Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP > Houston, United States > Firm Profile

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

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

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP leads with its self-sustaining appellate model, which sees approximately two-thirds of its new work originate from existing appellate clients. The wider firm’s San Francisco headquarters is reflected in its appeals roster, which demonstrates a significant weighting towards cases in the technology and media sectors, while other practice strong suits include financial services, IP, life sciences, criminal law and constitutional litigation. In New York, department head Joshua Rosenkranz brings to bear top-level appellate experience gained during 200 arguments before state and federal appeal courts, including 20 before SCOTUS. Among his recent work, Rosenkranz successfully represented Kite Pharma in three defenses of a Federal Circuit win vacating a $1.2bn judgment. In a significant SCOTUS case, Washington DC’s Robert Loeb represented the City of Saint Louis in efforts to preserve its 8th Circuit win affirming the grant of summary judgment against a city employee who alleged that she was transferred for discriminatory reasons but failed to allege harm from the transfer. The Washington DC team also includes Mel Bostwick, who has a growing reputation for technology-related cases, particularly patent appeals before the Federal Circuit; Eric Shumsky, who is representing Oracle in a high-stakes appeal deciding whether the largest class action ever certified under California’s Equal Pay Act can proceed; and Mark Davies, who specializes in representing technology companies. Other key contacts include Elizabeth Moulton in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and senior associate Jeremy Peterman in Seattle.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

Providing high-level e-discovery advice in the tech space and assisting major multinational clients on high-stakes disputes are key strengths for Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. Washington DC-based Wendy Butler Curtis heads the practice and is an expert in information governance and class-action suits, with great experience in the pharmaceutical sector. Jeffrey McKenna from San Francisco counsels on cross-border investigations and acts as lead counsel in discovery and privacy matters in federal courts. In West Virginia, Logan Herlinger advises on information governance while DC-based Jay Williams is a seasoned litigator with deep experience in the financial sector. Senior manager Kelly Cullen provides support on all stages of discovery from the Wheeling office.

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

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s trial-ready team, which is centered in its East and West Coast offices, continues to pick up high-profile leadership roles in many large aggregated litigation proceedings defending matters involving exposure, toxic poisoning, drugs and disasters. It has developed a particularly strong reputation defending clients against asbestos-related mass tort claims, regularly acting as national coordinating and trial counsel for high-profile companies, helping to secure favorable results in courts throughout the country. Washington DC-based Anne Malik has been pivotal to much of this work, as has New York-based Peter Bicks, who was a key part of a team which was recently brought in by a leading cosmetics company to assist another law firm, which was acting as trial counsel in a case where it had previously looked likely that punitive damages would be awarded, ultimately helping it to secure a verdict much lower than was expected. Based in New York, James Stengel is noted for litigating, trying and resolving cases involving procedural and scientific complexity, including as it relates to PFAS exposure. He also continues to represent an independent exploration and production oil company as national co-ordinating counsel in claims by both government and private entities relating to climate change as a result of the production and sale of fossil fuel products. Based in Los Angeles and New York respectively, William Oxley and Meghan Kelly also regularly handle toxic tort matters in their roles as co-heads of the firm’s complex litigation and dispute resolution practice.  

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 1

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP assists a client base of investors and developers with their financing, equity investment and M&A strategies relating to some of the most prominent renewable projects in the United States. The practice continues to act on a high volume of transactions in the industry, both on buyer and seller sides, and has increasingly advised on tax incentives in renewable energy. The firm’s Houston office is a key location for the practice, housing co-leaders Blake Winburne and Dahl Thompson, both of whom are heavyweight transactional lawyers. Alongside them coordinating the practice is San Francisco-based Louise Gibbons, who is building a strong project finance and M&A practice in the energy space and is familiar with first-of-their-kind renewable projects. Also in San Francisco, Kristin Seeger is well-regarded counsel in platform, joint venture and portfolio transactions in the renewable space, and Eric Stephens assists developers with procuring equipment and services for all aspects of renewable energy projects. Mark Weitzel and Les Sherman are further senior figures to note on the West Coast. Tax equity expert John Eliason joined the Washington DC office in September 2023 from Greenberg Traurig LLP.

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 1

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s financial regulation specialists advise on the spectrum of consumer finance issues, ranging from mortgages and credit cards to innovative payment and digital asset systems. The practice is recognized in particular for its advice on fair lending regulations and is a popular choice for credit lenders facing enforcement actions brought by the DOJ, CFPB and HUD alleging discriminatory lending practices. Leadership of the group is split between Clinton Rockwell, a licensing and compliance specialist based in Santa Monica, and New York-based fintech specialist Daniel Forester. Washington DC’s Marshall Bell ‘offers unparalleled consumer regulatory compliance counseling,’ including on FCRA matters and Regulation Z, in addition to assisting firms seeking regulatory approval for transactions.

Finance > Fintech Tier 1

The ‘deep and versatile fintech practice’ Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP remains at the forefront of venture finance mandates and is well-regarded for its regulatory financial expertise. The team is jointly led by New York-based Daniel Forester and Clint Rockwell in Santa Monica, the latter of whom is a key port of call for auto lenders, banks, and securities broker-dealers on compliance and licensing. In Washington DC, Katy Ryan often advises on compliance matters pertaining to the SAFE Act and the FCA, while Santa Monica-based Josh Pollick is a key contact for technology companies and venture capital firms on corporate formations, M&A, as well as public offerings. In Silicon Valley, Joseph Perkins is noted for his virtual currency activity and is labelled as ‘at the top (of the) field’ by clients.

Finance > Project finance

The projects team at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP regularly handles the private and public sector side of complex, multi-faceted mandates, advising on landmark inner-city developments, pan-American and interstate infrastructure builds, and energy transition and digital asset ventures. Key marquee projects include acting for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority regarding New York City’s subway station redevelopment P3 programs, advising the developers on the PennDOT Pathways Major Bridge P3, and counselling the New York’s Department of Design and Construction on a variety of design and build contracts. These matters sit alongside an extensive book of early and late stage financing work that spans digital fiber roll outs, hospital builds, and toll-road developments, to name a few. On the energy front, the team is well-positioned to act on on a broad range of debt and equity financing structures for an enviable roster of lenders, borrowers and sponsors. Furthermore, the group boasts an impressive track record in the tax equity space, engaging with solar, wind and stand-alone battery storage facilities. Team lead Louise Gibbons is reputed for the depth of her expertise regarding renewables and energy transition assets, regularly overseeing project finance and tax equity transactions, whereas fellow practice heads Blake Winburne and Dahl Thompson spread their focus across M&A, joint ventures and financing, often working with private equity outfits and strategics. Young Lee and Daniel Mathews are the leading figures in the firm’s infrastructure practice and together are chiefly recognized for their formidable reputation in the P3 space, often acting on complex, consequential projects for an array of public and private parties. Adam Griffin is instructed by both energy developers and investment funds for their energy project financings, whereas Christopher Moore and Wolfram Pohl are critical to the team’s tax equity and tax credit transfer offering and as such as focused on energy transition work. Victoria Boyne combines experience in both fields to advise on debt and tax equity financings in the renewables space as well as serve a stellar client roster on infrastructure P3 projects, from traditional to more novel asset classes. Matthew Neuringer also utilizes specialisms in PPP and project finance to comprehensively advise on premium ventures, adding roads, rail, university social housing, and microgrids instructions, amongst others, to an already extensive book of work over the past twelve months. Thomas Glascock and John Donaleski provide further financing capabilities to a range of traditional and renewable energy builds, with the latter also often engaged with infrastructure projects. Ross McKinnon joined from Ashurst LLP in 2023 and brings P3 expertise, whereas John Eliason, who joined from Greenberg Traurig LLP in 2023, advises on hybrid deals. Vincent Casey left the firm to practice in-house at a government agency. Gibbons, Pohl, and Glascock operate out of San Francisco, while the rest are located in New York.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal Tier 1

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is focused on sovereign debt restructuring matters, standing out in particular for the firm’s central role in the $65bn Republic of Argentina debt restructuring, and also advises and assists an array of municipalities on restructuring debt and long-term liabilities. The practice continues to advise large financial institutions such as the Bank of Nova Scotia as well as advising several US cities on their out-of-court restructuring efforts. Situated in San Francisco, Marc Levinson has represented various California municipalities in their Chapter 9 cases, including the City of Vallejo and City of Stockton, while New York based Lorraine McGowen is experienced in representing bondholder committees. Thomas Laryea, based in Washington DC, is a standout name for his expertise in sovereign debt restructuring.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s team offers expertise in a broad range of ABS types, including esoterics and traditional. The firm advises on securitizations in the oil & gas, whole-business and automotive spaces. The addition of Orion Mountainspring and his team in November 2023 from Chapman and Cutler LLP has also strengthened its showing in credit card securitizations. With a ‘great knack for quickly understanding newer asset classes’, Robert Moyle leads the team, focusing on registered and unregistered securitization transactions for sellers, buyers and underwriters. Leah Sanzari stands out for her work on novel and esoteric assets, including tax liens and credits, diamond receivables as well as solar and wind ground leases. She also has a strong presence in relation to oil & gas securitizations. Michael Mitchell, located in Washington, DC, is a veteran consumer ABS lawyer with particular focus on credit card securitizations. Howard Goldwasser specializes in CLOs and CDOs, with insight into various jurisdictions risk retention rules. The team is based in New York, unless stated otherwise.

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 1

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

Championing ‘innovative ideas and approaches’, the Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP practice has extensive experience representing clients from across the tech, life sciences, and energy sectors, regularly handling strategic acquisitions, minority investments, and sales of equity interests. In addition to maintaining offices across the country, the team frequently leverages its firmwide international network to handle multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions. Leading from New York, David Ruff is an expert on majority investments and joint ventures, whilst the ‘incredible’ David Schwartz focuses on complex de-SPAC transactions. In Silicon Valley, Mark Seneca regularly represents unicorns and venture-backed companies, and Matthew Gemello is knowledgeable on public takeovers. In Washington DC, Tony Chan is a key contact regarding corporate governance affairs, San Francisco-based Leah Recht is a key contact for divestitures, and New York’s David Gold is also highly recommended.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 1

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is celebrated for delivering ‘high-quality advice and service’ to clients in the tech industry and their investors, with a notable presence in the AI sector, representing companies like MosaicML, Casetext, and Paperspace in their exit strategies. John Bautista, based in Silicon Valley, is highly esteemed for his work with high-tech and life sciences companies, covering securities law, venture capital financings, M&A, and IPOs. Co-leading the firm’s global technology companies group from Santa Monica, Josh Pollick specializes in representing venture capital clients and high-growth tech companies; he was recently involved in Dave’s $4bn public transition via a SPAC sponsored by Victory Park Capital. In San Francisco, Amanda Galton assists clients across the corporate lifecycle, from initial formation and financing rounds to IPOs and direct listings. Silicon Valley’s Stephen Venuto offers his expertise to clients in IT, AI, fintech, and media sectors.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 1

