Fintech Tier 1

Paul Hastings LLP is praised for its 'strong fintech practice in novel areas', bringing 'creative problem solving, quick understanding of business operations and deep relationships with relevant regulators'. The practice provides the full range of transactional, regulatory, IP, data privacy and litigation services to clients, which include major financial services companies, banks, fund investors, cryptocurrency platforms, and technology developers. The San Francisco office, where practice co-head Thomas Brown is based, is heavily tapped into the emerging and established technology ecosystem. The Atlanta office, which includes fellow co-head Chris Daniel, has strong relationships with payment processing and credit card companies. Other key partners include regulatory partner Behnam Dayanim and finance expert Rich Davis in Washington DC. In MArch 2020, Christopher Austin joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in New York.

M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

Real estate Tier 1

Capital markets: global offerings Tier 2

Paul Hastings LLP has a commanding presence in Latin America offerings, particularly Mexico-related deals, though more recently, the Latin America team has expanded its reach into Brazil. The Latin America team, led by the hugely experienced Michael Fitzgerald, has been a dominant force in Mexico for many years, drawing on Fitzgerald's excellent investment bank relationships and an ever-growing number of corporate issuer clients. The core group, which includes Joy Gallup and Arturo Carrillo, is also noted for its high-yield debt experience with Latin America issuers, while Cathleen McLaughlin is a leader in high-yield debt, infrastructure bonds and hybrid financings. The firm has sought to expand its capital markets group with the additions of a series of senior names, including co-head of the global securities and capital markets group Frank Lopez, who joined the firm in 2019, and is also recommended for Latin America offerings.

Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense Tier 2

The team at Paul Hastings LLP has a strong track record in class actions, trials, arbitration proceedings and complex litigation. It can showcase experience in discrimination, sexual harassment, employee testing and whistleblower cases as well as wage and hour disputes, and government agency investigations. Practice head Elena Baca is based in Los Angeles and regularly defends prominent corporations in class actions, and Barbara Brown in Washington DC is an expert in all kinds of discrimination. Patrick Shea in New York has longstanding experience in the field, while Kenneth Willner combines contentious and compliance expertise and Carson Sullivan is knowledgeable in trade secrets and restrictive covenants; both are based in Washington DC. Other key contacts include Zach Hutton and Jeffrey Wohl in San Francisco, New York's Kenneth Gage and associate Sara Tomezsko, and Felicia Davis, Nancy Abell and Cameron Fox in Los Angeles. While Bradford Newman departed for Baker McKenzie LLP in April 2020, former Ropes & Gray LLP partner Jeffrey Webb joined the group in Los Angeles a month later.

Land use/zoning Tier 2

Focusing on choice, innovative projects, the land use practice at Paul Hastings LLP is an integral part of the firm's wider real estate team. Related Company's development of a closed municipal landfill is a recent example of first-of-its-kind work handled by the team at a state level; that matter is led by Gordon Hart and Deborah Schmall from the San Francisco office. The practice is jointly headed from Los Angeles by Jeffrey Haber, who advises on issues relating to landmark public buildings, hospitals and other types of large-scale developments, and Mitchell Menzer, a counsel to investors and developers on all aspects of major developments, including luxury hotels and corporate headquarters.

Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 2

Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

Paul Hastings LLP is among the market leaders for CLO work, advising arrangers, collateral managers, lenders, borrowers and investors on a litany of transactions each year. The group has significant experience across the spectrum of asset classes in structured credit transactions. Washington DC-based group leader Scott Faga is a CLO specialist with a strong regulatory practice. In New York, Eugene Ferrer has an impressive client list including major financial institutions, which he advises on myriad structured products and securitizations. Also recommended in New York is Nicole Skalla, who has expertise in CLO/CDO transactions, and also has handles the securitization of middle-market loans.

Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 2

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

The 'client-focused’ Paul Hastings LLP practice ‘delivers high-quality and good-value work'. The team specializes in issues arising when employees leave under circumstances suggesting or establishing misappropriation and when business organizations separate. The full-service firm has expertise in employment, patent, white collar and cybersecurity mandates and litigation, as well as experience in confidential verification alternatives to litigation. Technology cases, in the US and abroad, are a particular forte for the group. New York-based Victoria Cundiff is chair of the global trade secrets practice and is ‘one of the leading trade secret lawyers in the country’. She co-leads the team with Jennifer Baldocchi in Los Angeles, who is chair of the firm’s international employee mobility and trade secrets practice.

US taxes: non-contentious Tier 2

With a robust, partner-led presence on both coasts (in addition to major centers like Houston and Chicago), Paul Hastings LLP’s tax team leverages its broad regional footprint to act on large-scale tax mandates for leading multinational corporations, asset managers and financial institutions. Leading the group from New York is Joseph Opich, well-versed in the planning, structuring and transitional aspects of myriad transactions, and a go-to tax counsel for many of the largest CLO arrangers in the market. On the West Coast, Douglas Schaaf is recommended for his expertise in financial instruments and debt issuances. Greg Nelson, chair of the Houston office, concentrates on the tax aspects of MLPs and energy sector deals, while Chicago-based Ziemowit Smulkowski is recommended for private equity transactions.

Workplace and employment counseling Tier 2

Paul Hastings LLP stands out for being 'responsive, thoughtful, and creative in its approach'. Led by Elena Baca in Los Angeles, the team has expertise in regulatory compliance work, audits, investigations, employment agreements and policy drafting as well as advising on the employment aspects of M&A transactions and restructurings. The group's client roster includes names from the financial services, health care, and TMT sectors. With offices on both coasts, Barbara Brown, Kenneth Willner and Carson Sullivan are key names in Washington DC and the team of dedicated practitioners in New York includes the experienced Marc Bernstein, Patrick Shea and discrimination expert Kenneth Gage. Nancy Abell and Leslie Abbott are key contacts in the Los Angeles office, which was reinforced with the arrival of Jeffrey Webb from Ropes & Gray LLP in May 2020. Bradford Newman left for Baker McKenzie LLP in April 2020.

Alternative/hedge funds Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP is particularly notable for its presence in California, where it acts for several of the most prominent West Coast funds, including Rimrock Capital Management and Dalton Investments, among others. Practice head Art Zwickel handles a wide range of fund formation mandates including funds-of-one, long-short funds, and activist investments. Yousuf Dhamee is another key figure within the team, maintaining a strong sponsor practice in addition to handling investor-side work for large clients such as pension complexes and sovereign wealth funds. On the East Coast, Ira Kustin handles a wide range of work from the New York office, and is particularly involved in cross-border matters that make use of the firm’s international network. All lawyers are based in Los Angeles unless otherwise stated.

Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP has made substantial steps in developing its ECM practice over the last few years, bringing in a series of senior names that have added additional credibility to an already highly rated team. While corporate relationships have naturally expanded, the firm has also seen significant growth in underwriter engagements, acting for most of the top investment banks in this space. Moreover, the firm is a market leader in capital markets offerings from Mexico, thanks to the experience of seasoned New York partner Michael Fitzgerald. Frank Lopez co-heads the global securities and capital markets practice from New York, where he represents major underwriters and private equity sponsors in IPOs and secondary offerings. San Diego's Teri O’Brien jointly leads the team alongside Lopez. Christopher Austin joined the New York group from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in 2020, and is noted for tech and fintech transactions. Jeff Hartlin and Jonathan Ko are key names in Palo Alto and Los Angeles, respectively.

Energy regulation: conventional power Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP has deep expertise in regulatory issues associated with the development and financing of natural gas generation projects, and renewables projects covering wind and solar, among others. The team is also noted for its record in FERC litigation, an area where practice head William DeGrandis is a key contact. Based in Washington DC, DeGrandis is particularly active in transmission and interconnection cases, and also has experience of energy storage matters and project development. Peter Weiner in San Francisco leads the California energy team. Senior associate Jenna McGrath (also in DC) is recommended on the more junior end of the practice group.

Environment: regulatory Tier 3

The environment team at Paul Hastings LLP is particularly proficient in matters concerning brownfield redevelopments on remediated federal Superfund sites, and solar energy facility permitting. Based in San Francisco, the practice is led by Peter Weiner, who focuses on policy and regulatory matters in the renewable energy sector. Other names to note include Deborah Schmall, whose areas of expertise cut across solid waste and hazardous materials; permitting and enforcement specialist Gordon Hart; and Jill Yung, who specializes in permitting and compliance issues. The team has expanded its ranks with the additions of Chris Carr and Navi Dhillon, who joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. in October 2020. Carr has more than two decades of experience securing controversial regulatory approvals for energy, infrastructure and natural resources development projects; and Dhillon specializes in environmental litigation.

Financial services litigation Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP's civil litigation team handles complex, long-running disputes, with a particular focus on antitrust and securities litigation. The team acts at both the state and federal level, and recently represented Barclays in separate class actions accusing the bank of violations of federal and New York state law related to alleged anti-competitive practices in the SSA bond market. In addition to civil litigation, the practice is involved in investigations and enforcement actions brought by the SEC, FINRA, DOJ, and FCA. Global head of litigation Barry Sher and Anthony Antonelli lead on the Barclays cases, while Kenneth Breen and John Nowak from the firm's white-collar crime team are names to note for investigations and enforcement matters. Michael Levy left for Mayer Brown in February 2020.

General commercial disputes Tier 3

With notable strength in key sectors such as healthcare, financial services and technology, Paul Hastings LLP is frequently engaged in consumer class actions, international supply chain disputes and securities litigation. It is also well known for its expertise in IP, real estate and restructuring and insolvency-related litigation. Global chair Barry Sher is recommended for his track record in financial services litigation. Sher has been defending Barclays Bank in a number of extremely high-value disputes, including a case involving allegations of price-fixing. Fellow practice head Kurt Hansson has a broad commercial disputes practice, acting for major clients such as GSK and General Electric.

Healthcare: life sciences Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP substantially expanded its service offering with the launch of an FDA practice—marked by the arrivals of Nathan Sheers and Peter Lindsay from Sidley Austin LLP—and the establishment of a life sciences consulting group led by BJ D’Avella, which focuses on commercial strategies, R&D operations and compliance. FDA regulatory and compliance work is a core focus, and contacts in this regard include global chair Gary Giampetruzzi, and Houston-based Jane Yoon and Joy Dowdle. On the IP litigation front, Bruce Wexler and Eric Dittmann recently represented Boehringer Ingelheim in connection with two inter partes reviews before the PTAB resulting in the invalidation of all claims of a key patent covering the most widely used indication for AbbVie’s immunosuppressive drug Humira®. All partners are based in New York.

International tax Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP’s international tax group leads on inbound transactions from Canada, India and jurisdictions across EMEA. Chicago-based Ziemowit Smulkowski leads the way on private equity-backed investments, while practice head Joseph Opich and David Masko in the New York office tackle securitizations, REITS, restructurings and M&A transactions. Stand-out West Coast partners include Orange County-based Douglas Schaaf and Thomas Wisialowski in Palo Alto, who are retained by tech investors for cross-border tax planning. Wisialowski also represents numerous non-US sovereign wealth funds in inbound investment activity. The group has also witnessed an uptick in repatriation planning of late.

M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

Clients appreciate the 'responsiveness and accessibility' of the litigation practice at Paul Hastings LLP. The firm not only has a long track record of success in the Delaware Chancery Court, but also handles high-stakes M&A litigation across the US, thanks in part to its large national litigation practice that has significant capabilities on both the East Coast and the West Coast. Barry Sher in New York and global chair of securities litigation Peter Stone in Palo Alto are the lead partners. The firm has a prominent role in the California market, where Stone is frequently involved in disputes in the technology sector. He is representing a former director of M&A for HP in several matters concerning the company's $7bn acquisition of Autonomy. Samuel Cooper in Houston is noted for successfully representing companies in the energy sector.

Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP is active across the full range of registered fund products, providing advice on mutual funds, close-end funds, ETFs, and BDCs. Michael Rosella is particularly notable for his work with unit investment trusts, recently advising Morgan Stanley on a wide range of issues, including distribution and product design issues. Rosella also heads up the practice group, and handles a wide array of matters, including regulatory work, having recently advised RBB Funds on securing SEC clearance for the hiring of a new marketing lead, where there were concerns about joint participation under the 1940 Act. Vadim Avdeychik is recommended for fund transactions, and assisted Allianz Global Investors in the sale and transfer of its registered funds outfit to Virtus. The firm also has a presence on the West Coast, where San Francisco-based David Hearth is a contact for investment companies, advisers, and broker-dealers.

Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP is particularly strong in international funds work, frequently collaborating with the firm’s global office network to handle multi-jurisdictional matters involving Europe and Asia. The firm is generally instructed by sponsors in relation to the structuring, formation, and operation of a wide range of funds including buyout, distressed and mezzanine debt, venture capital, energy and infrastructure, among others. The team is especially notable for its record with real estate funds. Of recent note, New York-based practice head Joshua Sternoff acted on behalf of AEW Capital Management in connection with AEW Value Investors Asia IV, a Luxembourg-based fund formed to invest in real estate across Asia and the Pacific, targeting $1.2bn. The firm also has an active investor-side practice, which advises pension funds, sovereign wealth, and other financial institutions in a range of matters. Other key figures in the team include Los Angeles-based pair Yousuf Dhamee and Siobhan McBreen Burke, both  of whom advise sponsors, managers, and investors on a wide range of matters; and Lawrence Hass in New York, who focuses on fund formation, especially in the real estate sector.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP has significant capabilities on both the East and West Coasts, as well as in key centers such as Houston and Chicago. The firm’s New York group is frequently engaged in high-end securities litigation matters involving investment banks, as well as SEC investigations. The partners in California are also active in securities fraud cases, regulatory investigations and criminal matters. Peter Stone in Palo Alto and Kevin Broughel in New York lead a team of 13 'super-smart, hardworking and efficient' partners. Also recommended in New York are global chair of litigation Barry Sher, who secured the dismissal of a class action concerning the SSA bond market for Barclays Bank, and experienced partner Kevin Logue. Clients also recommend Samuel Cooper in Houston, 'a bona fide superstar, with deep substantive knowledge and trial experience'.

Telecoms and broadcast: transactions Tier 3

Transport: aviation and air travel - litigation and regulation Tier 3

Paul Hastings LLP's experienced aviation litigation team consistently acts as lead counsel to corporate clients facing high-stakes litigation relating to airline disasters. The aviation litigation practice is led by Sheila Sundvall, who has extensive experience in representing commercial airlines, manufacturers, aircraft lessors and other defendants in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Based in the firm's Chicago office, Sundvall has been lead counsel in major airline accident litigation for General Electric Company for over three decades.

Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP's efforts to expand its capital markets department in recent years have paid considerable dividends. The firm has become considerably more active in US debt offerings, while its eminent Latin America practice, led by the seasoned Michael Fitzgerald, continues to dominate the Mexico market and is building its reputation in other jurisdictions. The firm represents almost all the key investment banks that operate in the market and has strong connections to public company issuers and private equity sponsors. San Diego partner Teri O’Brien co-heads the global securities and capital markets practice, covering a variety of debt products including convertibles. Cathleen McLaughlin is a key figure in energy and infrastructure-related financings in Latin America. Arturo Carrillo and Joy Gallup are also core members of the Latin America group.

Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP's growing team has landed a number of important relationships with investment banks, private equity sponsors and repeat corporate issuers. The core team works closely with the firm's highly regarded leveraged finance group. It is also at the forefront of Latin America and Caribbean offerings, particularly those from Mexico, thanks in part to the experience of Michael Fitzgerald and Cathleen McLaughlin. New York-based Frank Lopez is co-head of the capital markets group and a partner in the leveraged finance team; since joining the firm in 2019, he has advised on a series of headline high-yield offerings for underwriters and issuers. Also recommended in New York is John Cobb, who has extensive experience of leveraged finance and high-yield debt.

Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 4

Headed by Stephen Harris out of the Los Angeles office, Paul Hastings LLP’s practice group acts for an impressive client roster of financial institutions and global corporations, advising on a broad range of compensation and benefits matters. Recent highlights included assisting private equity company Francisco Partners with its $4.3bn acquisition of cloud services company LogMeIn; Dan Stellenberg led on this matter from the Palo Alto office. Washington DC-based Eric Keller assists C-suite clients with executive compensation issues.

Environment: transactional Tier 4

The environment team at Paul Hastings LLP is a popular destination among financial institutions, major corporations, private equity and real estate funds involved in nationwide and cross-border transactions. In addition to its established track record in assisting Asian investors navigate US environmental liability concerns, the practice has recently handled several matters relating to Latin American project finance deals. Washington DC-based practice head Tom Mounteer is well versed in assisting with business-critical environmental issues associated with M&A, financing and capital markets deals.

International arbitration Tier 4

The Washington DC-based arbitration group at Paul Hastings LLP is adept at handling both commercial and investment arbitral matters under a wide array of arbitration rules. The department’s recent international commercial arbitration work stands out in the pharmaceutical and property sectors, where it acts on a cross-departmental basis alongside the firm’s IP and real estate teams. Other sectors of focus include technology, manufacturing, and financial services, among others. Practice head Joseph Profaizer is qualified in the US and the UK, and counts high-profile names the like of AIG and Mitsubishi Tanabe among his clients. Igor Timofeyev is also a key advisor for matters involving free trade agreements and investment treaties.

International trade Tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP’ global trade controls group is among the top performers in the field of export controls and sanctions. The team assists clients with matters involving all relevant enforcement agencies; Robert Luskin and Kwame Manley are noted for their recent work on OFAC investigations. The practice also maintains a very busy CFIUS practice, which is partially a reflection of the outstanding reputation of department head Scott Flicker in this field (‘he is tremendously responsive and gives clear, simple and business-minded advice’). Also in the CFIUS and sanctions space, the group acts for a mix of Chinese technology companies and leverages the firm’s capabilities in the Hong Kong office. Behnam Dayanim counts large Chinese tech companies such as Xiaomi among his clients.

Merger control Tier 4

Paul Hastings LLP handles domestic and global merger control proceedings before the DOJ and FTC, fielding a team that includes former US government attorneys and international competition specialists. Thomas Brown heads the antitrust group from San Francisco, while Washington DC-based counsel Michael Wise is a leading figure in Hart-Scott-Rodino filings and regulatory investigations.

Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 4

Private equity buyouts Tier 4

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

The practice at Paul Hastings LLP has recently focused on expanding its presence across the US, which it has accomplished in part through the addition of respected practitioners Justin Rawlins and James Grogan to the California and Texas offices, respectively. Rawlins, a contact for lender-side representations, joined from Winston & Strawn LLP in February 2020, while Grogan, who has experience acting for clients in the energy and natural resources space, joined from Blank Rome LLP in April 2020. They join an established national group, which includes Chicago-based lawyers Chris Dickerson and Matt Murphy, and highly recommended practitioner Luc Despins in New York. DIP and exit financing transactions are an area of particular strength for the firm.

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

Paul Hastings LLP is well positioned to act for clients in patent appeals at the Federal Circuit, where the team enjoys a consistently strong track record in proceedings at all stages; in this respect, the firm is a top destination preferred by technology and healthcare sector companies. The department also focuses on assisting trade and other business associations with presenting positions as amicus curiae in various appellate courts. Stephen Kinnaird chairs the group, where other key figures include IP practice co-chair Yar Chaikovsky (Palo Alto), IP practice vice-chair Naveen Modi, and Joseph Palys.

Commercial lending

Paul Hastings LLP acts for lenders and borrowers across a full range of debt finance transactions, though the team stands out in particular for its expertise in cross-border leveraged deals and asset-based lending. During 2020, the firm has been busy on the borrower side, assisting companies with amending existing credit facilities or securing new financing in order to survive the economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The New York office is home to many of the department's key partners, including joint practice heads Jennifer Yount, Michael Baker and John Cobb, though the offices in Orange County, Los Angeles and Houston all house experienced team members. Maureen Sweeney left the firm in October 2020 to take up an in-house position.

Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Paul Hastings LLP focuses on high-profile international FCPA and anti-corruption investigations, and is well versed in handling enforcement actions brought by the DOJ and SEC. The team has noteworthy experience in compliance matters in the life sciences industry, and is increasingly active in privacy and data security matters. Kwame Manley leads the practice and has a wealth of experience in white-collar criminal defense, internal corporate investigations, and high-stakes civil litigation. Robert Luskin is recommended for multi-jurisdictional investigations and is noted in particular for his representation of high-profile individual clients. Nathan Sheers and Peter Lindsay joined from Sidley Austin LLP in August 2020. In February 2020, Jane Yoon and Phara Guberman were promoted to partner in New York, and Michael Levy left for Mayer Brown. All named attorneys based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Project finance

Paul Hastings LLP has advised on projects ranging from renewable energy to non-energy infrastructure developments such as airports and roads. Robert Kartheiser leads the group from New York and is a member of the firm's Latin America practice. Washington DC-based William DeGrandis is a contact for renewable energy sponsors.