Miller & Chevalier Chartered > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Miller & Chevalier Chartered > The Legal 500 Rankings

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 2

Miller & Chevalier Chartered, based in Washington DC, represents prominent clients in the full range of federal tax disputes, with an aptitude for both litigation and alternative dispute resolution methods. The department is active for major names in the oil and gas, aviation, and pharmaceutical industries, including Shell, British Airways, and United Airlines. George Hani, whose focus is tax accounting issues, co-leads the group alongside litigator Kevin Kenworthy, who has experience in transfer pricing, foreign tax credits, and natural resource issues. Maria O’Toole Jones has significant experience in disputes relating to the taxation of insurance companies, while Alan Horowitz focuses on appellate litigation, and is primarily active in the Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals. Also key are Patricia Sweeney, who has more than 35 years’ experience practicing federal taxation law, federal excise tax expert Adam Feinberg, and James Gadwood, whose broad practice includes representing clients in connection with IRS examinations, and private letter rulings. International tax specialist Lisandra Ortiz is also a name to note.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Miller & Chevalier Chartered  is extensively well-versed in jury trials, having accomplished a number of victories in both prosecution and defense cases. The department is also uniquely involved in an array of cross-border matters and represents both individuals and corporations in criminal cases and investigations. William Barry assists clients through accounting fraud, foreign bribery, and money laundering, while Andrew Wise represents international companies in anti-corruption investigations, and honest services fraud. Kirby Behre’s practice features activity in bribery, public corruption, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and government contracts while Timothy O’Toole is knowledgeable on the full array of white-collar matters. Lauren Briggerman is an expert in global cartel investigations. All mentioned individuals are located in Washington DC.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3

Miller & Chevalier Chartered has an established presence in health-benefit related ERISA litigation before both federal courts of appeal and the Supreme Court, predominantly advising healthcare insurers, particularly in relation to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and companies such as h Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, as well as health plan fiduciaries regarding obligations and rights to halt state interference. The firm also acts on pension-related ERISA litigation. Tess Gee is a key name to note having previously spent over a decade at the DOL. Anthony Shelley leads the practice with a focus on appeal litigation and defending health insurers. Both named lawyers are based at the firm’s headquarters in Washington DC.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 4

Miller & Chevalier Chartered has an active civil and criminal cartel litigation practice, representing individuals and companies in high-profile, ongoing cartel investigations in a variety of industries. The firm is particularly active in the pharma and food processing sectors, representing CEOs and senior executives in the chicken broiler and generic pharma bid-rigging and price-fixing investigations by the DOJ. The practice is headed by Washington DC-based duo Kirby Behre and Lauren Briggerman. Behre is a seasoned litigator and former federal prosecutor who regularly defends clients in criminal cartel cases, while Briggerman takes point on investigations, both domestic and international. Litigator Andrew Wise, also in Washington DC, is another key member of the team.

Government > Government contracts Tier 4

Miller & Chevalier Chartered is noted for its wealth of experience in representing contractors in high-stakes bid protests and contract disputes involving complex procurement laws. Headed by Jason Workmaster, the Washington DC-based practice has recently handled a varied workload, spanning subcontractor disputes, False Claims Act claims, international investigations, intellectual property protection in the government contracts and M&A. Alejandro Sarria is a popular choice among major tech and construction companies seeking assistance with internal investigations and contract disputes.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

Washington DC-based firm Miller & Chevalier Chartered is noted for its premier tax policy and related advocacy work offering. The group is retained by domestic and international companies, trade associations and industry representatives to assist with representation before Congress, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service. Highly experienced in Congressional tax-writing committees, the team is jointly led by Jorge Castro, whose practice covers legislative and regulatory issues, and Loren Ponds, who offers strategic advise for tax-payers in the tech sector. Marc Gerson is especially active in promoting changes to federal tax and employment laws. Leonard Bickwit left the firm in March 2023.

Tax > International tax Tier 4

Miller & Chevalier Chartered provides international tax advice at every stage of the business cycle of cross-border operations from acquisition and restructuring to termination and dispositions. The practice handles financing transactions. licenses and technology transfers. Marc Gerson focuses on focuses on federal tax policy matters and co-heads the team with Layla Asali who is experienced in representing clients before the Treasury on regulatory matters. Lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Miller & Chevalier Chartered‘s federal tax practice in Washington DC possesses broad technical experience, spanning business transactions, reorganizations, tax accounting, financial products, and transfer pricing. Practice head Layla Asali handles international M&A and financings, with a particular focus on those concerning intellectual property. Rocco Femia is also noted for his cross-border acumen, representing large corporate clients in tax policy and transfer pricing mandates, an area in which Loren Ponds further excels. While Marc Gerson is sought out by clients in proceedings before Congress, the Treasury and the IRS, Stephen Gertzman represents federal agencies on matters of tax accounting. Corporate tax planning expert David Zimmerman and tax controversy specialist Alexander Zakupowsky are also names to note.

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations Tier 1

Washington DC firm Miller & Chevalier Chartered is an established leader in corporate crime and investigations. The firm has an outstanding record in anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, sanctions, compliance and governance.  It has a considerable emphasis on Latin America, with more than 20 lawyers that have a major focus on the region, many of which are Latin America natives (or have lived and worked in the region), and speak fluent Portuguese or Spanish. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Peru are among the firm’s primary markets. Fluent Spanish and Portuguese speaker Matteson Ellis is at the pinnacle of the market, leads the Latin America practice and is a recognised authority on FCPA cases. James Tillen is also at the forefront of investigations and compliance programmes, bringing extensive Latin America experience from the Lavo Jato scandal and many other high profile matters. Alejandra Montenegro Almonte is a pivotal member of the team and has been instrumental in building the firm’s compliance and investigations practice in Central America. Jeffrey Lehtman, William Barry and Margarita Sánchez are also key members of the Latin America-facing practice; along with fluent Spanish-and-Portuguese speaker and emerging talent, Gregory Bates. Counsel Leah Moushey is another impressive practitioner.