Praised by clients as ‘the absolute best in class when it comes to cyber response‘, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s cyber, privacy and data innovation team counsels clients through regulatory compliance, incident response, and litigation challenges. Practice head Shannon Yavorsky, based in San Francisco, is a go-to for international data transfer issues, and leads the firm’s AI working group. In Boston, Heather Egan heads the firm’s strategic advisory and government enforcement business unit, pairing technical breach response expertise with extensive knowledge surrounding global regulatory requirements. Seattle-based Aravind Swaminathan is recommended as ‘extremely pragmatic and business savvy‘, noted for his growing California Invasion of Privacy Act and state wiretap litigation prowess. In San Francisco, Michelle Vassar stands out for her ‘fantastic judgment’ in cybersecurity enforcement actions; Emily Tabatabai, in Washington DC, handles student and children’s data privacy, ‘a niche that few people know better‘. Also in DC, Thora Johnson‘s practice sits at the intersection of life sciences, health, and privacy, particularly in regards to growing technology use in healthcare spaces. The firm’s February 2023 merger with Buckley LLP adds Amanda Lawrence and Elizabeth McGinn to the team, both in DC, bolstering the team’s fintech expertise. Douglas Meal departed the team in December 2023.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is a go-to practice for disputes arising out of the financial services, technology and consumer products industries, representing the likes of Goldman Sachs and McDonald's in complex business litigation. Based out of New York and Los Angeles respectively, Meghan Kelly and William Oxley jointly chair the practice group. Oxley focuses on product liability, breach of contract, trademark, IP and business tort cases for some of the firm’s key clients, while Kelly has notable expertise in data privacy cases and class actions. Peter Bicks and Richard Jacobsen are other key points of contact within the practice group's New York office.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Rated for its excellence in the energy transition and renewable space, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP houses a deep bench of experienced advisors that focuses on M&A, joint ventures, first-of-its-kind power purchase agreements, and both investment and production tax equity transactions. The team works with many of the the top energy producers in the country such as Calpine and TotalEnergies, whilst also advising multinational corporations pursuing net zero and carbon negative goals such as Microsoft. Added to this, the firm continues to operate at the leading edge of battery storage developments and transactions. The trio of team heads includes Houston-based Blake Winburne, a seasoned practitioner who acts for both premium private equity firms and energy developers; Dahl Thompson, who also operates out of Houston and has been particularly active in the wind space; and Louise Gibbons, who leads from the firm’s San Francisco office and who has been active on equity transactions on some of the largest renewable developments in the country. Fellow San Francisco advisor Kristin Seeger‘s practice largely concentrates on M&A pertaining to renewables, while Giji John is instructed by the firm’s roster of financial sponsors for development, financing and transactional counsel and resides in Singapore. Houston’s Brad Gathright covers conventional and renewable asset deals with equal measure. Other names of note are Patrick Ferguson, who joined from Davis Wright Tremaine LLP in January 2023 to provide further regulatory capabilities to the practice, and Rohit Sachdev, who is well versed across the development and M&A piece. Both sit in the San Francisco office.  

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s Houston-based team is well-positioned in the market to advise a diverse client base that includes oil majors, multinational investment companies, and eminent financial institutions on a near-unrivaled series of assets that cover the entire oil and gas waterfront. While entrenched work in the oil and LNG space is evident through M&A engagement with upstream assets, gas gathering and storage facilities, and PPAs and securitizations involving leading oil producers, the firm’s evolving portfolio of work sits at the intersection between tradition, energy transition and technology transactions, and as such the group has advised on a variety of innovative carbon capture and hydrogen ventures, handling M&A through to the financing, development, IP and regulatory piece. Leading the practice from Houston, Blake Winburne is a highly experienced advisor who regularly handles big-ticket deals for leading private equity funds and global corporates, with particular expertise in the midstream space. Joe Roger, who stands out for his strong M&A background, is often retained by both independent exploration and production companies and state-owned multinationals in mandates involving project acquisitions and disposals, whereas Jonathan Ayre is crucial to the firm’s securitization work. Bradford Gathright has been active across gas gathering, CO2 storage, and plastic-waste-to-chemicals facilities, while Adam Kowis is also noted for his far-reaching practice, with strong activity in relation to CCUS, hydrogen, midstream and non-energy infrastructure projects. David Aaronson supports both the firm’s M&A and securitization mandates. New York’s Adam Griffin also comes recommended.

Industry focus > Native American law Tier 2

The team at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP routinely counsels tribal governments and enterprises across the country, as well as banks and financial institutions, on a range of corporate transactions. The group oversees the financing of crucial infrastructure for tribal communities, including the development of water systems, solar energy production and healthcare facilities, as well as infrastructure for commercial endeavors such as hotels and gaming facilities. Portland-based Townsend Hyatt steers the practice and has experience acting for tribes in multiple states on a variety of projects, such as financings for land acquisitions, cultural centers, and parks and recreation facilities. Also in Portland, David Lin is noted for his extensive experience in financings in the casino gaming and tech sectors. In New York, Richard Chirls has focused his practice on the tax aspects of public finance transactions.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 2

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a strong intellectual property group that handles patent infringement disputes for a broad range of clients across many industries, with a particular focus on representing major tech companies such as Sonos and Oracle and protecting the innovations of biotech companies. Leading the group, Clement Seth Roberts in San Francisco focuses on IP litigation and commercial cases relating to high tech, and Alyssa Caridis represents a broad range of tech clients in patent and copyright litigation. In Washington DC, trial lawyers Steven Routh primarily represents Japanese companies in IP litigation, and Vann Pearce has niche expertise in 3D printing matters. The group also includes Los Angeles lawyers David Gindler, who focuses on IP disputes and licensing matters, and Lauren Drake, who handles patent disputes and patent post-grant proceedings, as well as Jared Bobrow in Silicon Valley.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 2

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s trade secrets team has a strong reputation for its capabilities handling the gamut of high-stakes cases for its roster of clients, which includes such renowned names as Microsoft. Sheryl Garko in Boston is focused on high-stakes disputes in this space. Amy Van Zant in Silicon Valley has expertise spanning employment, data privacy and litigation, which she brings to bear. New York’s James McQuade has experience assisting clients from the broad array of industry sectors. Catherine Lui in San Francisco has expertise particularly both obtaining and defending against TRO’s and the handling of preliminary injunctions. The four head up the practice, the workload of which is composed in large part of complex cases of alleged misappropriation and theft of data, and breaches of contract involving such elements as temporary restraining orders against employees; the industry sectors its matters span range from maritime to medical tech and frequently involve high-value damages. Jordan Coyle departed to White & Case LLP in August 2023.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 2

Drawing on its bench strength across US, Europe, and the Asia Pacific regions, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is highly recommended for its significant experience in the International Trade Commission and before the TTAB. The practice is jointly-helmed by San Francisco’s Clement Seth Roberts and Los Angeles’s Alyssa Caridis, who contribute their extensive experience to the practice. In Boston, David Hosp has advised the most prominent media and technology companies in high-profile trademark litigations, and Mark Puzella has represented New Balance and a varied array of other notable clients before the courts. Sheryl Garko bolsters the practice with her considerable expertise covering a diverse range of technologies and the trademark issues surrounding them. Silicon Valley’s Diana Rutowski is noted for her ability to manage takedown campaigns that involve strategically locating trademark infringements online and developing an effective enforcement strategy, while San Francisco’s Nathan Shaffer is frequently retained by tech companies for assistance with high-stakes litigation.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 2

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s department houses a strong employment disputes offering which is equipped to handle class actions and claims involving harassment and discrimination, retaliation and wrongful termination, wage-and-hour, worker classification, and business immigration. Companies working in tech, private equity, and financial and professional services regularly feature on the group’s client roster. Julie Totten steers the practice from Sacramento and specializes in wage-and-hour class actions, pay equity and promotion matters, and wrongful termination issues. In Silicon Valley, names to note include seasoned defense litigator Lynne Hermle; Jessica Perry, who represents large tech companies and emerging unicorns alike in high-profile discrimination, harassment, and retaliation disputes; and Joseph Liburt, active on arbitrations and internal investigations. In New York, Mike Delikat and Lisa Lupion are noted for their internal investigations expertise, and Mark Thompson is the key senior associate-level contact. San Francisco-based Erin Connell's caseload includes multi-plaintiff discrimination cases and pay equity class actions.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 2

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 3

Peter Bicks, who works out of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s New York office, has worked on bet-the-company litigation with billions at stake throughout his career. Bicks has a diverse practice, encompassing litigious IP matters as well as complex commercial litigation, large scale mass tort disputes and product liability cases. Recent clients include large multinational companies, notably industry giants Johnson & Johnson and Avon, as way as a roster of many other major clients for whom he has notable victories.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 3

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP supports clients with a wide range of oil and gas related matters and is capable of representing them before the DOE for export authorization, obtaining certificates of public convenience, and negotiating development agreements in connection with LNG projects. Dahl Thompson counts project sponsors and developers as well as private equity investors among her client portfolio. Lisa Tonery represents high-profile clients who are active in the global LNG market on a wide range of regulatory matters, including in relation to complex pipeline projects and import facilities. Mariah Johnston is experienced in advising companies on securing permits and authorizations for major energy projects and regularly represents clients in proceedings before FERC, the DOE, and PHMSA. The entire team is located in New York.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 3

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP expertly guides clients through capital relief and fixed income matters, as well as structured products more broadly. It is also well-placed to support clients in tender options bonds programs. Robert Moyle is practice co-leader and is noted for his work supporting major investment banks in, among other things, bond-related structurings and issuances. Nikiforos Mathews, an expert in derivatives matters, employs his ‘excellent knowledge’ in relation to ISDA master agreements for virtual currencies and virtual power. Conversely, Al Sawyers is highly proficient in the structured products domain, advising on esoteric transactions, complex note issuances and bank capital relief. Orion Mountainspring joined the firm in November 2023, bringing his talents in the solar and fintech spaces to the practice. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 3

Specializing in representing banks, financial institutions, and alternative investment managers, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP  is heavily focused on insurance litigation, particularly handling intricate monoline insurance claims. Headquartered in San Francisco, insurance litigator Barry Levin leads the practice, bringing extensive first-chair experience in trial and arbitration. Levin has a noteworthy background in issues stemming from the financial crisis, particularly those related to mortgage-backed securities and lending practices. In Orange County, California, Khai LeQuang spearheads the practice’s efforts in the life settlements space, boasting a global reach and representing major institutional investors in a diverse range of litigation, including cost of insurance, and managing trials and appeals in state and federal courts.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 3

The copyright team at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP draws on the bench strength of its national footprint to represent major multinationals in tech, media, and telecoms involved in high-stakes litigation. Headed by IP group leader Clement Seth Roberts in San Francisco and IP business co-chair Alyssa Caridis in Los Angeles, the practice’s comprehensive offering covers preliminary injunctions and complex class action suits. In San Francisco, Annette Hurst provides experience in software disputes and challenges to the usage of generative AI for such clients as Microsoft. In Boston, seasoned litigator David Hosp acts for clients in tech and media. Robert Uriarte in Silicon Valley brings expertise to advising start-ups on security and internet law issues. Nathan Shaffer in San Francisco, who was a member of the trial team in Oracle v. Google, handles injunctions, and dispositive motion practice and damages determinations.

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

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a strong record of representing clients such as Sonos, Micron, and Realtek in Section 337 investigations and patent infringement disputes before the International Trade Commission, fielding particular expertise in intellectual property matters relating to the tech sector. Bas De Blank in Silicon Valley has experience litigating disputes relating to semiconductor processing and structures, image texture and graphics processing, and a diverse range of consumer products, among others. Clement Seth Roberts leads the intellectual property practice from San Francisco and focuses on high-tech IP and commercial disputes. In August 2023, Jordan Coyle left the firm. Josh Pond joined the group from Crowell & Moring LLP in February 2024.

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

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP is lauded for its ‘deep expertise’ in a broad spectrum of matters, including compensation governance, proxy disclosure, and financings, as well as high-stakes litigation, complex plan administration, and affordable care challenges. The team has a strong track record in managing the executive compensation aspects of SPAC mergers, as demonstrated by its involvement in COVA Acquisition Corp’s $3.8 billion merger with ECARX. Led by Juliano Banuelos from San Francisco, the department aids public and mature private companies in executive compensation, fiduciary duty, and governance matters. In New York, Laura Becking specializes in global equity compensation and human resources issues for international firms. Jason Flaherty in San Francisco and Christine McCarthy in Silicon Valley are key advisors on SPAC mergers, focusing on equity compensation and post-closing employee integration.

Real estate Tier 3

Described by one client as ‘organized and big-picture oriented’, the real estate team at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP advises private equity firms, developers, financial institutions, and others across a wide scope of transactions, financings, and joint ventures, together with the areas of construction and development. In addition to its experience that includes multifamily residentials, life sciences and energy-related real estate, the firm is particularly distinct for its strong emphasis in the hospitality sector, with considerable experience advising several high-end hotel operators such as The Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons. Heading the team out of Los Angeles, head Randolph Perry provides assistance on distressed situations, joint ventures, and transactions in hospitality, with Gerard Walsh also supporting in these key areas. Also in LA is Daniel Rothberg, who regularly advices on investors over the course of transactions. Operating from San Francisco, Michael Liever advises on transactions and financing throughout a plethora of commercial property including retail and industrial parks. In the same office, Jonathan Roheim is noted for his loan structuring expertise. Seattle’s Katherine Jones is particularly noted for her hotel transaction and hospitality expertise, while Denver and Los Angeles based lawyer Nicole Walsh brings specialisms in construction contracts among other areas.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

