Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

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

A team particularly accomplished in the technology, media, energy and financial services sectors, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP is instructed on an array of corporate transactions. On the East Coast, New York-based Jeffrey Delaney serves as global practice group leader and is supported by co-leader Jonathan Russo, who complements his transactional expertise with venture capital financing, securities, SEC disclosure and corporate governance knowhow. Over on the West Coast, Justin Hovey co-chairs the group, serving a variety of entrepreneur, investor, social media, online advertising, video game and esports clients from the San Francisco office.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 1

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP stands out for its work handling outsourcing transactions for companies in highly regulated sectors, with a particular focus on healthcare and financial services. The firm’s work in the financial services sector includes handling deals involving artificial intelligence, while in the healthcare space it has acted on a number of deals related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team is also engaged in the outsourcing aspects of M&A. The practice is jointly led by Aaron Oser and Mario Dottori in Washington DC, and Vipul Nishawala in New York. Meighan O’Reardon is another key figure in DC, with experience acting for financial services and retail clients, and Elizabeth Zimmer in Austin advises both Texas and New York-based clients in deals with prominent technology vendors.

Government > Government contracts Tier 2

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is praised by clients for it’s ‘efficiency, excellence, and availability’ across government contracting and disputes matters. The practice spans both US coasts, offering a nationwide contracts practice adept at all stages of the public procurement process. Bid protest claims, terminations, suspensions and debarments are where the team excels, as well as government contract M&A, where the team has led several high-profile deals. The team is co-led by corporate transactions expert John Jensen and claims work specialist Michael Rizzo, based in Northern Virginia and Los Angeles respectively. Los Angeles based Alex Tomaszczuk is also highly recommended, and notable for his bid protest and contract claims work. Marques Peterson is based in Washington DC and is the main contact for international government contracting within the defense sector. Todd Canni is also notable for his suspension and debarment practice. Alexander B. Ginsberg left the firm in February 2022.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 2

At the forefront of the energy transition to a low-carbon economy, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP guides clients in an array of transactional matters involving offshore wind, energy storage, solar power and hydrogen. In fact, it was one of the first global law firm to launch a group dedicated to the development of hydrogen projects worldwide. Renewable energy M&A and project financings for electric power generating facilities in Texas and California are core areas of activity for the team, which is also often engaged in sector-related regulatory matters. Mona Dajani in New York has led numerous financings and project development transactions involving solar, wind, hydrogen, hydroelectric, geothermal, biomass, waste to energy and Net Zero disruptive technology. She manages the practice with Robert James , who splits his time between San Francisco and Houston. Also in New York, Shellka Arora-Cox offers legal support to private equity investors, sponsors, developers, lenders and contractors in renewable energy matters throughout the US and abroad. Based in Los Angeles, Jorge Medina specializes in the tax aspects of renewable energy investments and financing transactions.

Industry focus > Insurance: advice to policyholders Tier 2

The ‘top notch‘ practice at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP provides insurance advice to policyholders as well as representing clients from the earliest stages of policy language negotiations, through to trials and appeals. The team, which boasts significant cross-border experience, has handled a range of complex matters from high-volume pollution claims over construction-related claims to Covid-19-related business interruption and event cancelation matters. Peter Gillon in Washington DC, an experienced practitioner, and seasoned litigator Robert Wallan in the Los Angeles office head up the practice together. New York-based Joseph Jean ‘gets results‘ for some of the practice’s top clients in matters related to large catastrophic property and business interruption losses.

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - litigation and regulation Tier 2

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s broad team routinely represents major airlines in the US and around the world. The ‘very responsive, knowledgeable and trustworthy‘ regulatory practice covers administrative adjudications, enforcements, litigation, aircraft leasing, and airline safety and certification matters. The group also assists with accident investigations and employment matters, and has a robust unmanned aircraft systems  offering. Co-head Charles Donley has enviable experience in aviation licensing, enforcement and operating matters, and fellow co-head Josh Romanow acts for airlines from Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East, as well as global travel companies. In Los Angeles, Thomas Liu represents aviation clients in labor and employment litigation, while special counsel Laura Jennings Ochoa also has extensive aviation and airline experience. All named lawyers are based in the Washington DC office unless otherwise mentioned.

