Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP > Boston, United States > Firm Profile

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP fields an impressive team that regularly handles contentious matters at all levels of state and federal courts for major players from the worlds of pharmaceuticals, technology and automotive. The group also assists clients with data breaches, trade secrets, document preservation and contract disputes. The practice is led by seasoned e-discovery litigator John Martin, who specializes in multi-district litigation and government investigations. Lucie Cohen brings experience in handling information governance, regulatory, and antitrust matters, while Heyward Bonyata focuses on issues involving the management of information and represents clients in multidistrict litigations. Julie Flaming regularly leads government inquiries and has particular expertise in pharma and medical device litigation. Travis Bustamante is another key name for discovery strategies in Charlotte. Jerrett Coco is also recommended. All lawyers are in Columbia unless otherwise stated.

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

With a ‘team-focused approach to litigation’ which draws upon a cohesive unit of practitioners throughout the country, including a notable group in Virginia, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP provides ‘sound counsel and advice’ to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) seeking to resist customer and third-party product liability claims. Noted for its ability to ‘understand a product from inception to alleged failure’, the team combines exceptional subject matter knowledge with strategic and procedural litigation prowess, ensuring that clients are well served throughout the litigation process. Displaying ‘outstanding judgment on every aspect of a case’, Sandra Ezell is a popular choice among major manufacturers including Ford, Tesla, and Nissan, defending against catastrophic injury and wrongful death claims as a result of alleged product liability defects. Other recommended practitioners include Virginia-based Rob Wise, who is ‘great at what he does’, with standout work including  coordinating and planning the strategic aspects of high-profile automotive-related class and mass actions; Atlanta-based Richard North, who has developed significant experience as a first-chair trial lawyer in aviation and helicopter-related product liability cases; and Baltimore-based Mike Brown, who regularly handles toxic tort-related cases (including exposure to asbestos) in the automotive sector. Mark Jones and Alana Bassin co-head the overarching product liability team out of South Carolina and Minnesota respectively, and Terri Reiskin in Washington DC is a key contact for multidistrict litigation.

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

Drawing upon ‘deep products liability experience’ throughout the country, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP provides ‘sound counsel and advice’ to pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical device companies in disputes, irrespective of geographical location. The team also works well with others, be it in the role of national co-ordinating or regional counsel, and is appreciated for its ability to provide ‘exemplary work and strategy for clients’. Able to call upon the expertise of numerous strong trial lawyers, the team often acts as first chair in state and federal courts throughout the country, where its grasp of the underlying subject matter is greatly valued, as is its strategic sense and advocacy skills. Baltimore-based Mike Brown exemplifies these qualities, as do David Dukes  in South Carolina and Richard B. North, Jr.  in Atlanta, with all three having excellent track records, including in relation to MDL bellwether cases. Mark Jones  and Alana Bassin co-head the overarching products liability team from South Carolina and Minnesota, respectively.

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

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has an ‘extensive depth of experts with whom a client can rely to build either a formative defense or winning offense’, irrespective of geographical location. Toxic tort work runs the gamut from allegations of lead paint poisoning, harm caused by weedkiller through to issues of forever chemicals in the groundwater. The firm’s work relating to asbestos contamination in talc products has gained acclaim - here, Baltimore-based Mike Brown, who is ‘one of the absolute top trial lawyer talents in the country’, has had successes in trials throughout the country and is ‘one of the rare people who strike fear in the hearts of plaintiff’s counsel, even when the trial is held in plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions’. Located in South Carolina, David Dukes has experience acting as national trial counsel in MDLs in many locations, and as well as his strength at handling pharmaceutical-related product liability cases, is also regularly engaged in toxic tort matters, including alleged PFAS groundwater contamination. The arrival in May 2023 of the ‘extremely smart, creative and hardworking’ Barbara Harding from Jones Day bolsters the firm’s presence in Washington DC where she is appreciated for her ‘desire to acquire a deep understanding of her clients’ businesses and objectives in order to tailor a litigation approach that works best for them’. South Carolina-based Mark Jones and Minneapolis office head Alana Bassin co-head the team.

Industry focus > Education Tier 2

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation Tier 2

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, which acts for a vast array of motor vehicle manufacturers, offers experts in federal and state legislation frameworks, as well as the regulation of motor vehicles. The automotive practice regularly litigates disputes involving class actions, product liability, terminations, relocations, and ownership transfers; and it is particularly involved in franchise and dealership litigation on behalf of major car companies. The firm also houses a robust advisory practice, in relation to distribution models, sales and data privacy; and it is increasingly active in growth areas such as driverless cars, electric vehicles, and over-the-air repairs. In Columbia, Steven McKelvey is consistently mandated by manufacturers of cars, trucks, motorcycles, powersports, and recreational vehicles; Andy Bertron in Tallahassee predominantly represents automotive manufacturers and distributors in vehicle franchise matters, including litigation; and Los Angeles office managing partner Richard Otera is an expert in automotive-related franchise and distribution law, as well as litigation. The practice further includes automotive lawyers Mark Clouatre, Jody Porter and Christie Iannetta in Denver, Los Angeles and Washington  DC, respectively.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 3

With a nationwide presence that was recently enhanced by the recruitment of a team from Bowman and Brooke LLP, including new offices in Dallas and San Diego, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is increasingly well-positioned to handle cases across the US. ‘Taking the time to truly understand a product from inception to alleged failure’, the team, which is led by Mark Jones and Alana Bassin from South Carolina and Minneapolis respectively, is adept at handling work throughout the litigation continuum, often working across offices, ensuring clients receive a ‘responsive, business-savvy and cost-effective’ service. Alongside its acclaimed work for auto manufacturers, the firm has gained a particularly strong reputation for advising on asbestos-related matters for talc manufacturers, an area in which Baltimore-based trial lawyer Mike Brown is noted. Virginia-based Sandra Ezell, who was one of the new arrivals from Bowman and Brooke LLP, is praised for her ‘outstanding judgment on every aspect of a case’, including product liability matters, acting for manufacturers of consumer electronics products.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 3

The ‘exceptionally attentive, responsive and reliable’ team at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP acts for a roster of clients that includes private equity funds as well as American arms of international companies across industry sectors including healthcare, technology and banking. Demonstrating the firm’s solid footprint on the East Coast, practice leaders Colleen Pleasant Kline, Gus Dixon, and are Michael Hollingsworth are based in Baltimore, Columbia, and Atlanta, respectively. Atlanta-based William Ching has longstanding experience handling the buying and selling of private businesses. Also in Atlanta, Brian Galison handles transactional work for a range of companies in sectors such as technology and manufacturing.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 3

The outsourcing practice at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP regularly undertakes ITO and BPO work in addition to handling business transformations for a range of global blue-chip companies in the luxury goods, automotive, and financial services sectors. From the Nashville office, Geoffrey Vickers concentrates on cross-border sourcing and managed services arrangements, while Jason I. Epstein regularly assists corporate end users with the outsourcing of fintech and healthech services. In the New York branch, Ed Hansen’s scope of work includes digital transformations and ERP implementations, while Val Paverd is a go-to contact for managed services agreements. Greenville-based Daniel C. Lumm covers work relating to open-source software, emerging AI concerns, and cloud services.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 3

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is a major player in SPAC transactions and has a solid presence in IPOs, follow-on offerings and at-the-market programs. It represents a multitude of SPACs and SPAC targets. Andrew Tucker is at the forefront of SPAC deals having led the firm on a significant pipeline of transactions. Jonathan Talcott is co-chair of the securities group and Peter Strand is another key member of the team. All named individuals are based in Washington DC.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP supplements its strong national base in Washington DC with dedicated local teams assisting sovereign governments, private sector clients, government entities, and nonprofit organizations with public policy development and government relations strategy. The group is jointly led by DC-based Christopher Cushing, who offers legislative and regulatory counseling in defense and homeland security, financial services, healthcare, and international trade issues, and David Wilkins in Greenville, who specializes in US-Canada interests, having previously served as Ambassador to Canada. Atlanta’s Stanley Jones focuses on healthcare and administrative policy and legislation, while in DC, Woojin Shin boasts strong relationships with Korean multinationals in infrastructure, automotive, defense, and consumer goods. New additions to the nationwide group include: energy and regulated industries expert Jamey Goldin in Charleston, who joined in January 2023 from inhouse; education, healthcare, and tech specialist Andrew Heath in Raleigh, who joined in April 2023 from the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts; and political strategist and Emmy award-winning former journalist Tom Lee in Nashville, who joined in March 2023 from Frost Brown Todd LLC.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense Tier 5

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP houses a strong litigation team that advises on internal investigations, grand jury subpoenas, and regulatory inquires. With its in-depth understanding of anti-money laundering requirements, the team is also recommended for compliance matters. Based in Miami, Jon Sale has a broad practice that encompasses health care fraud, FCPA violations, and tax offences. Solomon Wisenberg practices in both Washington DC and Raleigh. Wisenberg has extensive experience acting for both induvial and companies involved in an array of investigations such as public corruption, bribery, and insider trading. Splitting his time between Columbia and Charleston, Bart Daniel is an expert in fraud cases. Other prominent members of the team include Christopher Cavallo who is located in Miami. Cavallo acts for clients in both civil proceedings and criminal investigations.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 5

With strong presence in the Southeast, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP‘s practice notably acts for the Rural Healthcare Initiative. Thomas Moran leads the team from South Carolina, often assisting hospitals and physicians with joint ventures and financing disputes, while Eli Poliakoff focuses on mandates relating to hospital-physician relationships. Litigator Gabriel Imperato is a key name within the Florida group for his handling of qui tam actions. Georgia’s Gina Greenwood is a data privacy expert who often advises clients on licensure and Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) compliance. In North Carolina, Noah H. Huffstetler III is particularly adept at handling litigation before appellate courts, and Robert Wilson has a great deal of expertise in corporate healthcare issues, including M&A and integration agreements.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 5

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP fields a ‘very experienced team’ that represents start-ups and venture capital clients across the US and Latin America. Joe Daniels, who co-chairs the practice from New York, brings a wealth of experience in venture capital financings, M&A, and IPOs. Alongside him, co-head Paul Rothstein from Atlanta offers advice to emerging and growth-stage companies in the tech, life sciences, financial, and healthcare spaces, guiding from inception through to exit strategies. Leandro Molina, who operates out of both New York and Miami, supports Brazilian clients entering the US market and US funds looking to invest in Latin American emerging companies, particularly in the fintech industry. Jackson Hwu left the firm in February 2024.

Real estate Tier 5

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has a particularly strong practice for land acquisitions and construction financing along with equity investments, entitlement, development, and leasing. The practice is headed by investment, development, and financing expert Eric Klinger-Wilensky in Atlanta, experienced transaction and leasing attorney David Itskovich in Boca Raton, and Orlando-based Jo Thacker, noted for her knowledge on land use, zoning, and intergovernmental coordination and planning, together with her experience representing property owners before local governments throughout Florida state. Situated in Boca Raton, Jeffrey A. Deutch is experienced on financing and joint ventures, with Christopher Staller also being a key name at the same office. Nashville’s Laurence Papel brings further breadth, particularly in hotel development, as does Charleston’s Jay Claypoole in multifamily and condominium documents together with easements, land use, and development.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate