King & Spalding LLP > Houston, United States > Firm Profile

King & Spalding LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

Few firms on the market have as much experience as King & Spalding LLP, which has been providing information governance and e-discovery services for over 25 years. The firm is highly capable in all areas of practice, and its extensive team, which includes attorneys, project management professionals and technologists is sought-after to advise on high-stakes litigation proceedings, investigations and crisis management. Ronni Solomon has been a leading light in the e-discovery space since the sector was in its nonage, and continues to maintain long-term relationships with companies such as UPS Equifax and the Progressive Group of Insurance Companies. Rose Jones and John Tucker, who co-lead the Atlanta-based team alongside Solomon, are also key names; the former is currently assisting Google in an antitrust investigation by the US House Judiciary Committee, while the latter focuses on the strategic planning aspect of the practice area.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 1

According to satisfied clients, King & Spalding LLP is ‘the best international arbitration firm in the market‘. Among its main assets, sources highlight its ‘breadth of experience‘, as well as its deep bench which ensures it can put forward ‘the absolute right expert for whatever the case needs’. Historically best known for its reputation in the energy and extractive sectors, the group continues to expand its industry offering, with its recent cases also spanning manufacturing, construction, transport and telecoms, among other areas. The firm’s geographical footprint is equally diverse and it routinely handles international commercial and investment arbitrations globally from its US platforms, often working alongside partners in its overseas offices. Houston-based department co-chair Doak Bishop is widely recognized as one of the leading arbitration specialists in the market; he recently teamed up with New York-based group co-head Edward Kehoe and the Paris office to represent Spanish energy company Unión Fenosa Gas in a series of investment and commercial arbitrations against the Government of Egypt and its national natural gas company, EGAS. Outside of the energy sphere, the group represented the Dutch subsidiary of Quanta Services in a new ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Peru under the Netherlands–Peru Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) — New York-based Harry Burnett (‘an absolute rock star‘) co-led that work together with Kehoe and Houston-based Craig Miles. Other recommended names include the ‘vastly experienced‘ Viren Mascarenhas, who splits his practice between New York and London, Chicago’s Javier Rubinstein and Atlanta-based Elizabeth Silbert. Érica Franzetti recently joined in Washington DC from Dechert LLP.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1

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

Able to leverage a trial-ready approach should the need arise, King & Spalding LLP is well-equipped to provide a ‘very effective‘ service to major automotive manufacturers (including Honda, General Motors and Mercedes-Benz) across a wide array of their highest-stakes product liability and mass action litigation. This experience includes cases consolidated in federal multi-district litigation (MDL) proceedings, as well as individual and class actions in separate federal and state courts throughout the length and breadth of the country. New York-based John Hooper  has longstanding expertise in the sector, including his ongoing representation of Toyota across a range of product liability matters, including on the negotiation of a settlement resolving claims that the company’s hybrid Prius cars were prone to stalling. Susan Clare  in Atlanta co-heads the auto and transport litigation group alongside Hooper and her broad practice includes acting as strategic counsel to automotive manufacturers in connection with hundreds of consumer fraud and breach of warranty cases.  

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

Able to draw upon vast product liability resources throughout the country, including many lawyers with substantial expertise in the defence of pharma companies, King & Spalding LLP has developed a strong reputation in the space, at trial and appellate level. Although the firm garners most plaudits for its trial capabilities– with many successes over the years in first impression and bellwether cases – it is also highly effective from a risk management, regulatory and advisory perspective, where it is able to deploy expertise from lawyers and scientists. Overarching head of the firm’s trial and global disputes practice group, Andy Bayman has a particular focus on handling big-ticket life-sciences-related product liability matters, including his current role as lead counsel for Boehringer Ingelheim in litigation involving Zantac. Pharmaceuticals and life sciences trial lawyer Adam Spicer is recognized for his successful record in court. Geoffrey Drake  and Robert Woo  co-head the team. All named practitioners are based in Atlanta unless otherwise indicated.

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

Many leading chemical, healthcare and energy companies turn to King & Spalding LLP to represent them in high-stakes toxic tort matters, relating to, inter alia, water contamination and chemical exposure. With more than 60 fee-earners spread across the firm’s national network of offices who have a focus in the area, the firm has the critical mass and geographical diversity to handle a tremendous range and volume of cases, irrespective of location. Of these practitioners, many have significant trial experience, ensuring that the team has ‘a wealth of knowledge on how to deal with environmental litigation in challenging jurisdictions’. ‘Strategic, pragmatic and forward-thinking‘, Tracie Renfroe  is managing partner of the Houston office, although her experience in the area extends beyond the regional confines of the office, to include a national and international profile for defending environmental claims. Also based out of Houston, Robert Meadows’ broad trial practice has seen him handle some high-profile toxic tort work, including numerous matters for Chevron, relating to allegations of water contamination caused by the gasoline additive MTBE. The firm’s New York office also continues to gain market share and was galvanized by the recruitment of a four-partner mass tort group from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in February 2020. Kristen Fournier is one of the leading lights of that team and has significant experience acting as national co-ordinating counsel, as well as a first-chair trial lawyer for the likes of Johnson & Johnson. Matthew Blaschke  and Elizabeth Taber, from San Francisco and Houston respectively, are also highly regarded and are practice co-heads alongside Fournier.  

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 1

Industry focus > Healthcare: service providers Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP remains active at the top of the market, accruing a number of new transactional and litigation mandates from hospital and health systems across the country. For transactions, its highlights are the $3.9bn SPAC listing of Sharecare and advising Piedmont Healthcare on $1.9bn worth of bet-the-company acquisitions. In litigation, the team supplemented its existing investigations, anti-kickback and false claims act work with an expansion of its work on government reimbursement matters. Washington DC-based practice co-leader Mark Polston maintains his position as a leader in that space, alongside Dan Hettich. Adam Robison, based in the Houston office, operates a dual practice, acting on transactional matters with Atlanta-based Jon Harris, alongside offering compliance counsel. Also based in Atlanta is co-head Jim Boswell, who is known for acting on FCA litigation and other key regulatory matters.  Other key lawyers include DC-based payment systems expert Chris Kenny, versatile transactional and regulatory advisor Richard Zall in New York, and Atlanta-based litigator Stephanie Johnson.

Industry focus > Transport: rail and road - finance Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP's team is 'acutely focused on the financing and leasing of railroad rolling stock‘. The practice represents major US banks in their acquisitions and dispositions of rail assets, as well as the leasing and financing of those assets. It has extensive experience in financing structures for rolling stock, locomotives, chassis, containers, automobiles, tractors, and other equipment across North America. In Atlanta, Carolyn Alford leads both the financial services and leveraged finance and restructuring teams, while Jeff Dutson  is a restructuring and bankruptcy specialist. In the Charlotte office, the ‘exemplary‘ Christopher Buchanan is experienced in a wide variety of transportation-related financing structures that include cash flow and asset-based loan facilities. Buchanan’s recent track record includes advising clients on the unwinding and disposing of rolling stock in leveraged leases, and structuring finance transactions for fleets of vehicles and other hard assets. Also in Charlotte, associate Kathryn Wilson routinely represents parties in railcar leases, as well as acquisition and disposition deals. In 2021, former transportation finance group head Jason Huff departed the firm.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 1

The trial and global disputes group at global law firm King & Spalding LLP continues to be a dominant force in the practice area, coordinating with 23 locations across the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia to represent major household names in media and entertainment and tech such Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Zoom, Google and Warner Media in high-stakes litigation. Kenneth Steinthal in San Francisco heads the team, bringing deep trial experience and expertise on IP rights and licensing for multinationals engaged in audio-visual media content distribution. Global IP practice founding member Bruce Baber in New York office achieved a victory for Google in April 2021 in the long-running Google v Oracle case, with the Supreme Court clearing the company of infringement related to smartphone software. Austin-based Counsel Jason Blake Cunningham has successfully acted for media and tech clients like Amazon and The Orchard in complex infringement suits brought by the heirs of deceased songwriters.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

‘One of the best firms for middle-market M&A’, King & Spalding LLP is home to a global M&A practice comprising more than 150 lawyers. The US offering is spread across Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC, among several other locations, handling acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures, as well as advising on anti-takeover strategies. Keith Townsend is a corporate finance, governance and M&A specialist who co-heads the practice from Atlanta alongside Rahul Patel , a specialist in multijurisdictional deals. Over in New York, Jonathan Melmed  is third co-chair of the department; he is especially well-connected within the media, telecommunications, pharma and insurance sectors. Key industries for the wider team include energy, power, infrastructure, technology, healthcare and life sciences.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP‘s members are well versed in representing clients before trial and appellate courts, government enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies, as well as before multiple arbitral tribunals. The practice is well positioned to advise at the intersection of government enforcement actions, regulatory and administrative proceedings, shareholder litigation, court trials and appellate work. Practice co-head David Balser in Atlanta specialises in contract disputes, business torts, class actions and professional liability litigation. Fellow team leader Richard Marooney in New York and the Los Angeles-based Joe Akrotirianakis are key contacts in trials. In Chicago, Rachael Trummel is an active litigator in putative class actions and mass torts. Lazar Raynal joined the Chicago office in October 2021, joining from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 2

International Trade > International trade Tier 2

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 2

Leveraging the expertise of product liability lawyers spread across the firm’s national network of offices, many with significant trial experience, King & Spalding LLP handles a large range and volume of cases, for manufacturers and producers, across the gamut of consumer products. As well as its high-profile role as national co-ordinating and trial counsel for Johnson & Johnson in the talcum powder-related litigation, the team has gained perhaps most visibility for its ‘superb work‘ within the tobacco space. In this segment of the market, its ongoing representation for R.J. Reynolds across a plethora of smoking and health cases have led to numerous high-profile success at both a trial and appellate level. Charlotte-based trial lawyer Jeffrey Furr has been pivotal to much of this success and has secured victories in many plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions over the years. Atlanta-based Val Leppert is also recommended, and as well as his work at First Instance, his appellate skills have been very much to the fore, in relation to many of the firm’s docket of high-profile product liability disputes, including the aforementioned tobacco work. Bruce Hurley in Houston, Ursula Henninger in Charlotte, and New York’s Shaila Rahman Diwan co-lead the team.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

With a ‘very business-focused mindset‘, King & Spalding LLP‘s securitization lawyers in New York advise on receivables financing, hybrid structured and leveraged credit facilities and term notes, as well as privately placed and publicly issued securitization deals. The group has a sizeable real estate-based practice, which often overlaps with its esoteric asset work, that includes healthcare and trade receivables securitizations and mortgage repurchase transactions. Michael Urschel  is the practice head, with recent experience in securitizations of restaurant concepts, digital infrastructure and cellular towers. Ryan McNaughton is an expert in esoteric ABS deals, while Jonathan Arkins‘ esoteric practice extends to data centres and intellectual property licensing streams. Terry Novetsky is a specialist in loan asset securitization programs. Senior associate Kathryn Weiss is another stand-out team member.

Industry focus > Education Tier 2

At King & Spalding LLP, the higher education practice group brings together a strong bench across government investigations and healthcare to handle work in the academic medical center space. Now jointly led by managing partner of the Chicago office Zach Fardon and trial lawyer Andy Bayman in Atlanta, the team retains its expertise in accreditation matters for colleges and high-stakes whistleblower litigation. Also in Atlanta, Tish McDonald represents non-profits and higher education institutions in complex litigation, and specializes in fiduciary litigation. Former federal prosecutor Patrick Collins in Chicago has experience handling internal investigations. In Washington, DC, Mark Polston and Daniel Hettich are the key contacts for medical center matters. Floyd Newton has now retired.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 2

Led from New York by Jonathan Melmed , King & Spalding LLP‘s renewable energy practice is a go-to choice for private equity funds looking to buy, sell and invest in traditional renewable energy companies, solar and wind power plants, renewable natural gas and battery storage projects. Working in close collaboration with the firm’s preeminent project development and construction team based in Houston, the team is prepared to handle hybrid M&A, project finance and tax equity transactions, multi-jurisdictional regulatory matters and commercial agreements. Practice head Melmed is the lead M&A and private equity lawyer for renewable energy and alternative power clients. With particular focus in the power and renewables sectors, Adam Hankiss is another transactional expert to note in New York. Based in Houston, Scott Greer chairs the global energy and construction transactional practice, representing owners and developers in a range of domestic and international projects, including carbon sequestration, hydrogen and energy storage facilities.

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 2

The sizeable department at King & Spalding LLP ‘has a wealth of knowledge on how to deal with environmental litigation in challenging jurisdictions‘. With seasoned trial lawyers based across the country, the team is adept at handling high-exposure environmental cases which oftentimes involve bet-the-company significance and issues ranging from toxic chemicals, groundwater contamination to environmental incidents, including fires, chemical releases and explosions. The firm is a go-to destination for clients in the energy sector, but also offers representation to several Fortune 100 companies operating in a range of industries engaged in high-profile waste, soil, water, air and climate change-related litigation in the US and abroad. Based in Washington DC, Granta Nakayama jointly heads up the group with Kristen Fournier in New York and Matt Blaschke in San Francisco. Working out of Houston, Tracie Renfroe  often receives mandates from energy and industrial clients in groundwater and drinking water contamination and toxic tort mandates. Douglas Henderson in Atlanta has tried numerous cases involving chemical exposure, RCRA and the Clean Water Act. On the West Coast, Charles Correll  is a name to note in San Francisco for natural resource damage claims and environmental litigation, while Peter Hsiao in Los Angeles is a solid litigator in matters concerning air and water issues, CERCLA cost recovery and toxic tort.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP houses ‘a top-shelf environmental legal team that is one of the best in the country‘. Practitioners are skilled at providing the full-array of environmental regulatory services across the US, but are particularly noted for their strength in California-related matters. Besides frequently acting for clients in the defense of enforcement actions brought by the EPA, and other state and federal agencies, the group has advised clients on all aspects of the environmental permitting process, crisis response and site remediation cases. Recent areas of growth for the team include cutting-edge issues pertaining to emerging chemicals, such as Ethylene Oxide (EtO) and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), and mobile source emissions. The team is led from Washington DC by Granta Nakayama, who is a recognised attorney in the market with an impressive track record in environmental enforcement actions, agency rulemakings and Congressional matters. Ilana Saltzbart , who is a former senior enforcement counsel at the EPA, is another key contact in DC for the biofuels industry, especially those engaged in Clean Air Act matters. Atlanta-based Adam Sowatzka maintains a nationwide practice handling civil and criminal environmental enforcement mandates, with a particular focus on wastewater cases and PFAS. The West Coast environmental, health and safety practice is managed by environmental trial lawyer Peter Hsiao, who builds on his chemical engineering experience to advise a variety of clients in environmental, natural resources and toxic tort law. He sits in the Los Angeles office. Marcella Burke leads the Houston-based environmental team; she is proficient in air, water, waste and toxic chemicals.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP offering is noted for its FDA practice, which advises pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device companies on a product’s full lifespan. For early life products and companies, the team offers product development and approval advice, as well as corporate advice to young businesses. The team offers exceptional IP services to developed clients, with an emphasis on Hatch-Waxman, PTAB and Biologics litigation and exclusivity arrangements. It also offers a government relations and investigations team, which advises leading clients such as Pfizer on congressional inquiries, and anti-kickback cases. The team is led out of Washington DC by compliance expert Nikki Reeves, fraud litigator Seth Lundy and Mark Brown, who advises on matters leading to product liability suits. Silicon Valley-based Laura Bushnell is ‘deeply connected in the M&A, securities and financings areas’ and advises a number of start-ups. DC-based regulatory specialists Lisa Dwyer, Preeya Noronha Pinto and Brian Bohnenkamp, pharmaceutical pricing expert John Shakow and white-collar litigator Mark Jensen are also recommended.

Industry focus > Transport: rail and road - litigation and regulation Tier 2

In addition to King & Spalding LLP‘s regulatory, enforcement and policy expertise, its automotive and transportation practice houses specialists in complex litigation and government investigations. In recent years, the group has been highly involved in the headline diesel-related issues surrounding the automotive industry. In Washington DC environmental law expert Granta Nakayama co-leads the team and is regularly sought out by automakers facing high-profile diesel-related issues and litigation. Co-head John Hooper in New York is a complex litigation specialist; Chicago-based Livia Kiser is a vehicle component expert; and Susan Vargas in Los Angeles litigates high-exposure cases. Atlanta’s Susan Clare predominantly represents automotive manufacturers and transportation companies. In 2021, Jackie Glassman left the firm, while former counsel Christie Iannetta also departed.

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

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 2

The ‘creative problem-solvers‘ at King & Spalding LLP‘s construction practice are go-to advisors for owners and developers of major global projects, with a standout presence in the energy sector. On the development side, practice co-head Scott Greer coordinates with the firm’s experts across the US and internationally, focusing on cutting-edge projects of high value, a recent example being the $5bn Champlain Hudson Power Express Project, a transmission line aiming to deliver Canadian 1250MW hydropower to the New York City Metro area. Other key contacts include Ingrid Myers, whose extensive experience includes work on decommissioning projects of nuclear power plants, and Rob Garner, an experienced attorney in drafting and negotiating a variety of construction related agreements across the energy sector. Above named lawyers are based in Houston. For contentious matters, Mike Stenglein in Austin is the name to note- his extensive experience in international construction disputes has a focus on representing owners and contractors in cases involving large facilities such as refineries, early production facilities, power plants, wind farms, and hotels. Stephen O’Neal in San Francisco has a global practice with an emphasis on international arbitration of construction and engineering disputes.

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

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP works as an integral part of the firm’s busy transactional M&A practice, helping to structure deals to mitigate litigation risk and advising on pre-litigation strategy. The firm remains active in director duties, appraisal litigation, disclosure claims, and post-closing disputes involving privately-held companies. Though it handles both plaintiff and defendant work, its focus is primarily on the latter, and its recent highlights include the defense of Sharecare in a challenge to a major SPAC transaction in the digital healthcare space, namely its $3.79bn sale to Falcon. Warren Pope in Atlanta was the lead partner in that matter, and he served as lead or co-lead counsel in federal and state courts from California to New York in recent years. Richard Marooney in New York and Jessica Corley in Atlanta lead the trial and global disputes practice and are both involved in deal-related litigation.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has ‘an exceptional team of lawyers with deep experience in litigation and regulatory matters‘ known for its dominance in the Southeast and Southwest regularly appearing in shareholder class actions in the Eleventh and Fifth Circuits as well as developing a national practice for the defense of class actions alleging securities fraud. Jessica Corley leads the firm’s trial and global disputes practice from Atlanta, where Warren Pope  is a standout securities litigator. He recently won early stage dismissals for Newell Brands in a securities class action arising out of stock price drops following disappointing financial results, and Triangle Capital Corporation in a securities fraud case arising from its 2017 IPO. Atlanta-based Michael Smith also played a key role in the Triangle case.

Finance > Commercial lending

King & Spalding LLP has an established presence in the middle-market, with capabilities than span investment grade and leveraged financing transactions.  The firm’s lender clients include major global banks, as well as a number of premier direct lenders, while borrower side client include sports teams, private equity houses and retail businesses. In Atlanta, Carolyn Alford leads the leveraged finance & restructuring practice and has experience structuring programmatic lending platforms in addition to representing both lenders and borrowers in financing agreements. The corporate finance & investments group is led from New York by Todd Holleman, who focuses on private credit and special situations investing.

Finance > Project finance Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP is appreciated by clients for its ‘great commercial judgement and billing flexibility‘, which it uses to advise renewable energy companies and project developers on battery storage, solar, wind and biofuel projects across the US. The firm’s proficiency in domestic projects can be seen by its recent work representing RE Crimson LLC on the syndicated debt financing for the construction of two battery energy storage system in California; Tristan Pelham Webb, who divides his time between New York and Denver and New York’s Jonathan Melmed  led on the transaction. New  York-based Brandon Dalling, who leads the national group alongside Houston duo Scott Greer  and Stuart Zisman, who  ‘works with clients to solve difficult problems‘ in relation to the leveraged, project and acquisition financing of conventional power, LNG-to-power generation and alternative energy.

Government > Government relations Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP’s Washington DC-based government relations practice is recognized for its presence in the healthcare and life sciences sector. The team regularly advises for and non-profit healthcare providers, industry trade associations, medical device companies, and other similar clients, with a strong track in congressional investigation for a growing number of clients. Government ethics and lobbying specialist Thomas Spulak leads the team, advising client son the intersection of congressional procedure, federal election law, and government ethics. Also of note within the team are Lloyd Hand, a defense and technology advocacy specialist; healthcare legislation strategist David Farber. Daniel Donovan is also a key contact for congressional investigations.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 3

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

‘Creative and super commercial’, King & Spalding LLP's practice advises oil-and-gas sector clients on a range of transactions including acquisitions, divestments, financing, offtake agreements and high-value EPC contracts. The Houston-based team is co-led by Stuart Zisman, who acts primarily in midstream and downstream energy transactions and projects, and construction law specialist Scott Greer. Another key practitioner is Peter Hays, a commercial oil-and-gas lawyer who handles upstream, midstream and downstream hydrocarbons transactions.

Industry focus > Environment: transactional Tier 3

A variety of Fortune 200 corporations, private equity firms, lenders and portfolio companies seek King & Spalding LLP‘s support in complex environmental issues and liabilities arising in the context of business transactions. Working in collaboration with the firm’s corporate, project finance and real estate practices, the environmetal, health and safety group provides comprehensive advice on the full spectrum of deals- M&A, project finance, credit and hedge financing, and construction loans. Energy-sector transactions involving conventional and renewable sources are a core strength for the group, which is also skilled in the fields of emerging contaminants and brownfields issues. Granta Nakayama oversees the Washington DC-based department. Cynthia Stroman , who has a chemical engineering background, often acts for project proponents, lenders and companies in environmentally sensitive industries. Incident response and transactional matters are among Joseph Eisert ‘s areas of expertise. Les Oakes  is the name to note in Atlanta for transactional mandates. All practitioners are based in DC, unless stated otherwise.

Industry focus > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 3

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - finance Tier 3

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 3

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP represents companies in ERISA class actions, director and executive compensation litigation and other complex employee benefits disputes. The practice is led by Atlanta-based partner David Tetrick, who sits on AIG’s national fiduciary liability panel. His work includes defending Home Depot against accusations that its FutureBuilder plan breached fiduciary duties, charging excessive fees and returning poor performance. Other key practitioners include the Atlanta-based Jim Boswell and Bobby Burchfield in Washington DC. Also in Atlanta is Darren Shuler; he is noted for his role as lead counsel in certified class action disputes.

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

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has global data protection, crisis management and response, and litigation capacities. Particularly outstanding is the firm’s data breach class action litigation practice and its knowledge of the finance sector. Phyllis Sumner in Atlanta co-heads the team and has notably acted as lead counsel for Equifax during 2021 in its response to its high-profile data breach. Her counterparts are David Balser, also in Atlanta, and Zachary Fardon in Chicago. Washington DC-based Robert Hudock is appreciated for his experience in the technical aspects of data breaches. Scott Ferber left the firm in July 2021. Natasha Moffitt is now retired.

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

At King & Spalding LLP, Spencer Johnson leads the practice from Atlanta alongside Tony Rothermel in New York, and has experience representing both private and public REITs in complex transactions. The group brings together a multidisciplinary team across real estate, finance and corporate law to offer a full service, with specialty in cross-border work for inbound foreign investors. Atlanta's Kathryn Furman focuses on fund formation and heads the investment funds practice at the firm, and is a go-to for capital raisings for real estate clients. In New York, Jonathan Talansky provides tax expertise, and is active in federal income taxation matters.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP‘s capital markets group has a particular focus on energy, financial institutions, life sciences and healthcare, industrials, real estate and telecoms. It has an impressive client base, including a range of Fortune 500 companies. The firm has landed a series of SPAC-related engagements along with equity offerings to finance acquisitions. A truly national practice, key team members are based in Atlanta, New York, Silicon Valley and Houston. Keith Townsend leads the team from Atlanta, where Spencer Johnson  has a fine record in REIT offerings. Silicon Valley partner Laura Bushnell is noted for life sciences and technology transactions, and New York’s Elizabeth Morgan is another senior practitioner.  

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

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 4

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 5

King & Spalding LLP‘s nationwide private equity practice advises on transactions in a wide range of jurisdictions across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as well as domestically, counting a variety of mid-market sponsors and private equity-backed companies among its clients. The firm has particular strengths in buyouts, minority investments, and financing transactions in the energy, healthcare, life sciences, and tech sectors. New York’s Jonathan Melmed  heads up the practice alongside Atlanta-based Rahul Patel .

Real estate Tier 5

King & Spalding LLP represents domestic and offshore investors in sales and acquisition of large-scale commercial real estate assets, including major industrial portfolios. The firm also has a substantial real estate funds practice. Key partners include Timothy Goodwin and Joshua Kamin in Atlanta, and co-head Mark Thigpen  in Charlotte, alongside Erik Andersen in New York.

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

Under the leadership of Atlanta-based Kathryn Furman, King & Spalding LLP experienced team works with fund sponsors, managers and placement agents to tailor products for particular markets and industries. The New York office is home to two of the group’s specialized practitioners; Jennifer Morgan is a go-to advisor for matters with a nexus to real estate, while John Wilson is a key contact for fund formation mandates and sponsor-level strategic transactions. The practice also understands the unique tax issues presented by funds and works with sponsors to develop structures that satisfy the needs of varied classes of investors and target investments.

