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

King & Spalding LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

King & Spalding LLP, which represents both corporations and private clients, has a dedicated white-collar practice that sits apart from its litigation department, and that is especially renowned for its expertise in serving the financial services, life sciences, energy, automotive, and professional services sectors. Washington DC’s Mark Jensen, whose strengths lie in enforcement actions, investigations, and white-collar litigation, Michael Pauze, a DC-based seasoned trial lawyer, and Andrew Hruska, a New York-based attorney who frequently handles international cases, jointly lead the practice. Also in DC, Wick Sollers is noted for his experience representing clients from the energy, healthcare, and financial services industries. In summer 202, the arrival of powerhouse litigator Randy Mastro from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP further strengthened the team’s New York outfit.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP‘s ‘premiere e-discovery practice’ has a history of more than 25 years of continuous operation, and offers comprehensive services to high profile domestic and multinational clients. The department has expertise in a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, financial services, and technology, and fields a broad team of attorneys, project management professionals, and technologists, able to provide advice on high-stakes litigation, investigations, and crisis management. Well-respected name Ronni Solomon has been active in the e-discovery space since its inception, with almost three decades of litigation experience. Rose Jones, who has particular strength in acting for global clients, leads the team from Atlanta alongside John Tucker, who supervises the firm’s dedicated Discovery Center. Los-Angeles based Michael Shortnacy is a key contact for complex and crisis litigation, and covers civil and criminal investigations. Other core team members include counsel Tanya Canup, of Atlanta, whose practice focuses on information governance, as well as preservation and collection issues.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 1

The ‘dream team‘ at King & Spalding LLP can turn its hand to complex arbitrations in any industry sector, with its deep bench and extensive national–and international–network positioning it as a dominant player in large-scale investment cases. It particularly stands out for its pioneering experience in the energy and natural resources spheres, with one oil and gas major highlighting it as ‘simply the best international arbitration practice in the market‘. Demonstrating its commitment to further growth in 2022, the department hired highly regarded commercial and investment arbitration specialist Samaa Haridi, who joined in New York from Hogan Lovells US LLP. Additionally, the firm’s launch of a Miami office saw several geographical relocations within the arbitration group as key partners moved to tap the Latin America market from the new Florida platform. Houston-based department co-head Doak Bishop is widely regarded as an authority in disputes involving the construction, environmental, foreign investment, and energy and natural resources, areas. Fellow co-head Edward Kehoe, based in New York, is also a leading light. Kehoe and Bishop recently teamed up with Craig Miles, who splits his practice between Miami and Houston, and Houston-based Wade Coriell, to represent Chevron in an investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador, arising out of a $9.5bn Ecuadorian court judgment against Chevron for alleged environmental harm. The group also includes senior specialists Harry Burnett, who recently moved to Miami to support his thriving Latin America practice, and Chicago-based Javier Rubinstein. In Atlanta, Elizabeth Silbert is a talented next-generation partner. Viren Mascarenhas recently left the firm.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1

Randy Mastro – King & Spalding LLP. After leaving Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in August 2022, Randy Mastro has experienced an invigorated practice as one of the nation’s best trial lawyers for civil cases, securities litigation, and white collar criminal matters. In litigation pending before the New York Supreme Court, Mastro represents Maddison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. against a challenge brought by a law firm regarding MSG’s policy of excluding lawyers who are actively suing them. Mastro is based in the firm’s New York office.

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

Co-headed from New York and Atlanta by John Hooper and Susan Clare, respectively, and drawing upon significant resources across other key national offices, including Los Angeles, King & Spalding LLP‘s automotive and transport litigation team is well-positioned to defend clients in high-profile product liability and mass action disputes throughout the country. The team, which is noted for its deep subject matter knowledge, ‘technical excellence’ and ability to provide ‘class leading litigation strategy and execution’, regularly secures high-profile roles as national and trial counsel in big-ticket litigation. In addition, it often acts as strategic counsel to major automotive manufacturers in potential reputational threatening litigation, and has gained market acclaim for its ability to minimize any negative press attention and to effectively protect brand reputation. Hooper is leading the firm’s efforts for Toyota as strategic counsel across a myriad product liability and class action cases pending in various courts nationwide. Clare continues to grow her reputation in the market among domestic and foreign automotive manufacturers as a result of her ability to secure favorable outcomes in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions in cases involving allegations of vehicle safety defects. As part of her impressive docket of work, alongside fellow Atlanta practitioner Geoffrey Drake, she leads the firm’s ongoing efforts for GM on the strategy for managing 3,000 plus breach of warranty and consumer fraud lawsuits.

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

Leveraging the expertise of product liability lawyers drawn from across the firm’s national network of offices, many with significant trial experience, King & Spalding LLP handles a wide range and volume of cases, for manufacturers and producers, across a broad spectrum of consumer products. The tobacco industry remains a core area of strength, with the firm’s longstanding representation of RJ Reynolds continuing to generate a slew of high-profile mandates in trial and appellate courts across Florida, in particular. Many litigators in the firm’s Miami office have been central to the recent trial successes for Reynolds, with Val Leppert ‘s recently chalking up a string of notable appellate victories, saving the company significant financial burdens following the reversal of adverse judgments totaling almost $65m. The firm’s strength within the food and beverages sector, which is increasingly being targeted by the plaintiff’s bar for alleged consumer deception offences, was recently enhanced following a trio of experienced hires in June 2022, including the ‘highly impressive’ Dale Giali and Keri Borders, who joined the Los Angeles office from Mayer Brown LLP and San Francisco-based Michael Resch , who reunites with his former colleagues following his most recent stint as general counsel at Amy’s Kitchen. In New York, John Hooper and Morton Dubin are also key members of the team, with the latter noted for his trial skills, which have been put to good use in many high-profile product liability matters, including for Johnson & Johnson in its cosmetic talc litigation. Bruce Hurley in Houston, Ursula Henninger in Miami, and New York’s Shaila Rahman Diwan co-lead the overarching trial and global disputes team.

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

With a deep bench of product liability lawyers spread throughout the country, including a particularly focused degree of expertise within the pharmaceuticals space out of the firm’s Atlanta and New York offices, King & Spalding LLP remains a popular choice among leading life sciences clients, including GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson and Boehringer Ingelheim, to handle many of their most complex disputes. As well as procedural and core litigation capabilities, clients benefit from deep understanding of the underlying science involved in the cases, with a number of practitioners also benefiting from advanced science degrees. As well as regularly achieving success through compelling dispositive motions, the team is also adept trying cases, with a number of the lawyers within the group adept at providing persuasive arguments in jury and bench trials. One such lawyer is Atlanta-based partner Andrew Bayman , who has gained a strong reputation for trying cases, including in often complex and innovative matters; exemplified by his historical involvement for GlaxoSmithKline in the first “innovator liability” trial in the country. Recently recognized by the American College of Trial Lawyers, New York-based first-chair trial lawyer Morton Dubin is also key to the firm’s success at a trial stage and regularly works alongside Kristen Fournier in high-profile disputes, including for Janssen Pharmaceuticals in connection with the MDL concerning the prescription drug Elmiron. Atlanta-based partner Adam Spicer is also recommended.

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

With experts located on both coasts, as well as in key Southern cities, including Houston and Atlanta, King & Spalding LLP is well-positioned to represent clients in high-exposure and high-profile groundwater, waste, soil, water, air, and climate cases throughout the country, including in venues considered to be the most plaintiff friendly. Indeed, a particular strength of the firm is its ability and willingness to try cases, working up persuasive narratives to present before juries, in part due to the firm’s familiarity and in-depth underlying knowledge of often highly complex scientific and technical issues. Noted not only for her subject matter expertise and procedural nous, including as coordinating national counsel on large scale consolidated disputes, New York-based partner Kristen Fournier is also highly attuned to jury demographics and trends, tailoring her advocacy before the courtroom to suit on cases involving asbestos and chemical exposure, in particular. In Houston, Tracie Renfroe  is well-versed in effectively developing litigation strategies for clients in the energy, manufacturing, and pharma sectors; she has particular expertise advising clients in relation to groundwater and drinking water contamination. Accomplished senior trial lawyer Robert Meadows is also recommended for his energy-related toxic tort expertise, while at the more junior end of the spectrum  Elizabeth Taber, also based in Houston, continues to thrive on behalf of energy and oilfield clients including in the defense of groundwater contamination lawsuits. San Francisco-based partner Matthew Blaschke co-heads the team alongside Fournier and has expertise across a range of toxic and environmental consolidated private litigation, as well as in relation to government investigations and enforcement actions.    

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 1

Counting prominent oil and gas corporations, including Chevron and ConocoPhilips, among its key roster of clients, the trial and global disputes team at King & Spalding LLP handles litigation arising from high-end lawsuits surrounding climate change attribution, environmental justice, decommissioning and further disputes concerning the energy transition. Other key areas of expertise include toxic torts, trade secrets, royalties and administrative agency litigation. The team is led from Houston by Tracie Renfroe, who acts on toxic tort, environmental and commercial disputes civil jury trials, class actions and arbitrations, while San Francisco-based Charles Correll specializes in environmental litigation and mass torts on both a domestic and international scale. Andrew Stakelum handles onshore and offshore litigation, with unique experience supporting energy companies operating on the Gulf Coast, while Elizabeth Taber represents clients in the oilfield services industry in high-stakes litigation involving catastrophic injuries, environmental contamination and mass torts. Houston-based Robert Meadows, who represents clients across state and federal courts, is another key contact in the group.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP continues to advise a diverse clientele on a full range of issues, including white-bagging, alleged overpayments, and M&A. The practice is known for its distinct expertise in bringing Medicare reimbursement litigation against the HHS, and acting for providers in payment disputes with commercial insurance companies. Jim Boswell co-heads the team alongside Mark Polston. Based in Atlanta, Boswell has extensive experience in representing physician groups, while Stephanie Johnson is particularly adept at defending clients in False Claims Act (FCA) investigations. In the Washington DC office, Polston leads the Medicare reimbursement litigation team, advising a number of clinical laboratories and hospitals, while Chris Kenny is particularly adept at advising on payment systems in relation to reimbursements for organ acquisitions. Adam Robison supports the team from Houston with his broad expertise in Medicare payment programs, often taking the lead in Civil Monetary Penalty investigations for nursing home providers and hospitals; and Washington DC's Daniel Hettich is a Medicare reimbursement specialist.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 1

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

With a strong following of public companies, privately held businesses, and private equity firms, King & Spalding LLP is well equipped to support clients in the full spectrum of M&A matters, excelling particularly in the middle-market. The practice also assists in serial and portfolio transactions and continues to advise clients in SPAC-related deals.  Based in Atlanta, Keith Townsend, who heads up the public companies practice group, is adept in both corporate governance and transactional matters. Also in Atlanta, Rahul Patel is the main point of contact for some of the firm’s most significant corporate clients engaged in control and non-control transactions. In the New York office,  Jonathan Melmed handles strategic, private equity and SPAC deals across the energy, financial, and infrastructure sectors, while Enrico Granata co-chairs the private equity group. Kathleen Blaszak joined from Winston & Strawn LLP in July 2022, bringing a wealth of experience in M&A and strategic alliances in the TMT sector; she is based between Northern Virginia and Washington DC.

Transport > Rail and road: finance Tier 1

In addition to its representation of US banks in the acquisition and sale of rail assets, King & Spalding LLP‘s national transportation finance practice advises on the leasing and financing of rail-related assets. Its enviable track record includes advising on a large North American bank portfolio of rail assets that comprises over 175,000 railcars and 1,800 locomotives. The group is also experienced in advising on a range of finance structures, in relation to rolling stock, chassis, containers, automobiles and tractors. With longstanding experience in matters involving railcar assets, Christopher Buchanan is an expert in a broad range of transportation-related financing matters involving cash flow and asset-based loan facilities. Buchanan also represents transportation industry financial sponsors and portfolio companies. Providing additional partner-level support from Atlanta, restructuring and bankruptcy specialist Jeff Dutson routinely acts for creditors in aviation-related workouts, while Ronald Lovelace leads the firm’s highly regarded banking and institutional finance team. Associate to note, Kathryn Wilson represents financial institutions, lenders, borrowers, lessors and lessees in transportation finance deals, and is particularly focused on aircraft, rail and equipment assets. All advisers listed are based in Charlotte unless otherwise mentioned.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP often works in conjunction with the firm’s government investigations, healthcare, international trade, and intellectual property departments, routinely representing clients in litigation in trial and appellate courts, and appearing before arbitral tribunals, government enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies. Richard Marooney‘s practice encompasses disputes pertaining to the accounting, energy and financial service industries, and he co-leads the team alongside Andy Bayman in Atlanta. Arriving from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in August 2022, the vastly experienced Randy Mastro represents clients in civil cases, securities litigation and white collar criminal matters. Houston-based Mary-Olga Lovett joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP in July 2023. Dallas-based partner Veronica Moyé joined the team in February 2024 from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. All individuals are located in New York, unless stated otherwise.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 2

Led by Andy Bayman and Reginald Smith  based in Atlanta and Houston respectively, King & Spalding LLP’s trial and global disputes group has undergone significant expansion in New York, welcoming lateral hires such as Randy Mastro from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP along with Mark Kirsch and Matt Biben in August 2022. The firm also gained Samaa Haridi from Hogan Lovells US LLP in early 2022, strengthening its international arbitration and disputes practice with an emphasis on the Middle East and North Africa. Also opening its doors in Miami, the firm has focused its attention on Latin America as well as bolstering its class action litigation capacity in the South. Érica Franzetti, Harry Burnett, and Craig Miles  are among those relocating to the Miami office, joined by Brian Miller, Samantha Kavanaugh and Ross Linzer from Akerman LLP. The firm concentrates on parallel proceedings across sectors including energy, mining, financial services, and healthcare, with experience in asset recovery, enforcement actions and anti-suit injunctions. Richard Marooney is a key name to note in New York for his focus on international financial services disputes with major institutional clients in this area.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP climbs the ranking this year having greatly increased its bench strength and expanded its docket of high-stakes securities cases. The firm has 15 partners focused on this area of law across ten domestic offices, giving it one of the most geographically diverse practices in the US. Jessica Corley leads the firm’s trial and global disputes practice from Atlanta, where Warren Pope  and Michael Smith are standout securities litigators. Corley and Pope secured the dismissal of a securities class action for ADTRAN, Inc. that alleged the company made false and misleading statements related to the company’s business prospects and financial disclosures. A major recruitment drive in 2022 brought in key partner talent in New York including Mark Kirsch and Randy Mastro from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, as well as three partners in Miami from Akerman LLP. Kirsch is acting for Rio Tinto Group in a putative class action and a suit brought by the SEC alleging securities law violations arise in connection with a $4bn write-down the company took relating to a mining project in Mozambique. Paul Bessette in Austin, who is defending SolarWinds Corporation in a putative class action alleging it made false and misleading statements about its cybersecurity practices, and Richard Marooney in New York also play key roles in the practice.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

With a strong focus on transactions in the renewable energy space, King & Spalding LLP advises clients, including major private equity and infrastructure funds and companies active in areas including solar, wind, battery stroage, as well as renewable natural gas, on the acquisition and disposal of projects and portfolios, with additional strength in project financing. In addition, the practice is also noted for its capabilities in advising on the whole cycle of renewable energy projects, including development, construction and operation. The team is jointly led by Jonathan Melmed in New York, who is reputed for advising on U.S. and international M&A, private equity and complex corporate transactions, Stuart Zisman, and global energy and construction transactional practice head Scott Greer in Houston. Zisman is also noted for his expertise in global energy transactions of all types, including energy storage, as well as commercial agreements. Another key contact for transactional work is New York’s Adam Hankiss. The firm’s reach was extended with the arrival of Fradyn Suárez  into its new Miami office from Jones Day in July 2022.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 2

The trial and global disputes; government matters team at King & Spalding LLP offers coast-to-coast expertise and is led by Washington DC’s Granta Nakayama, New York’s Kristen Fournier, San Francisco’s Matt Blaschke and Tracie Renfroe in Houston. The firm fields multidisciplinary groups to advise on litigation and emerging issues, such as forever chemicals, climate change, environmental justice, renewable fuels and ESG matters. Renfroe acts for energy and industrial clients on contamination, toxic tort and product liability cases, and is experienced in international arbitration. Atlanta’s Douglas Henderson is notable for his experience in toxic and mass torts litigation and property rights disputes, while Peter Hsiao in Los Angeles has 34 years’ trial experience, with a focus on environmental and natural resources cases. Recently, Shannon Kasley and Jeremiah Anderson left the firm, as did Megan Nishikawa.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP offers clients ‘subject matter experts who have keen insights on the issues, can apply past learning to current risks and use those insights to identify emerging trends’. With teams on both coasts, the firm is well placed to handle regulatory matters across the US, under the leadership of Washington DC’s Granta Nakayama. It is particularly strong in enforcement defense matters and negotiations with regulators, such as the EPA; mobile source emissions; compliance in highly regulated sectors; and issues around toxic chemicals, such as PFAS. Nakayama is a key name for compliance and enforcement matters, while in Los Angeles, Peter Hsiao, a former DOJ environmental attorney, is recommended for natural resources and toxic tort law. Ilana Saltzbart, also in DC, is an EPA alumna with considerable experience of the CAA. Chicago’s Karl Heisler is noted for incident response and workplace health and safety work. Marcella Burke left in July 2022. Adam Sowatzka has also left the firm.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP has considerable experience advising on esoteric asset securitizations, non-traditional real estate ABS transactions, healthcare and trade receivables securitizations, in addition to mortgage repurchase transactions. The New York-based practice continues to consolidate its expertise in hybrid leveraged finance and securitization products, whole-business securitization and digital infrastructure securitization with experience in the securitization of restaurant concepts, digital infrastructure, cellular tower and distributed antenna operators, as well as solar and renewable energy assets. Jeff Misher handles structured transactions involving trade, loan and leasing receivables, while Jonathan Arkins, who advises on diverse asset types such as data centers and intellectual property license streams, is another key contact in the group. In January 2022, Washington DC-based David Ridenour joined the firm from DLA Piper LLP (US). Ryan McNaughton left the firm in April 2023. Also in April 2023, Michael Urschel, Kathryn Weiss and Martin Eid departed for Milbank.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 2

The primarily Washington DC based practice at King & Spalding LLP, led by Mark Brown, Nikki Reeves, and Seth Lundy, consists of ‘creative lawyers' who handle both internal and government investigations, life sciences M&A, and fundraising matters. Reeves is known for her regulatory and FDA expertise, advising biologics and pharmaceutical companies on both pre and post-market compliance issues, good clinical practices, and good manufacturing practices. Brown assists biotech and medical device companies on FDA enforcement matters, and is particularly skilled at negotiating consent decrees of injunctions, while Lundy is well-versed in state and federal fraud and abuse issues. Lisa Dwyer maintains a digital health and regulatory focused practice, while Brian Bohnenkamp advises pharmaceutical companies on transparency laws imposed on manufacturers, including the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. John Shakow exhibits ‘extensive, almost encyclopedic expertise‘ across pharmaceutical government pricing, reporting, and Federal Supply Schedule matters, advising biotech entities on their interactions with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. Preeya Noronha Pinto has considerable  experience acting for life sciences manufacturers in reimbursement planning matters during product development.

Industry focus > Education Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP’s higher education practice group has extensive experience advising clients, most notably healthcare and academic medical centers on government matters, internal investigations, corporate finance and investments, data privacy and security matters, and litigation. Chicago office managing partner Zachary Fardon represents companies and individuals in a broad range of sensitive white-collar defense and investigations matters including whistle-blower litigation. Atlanta-based trial lawyer Andy Bayman co-heads the group with Fardon and represents pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, retailers, automotive manufacturers and other major companies in complex and novel product liability and toxic tort cases. Adam Robison has a particular focus in advising clients on False Claims Act and Civil Monetary Penalty investigations, fraud and abuse, along with anti-kickback and physician self-referral issues, including physician contracting. Matthew Nichols departed in June 2022.

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

International Trade > Trade remedies and trade policy Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP finds favor for its lawyers’ ‘knowledge, innovative thinking and preparation for cases’. The firm’s trade litigation offering forms a key part of its full-service international trade practice and it possesses extensive experience in the full scope of trade remedies, trade policy, WTO matters and related regulatory work. Stephen Orava chairs the Washington DC-based team and has a focus on trade remedies, WTO dispute settlement proceedings and climate change-related trade issues. Orava recently represented an ad hoc coalition of American superabsorbent polymer producers in filing petitions at the DOC and ITC seeking antidumping relief against superabsorbent polymer imports from South Korea. A former General Counsel of USTR, Stephen Vaughn is notably spearheading the firm’s representation of Cleveland-Cliffs in five-year reviews of antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of corrosion-resistant steel, cold-rolled steel and hot-rolled steel. Other key contacts include Michael Taylor, whose practice spans customs and trade remedy-related matters, senior counsel Neal Reynolds, and Jamieson Greer, who maintains a broad trade practice with a focus on trade remedies and trade policy and negotiations.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 2

Renowned for its activity in energy-related construction matters, King & Spalding LLP‘s clients include global as well as domestic project developers, lenders and owners, with the team practice handling construction transactions, as well as litigation. Scott Greer works out of Houston and is an vastly experienced individual who is particularly active in LNG, while Stephen O’Neal in San Francisco has great experience overseeing construction disputes. Mike Stenglein is located in Austin and is seasoned in representing contractors as well as owners in disputes pertaining to large facilities including chemical plants, refineries as well as pipelines. Houston-based Craig Ledet is often engaged in construction and engineering defect litigation, particularly in the energy sector; he operates alongside Peter Berg who represents clients in traditional oil, gas and energy projects.

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP‘s recent track record includes advice on significant automotive industry diesel issues, as well as regulatory, enforcement and policy work. The firm also houses experts in transportation-related high-stakes disputes, government investigations, and corporate and finance work. On the litigation side, the group’s prowess covers both single-plaintiff catastrophic injury cases and multi-district litigation and class actions. As a former assistant administrator for the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance, Washington DC-based Granta Nakayama is go-to practitioner for automakers facing diesel-related issues, and Livia Kiser in Chicago represents automotive manufacturers, automotive technology companies, and distributors and suppliers in matters involving vehicle components. Other names to note are Los Angeles-based Alexander Calfo and Susan Vargas, whose product liability practices cover the automotive sector; DC-based environmental law specialist Ilana Saltzbart; and New York-based automotive industry expert Jacquie Seidel. Also in New York, John Hooper chairs the firm’s automotive and transportation litigation practice, which is co-chaired by Susan Clare in Atlanta, where class action and product liability litigator and newly promoted partner Adam Reinke is located.

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

Comprised of ‘creative lawyers who focus on solving issues’, King & Spalding LLP houses a comprehensive appellate practice, which has notched up appearances before federal and state appellate courts nationwide, as well as the US Supreme Court. The group’s ability to leverage subject-matter experts from across the wider firm’s regulatory and litigation practices is a significant differentiator and it is particularly experienced in the energy, IP, and life sciences and healthcare spheres. Jeffrey Bucholtz, who is noted for his experience in representing FDA-regulated companies, co-chairs the department together with Ashley Parrish, whose practice has a strong administrative law dimension; both are based in Washington DC. The team also includes Silicon Valley-based Anne Voigts, who recently paired up with Washington DC-based Medicare reimbursement specialist Daniel Hettich to represent Empire Health Foundation before SCOTUS in a case concerning reimbursement rates for hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of indigent patients.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has ‘superb litigators with excellent trial instincts‘ and clients praise their ‘attention to detail and drafting talent‘. The firm has played a role in shape critical points of law governing directors’ duties, disclosure claims, and post-closing disputes, and retains a significant presence in matters in the Delaware courts as well as other fora across the country. Richard Marooney in New York (who is ‘a consummate trial lawyer, quick on his feet, responsive, and excellent manager of his trial team‘) and Jessica Corley in Atlanta lead the trial and global disputes practice. Warren Pope in Atlanta, and up-and-coming partner Peter Isajiw in New York also play key roles in the practice.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP’s energy regulatory practice handles the full range of regulation and litigation matters in the oil and gas arena, with demonstrable experience advising on LNG project development, hydrocarbon storage, carbon capture and alternative fuels mandates. The group frequently acts before the FERC and other regulatory bodies on cases concerning regulatory enforcements and investigations, natural gas certificate issues and safety matters associated with natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities. In the Washington DC office, James Bowe is noted for his expertise in the regulation of energy pipelines, energy storage facilities and oil and gas import and export facilities, in addition to carbon capture projects. Bowe jointly leads the team alongside Nikesh Jindal, who advises on regulation surrounding onshore and offshore exploration, while Houston’s Mark Greenberg focuses on energy-related commodities.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Counting Chevron, Cheniere Energy and ConocoPhillips, to name a few, among its key roster of clients, King & Spalding LLP handles a broad range of transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, financings and off-take agreements connected to high-end oil and gas transactions. The team advises on all manner of upstream, midstream and downstream mandates, particularly in the fields of oil, LNG, carbon capture, alternative fuel, strategic asset deals and financing, refinancing and debt reduction transactions. Stuart Zisman spearheads the midstream offering and has experience in midstream and downstream energy transactions and projects, advising on pipelines, fractionation facilities and refineries. Peter Hays focuses on upstream mandates, with demonstrable expertise in the acquisition and divestiture of hydrocarbon assets. Both Zisman and Hays operate from the firm’s Houston office.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP handles a broad range of transactional matters in the private equity, project finance, energy and infrastructure sectors, with a focus on M&A, restructurings and financings. With regards to the environmental aspects of transactions, the practice is well versed in perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) issues, sustainability and ESG, and energy transition matters. The team is led by Granta Nakayama, who is a key name for energy and environmental issues, such as regulatory and enforcement matters. Cynthia Stroman is recommended for energy and renewables transactions and is well versed in compliance and land use issues. Joseph Eisert handles transactions, enforcement and incident response, while Chicago’s Karl Heisler deals with workplace safety incidents and government investigations. Marcella Burke left in 2022. Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Finance > Commercial lending

King & Spalding LLP exhibits notable strength acting on behalf of lenders, with its client portfolio also extending to to funds, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers, with the group advising on senior, subordinated, investment grade, bridge and mezzanine debt facilities. In New York, Todd Holleman and Ronald Lovelace lead the practice, accompanied at the helm by Jennifer Daly, who works out of the firm’s Charlotte office spearheading the firm’s private credit special situations expertise. To bolster these efforts, the firm incorporated several new arrivals, including Mary Liz Brady from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2022 and Marisa Sotomayor from Paul Hastings LLP in August 2022.

Finance > Project finance Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP ‘s corporate, finance and investments team is sought after by clients including domestic and international energy companies, investors, lenders, and sponsors engaged in projects in energy generation, storage, and transmission. Brandon Dalling leads the team from New York, where he has experience advising on leveraged and acquisition financing structures. Tristan Pelham Webb splits his time between New York and Denver, with a strong practice in greenfield and brownfield developments and construction. Scott Greer and Stuart Zisman are key contacts in Houston, while Jonathan Melmed in New York is a go-to lawyer for private equity energy and infrastructure matters. The firm’s reach was prolongated with the arrival of Fradyn Suarez into its new Miami office in July 2022.

Government > Government relations Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has a strong record in assisting major US and foreign companies with policy advancement, legislative reform and funding matters at federal, state and local levels. Noted for its wealth of experience in policy and regulatory issues related to the healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceutical industries, the group is also sought after by clients from the telecom, aerospace, financial services and tech segments. Thomas Spulak oversees the Washington DC-based group and has significant experience in dealing with the legislative process. David Farber is a key contact for public policy, litigation and regulatory matters. Steve Kupka is a popular choice among healthcare providers and energy companies. J Boggs, who manages the firm’s state attorneys general practice, is another name to note.

Government > State attorneys general Tier 3

With a nationwide reach, King & Spalding assists US and foreign multinationals with complex state attorneys general investigations and related litigation. Headed by Washington DC-based J Boggs, the group is particular active in areas such as data and tech, real estate, healthcare, environment and food. Boggs co-leads the firm’s fintech, blockchain and cryptocurrency group and is often sought after by major corporates and trade associations.  In Los Angeles, trial lawyer Peter Hsiao is a key contact for investigations involving environmental matters.

Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP represents clients involved in insurance and reinsurance transactions, including M&A and associated regulatory matters, working alongside the firm’s corporate and private equity practices to advise on national and international acquisitions and investments. The practice is led by Bernhardt Nadell in New York, who advises on insurance industry mergers and acquisitions, insurance-related securities transactions, reinsurance matters, insurance law and regulation and corporate issues. Counsel Gary Ho, also based in New York, assists with insurance transactions.

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

The Section 337 practice at King & Spalding LLP works increasingly for complainants, protecting domestic US innovators from unfair import competition. Recent prominent matters include representing Causam Enterprises in a six-patent ITC investigation regarding smart thermostats and load control switches and representing Advanced Silicon Group Technologies LLC and Advanced Silicon Group, also in a six-patent ITC investigation. Jeffrey Telep leads the team out of the firm’s Washington DC office, bringing long-standing experience litigating high-profile disputes at the ITC. DC-based Chris Campbell, a first chair trial lawyer regularly representing clients in complex patent infringement litigation, and associate Brian Hill are both integral to the practice.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

International Trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 3

On the customs front, King & Spalding LLP is widely recognized for its adept handling of major US customs investigations; it also provides support on compliance matters, internal investigations and litigation. Team lead Michael Taylor is distinguished by his broad customs and Homeland Security expertise; he recently acted for ASC Engineered Services in a ‘reverse’ False Claims Act case, alleging improper filings and misrepresentations in relation to certain butt-weld fittings from China. Jeffrey Telep and newly promoted partner Patrick Togni are also recommended for customs work. Christine Savage steers the sanctions, export controls and CFIUS practice and brings to bear significant government-side experience from a previous role as attorney-advisor in the Commerce Department. Savage is particularly noted for her experience in the technology, energy, financial services, and aerospace and defense sectors. Other key contacts for sanctions and export controls matters include counsels Danielle Pressler and Shaswat Das, both of whom have served stints at OFAC, and Alexis Early. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3

The Atlanta-based team at King & Spalding LLP has experience representing clients in class actions, particularly those regarding excessive fee and self-dealing allegations. The firm also handles multiemployer withdrawal liability, DOL investigations, and is on the AIG national fiduciary liability panel authorized to defend AIG insureds in ERISA class actions. Practice head David Tetrick is recommended for his ERISA class actions defense work for, among others, Northern Trust, Cisco Systems and HomeDepot. Darren Shuler focuses his practice alongside Tetrick on ERISA-related class action defense and employee benefits disputes. Danielle Chattin also plays a leading role in the firm’s class action litigation.

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

King & Spalding LLP has invested heavily into its emerging companies and venture capital team in recent years, and this continued into 2022 with the opening of its Miami office, led by partner and practice co-head Daniel Kahan. The firm has a strong following among the venture arms of major companies, including Capital One Ventures, ConocoPhillips, and Moody’s. The team also represents a broad range of startups, both on early stage financings and later stage exits, including SPAC mergers. Kahan co-leads the practice with Tom Knox in Northern Virginia, who represents companies and investors, and Laura Bushnell in Silicon Valley, who assists small and mid-cap companies. Other key individuals include Linda Lorenat  in Silicon Valley and Charles Katz in Northern Virginia.

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

Internal investigations following cyber incidents and data governance assistance are frequent mandates for King & Spalding LLP‘s government matters, trial and global disputes department. Chief privacy officer based in Atlanta Phyllis Sumner represents US banks, insurance, pharma, hotel chain and consulting companies in comprehensive responses to high-profile data breaches. Also in Atlanta, David Balser is regularly the first port of call for companies facing data breach litigation claims, brought by a class of consumers and state Attorneys General. Head of the government matters team, in Chicago, Zachary Fardon leverages his white-collar defense and investigations experience to advise financial services firms on government investigations concerning data breaches. Based in Washington DC, Robert Hudock prepares clients for cyber-attacks by implementing information security programs and complying with federal and state specific requirements. Elizabeth Adler, in Atlanta, focuses on multi-district class action defenses arising out of prominent data security incidents. Sean Royall, a consumer protection and antitrust litigator, joined the New York office from Sidley Austin LLP in August 2023.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 3

A strong background in music litigation has seen the primarily California-based team at King & Spalding LLP represent Google in a far-reaching matter concerning royalty rates for music streaming services that will have an impact across the industry. Additionally, the team advocates on behalf of a number of large entertainment companies in copyright, theft of ideas and defamation disputes. Practice head Kenneth Steinthal is a specialist in IP issues related to digital content distribution. Highly-regarded trial lawyer Arwen Johnson has a strong focus on studio disputes and recently represented New Line Productions in an idea theft dispute concerning the 2018 Melissa McCarthy comedy ‘Life of the Party’. Washington DC-based David Mattern brings additional copyright infringement expertise to the team and is playing a key role in the aforementioned Google streaming dispute.

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

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 3

Business aircraft acquisitions, dispositions, financings and leasings are core areas for King & Spalding LLP, which is well known for complex international transactions that involve financing trade-ins. The team also advises on purchase financings involving progress payments for aircraft that will be leased after exportation, and it is increasingly active in Payroll Support Program-related matters. The aviation practice of Charlotte-based Chris Buchanan is traditionally focused on the financing, leasing, acquisition and sale of transportation assets including aircraft, aircraft engines and aviation-related assets); he is currently also advising on aviation-related pandemic programs. Also in Charlotte, associates Kathryn Wilson and Allison Dunsford both act on aviation-related financings. In New York, Peter Montoni specializes in debt restructurings and workouts, while Todd Holleman is the global practice group leader of the firm’s corporate, finance and investments practice.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP handles antitrust litigation for major clients in several industries including education, financial services and healthcare. Its client roster features names such as Deutsche Bank, which it represented against allegations of manipulation of the foreign exchange benchmark prices. The team is led from Washington DC by Jeff Spigel who counsels clients undergoing investigation and advises on strategies, and Norm Armstrong, who offers public and private sector experience and has a broad antitrust practice including civil and criminal investigations and litigation. In Atlanta, Jeff Cashdan focuses on criminal and civil cartel matters and other civil antitrust actions with a recent matters concerning price-fixing claims in the hospitality industry. Other key attorney’s include Atlanta-based partner Emily Newton and DC-based Chris Yook who advises clients on antitrust implications and represents clients in government enforcement and civil litigation.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP has a well-developed DCM practice, encompassing high-yield debt, equity-linked securities, liability management, and green and sustainability-linked bonds, among other areas. It has worked on a number of headline green bond offerings in recent times. The firm is noted for its strength in the energy, financial institutions, life sciences and healthcare, industrials, real estate and telecommunications sectors. The issuer-focused practice boasts clients such as General Motors, ConocoPhillips and Evolent Health. Atlanta partners Keith Townsend, Cal Smith and Zachary Cochran are all key capital markets specialists.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP’s multi-office strategy brings it a spread of work across the energy, financial institutions, life sciences and healthcare, industrials, real estate and telecommunications industries. Its expertise continues to bring it engagements from Fortune 500 companies through to pre-IPO businesses. Atlanta partner Keith Townsend has an established record in IPOs, shelf offerings and at-the-market offerings. New York’s Elizabeth Morgan and Kevin Manz are key figures in New York, along with Laura Bushnell in Silicon Valley.

International Trade > CFIUS Tier 4

In 2022, King & Spalding LLP boosted its CFIUS credentials with the hire of Philip Ludvigson from the Department of the Treasury, where he led the office overseeing all CFIUS mitigation agreements. He joins an increasingly prominent team that has recently advised on filings in the defense, energy, infrastructure, and financial services sectors, among other industries. Next-generation partner Alexis Early maintains a thriving national security reviews practice, which takes in CFIUS, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and FOCI-related matters. The Washington DC-based group also draws on senior trade controls and economic sanctions expert Christine Savage, whose practice has a significant CFIUS component.

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

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

The Washington DC-based team at King & Spalding LLP handles complex, high-value merger review processes alongside regulatory investigations and litigation arising from contested mergers, working with major names in tech, chemicals, and education, including notable new transactional mandates for Rice University and Cox. The practice offers US-wide expertise, cross-border capabilities, and significant agency experience, with practice co-head Norm Armstrong previously serving as Deputy Director and Deputy Assistant of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, while co-head Jeff Spigel has a successful record in acting before the DOJ and FTC in strategic merger filings and investigations, as well as regularly working on multijurisdictional transactions requiring global antitrust approvals.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 5

The private equity practice at King & Spalding LLP is particularly renowned for buyouts in the energy and infrastructure sectors, with New York-based team co-head Jonathan Melmed representing key clients in this sphere such as D.E Shaw, Starwood Energy, and Macquarie Infrastructure. Also leading the team from Atlanta is Rahul Patel , who as well as representing ACON Investments and H.I.G. Capital on complex transactions, advised SPANX founder Sara Blakely on the sale of her company to Blackstone for $1.2bn. In New York, Enrico Granata represents sponsors and hedge funds on acquisitions, minority investments and joint ventures.

Real estate Tier 5

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

King & Spalding LLP’s financial restructuring practice sits within the firm’s global corporate, finance, and investments group, led by Todd Holleman and Jennifer Daly in New York. The practice represents banks, private debt funds, direct lenders, and ad hoc lender groups, among others, in relation to a range of restructuring matters in and out of court, and has recently represented KKR Credit Advisors as DIP lender and prepetition second lien secured lender to Sequential Brands Group, Inc. in connection with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Roger Schwartz, Christopher Boies, and Peter Montoni, all based in New York, are also key names in the team, handling a diverse range of matters, while Matthew Warren in Chicago and Austin Jowers in Atlanta are also recommended for their work in the energy sector.

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

King & Spalding LLP stands out for its comprehensive offering in the real estate fund space, acting for a host of private fund sponsors in the formation of investment vehicles. The team also acts in a range of other private equity fund matters and is the counsel of choice for a number of sponsors, funds and investors across the US. Kathryn Furman at the firm’s Atlanta office is the leader of the fund formation practice as a whole and leads on the range of matters in fund formation, negotiation, and secondary transactions. John Wilson , Jennifer Morgan and Doug Elsbeck are among the names to note in New York.

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

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation

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

King & Spalding LLP has a substantial Latin America-focused team in Houston, with a primary emphasis on international arbitration, investigations and project development. It also continues to advise on large-scale offshore oil and gas projects and remains at the forefront of Latin America LNG projects through David Lang. The firm is increasingly relevant with regard to renewables' matters and is leading the field in hydrogen projects. Scott Greer provides further construction and project development expertise. Brandt Liebe is a key figure in white collar crime and government investigations involving Latin America, including matters in the healthcare industry. In international arbitration, the firm is awash with senior talent in Houston; it is the only leading firm in international arbitration to have started the practice in Houston. The arbitration team includes Argentina native Roberto Aguirre Luzi, who is 100% focused on Latin America disputes and co-heads the Latin America international arbitration group.  Senior arbitration specialists Craig Miles and Doak Bishop also have a strong record in Latin America, as does new global head of international arbitration Wade Coriell, who divides his time between Houston and Singapore.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP is a global leader in international arbitration with its Latin America-focused teams primarily located in the key strategic centres of New York, Miami and Houston – the practice having outgrown its original hydrocarbons focus in the latter office. The group has an outstanding record in investment and commercial arbitration, along with arbitration-related litigation before the courts. It has represented clients in some of the biggest, longest running and highest profile cases to involve parties from Latin America. This includes its ongoing pre-eminence in energy sector cases. Clients include some of the largest multinationals and investors with interests in Latin America, and the practice continues to represent Chevron in the long-running investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador (seated in the Hague), concerning alleged environmental harm caused by historical oilfield operations. Made up of ‘world-class lawyers’, the practice group includes Argentine-born Roberto Aguirre Luzi, who has an exclusive focus Latin America disputes and co-heads the Latin America international arbitration group. Houston and Miami-based Craig Miles and senior arbitration specialist Doak Bishop, who are also both widely acclaimed for their Latin America arbitration expertise; as is Wade Coriell, who divides his time between Houston and Singapore and was recently appointed as the new global head of international arbitration. The immensely experienced Harry Burnett relocated to the firm’s new Miami office in mid-2022; a trilingual practitioner (English, Spanish & Portuguese), he is a ‘true Latin  American specialist’ and widely recognised as a leader in Latin America-related mandates. New York’s Edward Kehoe is another key practitioner, along with newly promoted partner Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina and Chicago-based Javier Rubinstein. New York and Washington DC-based Érica Franzetti and New York’s Samaa Haridi (‘an extremely hard-working and sharp lawyer’) also impress. All named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP has a big presence in Latin America offshore oil and gas and LNG projects. The firm has also taken steps forward in renewables and is bringing its hydrogen expertise to the region. The firm has a good mix of project development, project finance and M&A work. This was given further impetus by the launch of a Miami office in February 2022, which included the hire of prominent Latin America project and acquisition finance specialist Fradyn Suárez. The practice continues to especially active in Mexico and Brazil, notably natural gas supply agreements, LNG import and export projects, upstream projects, and the financings of oil rigs and FPSOs; the new team in Miami provides further expertise in transport infrastructure, including toll roads. Scott Greer provides additional construction and project development expertise, and David Lang is highly rated for LNG projects and transactions. Washington DC partner James Bowe is another prominent name in commercial and regulatory matters. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Latin America: International firms > City focus - Miami

King & Spalding has made a substantial investment in assuring the Latin America-facing capabilities of the Miami office it opened in February 2022. By transferring a number of partners and attorneys to the city, the firm has rapidly established a substantial (locally based) team, particularly in one of the firm’s standout global practices: international arbitration. Moreover, it has brought in a financing team with the hire of project finance partner Fradyn Suárez from Jones Day and Jessica Mendoza as counsel from White & Case LLP. Suárez is noted for transportation project financings, particularly 4G toll roads in Colombia; and both she and Mendoza are also active in refinancings and acquisition financings involving projects and energy assets. Drawing on the expertise of the wider firm, the Miami group is set to develop further inroads into renewable energy, hydrogen, LNG, telecoms and digital infrastructure. On the international arbitration front, co-leader of the team Henry Burnett relocated to Miami from New York in February 2022, bringing considerable commercial and investment treaty disputes expertise to the office. Craig Miles now splits his time between Miami and Houston, and is another high-profile figure in commercial and investment treaty arbitration across multiple Latin America jurisdictions. Both international arbitration partners are part of larger teams involved in some of the most significant cases related to the region, including Quanta Services’ ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Peru.

Singapore > International arbitration

King & Spalding LLP has a ‘top-tier arbitration practice’, with a notable practice spanning oil and gas, construction, and investment treaty arbitration. Mandates undertaken by the team are often high-value and international in nature, acting for high-profile clients including the Chevron Corporation. Wade Coriell acts as the head of the team alongside Nils Eliasson, with the pair leading on many of the key matters undertaken by the practice. The team, which ‘consistently attracts high-value and cutting-edge work globally’, also includes Elodie Dulac, a co-founding partner of the team, and Anisha Sud.

Philippines > Foreign firms

The practice at King & Spalding LLP covers all aspects of Asia’s energy, power and natural resources industries, as well as transport, infrastructure, and technology. It has deep experience in the Philippines, particularly across projects, disputes, M&A, financing and distressed investments. Wade Coriell  leads the firm’s disputes practice in Asia, while Andrew Brereton specialises in banking work including acquisition finance, structured lending, and project finance; he also has extensive experience in restructurings and corporate workouts. Elodie Dulac has niche expertise in investment treaty arbitrations.

United Arab Emirates > Dispute resolution: arbitration and international litigation

King & Spalding LLP leverages its considerable international network to handle multi-jurisdictional disputes, with a specialism in financial services, energy and construction cases. Professional negligence and fraud issues are other key components of the firm's work, and its strong bench of practitioners have a wealth of experience across domestic and international court systems. Ben Williams handles a range of cases for international energy companies and financial institutions. Associate Kateryna Frolova is also highly active, and has considerable experience acting in disputes involving governments and public bodies. Adam Gray relocated to Dubai from the firm's Austin office.