With a strong presence on both the East and West Coasts, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s transactional tax team has notable experience in a broad range of key sectors, including tech, life sciences, financial services, energy, and electronics, among others. Eric Wall in San Francisco, focusing on corporate and partnership taxation, is the global leader of the firm’s tax department. He is particularly active in the tech and life sciences spaces. John Narducci heads the New York tax team and is well known for handling the tax aspects of securities offerings, mergers, restructurings, and energy market transactions, among other matters. Peter Connors, also in New York, specializes in cross-border transactions generally, strong in the renewables sector, with niche expertise in matters concerning tax credits for carbon capture and sequestration. San Francisco’s SeoJung Park advises on private equity, M&A, and venture financings in the tech and life sciences industries, while senior associate Kimberly Loocke, also in San Francisco, focuses on corporate and real estate transactions as well as sales and use taxation.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 4

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 4

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 4

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP fields a regulatory practice that is well versed in FERC-related matters and regularly advises on the development of compliance programs, represents clients in proceedings and disputes, and assists with the regulatory aspects of transactions. In Houston, Dahl Thompson and Blake Winburne serve as heads of the wider energy practice of the firm, while Washington DC-based Adam Wenner and Cory Lankford are key contacts for advice on the whole lifecycle of energy projects. San Francisco’s Patrick Ferguson counts matters in the renewable energy space among his areas of expertise and primarily handles generation, transmission, and storage projects.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a sizeable capital markets team spread across both East and West Coast offices. Although perhaps better known for equity offerings, it does have decent deal flow on the debt side, particularly in convertible notes offerings. It has broad industry coverage and is especially known for technology and life sciences. San Francisco and Silicon Valley-based William Hughes leads the capital markets team, which includes Alice Hsu in New York and Brett Cooper in San Francisco.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP‘s focus on technology and life sciences has seen the firm work extensively in M&A, PIPE deals and SPAC deals. The firm has an excellent record in both issuer engagements and continues to represent a number of SPACs and companies involved in business combinations with SPACs. William Hughes leads the capital markets team from Silicon Valley and San Francisco with New York's Alice Hsu and Boston-based Albert Vanderlaan having strong reputations, while Seattle’s Jamie Evans is also a key member of the team.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 4

Fielding a ‘very strong team across the board,’ Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP advises across a range of issues in the life sciences, including disputes concerning patents and licensing and royalty deals, while also advising issuers, underwriters and investors on IPOs in the sector. Leading the team alongside each other are Stephen Thau, a New York and Silicon Valley-based specialist in life sciences M&A, licensing deals and strategic alliances, and Thora Johnson, who helps clients navigate regulatory challenges arising out of privacy issues and HIPAA, among others. ‘True advocate’ David Gindler is a patent litigation expert, tackling infringement and validity claims, while also assisting with the structuring of IP license agreements.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

Led by Raniero D’Aversa, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP represent lenders and investors in restructuring distressed life settlement and premium finance investment vehicles. The firm combines its expertise in bankruptcy, restructuring and litigation to provide a full service in areas including Chapter 11 matters. Laura Metzger is skilled in bankruptcy matters, while Lorraine McGowen is noted for being ‘an absolute class act in every way. Her expertise in bankruptcy and financial restructuring matters is second to none.’ Evan Hollander has expertise in cross-border restructurings. Every lawyer mentioned is based in New York.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 5

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP has a strong focus across the finance, technology, energy and infrastructure sectors for a global client base, where the private investment funds group primarily advises venture capital funds, including early stage and emerging sponsors, an area of expertise for practice head Dolph Hellman, who is based in San Francisco. Among the key practitioners are Washington DC-based Mary Wallace, who has expertise in co-investment structures and debt and equity transactions, while New York's Perry Teicher is well versed in fund formation matters and portfolio transactions. and Kenneth Rasamny in Orange County addresses regulatory matters for venture capital funds, private equity funds and debt funds.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration