket, guiding specialized sponsors such as The Riverside Company and leading funds such as KKR through all stages of their domestic and cross-border investment lifecycles. The infrastructure, life sciences, aviation, and tech sectors represent notable areas of focus within the team, which is co-led from New York by experienced partners Andrew Levine, who handles high-value acquisitions for funds and their portfolio companies, and Randi Lesnick, whose expertise spans M&A and corporate governance matters. Further key contacts in New York include Jason Grove, whose knowledge of private equity ranges from leveraged buyouts to recapitalizations. Cleveland is home to longstanding private equity M&A experts Charles Hardin and Denise Carkhuff, while the Chicago office is home to strategic and private equity-backed transactions expert Lisa Lathrop. Washington DC-based carve-out and joint venture expert Daniel Michaels is also recommended.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 4

Jones Day is particularly noted for its strength in criminal tax matters, with experience handling complex multijurisdictional investigations and disputes. The group also advises on civil tax disputes and works within the firm’s global network to aid clients in audits and litigation of any scale. The contentious tax group is led by New York lawyer Kathryn Keneally, who previously worked within the Department of Justice Tax Division and has more than 35 years’ experience in the practice area, with a strong record of representing individuals, corporations, and financial institutions in civil and criminal tax controversy. Charles Hodges is based in Atlanta and specializes in federal tax disputes, including matters relating to transfer pricing. New York lawyer Michael Scarduzio left the firm in November 2023.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 5

Jones Day makes ‘substantive legal contributions’ to clients’ efforts in the life sciences field, managing several high value mergers in the sector, while also providing support and representation in relation to clients’ IP portfolios and issues under federal drug pricing statutes. The firm is also sought after for advice in relation to digital health and telemedicine, with practice co-head Alexis Gilroy, who splits time between Washington DC and Atlanta, advising on the structuring of telehealth services and assisting with transactions in the sector. Leading the team alongside her is Chicago-based Heather O’Shea, whose practice spans regulatory compliance issues and litigation arising out of healthcare fraud allegations under the FCA and Anti-Kickback Statute.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 6

Jones Day advises both fund sponsors and institutional investors on fund formation and maintenance across leveraged buyouts, real estate, infrastructure, venture capital and private credit assets, often in a cross-border capacity. Chicago based Michael Earley oversees the department and handles fund structuring, portfolio investments, secondaries transactions as well as co-investments for private funds clients. In Chicago are real estate private equity partner Trisha Mowbray and Jessica Thwing, who focuses on transactions for investment funds and their investors. Anna Moscioni and Thomas Devaney are further key funds lawyers to note and are based in the Cleveland and New York offices respectively.