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

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers comprehensive coverage of the e-discovery practice area, with expertise extending from data collection to the courtroom. The team is praised for being ‘led by real litigators who know how to add value to the case‘, and has experience across a broad range of areas, including trade secrets, evidence spoliation issues, data privacy, and merger and contract disputes. John Martin, who has a background of high-stakes litigation, and a strong record of multi-district disputes and government investigations, leads the team, which is primarily based in Columbia, S.C. Core team members include Heyward Bonyata , who acts as discovery counsel for clients in multiple litigation proceedings, and Lucie Cohen  who has experience acting for clients facing interrelated litigation and government inquiries. Julie Flaming  is key for pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, product liability, and business litigation. Jarrett Coco, who is particularly active in the health insurance space, and the Charlotte, N.C.-based Travis Bustamante are prominent names at the more junior level.

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

A raft of lateral hires over recent years, including the recruitment of over 50 partners from product liability heavyweight firm Bowman and Brooke LLP (a number of which have a considerable focus on matters within the automotive space) has raised Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP‘s profile in the market and has already translated into an increased number of mandates in the space. Richmond-based Sandra Ezell is one of the new members of the team who has leveraged her contacts and expertise in the space to good effect. She is leading the firm’s efforts on behalf of numerous high-profile auto manufacturers, including Nissan, who she represents as national trial counsel in relation to several product defect cases. Also based in Richmond, Rob Wise is another new member of the team, having joined in January 2022 alongside Ezell, and brings significant litigation expertise, including at an appellate level. South Carolina-based Mark Jones  co-heads the overarching product liability group alongside Ezell that also includes renowned Washington DC-based litigator Terri Reiskin , who has extensive experience leading on high-profile MDLs in the automotive sector, and Atlanta-based Richard North, who has experience at handing aviation/helicopter-related matters.

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

Noted, in particular, for its trial ready approach, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has a long and distinguished track record defending pharma and medical device companies in product liability litigation in courts all over the country. This capability has been further enhanced in recent years by some high-profile trial lawyers joining the firm’s ever expanding geographical footprint, thereby affording it the critical mass to handle a plethora of ongoing cases irrespective of location. South Carolina-based partner David Dukes is one of the “old guard” at the firm and remains a popular choice among clients in the sector as a result of his advocacy skills and aptitude at explaining complex scientific issues to lay jurors. Richard North in Atlanta and Baltimore-based Mike Brown are also seasoned litigators, with both regularly achieving success in bellwether trials throughout the country. Molly Jean Given is an experienced product liability litigator and has ‘broad experience in medical device products defense’. South Carolina-based partner Mark Jones heads the team.

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

Housed within its overarching product liability practice group, South Carolina-headquartered firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP regularly acts as local and regional counsel, as well as being increasingly well-positioned to act as national counsel, on behalf of clients seeking to defend themselves from consolidated claims alleging a wide range of toxic tort infractions. As well as continuing to handle asbestos-related claims associated with talc products, the firm has also handled some newer torts including as it relates to contamination claims relating to forever chemicals. As two of the most experienced trial lawyers at the firm, Mike Brown and David Dukes  have had considerable success over the years in relation to toxic tort mandates, particularly within the pharmaceuticals space. In Los Angeles, Jahmy Graham  is also gaining some visibility in the space, particularly by dint of his pro bono representation of a public interest objector to a $641m settlement relating to residents’ exposure to lead in drinking water in Flint, Michigan. South Carolina-based Mark Jones and Minneapolis office head Alana Bassin co-head the team.

Industry focus > Education Tier 2

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP‘s comprehensive practice is based out of Washington DC and Atlanta and acts for public and private colleges, universities, K-12 schools, academic medical centers in complex litigation and transactional matters. The firm’s affiliate consulting group EducationCounsel LLC which centers on innovation and systemic reforms acts for non-profit clients and academic institutions in policy matters. The team frequently advises education boards and colleges on gender and sexual misconduct issues, including gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment. The group is jointly managed by Atlanta’s Marquetta Bryan, who litigates for schools in discrimination matters as well as DC’s Scott Palmer, who is actively involved in reforms in the K-12 space. Associate Alexis Trumble is a name to note. Former co-head Daniel Cohen has now left the firm.

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation Tier 2

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP‘s sizeable national automotive practice advises a large proportion of the US’ active motor vehicle manufacturers. It is also increasingly involved in new industries such as driverless cars, electric vehicles and over-the-air repairs. The team’s expertise covers advising on federal and state legislative frameworks, as well as motor vehicle-related regulatory work. It additionally acts in disputes spanning class actions, product liability claims, terminations, relocations and ownership transfers. Other areas of strength include advising on distribution models, sales, and data privacy issues. Columbia-based Steven McKelvey routinely represents manufacturers of cars, trucks, motorcycles, powersports and recreational vehicles, while Tallahassee’s Andy Bertron is the firm’s lead automotive lawyer in Florida, and Los Angeles office managing partner Richard Otera focuses on franchise and distribution law and litigation. Other key practitioners are Mark Clouatre in Denver, LA-based Jody Porter, and Washington DC’s Christie Iannetta. In 2022, the firm expanded its automotive product liability practice through the recruitment of over 50 attorneys (including 30 partners) from product liability-focused firm Bowman and Brooke LLP; the move added several automotive product liability litigators with ties to major car companies.

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

Primarily based in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Maryland, the corporate and M&A group at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP attracts mandates from mid-market buyers and sellers active in a range of industries, most notably banking, technology, automotive and healthcare. Based in Baltimore, Colleen Pleasant Kline handles the full range of M&A, and regularly assists with Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger notification filings. Gus Dixon in Columbia is a notable M&A practitioner in the South Carolina market, whose experience encompasses securities law, corporate finance, investigations and business transactions. Key individuals in Atlanta include Michael Hollingsworth, who focuses on middle-market deals in the consumer products, healthcare, construction and tech sectors, and Rhys Wilson, who brings to the table extensive experience in this space.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 4

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is increasingly well-positioned to handle both individual and class action claims, irrespective of location and industry sector. The firm's expanding team offers first-chair trial credentials and is noted for its trial-ready approach that is appreciated by clients and frequently sees the firm securing roles as national trial counsel in relation to product liability matters across a wide array of consumer products. Best-known for her automotive product liability skills, Richmond-based trial lawyer Sandra Ezell, who joined the firm in January 2022 from Bowman and Brooke LLP, is also accomplished at trying consumer electronics-related cases. The team is co-headed by Mark Jones  and Alana Bassin from South Carolina and Minneapolis, respectively.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

With extensive bipartisan relationships and experience, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers sovereign clients, multinational companies and non-profit organizations assistance with advocacy work at both federal and state levels. Headed Washington DC-based Christopher Cushing, the group is particularly active in the healthcare, education and transportation industries. In Greenville, former ambassador to Canada David Wilkins focuses on policy issues related to US-Canada interests, while Washington DC-based Woojin Shin typically advises Korean companies operating in the infrastructure, automotive, defense and consumer goods segments on US trade policies.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 4

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP leverages its offices in New York and Nashville to advise clients on business critical and digital transformation projects in the techy, outsourcing, procurement and privacy spaces. New York-based pair, Ed Hansen and Val Gross, are key contacts for retail brands in the luxury goods industry for re-platforming the clients’ digital services and re-engineering global collaboration models. Jason I. Epstein and Geoffrey Vickers, both stationed in Nashville, advise clients on drafting and negotiating various BPOs and management services. The team also advises clients in the healthcare, accounting, manufacturing and energy sectors.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 4

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has the capacity to assist on a range of issues in the telecoms space, focusing on representing clients in matters of federal funding and major subsidy program participation; investigation, inquiries, and enforcement proceedings; and new market entry, especially in relation to wireless and Internet of Things. The practice has significantly grown its capabilities with the early 2022 hiring of John Heitmann, Steven Augustino, Joshua Guyan, and counsel Debra McGuire Mercer from Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, combining the new team’s regulatory expertise with the nationwide capabilities of the wider firm, namely in data privacy, to offer a wide range of services for clients. Heitmann heads the new practice and is active across the firm’s market entry, federal funding, enforcement proceedings, and product compliance work.  Augustino focusses his practice on Universal Service Fund contributions and Universal Service audits and investigations;  Guyan assists domestic and international telecoms service providers on compliance and licensing; and McGuire Mercer specializes in litigation, representing clients in FCC proceedings as well as state public utility commissions.

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

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is active in advising clients in investigations and compliance matters as well as in trials. The practice covers a wide range of white-collar issues, such as healthcare kickbacks, financial services fraud, and allegations of bribery and corruption. Bart Daniel, who splits his time between Columbia and Charleston, leads the team jointly with Miami-based Jon Sale, as well as Solomon Wisenberg, who is active in both Washington DC and Raleigh.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 5

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s practice is engaged by a host of providers, including senior living facilities and physician groups, for its capabilities in joint ventures, not-for profit tax matters, and FCA claims. Thomas Moran, who leads the team from South Carolina, is an experienced advisor to hospitals and physicians on healthcare M&A, employment agreements, and joint ventures, with a particular emphasis on acting for tax-exempt hospitals. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Gabriel Imperato has broad litigious expertise, often handling the development of compliance programs and qui tam actions. Patricia Markus bolsters the team in North Carolina with her knowledge of technology and data privacy; she routinely advises accountable care organizations and post-acute care facilities on health information exchange initiatives.

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

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is ‘extremely experienced on startups’  and offers a ‘practical and appropriate‘ pricing approach to its company clients. The nationwide team has key individuals throughout the country, including New York, Miami and Atlanta. Cross-border and Latin America-related work is an area of strength, with the ‘tremendous‘ Miami-based partner Leandro Molina offering ‘a deep understanding of emerging markets‘. Atlanta’s Paul Rothstein leads the team with New York’s Joe Daniels  (‘a trusted counsel, advisor and protector’).  Jackson Hwu in Miami has also built a prominent reputation and co-chairs the firm’s Latin America practice group.

Real estate Tier 5

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP offers multidisciplinary expertise across all areas of commercial real estate, with a particular focus on land acquisition and entitlement, development and construction, capital markets, lending, finance, and leasing. In the Boca Raton office, Jeffrey A. Deutch and Christopher Staller are ‘responsive, sophisticated, commercial, and detail oriented counsel‘ on all real estate transactions and leasing. In the same office, co-head David Itskovich ‘s practice concentrates on office buildings, market-rate apartments and affordable housing. Transactional lawyer and co-head Jo Thacker in Orlando is the go-to for land–use and zoning issues, intergovernmental coordination and planning, and public finance. Eric Klinger-Wilensky is the lead partner in Atlanta.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate