Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP ‘exhibits the highest caliber of professionalism and legal excellence in its civil litigation and defense practice’. The department stands out for its ability to secure wins in key areas of antitrust litigation, including in financial services, hi-tech, pharmaceutical and labor matters such as no-poach agreements. Global practice leader Steven Reed, based in Philadelphia, demonstrates expertise at the trial and appellate levels across the whole range of antitrust matters. In Washington DC, Jon Roellke acts as global deputy practice leader with a particular focus on representing clients in the financial services sector in cases pertaining to price discrimination, exclusive dealing, tying arrangements, and other unfair competition. ‘Thoughtful and practical legal sounding board’ Brian Rocca is specialized in technology and interned-based services in the firm’s San Francisco hub, while clients turn to Philadelphia-based Brendan Fee for issues surrounding vertical restraints, distribution, and pricing issues.

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

With expertise on both coasts, as well as from Houston, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP provides strong national coverage to a range of clients, including major energy and manufacturing entities, on their highest-profile toxic tort defense matters. The team, which is housed within the wider product liability, tort and insurance group, headed from Washington DC by Paul Zevnik , is quickly able to mobilize resources throughout the country, enabling it to effectively handle disputes proceeding on multiple fronts. The team handles a significant amount of asbestos-related toxic tort defense work, and has over the years tried more than half of the asbestos property damage cases ever taken to trial. Los Angeles-based deputy head Yardena Zwang-Weissman  excels in handling large-scale environmental toxic tort cases while Brady Edwards  in Houston is also recommended for his ability to provide co-ordinated national defense strategies for companies embroiled in asbestos and talc litigation.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s team is commended by clients for its ‘experience across a variety of asset classes that it is able to leverage to best deliver for their client.’ The firm brings to bear a sizeable team, which has expertise across deals revolving around financial services, automotives, education, fintech, real estate, telecoms and technology assets. The department is jointly led by Reed Auerbach in New York, who is an asset- and mortgage-backed securities expert, and Washington DC’s Jeffrey Johnson, whose specialisms include public and private securitizations involving real estate. In New York, Matthew Joseph has experience in balance sheet and commercial paper conduit transactions and Steve Levitan  focuses on student and auto loans, as well as residential solar panel installation financing loans. In Washington DC, Asa Herald is known for RMBS transactions. In April 2021, the group in Washington DC was joined by Steven Becker and Alex Velinsky from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 1

Industry focus > Insurance: advice to policyholders Tier 1

Described as ‘creative and thoughtful when approaching complex novel situations‘, the practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP boasts a deep bench of litigators. The team supports clients with insurance recovery on a wide range of risks from cyber liability to asbestos exposure and severe weather events. It also deploys sophisticated long-term settlement vehicles and tax-advantaged structures such as three party reinsurance and retrocession contract or insurance captives. Paul A. Zevnik, an eminent insurance expert who is based in both Washington DC and Los Angeles, heads the practice. In Washington DC Daniel E. Chefitz focuses on advising companies on captive insurance strategies and associate Teri Diaz  is a very active up-and-comer. The DC team welcomed two practitioners: Sergio F. Oehninger from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has been a key lawyer in the cross-border insurance practice since April 2021, and Andrew J. Enschedé joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP in October 2021.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1

At Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, clients particularly value the ‘incredible breadth and depth‘ of the offering; this is well illustrated by the group’s ability to advise on the gamut of issues relating to every type of commingled investment vehicle and all asset classes, as well as being widely known as a stand-out advisor in the ETF space. The Washington DC office fields John McGuire, who acts as the head of the registered funds practice, and whose workload exemplifies the firm’s commitment to the establishment, representation, and counseling of ETFs, their advisers, and listing markets. Other core contacts at this location include regulatory expert Laura Flores and Thomas Harman, who regularly advises issuers with respect to the availability of exemption from the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the Philadelphia and Boston offices, the key names to note are Timothy Levin and Roger Joseph, respectively. Joseph was joined in October 2021 by Lance Dial, who brings more than a decade of experience as senior in-house counsel with global investment managers – most recently Wellington Management – to the team.  

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 1

Noted for its capability across the full range of employee benefits and executive compensation matters, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP houses ‘a diverse group of experts’ who collaboratively work ‘from every angle to solve a client’s problem’. In the firm’s New York office, Craig Bitman, who offers great experience advising on all aspects of benefit plans, jointly leads the team alongside Philadelphia-based deputy practice leader Amy Pocino Kelly. In Washington DC, Rosina Barker focuses on executive compensation matters, including Section 409A compliance issues, while Althea Day handles multi-employer plan mandates, and Boston-based Lisa Barton advises on health and welfare and 401(k) plans. Mary Hevener, who operates from the firm’s New York office, has experience in fringe benefits and tax-related matters, and Pittsburgh-based John Ferreira is a ‘trusted counsel’ in ERISA compliance issues. Elizabeth Goldberg also works from the firm's Pittsburgh office, and Michelle McCarthy and Daniel Salemi, based in Los Angeles and Chicago respectively, are key members of the team.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is highly regarded in the market, with its attorneys noted as 'extremely knowledgeable about ERISA, and also able to implement creative legal strategies that achieve excellent results'. Its team has recently moved into the employee plan space and expanded its work in the energy sector. Its clients include Boeing, adidas and the New York City Department of Education, and it draws on the experience of several seasoned trial lawyers, granting first-hand experience of contentious processes. It has streamlined efficiency by developing the Virtual Whiteboard, which allows employees to track and review progress virtually, and ClientSite, which provides analytics about client needs. The practice is led by Jeremy Blumenfeld and Brian Ortelere in Philadelphia, and Christopher Boran and Deborah Davidson in Chicago, supported by Melissa Hill in New York.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s immigration and global mobility practice is based in Washington, DC, and has expertise acting for corporate clients across employment-based immigration work, compliance, and transactional mandates. Eleanor Pelta jointly manages the team with Shannon Donnelly, offering strength in federal litigation for clients challenging immigration decisions related to visa denials, as well as handling contentious investigations before the Department of Justice and Homeland Security. The group continues to be instructed by leading names in the technology, pharmaceuticals, and financial services sectors. Eric Bord leads the immigration compliance practice and advises clients on I-9 and E-Verify issues. In San Francisco, James Vazquez-Azpiri advises corporate clients on business immigration matters including employee transfers, foreign resident worker visas, and restructurings. Also on the West Coast is counsel Christina Gonzaga who maintains an active pro-bono practice representing clients on family-based immigration issues, asylum, and deportation. Laura Garvin is in Miami and acts predominantly for high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs. The department works cross-border across Europe and Asia.

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

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP continues to impress with its strong track record in defending large financial institutions and companies in significant labor and employment disputes. The group handles a busy caseload covering the whole gamut of employment litigation, including class, collective and single-plaintiff actions as well as wage and hour claims and discrimination lawsuits. The practice is jointly led by Washington DC-based Grace Speights, who is well regarded for her work investigating workplace misconduct claims, and David McManus, who divides his time between New York and Boston. He also is knowledgeable in the restructuring and redeployment of workforces. In Philadelphia, Michael Banks handles a wide range of litigations involving employment, benefits, IP and personal injury matters. Sarah Bouchard, also in Philadelphia, is particularly known for conducting internal investigations related to sexual harassment and other misconduct allegations. Anne Marie Estevez in Miami focuses on complex class and collective actions, while Samuel Shaulson, who spends his time between New York and Miami, specializes in issues arising from the FLSA, wage and hour claims, and collective actions. Other key names include Lincoln Bisbee in New York and Washington DC and Melissa Rodriguez in New York. New additions to the San Francisco team include Michael Weil in June 2021, formerly at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and Brian Berry in October 2021, formerly at Ogletree Deakins.

Labor and employment > Labor-management relations Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is a strong performer in the area of labor-management relations, maintaining a reputation for its success in the space. Its labor-management relations team has recently moved into the employee plan space and expanded its work in the energy sector. Employees at the firm are also trial lawyers, meaning they have first-hand experience of all aspects of the legal process. It has streamlined efficiency by developing the Virtual Whiteboard, which allows employees to track and review progress virtually, and ClientSite, which provides analytics about client needs. The firm is led by Joseph Ragaglia in Philadelphia, dealing with healthcare, and Harry I. Johnson, III in Century City, California, with a focus on transport. Chicago and Washington DC-based Philip Miscimarra handles arbitration work for the food industry, sometimes alongside Los Angeles–based Nicole Buffalano, who also works in energy and manufacturing. Washington DC’s Daniel Bordoni has worked in the aerospace and defense sector, counseling clients through strikes which have lasted months and representing them in related proceedings before the NLRB. Jonathan C. Fritts in Washington DC has represented clients in complex work in transport, while Philadelphia-based Steven R. Wall also works with the food industry.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 1

The sizeable and highly regarded labor and employment practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 'consistently delivers expert legal advice in a timely and responsive fashion'. Its labor and employment counseling team includes many attorneys which worked in government before joining the firm, and employees at the firm are also trial lawyers, meaning they have first-hand experience of all aspects of the legal process. Its clients include major tech companies, as well as well-known companies operating in a range of other industries. The firm has made use of digital platforms, developing the Virtual Whiteboard, which allows employees to track and review progress virtually, and ClientSite, which provides analytics about client needs. The practice is led by Grace Speights in Washington DC, whose work has involved investigating misconduct claims in the entertainment, sports and legal services sectors, and David McManus in New York and Boston, who has crisis management experience, with a focus on avoiding reputational harm. From the Los Angeles office, Kathryn McGuigan covers all areas of human resources management and handles wrongful termination cases. David Bowman left the firm to work at Facebook.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP continues to be engaged on large-scale, global outsourcing transactions, providing assistance to clients on digital transformations as well as the outsourcing of facilities management, finance and accounting, and legal services. The team also aids clients in negotiating strategic partnerships and software development and licensing agreements with vendors. While the practice predominantly works on the customer side of transactions, it also counts a number of prominent service providers amongst its clients. The team is spread between Philadelphia and New York, with global head of outsourcing Barbara Melby working across both offices. Melby is a long-standing outsourcing practitioner has deep experience handling billion-dollar deals. Other key contacts in the team include Michael Pillion in Philadelphia and Vito Petretti in New York, who are regularly engaged by prominent clients from a range of sectors on technology outsourcing deals.

Tax > Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is singled out for its deep bench and has expertise across litigation, corporate governance and transactional work to offer full-service to clients. Other key areas of focus include investment management and fiduciary matters. Primarily based in Washington DC, the group is led by Celia Roady and advises public charities, private foundations, and donor-advised funds on tax planning, regulatory issues and compliance matters, leveraging its larger global tax practice based in Silicon Valley. Kimberly Eney returned as partner and co-leads the group from San Francisco; she is the key name for private foundations on the Chapter 42 tax regime. Elsewhere, the group has bolstered its offering with several leading additions including Megan Bell, Tomer Inbar, and counsel Lauren Simpson, all joining from Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP in March 2021. In DC, Caroline Waldner was promoted to counsel and remain core members of the group. Alexander Reid departed the firm in July 2021, and Shira Helstrom departed in October 2022.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 1

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is well-regarded for its tax controversy and litigation support for tax-exempt organizations, high-net-worth individuals, multinationals, and foundations. Covering transfer pricing controversies, administrative appeals, and litigation, the team also has strong IRS and international alternative dispute resolution programs. Based in San Francisco and Silicon Valley respectively, Barton Bassett and Rod Donnelly lead the tax litigation practice on the West Coast. In Philadelphia, Daniel Carmody represents in audits and appeals before the IRS for tax-exempt organizations, while in New York Mary Hevener specializes in payroll tax and employment tax litigation. Washington DC-based William Nelson deals with tax controversies related to partnerships and joint ventures, while Alex Sadler is an expert in R&D tax credit controversy and litigation. Tax litigation expert Tom Linguanti leads the Chicago practice. Sanford Stark, Saul Mezei and Terrell Ussing departed in November 2021. John Magee retired in 2021.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is involved in a wide range of global cartel investigations and enforcement actions, representing a bevy of high-profile corporate clients before both the DOJ and FTC as well as international antitrust agencies. The team has considerable in-house enforcement and industry-specific expertise, representing clients throughout cartel investigations in the automotive, electronics (including superconductors), healthcare, pharmaceuticals and energy sectors, enjoying a particularly successful record in litigation. Washington DC-based Clayton Everett Jr heads up the cartel investigations team, and handles civil and criminal cartel and non-merger investigations by the DOJ and FTC, securing immunity and leniency for a number of international clients, as well as successfully avoiding enforcement actions against clients in contexts where other parties were fined. Former federal and DOJ prosecutor Mark Krotoski in Silicon Valley is an authority on cartel enforcement and is an active defense counsel in litigation as well as co-ordinating responses to investigations, while Boston-based Daniel Savrin specializes in consumer protection issues, and regularly represents clients against civil and criminal cartel actions at state and federal level. Scott Stempel retired from the firm in December 2021.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP takes a ‘proactive, creative and thoughtful’ approach to e-discovery, maintaining a multidisciplinary team that includes lawyers, legal design professionals and engineers which enables it to advise across the full range of issues. The firm has a number of large international clients in its portfolio, for which it serves as national e-discovery counsel and advises on litigation and investigation issues across all lines of business; Capital One is one such example. Key partners Tess Blair and Scott Milner are based in Philadelphia and serve as practice head and deputy head respectively; the former was responsible for founding the firm’s e-data practice and continues to innovate by developing products using AI, and machine learning technology. Karen Hourigan departed in March 2021.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 2

Led from Washington DC and Los Angeles by Paul Zevnik and Yardena Zwang-Weissman and also able to call upon the expertise of practitioners spread throughout the country, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is well-positioned to handle product liability disputes. Many of the firm's healthcare-related product liability cases are of an aggregated nature, including class actions and MDLs, which the firm is well-positioned to handle due to its vast litigation resources and its aptitude at trying cases. A seasoned litigator with experience at both trial and appellate level, John Lavelle  in Philadelphia is regularly at the forefront of the most significant healthcare-related product liability disputes, including representing Rite Aid in various opioid-related litigation matters.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a deep bench of securities litigation and enforcement lawyers, who handle not only issuer-based class actions, but also high-profile regulatory matters before the SEC and the DOJ. It has a particular focus on cases involving complex financial products, including credit default swaps, derivatives, structured products, fixed-income instruments and commodities. Timothy Burke in Boston leads the securities enforcement and litigation group, in which Jeff Boujoukos in Philadelphia oversees enforcement work and Jordan Hershman in Boston leads on litigation. Michael Kichline in Philadelphia has deep experience in securities class actions and corporate governance disputes. Hershman secured the complete dismissal of three putative securities class actions against Casa Systems brought under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933. Charlene Shimada in San Francisco is a highly regarded litigator and founder of Women In Securities (WISe), a network for women securities litigators, who recently secured several significant victories for the underwriters of the U.S. initial public offering of Sogou, Inc., among them JPMorgan Securities and Goldman Sachs (Asia).

Finance > Project finance

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s derivatives practice sits within the investment management department and provides advise pertaining to the waterfront of derivatives issues, encompassing transactional, regulatory and enforcement work, as well as issues arising from insolvencies. New York’s Thomas D’Ambrosio  has knowledge across a wide variety of asset classes, including equity, debt, credit, commodity, interest rate, currency, and exotic derivatives, also advising on regulatory and insolvency-related matters. He jointly leads the team alongside Michael Philipp  in Chicago, who has expertise in novel transactions, with experience advising on cryptocurrency derivatives. In Boston, Edwin Smith  has a specialism in equity and credit derivatives, interest rate and currency swaps, and total return swaps. Another key figure in Boston is Katherine Dobson Buckley, who regularly handles cross-border and US futures, derivatives and prime brokerage work.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 's full-service energy group has extensive FERC capabilities as well as regulatory transactional capabilities. It regularly handles investigations involving significant regulatory compliance issues that concern state and federal regulatory bodies, including the CFTC. The group also has a strong reputation in the nuclear energy segment, advising clients on second-license renewals and advanced reactor licensing, decommissioning efforts and management of spent nuclear fuel; Paul Bessette is the key figure in this area. Practice head Stephen Spina represents electric utilities before the FERC in restructuring, market investigations and Federal Power Act regulatory matters. Former practice head Kathryn Sutton retired in September 2021. All individuals are based in Washington DC.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 2

The team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is ‘beyond exceptional’. It is well known for handling issues in the FERC regulatory space and is also adept at advising on pipeline, CFTC and state utility issues. The group also frequently advises clients on evolving cybersecurity issues, including compliance issues relating to companies’ responses to the new security directive of the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration; associate Arjun Ramadevanahalli leads on such matters. ‘World-class attorney’ Kirstin Gibbs leads the practice and has experience handling unique regulatory challenges affecting LNG regasification and liquefaction terminals. For expertise in carbon trading and carbon pricing, Levi McAllister is the key name. Stephen Spina chairs the firm-wide energy practice. All individuals are based in Washington, DC. Former practice head Kathryn Sutton retired in October 2021.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s environmental counseling and litigation practice is adept at trying high-stakes cases, including those stemming from enforcement investigations, mass tort claims and multi-party hazardous waste lawsuits. Remediation of contaminated sites and natural resource damage assessments under CERCLA are other notable areas of practice for the team, which fields further strength in defending energy and infrastructure permits in state and federal courts. Co-head James Dragna takes on a leading role in major litigation and environmental crises mandates, often acting for multiparty groups in hazardous waste proceedings; he works out of Los Angeles. Fellow co-leader John McGahren manages the New Jersey-based litigation team; he has a wealth of experience in prosecuting and defending citizen suits, Superfund and RCRA cases. Stephanie Feingold  in Princeton is regularly retained by chemical, energy, telecoms and manufacturing companies engaged in multi-district litigation. Based in Washington DC, Duke McCall is a crucial member of the environmental practice with decades of first-chair experience representing clients in some of the largest matters handled by the team.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

Split between Los Angeles and Princeton, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s environment group is well regarded for its wide-ranging expertise in multimedia enforcement actions, investigations, environmental remediation matters and natural resource damage assessments under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Major sources, including refineries and large manufacturing facilities, routinely seek the team’s assistance with regulatory and compliance advice in the context of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects permitting. Furthermore, attorneys offer clients expertise on climate change, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the burgeoning state and federal regulation of emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). James Dragna in Los Angeles handles an array of environmental regulatory and crisis management matters on behalf of major energy, aerospace and manufacturing clients. He jointly oversees the environmental counselling and litigation department with John McGahren , who is based in Princeton. Rick Rothman  is a noteworthy practitioner in the Los Angeles office; he has in-depth knowledge of air and water quality issues, energy efficiency and Proposition 65. Regulatory compliance counseling and enforcement defense involving air quality, water quality, and hazardous substances are core areas of activity for LA-based David Brown. Also on the West Coast, Ella Foley Gannon  is a key contact in San Francisco for natural resource permitting and entitlements defense against judicial and administrative challenges.

Industry focus > Healthcare: health insurers Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is known for its complex contentious work, with an emphasis on representing large scale, national health plans. Class actions are a particular area of strength for the team, having achieved victories either through litigation or settlement on behalf of Anthem and Cigna. It is equally capable of acting in reimbursement disputes with providers, and in appellate cases. The team also acts on insurer financings, with Philadelphia-based Stephen Janetta advising Independence Health Group on its $550m credit facility. San Francisco-based Molly Moriarty Lane is particularly well regarded for her class action work and expertise on the Mental Health Parity Act. Brian Jazaeri and Howard Young co-lead the team from Los Angeles and Washington DC respectively. LA-based Lisa Weddle also offers class action expertise.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is able ‘to shift quickly from litigation focus to compliance focus’ and assist in building corporate structures for life sciences clients. The team is particularly known for its work on research collaboration and licensing agreements, advising both emerging companies and pharmaceutical groups. It also provides M&A and capital markets advice. Its IP offering is equally notable, offering litigation support for small molecule, biologic and medical technology products, with Chicago-based co-head Michael Abernathy obtaining an appellate victory against Genentech’s hemophilia antibody treatment a key example. Kathleen Sanzo leads the FDA practice from Washington DC, offering broad advice on product development, approval and clinical testing. San Francisco-based co-head Jeffry Mann, primarily acts on IP asset management. SF-based Benjamin Pensak leads the transactional team, with Princeton-based Alan Leeds offering experience with venture capital. Also noteworthy is Washington DC-based Michele Buenafe, who advises on Medtech and digital health regulations.

Industry focus > Transport: rail and road - finance Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s wide-ranging automotive practice routinely acts for traditional automakers, suppliers, technology developers and financial institutions. The group is increasingly focused on connected cars, autonomous vehicle development, ride-share platforms, and electrical vehicles and other alternative forms of vehicle power. Heading up the firm’s automotive and mobility industry practice, Philip Russell, who works across the firm’s Chicago and New York offices, acts on a variety of automotive-related corporate and structured finance transactions. Also key to the team is Silicon Valley and San Francisco-based commercial, IP and technology transactions specialist Rahul Kapoor. In New York, Robert Dickey‘s experience includes advising automotive and mobility sector companies, while the practice of global structured transactions practice head Reed Auerbach includes auto loan and lease receivables.

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 2

Spread across offices the firm’s offices in Philadelphia, Silicon Valley, Boston or Chicago, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s practice has built a stellar reputation for its prowess handling domestic and international technology transactions, primarily outsourcing transactions, and is a preferred choice for semiconductors, software, electronics, engineering and life sciences clients. Business method and e-commerce patent licensing agreements are other areas of expertise. The large practice comprises a bench of deeply experienced practitioners, including Louis Beardell in Philadelphia; Pittsburgh’s Peter Watt-Morse; life sciences specialist Benjamin Pensak in San Francisco; and Silicon Valley duo Dion Bregman and Rahul Kapoor. Additionally, through representations and local partnerships, the firm routinely advises companies desiring to operate in Japan, China, and India, as well as Asia-based global companies expanding into the United States. The group was in charge of representing Takeda Pharmaceutical in its agreement with Moderna and Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare to import and distribute an additional doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine in Japan.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 2

The IP practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP prosecutes patents and provides strategic advice to a number of renowned domestic and international technology and life sciences companies. The group garners praise for its ‘very deep understanding of the life sciences, biotech and pharmaceutic-related technologies and inventions’. Drawing from its successful litigation group, the firm is also well suited to act in post-grant proceedings, handling all types of proceedings, including appeals, reissues, and reexaminations. Louis Beardell heads the practice from Philadelphia, while Dion Bregman, who represents public and private companies in the software, hardware, media, internet, telecommunications, and medical device sectors, acts as deputy practice head from Silicon Valley. San Francisco-based life sciences, chemistry and healthcare specialist Christina MacDougall, who is recommended for being ‘an extraordinary patent attorney’; Mark Itri in Orange County; and Janice Logan in Washington, DC, are other names to note.  The firm also operates from its offices in Houston, Chicago and Boston.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 2

Under the leadership of New York-based Jedd Wider, the sizeable team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves a client roster comprising more than 800 global hedge fund managers, broker-dealers, and asset managers, and provides them with experience covering every asset class, including listed stocks, fixed income and derivative instruments, emerging market debt, and natural resources. The group’s specialists advise on all major issues relating to start-ups, spinouts, seeding and lead investments, fund formation, managed accounts, derivatives and structured products, and securities. The firm also fields a dedicated hedge fund regulatory practice, which comprises more than 40 lawyers who served with the SEC, FINRA, CFTC, DOJ, and IRS. The Boston office is another key location; Richard Goldman and Stephen Tirrell are the names to note there. Over in Miami, Ethan Johnson frequently handles funds mandates with a transactional focus.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP routinely acts for management teams and senior executives in high-end M&A, and also counts multinational public companies across the technology, financial services, energy, healthcare and retail sectors, among its key roster of clients. Based in New York, Gary Rothstein is noted for his experience in the private equity space, as well as representing senior management teams, particularly in the technology sector, in IPOs. In the firm’s Philadelphia office, David Zelikoff handles private equity buyout transactions and Robert Lichtenstein advises on equity and compensation arrangement issues, while Washington DC-based Patrick Rehfield focuses on employee fringe benefits matters. Randall McGeorge, who operates from the firm’s Pittsburgh office, and Boston-based associate Ryan Montgomery, are also key members of the team.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 2

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has an experienced multi-disciplinary technology group that serves the industry with an impressive range of expertise. The bulk of the firm’s work is done through the technology, outsourcing and commercial transactions group, which coordinates with colleagues in the M&A, TMT and IP teams on related strategic and corporate issues. The lawyers are trusted by numerous household name clients to assist with major strategic alliances, services agreements, technology transfers, licensing, outsourcing and M&A mandates. This is built on a cross-practice foundation that includes data security, privacy and employment. Global technology co-head Barbara Melby, and the team’s founding partner Michael Pillion, both work out of Philadelphia and share over 50 years’ experience in the market. Other key partners are well positioned throughout the US, including Rahul Kapoor in Silicon Valley, Doneld Shelkey in Boston, and Vito Petretti and corporate partner Sheryl Orr  in New York.

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

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

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 2

Fielding a sizeable team with broad national coverage, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is highly rated for its energy sector credentials and global capital formation practice, advising on major deals and investments for a number of the world’s leading sovereign wealth funds. Partnership taxation, REITs, and private equity fund structuring issues are also core workflows for the group. In Boston, co-practice head Daniel Nelson regularly works with global institutional investors on various inbound real estate and infrastructure investments, an area in which Meghan McCarthy is also an essential contact. Washington DC-based Peter Daub and Scott Farmer are recommended for their deep knowledge of tax considerations for US-based multinationals, while Kathryn Hambrick works with sponsors and global investors on cross-border investments in the Americas. Philadelphia-based Paul Gordon is noted for his niche expertise in energy project financings and life science technology transfer transactions.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is known for its expertise in HSR filings, prolifically advising clients, including private equity investors and corporates, on notifications and HSR-related issues, as well as regularly filing merger notifications in non-US jurisdictions on behalf of notable international clients including Pfizer. The team is also known for its broader work on the HSR Act, working with the FTC on rule changes, particularly within the pharma sector. The antitrust practice works both in tandem with its corporate and private equity teams on approving the firm’s pipeline of deals, as well as regularly being instructed as specialist antitrust counsel for complex multijurisdictional transactions. The practice is led by New York-based Harry Robins , who focuses on securing clearance before the FTC and DOJ for corporate and private equity transactions and joint ventures, and is an authority on premerger notification issues. Washington DC’s Jonathan Rich defends mergers before US and international antitrust authorities, with expertise in a variety of industry sectors, while New York’s David Brenneman is an active HSR advisor, and counsels clients on agency strategy. DC-based Ryan Kantor has a strong focus on the healthcare sector.

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

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s group is comprised of ‘extremely intelligent and savvy practitioners‘, who find favor for their ‘excellent judgment regarding appellate tactics‘. The group brings to bear robust experience in appellate matters nationwide, including involvement in cases before the US Supreme Court, as well as every federal court of appeals and numerous states’ appellate courts. Washington DC-based practice chair David Salmons recently acted alongside Community Legal Services of Philadelphia to successfully challenge the US Department of Agriculture’s guidance in interpreting the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, to support over 650,000 Pennsylvania households struggling to meet basic daily needs during the pandemic. The department also benefits from the experience of ‘consummate appellate lawyer‘ William Peterson in Houston and San Francisco-based Thomas Peterson.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is well known in the market for its considerable experience in FCA matters and in representing clients caught up investigations by major enforcement authorities, such as the DOJ and SEC. The practice is active both domestically and internationally and acts for companies and individuals in litigation and on regulatory matters, criminal investigations and sanctions. The team is led by Philadelphia’s Eric Sitarchuk and Timothy Burke in Boston. Sitarchuk has over 35 years’ experience in white-collar crime, and federal and state investigations, while Burke is recommended for securities enforcement and litigation. Amy Schuh joined in Philadelphia from Cognizant in September 2021.

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is highly active in representing banks in class actions, including defending clients accused of involvement in fraud and ponzi schemes as well as violations of consumer finance law. The mortgage sector is a particular focus for the team, as it handles securities and consumer class actions in this area; it has also recently been engaged on a number of cases related to COVID-19 relief programs. Michael Kraut and Susan DiCicco lead the team, with Elaine McChesney another name to note; all three are based in New York and have broad contentious financial services experience. In Chicago, Kenneth Kliebard is recognized for his work on consumer class actions.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s client portfolio encompasses national and international financial institutions and companies. The team has a particularly strong track record in the healthcare and life sciences industry and is frequently active in class actions and trials. The Philadelphia-based Gordon Cooney leads the global litigation practice and is well versed in crisis management. Molly Moriarty Lane is a key contact for class actions in Los Angeles and California, while Troy Brown, also in Philadelphia, cover post-M&A disputes. Elizabeth Herrington in Chicago has know-how in the automotive and mobility space, and Michael Kraut in New York has experience acting for financial industry clients.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 3

With its national network of offices, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is able to provide a comprehensive service from lenders at various levels of the market. The group’s leveraged finance practice primarily focuses on the growing alternative lending market, and acts for major clients such as Ares Capital. The firm also has a strong asset-based lending practice which represents sought-after clients such as JPMorgan Chase and HSBC in complex transactions with complex borrower capital structures, such as subordinated and pari passu high-yield debt. Boston is home to finance lead Jonathan Bernstein and transactional finance head Matthew Furlong, though the firm also has key partners in New York, Hartford, and Houston. Mark Kirsons and Luis Herrero joined the Chicago office from Sidley Austin LLP in February 2021.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is frequently instructed by clients to assist with siting new oil, natural gas and gas-fired generation projects. The group also has extensive experience representing oil and gas clients before the US federal agencies, including FERC and PHMSA, on issues relating to rate making and tariff-design matters. Based in Washington DC, practice co-head Brad Fagg focuses on the energy industry and federal procurement sector, handling contractual and regulatory disputes as well as internal investigations. Co-chair Michelle Pector -also in Washington DC- has experience defending class actions for energy clients and is an expert litigator for issues relating to business fraud, M&A and supply-chain disputes. Los Angeles-based James Dragna heads-up the firm's environmental practice.

Industry focus > Transport: rail and road - litigation and regulation Tier 3

Representing automakers, suppliers, technology developers and financial institutions, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP automotives-focused team handles disputes surrounding product development, technology and IP, as well as litigation over marketing, distribution, warranty and product liability. Boston-based co-head Daniel Savrin’s work for automotive companies predominantly focuses on antitrust, consumer protection, and dealer relations and distribution matters. In Los Angeles, David Schrader represents automotive and mobility sector clients in critical matters; and co-head Lisa Weddle‘s automotive experience includes the recent defeat of the certification of a nationwide class of seven million-plus vehicle owners, who alleged defective heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP employs global bench strength to provide copyright management services and representation for major corporates across a broad range of industries. The practice is directed in Washington DC by firm-wide leader Karen Butcher and trademark/copyright litigation heads Josh Dalton, a veteran IP lawyer in Boston and Kevin Fee in DC, who represents content providers and retail leaders. In San Francisco, Carla Oakley advises on registration, fair use, and Digital Millennium Copyright Act compliance issues and Sharon R. Smith represents clients in biotech, tech and medical devices, while DC-based associate Rachel Fertig brings government and private sector experience to enforcement matters.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 3

Offering a mix of law, science, and engineering expertise, the patent litigation practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP regularly litigates on behalf of clients in federal courts, before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, the ITC, and has a steady track record before the PTAB handling appeals, reexaminations, reissue applications, and IPRs. The life sciences disputes practice is co-headed by Krista Vink Venegas and Michael Abernathy in Chicago, while a trio comprised of Michael Lyons in Silicon Valley, Chicago’s Jason White and John Gorman in Wilmington steers the technology litigation practice, which attracts leading names in the market. Other noted litigators from the group include Eric Kraeutler and Julie Goldemberg in Philadelphia, and Natalie Bennett in Washington DC.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 3

Highlighted for its interdisciplinary approach, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP draws on its employment, cybercrime, and unfair competition teams to advise on a host of trade secrets matters at the state and federal level. In Century City, the highly experienced employment and trade secret specialist Debra Fisher routinely handles cases arising out of employee mobility issues, with recent highlights including contract breach cases in the insurance sector. Also in Century City, trade secrets working group head Seth Gerber enjoys a stellar reputation in the space for his work as a trial lawyer, prosecuting and defending claims for misappropriation and mass raid cases. The ‘outstanding‘ Boston-based Joshua Dalton works with an array of technology entities on IP development, protection, and licensing issues.

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

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises household names across sectors from pharmaceuticals, media, healthcare, food and beverages to financial services, hospitality, education, retail and fashion. The practice is led by Karen Butcher, a specialist in trademark issues related to licensing, corporate reorganizations, strategic alliances and M&A in Washington DC, with support from Kevin Fee, who co-heads the litigation team with Josh Dalton in Boston. DC's Anita Polott assists clients with brand protection strategies and Rachelle Dubow in Boston manages complex, cross-border prosecutions. Carla Oakley offers expertise maintenance and enforcement for life sciences and education clients in San Francisco, where Gene Park was promoted to partner in October 2021.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

At Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, a ‘deep bench of talent and coverage‘ draws on the firm’s experience across market sectors and investment strategies to advise a voluminous roster of notable names in the global private investment fund formation industry. On an annual basis, the team forms more than 400 private funds, including separate accounts and similar vehicles, for sponsors. The group is also extremely active on the institutional investor side, and counts seven of the largest public pension plans in the US, as well as half of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, amongst its regular clients. The offering regularly drafts documents pertaining to special customized private capital formations, including consortia, platform investments, bespoke co-investments, joint ventures, separate account vehicles, and funds of one. Leadership of the practice is split between New York and Washington DC; Jedd Wider is the key contact at the former location, while Courtney Nowell oversees matters from the latter.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 3

The team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP continues to handle deals for major market players such as Platinum Equity, Ares, and Apollo, as well as maintaining its active mid-market transactional offering. The firm also works with portfolio companies and has a strong management-side practice, alongside working regularly with industry-specific funds and distressed investors, handling buyouts, investments, exits, and turnaround opportunities. The team has expertise in retail, technology, energy, life sciences, and financial services sectors, and is also highly active in SPAC deals globally, working with its international offices on SPAC formation, structuring and M&A matters. The team is jointly led by New York’s Christina Melendi, who advises a number of funds and portfolio companies, with a specific focus on retail and e-commerce work, alongside Orange County-based Todd Hentges, who has expertise in the technology, healthcare, sports and entertainment sectors, advising on PE and SPAC transactions for major clients including Platinum Equity, and Philadelphia's Kevin Schmelzer, who advises on buyouts, carve-outs, and distressed acquisitions. New York’s Allison Gargano has an emerging practice, advising funds and portfolio companies on deals, primarily in the retail, healthcare, life sciences, fintech, and financial services industries.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 3

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

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is a popular choice with clients, praised for its ability to offer ‘the experience of a boutique firm with the scale and depth of a global provider‘. The  bulk of the firm’s emerging business and technology practice is based on the East Coast, with highly rated practice head Steven Cohen working from Princeton. The firm has a strong emphasis on the healthcare and life sciences sectors but is active in other growth areas including ag-tech, fintech, digital and social media, software, telecoms, renewable energy, cloud-based and e-commerce companies. This encompasses advice to emerging companies and venture funds. Other key partners include Michael Conza and Julio Vega in Boston, Princeton’s Benjamin Novak (‘truly meets us where we are, gone above and beyond, and invested alongside us‘), and Jeffrey Bodle in Philadelphia, who is ‘excellent in proactively managing our corporate legal issues‘. Silicon Valley-based partner John Park is the main contact on the West Coast.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 3

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 4

The ‘innovative, collaborative, responsive and thorough‘ team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is led by Troy Brown in Philadelphia, Michael Blanchard in Boston and Brian Herman in New York, and is noted for its collaboration with deal teams. The firm has a deep bench of M&A and securities litigators who are frequently involved in precedent-setting cases. A prime example is a case for Aruba Networks, which impacted how the courts decide fair value for valuations, and the relationship between market pricing, news and even economic theories of market efficiency and rationality. As well as matters before the Delaware Court of Chancery, the practice is involved in state and federal court proceedings across the US.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a fine reputation in domestic and global debt offerings, including investment grade, high-yield, convertible debt and MTN programs. The firm is especially active in electric and gas utilities, energy (including renewables), financial services, technology and life sciences. New York partner Thomas Giblin is noted for debt offerings in the power, renewables and utilities segments. Philadelphia’s Justin Chairman  and Pittsburgh partner Celia Soehner are also key names in the team.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has made a further impression in SPAC transactions and ESG matters. It also continues to benefit from the presence of a number of former SEC officials within the firm. Utilities and energy, financial services, technology, and life sciences are key sectors for the capital markets team. It worked on a high volume of offerings by electric and gas utility companies in 2021, along with a strong pipeline of issuances by life sciences clients. It has a large non-US client base and remains active in registered equity offerings, follow-on offerings (including at-the-market offerings), private placements and equity-linked securities. Philadelphia partner Justin Chairman  leads the capital markets team and has a fine record in REITs, life sciences and tech offerings. Pittsburgh partner and former SEC official Celia Soehner is another rated individual, including in the ESG space, and Philadelphia's Joanne Soslow  is a key figure for life sciences and financial services transactions. New York's Thomas Giblin is key for energy and utilities offerings.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is the go-to firm for clients seeking guidance over distressed investments and loans. Its sizeable team is well equipped to oversee insolvency matters, often handling contentious out-of-court proceedings and litigation. It places particular focus on the representation of clients in the energy and utilities sectors, specifically in oil and gas. New York's Kurt Mayr is the practice leader whilst Massachusetts-based Andrew Gallo is the deputy practice leader. Richard Esterkin retired from the practice in September 2021.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: electric power Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises a diverse range of clients, from nuclear start-ups and offshore wind developers to transmission development groups and energy storage companies. The group is particularly active in the nuclear energy space, representing clients on second-license renewals, advanced reactor licensing and with decommissioning and efforts toward the management of spent nuclear fuel. Washington DC-based partner Brad Fagg and Michelle Pector in Houston co-chair the energy litigation department, while James Dragna and John McGahren co-lead the environmental practice from Los Angeles and Princeton, respectively.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP ‘offers an extremely deep bench for assistance on energy transactions. In particular, its attorneys in the midstream space are among the best in the country’. Washington DC-based Kirstin Gibbs represents pipeline operators; oil-and-gas producers, traders and marketers; utilities and end-users across a range of issues. She co-leads the practice with Felipe Alice, in Houston, who focuses on energy transactions, energy-related infrastructure projects and corporate issues.

Industry focus > Healthcare: service providers Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP represents a broad spectrum of health industry clients, including health systems, hospitals, pharmacies, and private equity groups. It is best known for its compliance and litigation capacity, with a notable highlight being Houston-based Scott McBride‘s victory in a HIPAA data breach case on behalf of the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Washington DC-based Howard Young and Los Angeles-based Brian Jazaeri co-lead the healthcare team. Also key are Houston-based childrens’ hospitals expert Susan Feigin Harris and DC-based Stark Law expert Albert Shay.

Industry focus > Sport Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP handles a variety of work in the sports sector, providing a full service offering. The practice is jointly led by Jeffrey Moorad, who divides his time between Orange County and Washington DC, and Jack Concannon in Boston. The group particularly benefits from Moorad’s unique perspective of the industry, courtesy of his background as a former sports agent and team owner, while Concannon brings expertise relating to general corporate and securities law, M&A, and franchising.. Changes to the team include the arrival of Mark Kirsons and Luis Herrero from Sidley Austin LLP in February 2021 and the arrival of Kimberly Eney from a private foundation in August 2021.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP impresses with its successful track record at the ITC. Its skilled technical bench and seasoned trial lawyers position the firm as a solid choice for ITC cases in a wide variety of technologies and industries. The group’s ‘excellent combination of attorneys’ is spearheaded by Washington DC’s Eric Namrow, whose expertise in representing companies in ITC-related proceedings before the Federal Circuit, the PTAB, Customs and Border Protection, and the Court of International Trade, enhance the firm’s offering in this space. Also based in Washington DC, versatile senior associate Stephanie Roberts has experience representing plaintiffs, defendants, and third-parties in investigations involving a wide array of technologies.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

Among Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP‘s sector specialisms, data security incident consumer class actions stand out. Notably, a team led by practice co-head Gregory Parks in Philadelphia assisted the Hudson’s Bay Company in a series of class actions arising from a data incident involving payment card information. Class actions relating to the improper use of cookies, CCPA and GDPR matters are also at the heart of the practice, which includes San Francisco-based Reece Hirsch and Mark Krotoski in Silicon Valley as key names.

Real estate Tier 5

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 6

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance Tier 3

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has a well developed Latin America banking and finance practice. It is noted for its strength in corporate lending, restructuring and securitisation. It has seen further growth in direct lending, particularly in Mexico, along with a series of fintech engagements in Brazil. The firm has a fine history in corporate lending in Brazil and has achieved further prominence in corporate lending and restructurings in Chile. New York partner Thomas Mellor is co-chair of the Latin America group and has an extensive record in corporate lending in Brazil and other Latin American jurisdictions. John Crespo is the other co-chair of the team and provides further senior firepower, alongside Humberto Padilla Gonzalez and Felipe Alice. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Latin America: International firms > Capital markets Tier 4

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is known for bond offerings, including sovereign offerings, along with private placements and debt restructurings. Hartford-based partner Daniel Papermaster represents a range of institutional investors in private placement financings in Latin America and elsewhere. London partner Carter Brod specialises in international bond offerings, including issuances originating from Latin America. Also in Hartford, special adviser Michael Reilly has a long track record in Latin America bond restructurings.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has an established projects and energy practice which has a growing profile in renewables projects and M&A, along with oil and gas (including LNG) and commodities engagements. The firm is also making headway in additional energy transition segments such as green hydrogen. The largely Houston-based team has a developing presence in the Brazil oil and gas industry, including project development, financings and M&A transactions. Native Portuguese speaker Felipe Alice has driven forward the firm’s work in Brazil’s oil and gas sector. John Crespo is from Bolivia and has a well-rounded projects and energy practice, notably leading teams in a number of oil and gas M&A transactions and projects. Humberto Padilla Gonzalez specialises in Mexico energy transactions and projects, and Washington DC’s Ulises Pin is an expert in digital, telecoms and satellite infrastructure in the region.