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

Employment >

King & Spalding LLP‘s oil and gas litigation group represents a number of high-profile clients such as Chevron and ConocoPhilips. The broad practice handles a range of contentious issues, including toxic torts, trade secrets, royalties and administrative agency litigation. Based in Houston, managing partner Tracie Renfroe and Robert Meadows have extensive experience in federal and state courts; Renfroe focuses on environmental, product liability and commercial disputes and Meadows has a strong reputation in complex commercial and tort litigation. The group also has strong international arbitration capabilities, with Reggie Smith and Doak Bishop being key names to note. Andrew Stakelum has unique expertise in energy companies operating along the Gulf Coast. King & Spalding LLP‘s trial and global disputes team handles a full range of cross-border disputes and enforcement-related litigation. Following the departure of James Berger and Charlene Sun in October 2021, the team is led by Andy Bayman in Atlanta, who counts product liability among his areas of expertise, and Houston-based energy sector expert Reginald Smith. The group is popular among life sciences sector clients, an area strengthened by the arrival of Chicago-based Lazar Raynal in October 2021, who frequently advises on high-profile patent and breach of contracts disputes, from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP. David Wallach in San Francisco, who joined from Jones Day in November 2021, also has experience in this space, as well as in the cross-border construction, energy and retain disputes. The group has an impressive complementary international arbitration team; Washington DC-based Kenneth Beale, who joined from Boies Schiller Flexner LLP in March 2021 and is strong for energy and financial services sector disputes, is among the names for enforcement litigation. Also in Washington DC, international arbitration expert Érica Franzetti joined from Dechert LLP in October 2021 and has experience representing international clients before the Brazilian courts.

Representing household names like Sephora, Home Depot and Coca-Cola, the team at King & Spalding LLP utilizes the strength of its network global locations to advise clients on the managing, enforcement and licensing of their global trademark portfolios. The group is headed by Richard Groos in Austin, who builds strategies for trademark, trade secret and domain name-related matters, and IP enforcement expert Kathleen McCarthy in New York. Supported by counsel Sheri Hunter in Austin, the team’s client base spans the retail, consumer products, food and beverages, life sciences, tech and energy sectors.

Satisfied clients of King & Spalding LLP's international trade practice draw attention to its 'deep industrial knowledge and experience' as well as its 'responsive business stance'. An increasingly dominant player in trade remedy-related matters, the Washington DC-based group additionally packs a punch in economic sanctions, export controls, and customs-related issues — it also houses a growing CIFIUS practice. Department chair Stephen Orava handles an array of WTO, trade litigation, trade policy and regulatory matters but is arguably best known for his trade remedy expertise; he successfully represented Briggs & Stratton in antidumping and countervailing duty petitions involving imports of vertical engines from China. Christine Savage spearheads the firm's CFIUS, export controls and economic sanctions practice and brings to bear prior US government experience earned during a two-year stint at the DOC. The firm also fields a capable customs team under the leadership of Michael Taylor, who advises on customs investigations, False Claims Act allegations and other customs-related issues. Stephen Vaughn and Jamieson Greer are noted for their emphasis on trade litigation and policy. Associate Mercedes Morno, a former senior attorney at the DOC, is also recommended,

King & Spalding LLP advises clients on the full spectrum of oil and gas regulatory matters. The group represents major industry players such as Chevron and ConocoPhilips in addition to other utilities, energy project developers and traders. In Washington DC, Tim Engel co-leads the practice with James Bowe, who is noted for his expertise in hydrogen-related matters and has extensive experience in the regulation of energy pipelines. Other areas of expertise include decommissioning projects, LNG facility safety matters, natural gas pipeline rate and certificate issues.

The practice at King & Spalding LLP is praised for its ‘timely advice and tough negotiation’. The group is closely integrated with the firm’s private equity and international corporate practices and regularly handles insurance industry domestic and international mergers and acquisitions as well as other transactions. New York-based Bernhardt Nadell co-heads the practice, drawing on significant know-how in insurance mergers and acquisitions, reinsurance and insurance finance, as well as insurance regulation. Russell Sacks joined the New York office from Shearman & Sterling LLP in February 2021.

Well known for its business jet expertise, King & Spalding LLP‘s commercial transactions practice is also growing substantially. The department, led by Atlanta-based Carolyn Alford, routinely covers the international acquisition, de-registration and financing of aircraft. Recent highlights include aircraft workout and repossession work for a business aircraft leasing and finance company. In addition to the transportation finance practice of Charlotte-based Chris Buchanan, who ‘provides prompt, effective and thought-out advice‘, he is an expert on the Payroll Support Program. Former transportation finance head Jason Huff left the firm in 2021.

Regarded by some as ‘one of the smartest ITC practitioners in the industry’ and with over 25 years experience under his belt, Jeffrey Telep is in charge of steering the practice at King & Spalding LLP. The group continues to expand its IT practice from Washington DC, with Chris Campbell and senior associate Brian Hill as key contacts. Britton Davis in Denver is also noted. Technology mandates make up the bulk of the group’s workload, although the team continues to gain traction with clients in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.

The New York-based team at King & Spalding LLP represents in high-profile trademark litigation and preliminary injunction hearings in the federal courts, as well as proceedings before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, acting on behalf of  The group is led by veteran IP litigator Kenneth Steinthal in San Francisco and tech sector expert Stephen Baskin in Washington DC. Trademark enforcement authority Kathleen McCarthy in New York, whose clients included Sephora and Madison Square Garden, is a key figure in the practice, as is Bruce Baber, a founding member of the firm’s global intellectual property practice, known for successfully representing Google.

King & Spalding LLP comes highly recommended by clients who describe ‘a well-oiled machine, providing efficient service and advising on the most up-to-date market practices‘. The group is firmly embedded in the emerging companies space where it represents an impressive mix of issuers and investors. In the case of the former, clients appreciate the ‘very collaborative‘ approach and for being ‘willing to work with emerging companies on fees‘. On the technology and software front, the firm has been particularly active on fintech and insurtech investments, while also retaining strong credentials in early stage life sciences and healthcare. The team is jointly led by Tom Knox in Northern Virginia, Laura Bushnell in Silicon Valley, and the ‘extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and efficient‘ Daniel Kahan  in Washington DC. Clients also rate Linda Lorenat in Silicon Valley (‘extremely knowledgeable, diligent and generally an invaluable strategic partner‘) and in Northern Virginia, Charles Katz who ‘provides excellent, pragmatic advice‘.

With an antitrust practice that has an ‘incredible wealth of knowledge’ , King & Spalding LLP routinely represents blue-chip clients across various sectors and industries. Norm Armstrong and Jeffrey Spigel, whose portfolios range from class action cases and civil and criminal antitrust investigations to other unfair competition, jointly lead the group from Washington DC. In Atlanta, Jeffrey Cashdan brings to bear experience in criminal and civil global cartel matters as well as antitrust actions in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, beverages, and financial industries, among others. Emily Newton, also based in Atlanta, has recently handled cases regarding alleged conspiracies in jurisdictions across the US.

King & Spalding LLP has a rounded practice of capital markets fund raisings and liability management transactions. The firm is particularly known for issuer-side engagements, though has a credible record on the underwriter side. Keith Townsend has an impressive record in DCM offerings founded on an extensive list of corporate issuer clients such as ConocoPhillips and United Parcel Service. Atlanta partner Zachary Cochran returned to the firm in 2022 after a short spell as a senior corporate counsel at an artificial intelligence business. King & Spalding LLP ‘serves public companies and leading private equity firms in sophisticated transactions’, and advises its roster of clients on golden parachute, executive compensation and employee benefit plan issues. From the firm’s New York office, team leader Jeanie Cogill handles the equity incentive program and non-qualified deferred compensation plan aspects of M&A transactions, while Chicago-based Sam Choy represents private equity firms and senior executives in employee benefit matters. Following the departure of Laura Westfall in August 2021, Chicago-based Jennifer Neilsson, who focuses on ERISA Title 1 mandates, joined the practice from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in August 2021.

The team around Kenneth Steinthal at King & Spalding LLP handles copyright, content, and libel litigation for a long list of clients with a particular focus on key players in the music industry. Based in San Francisco, Steinthal is an expert on content distribution issues, advising large tech companies in this area. His Los Angeles colleague Arwen Johnson broadens the firm’s scope with her expertise in cases of idea theft. They are assisted by highly active practitioners across the country such as associate David Mattern in Washington DC who represents tech and music services in litigation.

King & Spalding LLP offers strong regulatory agency expertise, with a team including several former DOJ and FTC officials, and has continued to develop its profile within merger control, winning several new mandates including that of Quikrete Holding, whom it advised on the second request for its merger with Forterra. The firm is able to handle routine case filings as well as more complex deals, including second request investigations and judicial oversight proceedings, and is adept in successfully shepherding regulated industry mergers through investigatory hurdles. The team, which has a strong presence on both coasts, is led by Norm Armstrong and Jeffrey Spigel, both highly experienced practitioners with successful records in merger control cases, who regularly appear before the DOJ and FTC in merger investigations. Senior associate Chris Yook has a particular focus on cross-border M&A filings. Lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC. King & Spalding LLP maintains a diverse coast-to-coast appellate practice, which draws on capable partners in Washington DC, Georgia, California and Texas. The national group handles appeals across all industry sectors, with notable experience in energy, IP and FDA and life sciences-related cases. Washington DC-based department co-chair Jeffrey Bucholtz brings to bear strong appellate experience and has handled 50 appeals across federal and state courts — including two arguments before the US Supreme Court. Ashley Parrish, also in Washington DC, co-leads the group; he recently teamed up with the government matters practice to successfully represent the Florida Hospital Association, and ten of its member hospitals, in challenging how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calculate Medicare reimbursement rates.

The special matters and government investigations practice at King & Spalding LLP is led in Washington DC by Wick Sollers and Michael Pauze, and in New York by Andrew Hruska. The team includes former federal prosecutors and government enforcement officials, and acts for both corporates and individuals on high-stakes white-collar crime and civil defense matters. The practice draws on strength from its global network and is active in the financial services, life sciences, energy, automotive and professional services industries. Sollers is a name to note for investigations and litigation, and has considerable experience in the healthcare sector; Hruska handles criminal, regulatory and bankruptcy litigation; and Pauze is an experienced trial lawyer who often advises on government investigations. In January 2021, Craig Carpenito joined in New York after serving as the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey; in February of the same year, Paul Murphy joined in Atlanta from the FBI; in May Cliff Stricklin joined in Denver from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner HRO; and in June, Greg Scott joined in Sacramento after serving as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of California.

Latin America: International firms > City Focus - Houston Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP's Houston office has a longstanding focus on Latin America oil-and-gas projects and transactions, along with major international arbitration cases. The firm’s outstanding reputation in international arbitration has its roots in Houston, where the team has a longstanding focus on Latin America, including in Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico and more recently, Chile. Much of the practice continues to centre on investor-state disputes, but it has achieved particular growth in commercial arbitrations thanks to its success in Brazil in particular. A number of Houston partners, including Doak Bishop, Craig Miles and Wade Coriell, were part of the team that represented Chevron in an investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador seated in the Hague, arising out of a $9.5bn Ecuadorian court judgment against Chevron for alleged environmental harm caused by historical oilfield operations. In addition, Roberto Aguirre Luzi co-heads the Latin America international arbitration practice. The Houston office remains a market leader in LNG projects, especially in Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia and Dominican Republic, and has further expertise in energy transition projects. Scott Greer heads the global energy and construction transactions practices, and David Lang is a leader in LNG deals in Latin America.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 1

Global international-arbitration powerhouse King & Spalding LLP represents clients in significant commercial and investment cases, as well as in arbitration-related litigation before courts around the world. Latin America, which accounts for more than half the firm’s pending arbitrations, is a key market for the ‘unparalleled’ practice, which is best known for its exemplary energy-industry track record, but which has also secured a string of notable victories in the aviation and manufacturing sectors (among others). The Latin America team is co-lead by experienced investment treaty and commercial arbitration practitioner Craig Miles, who divides his time between the firm’s Houston and fast-expanding Miami offices (the latter having opening its doors as recently as February 2022); ‘outstanding’ Houston-based international arbitration and public international law expert Roberto Aguirre Luzi; and international commercial and investment treaty dispute specialist Harry Burnett, who is among those to have relocated from New York to Miami. The highly respected and experienced Doak Bishop and international arbitration veteran Edward Kehoe, who co-lead the firm’s global international arbitration group, are also closely involved in Latin American matters. The practice group’s deep bench was further strengthened with the October-2021 hire of tri-qualified (Brazil, New York and Washington DC) Érica Franzetti from Dechert LLP – initially to the Washington DC team but now in Miami. Partners Kenneth Beale (Washington DC) and David Wallach (San Francisco) have also come on board during the course of 2021, joining from Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Jones Day respectively. Elsewhere, Houston-based Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina -who has particular expertise in construction matters- was raised to the partnership in January 2022; and the New York office saw the arrival of civil and common law trained Samaa Haridi as partner from Hogan Lovells US LLP the following month. At a more junior level, tri-lingual associate Cedric Soule is rapidly gaining profile and is especially active in matters under ICSID and UNCITRAL rules relating to Chile, Ecuador and Peru.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has a long history of specialising in Latin America oil and gas projects and other transactions. Having advised on the first ever LNG import terminal in Uruguay and on Colombia’s first LNG facility, it remains at the forefront of LNG projects, a global forte for the firm, including projects in Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, Colombia and the Dominican Republic. Furthermore, it continues to be prominent in Mexico and Brazil in natural gas supply agreements, LNG export and import projects (including FSRUs), upstream projects, and the financing of oil rigs and FPSOs. The firm launched a Miami office in 2022 to strengthen its focus on Latin America, building on its multi-office strategy, which includes Latin America projects led from the Houston, New York, London, Singapore and Tokyo offices, among others. Houston partners Scott Greer, a construction specialist, and David Lang, ‘a true expert on LNG matters’, are especially active in Latin America projects. Washington DC’s James Bowe provides further expertise in energy and oil and gas regulation. Since research concluded, the bench has been substantially strengthened with the July-2022 hire of Fradyn Suárez -who has a strong footing in Colombian 4G road financings- to the firm’s new Miami office.

Singapore > International arbitration

King & Spalding LLP’s broad reaching arbitration team is common and civil law qualified in Australia, China, England and Wales, France, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, New York, Texas, Singapore, Sweden and the Philippines. Advising across a range of multijurisdictional arbitrations, the firm covers energy, construction, telecoms, technology and corporate disputes, as well as providing niche expertise in the nuclear sector. Investment treaty arbitration is another strength for the group. International disputes expert Wade Coriell spearheads the practice that includes Elodie Dulac, whose forte is  investment treaty arbitrations. Other key names in the area are senior associate Jia Lin Hoe, newly promoted partner Anisha Sud and Peter Chow, who ‘is not only modest and prudent but also reliable and professional’. Richard Sharpe joined the firm at a partner level in November 2022, further strengthened the team.

Philippines > Foreign firms

Under the leadership of Wade Coriell, the team at King & Spalding LLP has particular expertise in the energy, power and natural resources sectors and garners additional praise for its experience in the transport, infrastructure and technology industries. The group continues to be busy advising on various key projects, disputes and M&A matters locally and across the region, and has also been active in helping clients with the financing aspects of significant deals, projects and distressed investments. Andrew Brereton and Simon Cowled are also highly regarded.

Latin America: International firms > City focus - Miami