International Trade > International trade Tier 3

The 'collaborative team' at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is appreciated by clients for providing 'big picture understanding as well as specialized advice'. The group strikes a balance between trade litigation and regulatory matters, with activity in trade remedies, export control and sanctions, CFIUS-related issues and WTO disputes. Experienced across all industry areas, the wider firm's nuclear prowess ensures it is particularly sought after by foreign and domestic clients looking for advice on nuclear-specific trade matters. Department co-chair Nancy Fischer stands out for the breadth of her practice: one source describes her as 'a go-to source' for CFIUS issues and she also advises on trade remedies, trade policy matters, export controls and economic sanctions. Stephan Becker is 'well versed in the intricacies of the US trade remedy regime' — he additionally handles export controls and economic sanctions. The group also includes senior export control and sanctions specialist Christopher Wall, Aaron Hutman ('thorough knowledge of the law') as well as counsels Matthew Rabinowitz and Benjamin Cote.

Finance > Project finance

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is prolific in the renewables space, where it assists both lenders and sponsors with projects relating to hydrogen, offshore wind, solar energy and battery storage. In addition, the firm has a niche in energy M&A and project financings for electric power generating facilities in California and Texas, two states in which the firm has an established presence. Robert James , as leader of the San Francisco practice, is a key name in this regard, while he also spends time in the Houston office. Mona Dajani co-leads the energy and instrastrucutre practice from New York and is experienced in sustainable finance and ESG-linked facilities. The firm’s ranked were bolstered in September 2021 by the arrival of Veronica Relea from Latham & Watkins LLP.

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 3

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP offers comprehensive advice in the fields of environmental and natural resources litigation matters to an array of market-leading and transformative businesses across all industrial and energy segments. Recently, the team, which couples trial capability with deep environmental experience, has been involved in several matters involving the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Furthermore, the practice undertakes works involving all major federal and state environmental laws, and handles contentious matters concerning air and water issues, waste management, emerging chemicals, toxic torts, Superfund and endangered species. Mark Elliott in Los Angeles is skilled in environmental litigation at the state and federal levels, including cases involving Superfund sites, Proposition 65, and the Clean Water Act. Based in San Francisco, Margaret Rosegay  is a leading attorney in California, who is recommended for hazardous waste permitting, RCRA and site remediation. They jointly chair the group with Houston-based Amanda Halter, who oversees the crisis management team, and Jeffrey Knight in Washington DC.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 3

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP advises clients from virtually every segment of the industrial and energy sectors on the entire spectrum of environmental regulatory matters. The department is regularly called to assist with enforcement actions, compliance and legislative matters, project siting, development and site remediation. Lately, the team, which enjoys a strong reputation in the climate change field, has been involved in several mandates involving the State Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and has expanded its representation of specialty chemical companies in connection with enforcement proceedings, governmental investigations and corporate governance issues. Clients also benefit from the firm's wide geographical footprint across the US. The practice is jointly led by Jeffrey Knight in Washington DC, Amanda Halter in Houston, Mark Elliott in Los Angeles and Margaret Rosegay  in San Francisco. Elliott has a multifaceted environmental practice spanning hazardous materials, soil, water, and air quality regulations, while Rosegay is particularly sought after by oil and gas exploration and production operators. Sitting in Washington DC, Sheila McCafferty Harvey  is a name to note for climate change and sustainability matters. The department grew in March 2021 with the addition of partner Anne Austin, who joined the DC and Houston offices as a nationally recognized environmental lawyer who has held several high-profile federal and state regulatory roles. She was previously at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - finance Tier 3

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s ‘strong‘ and ‘very responsive‘ aviation practice routinely acts for financial institutions, leasing companies, airlines, manufacturers and export credit agencies. It is particularly noted for both its bank-side work and lessor finance practice. Firm-wide global finance leader, Mark Lessard, regularly advises on cross-border, asset-backed financings, while Melissa Jones-Prus assists with the financing and leasing of aircraft and other aviation assets. In Los Angeles, Richard Evans focuses on finance and leasing transactions involving commercial aircraft and private jets. Pat Reisinger is a key counsel. The practitioners mentioned are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

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

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has an active emerging companies practice that is particularly busy on the company side. Issuer clients come from across a wide variety of sectors including fintech, big data and security, AI, autonomous vehicles, semiconductors and healthtech. The firm has a long track record for helping emerging companies to unicorn status and beyond. More recently it has made a push towards assisting businesses from underrepresented communities, and established the Black-Owned Startup Support Lab in late 2020, which has provided free advice to over 30 startups since its inception. The highly experienced Stanley Pierson leads the emerging growth and venture capital group from Silicon Valley. Other key members include Ronald Fleming, who leads the New York side of the practice, San Francisco-based M&A co-chair Justin Hovey, San Diego partner Christian Salaman, Silicon Valley’s Allison Leopold Tilley and Jorge del Calvo, and Steven Kaplan in Washington DC.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 3

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has a top tier outsourcing practice that also has extremely good credentials for broader technology transactions and related service agreements. Clients include major end-users operating across several key sectors including health insurance, banking, credit cards, retail, and technology. Clients appreciate the firm’s ‘unique team approach‘ and its ‘capabilities across all areas of outsourcing – complex technology, employee and HR matters, data privacy, GDPR‘. Washington DC-based partner Aaron Oser leads the ‘incredible‘ team, which includes fellow DC partner Mario Dottori, and Austin’s Elizabeth Zimmer, who is noted for her ‘first-class client service,‘ and John Barton  (‘makes you feel like you are his only client’). Other key individuals include Vipul Nishawala in New York and Silicon Valley’s Shaalu Mehra, who stands out for his market-leading IP licensing expertise.

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

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP works with a diverse range of high-profile tech and telecoms clients, handling regulatory issues relating to television and radio broadcasting, fixed and mobile satellite communication, mobile broadband, and VoIP, among others. Alongside key corporate clients such as Sinclair and Grupo Televisa, the firm also acts for organisations such as Voice on the Net Coalition and National Alliance of State Broadcasters Association on legislative developments and on thought leadership issues at the intersection of media law and other areas. Based out of Washington DC, the team is led by Glenn Richards , a specialist in communications regulation and IP issues, alongside media head Scott Flick , a key advisor to major networks and media groups. Miles Mason is also a key name television and radio industry work, advising Sinclair on a number of transactional and regulatory matters, while counsel Jessica Nyman has represented clients in regulatory matters before the FCC, Department of Labor, and state and federal courts.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 3

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP fields a construction counseling and dispute resolution practice with a strong country-wide record in assisting with fiercely contested, critical and high-value disputes. The group is represented across the firm’s Washington DC, San Francisco and Houston offices and its portfolio of matters span the country and also include a number of projects abroad. Clark Thiel coordinates the global construction group from the San Francisco office, while in Washington DC, construction group vice-chair Melissa Lesmes focuses her practice on complex construction claims and insurance coverage disputes. Charles Conrad is based in Houston and has recently acted in contentious matters regarding multi-billion dollar projects and together with Thiel and Lesmes makes up the leadership team. In San Francisco, John Heisse is a renowned figure in the market, assisting global developers, builders, owners and designers with every phase of complex public and private construction; and Robert James comes with client recommendation as ‘a very experienced and knowledgeable attorney in design, construction and real estate issues‘.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s antitrust and competition practice group represents clients in matters such as price-fixing investigations, follow-on class action, and direct action litigation with a sector focus in energy, telecoms, and electronics, among others. Roxane Polidora leads the team from San Francisco, focusing on cartel cases in a variety of industries. Also located on the West Coast are unfair competition expert Jacob Sorensen and Andrew Lanphere, whose portfolio includes healthcare and real estate matters. Antitrust and securities litigation are strong suits of San Francisco-based Laura Hurtado, while Michael Sibarium in Washington DC is sought after by both the public and private sectors.

Government > Government relations Tier 4

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s bipartisan public policy team combine substantive expertise with impressive high-level relationships with congresspeople, federal agencies, and the White House. Recent instructions for the team include representation and advice for clients in the telecommunications, financial services, cyber security, and energy/environment industries. The offering is broad-based, with expertise in federal and state lobbying, and congressional investigations. Elizabeth Vella Moeller heads the practice, with high-profile clients trusting her advice and expertise on federal funding, compliance best practices, and complex government investigations. Brian Finch’s practice combines cybersecurity and SAFETY Act experience to offer clients regulatory, cyberattack, and ransom-ware issues advice. Craig Saperstein is also recommended. All practitioners mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 4

Specializing in energy capital markets, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP represents energy and utility companies and their underwriters across the spectrum of capital markets transactions. Particular strengths for the firm include statute-based securitization financings, tax-exempt debt financings, project financings, sale and leasebacks, and forward equity sales. New York-based Jeffrey Delaney leads the team and focuses on specialized finance for energy, pharmaceutical and life insurance companies.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 4

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP remains a solid choice for both domestic and international clients in need of assistance with the development and management of their patent portfolios. Practice head Jack Barufka is the key contact of the main office in MacLean, Northern Virginia, which is also pharmaceutical sector expert Pat Doody's home base. In addition, the firm has a Texas-based patent prosecution team led by Josh Tucker (Austin), who focuses on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and 5G. Ngai Zhang left the firm in June 2021.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 4

Counting financial services, manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies among its key roster of clients, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP advises on 401(k) plans, defined benefit plans, deferred compensation matters, including Section 409A compliance issues, as well as ERISA fiduciary mandates. In San Fransisco, ‘exquisitely competent’ Jonathan Ocker advises public companies on a range of executive compensation matters, while Christine Richardson is praised as ‘a wonderful professional in the retirement and health and welfare spaces’. Cindy Schlaefer leads the team from the Silicon Valley office and New York-based Peter Hunt advises on ERISA fiduciary compliance issues.

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

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP advises its roster of key clients, including MT&T, Foursquare and IQVIA, among others, on the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of mid-market M&A. In the firm’s San Francisco office, Jonathan Ocker acts for public companies and executives on compensation matters, while Christine Richardson advises technology and retail clients on a range of employee benefits and ERISA issues. Jessica Lutrin operates from the firm’s New York office along with Peter Hunt, who handles ERISA fiduciary and compliance issues. Silicon Valley-based Cindy Schlaefer and Los Angeles-based Mark Jones are also key members of the team.

Real estate Tier 4

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP is praised as a ‘great old school team with fabulous understanding of the NY RE market’, experienced in all aspects of real estate law. New York’s Paul Shapses is instrumental in the firm’s hotel leisure real estate practice, with decade of experience in the financing, acquisition and workouts across the U.S, Canada and the Caribbean. Andrew Weiner is another key partner in the same office with significant concentration in the hospitality and REIT sectors. Based in Los Angeles, Emily Bias‘ practice concentrates on tax-advantaged affordable housing deals. James Rishwain chairs the real estate and construction industry team, also from Los Angeles.

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

The corporate investigations and white-collar defense practice at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP operates nationally and internationally, handling investigations for large corporations, financial institutions and senior executives. The team, which includes former federal prosecutors, is led by Washington DC’s William Sullivan and the Los Angeles-based Aaron Dyer. Sullivan is a name to note for trials, investigations and enforcement matters, while Dyer is recommended for civil and criminal litigation. The team was bolstered in 2021 with the arrival of three new partners: in January, Patrick Hovakimian joined in Washington DC from the DOJ; Kimberly Jaimez joined in Los Angeles from the US attorneys office, Central District of California in September; and in October, Richard Donoghue also joined from the DOJ in New York.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP has several established offices with teams that cover cross-border disputes, white-collar investigations, international arbitration, insurance recovery and construction, healthcare, employment and real estate-related disputes. Practice head Deborah Baum  in Washington DC has a considerable trial track record. Michael Finnegan in Los Angeles is particularly active for technology companies and school districts. Dianne Sweeney in Silicon Valley and Eric Fishman in New York are other key practitioners.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 5

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP has a strong presence in the New York, California and Texas real estate markets, utilizing a vast network of offices to represent lenders and borrowers of debt and equity capital in all types of financing transactions. Led by all-round real estate specialist Rachel Horsch in San Francisco, with the assistance of Los Angeles based Emily Bias, who focuses on tax-advantaged investment and affordable housing; and Steven Hamilton in San Diego, who primarily acts for lenders in originating, restructuring, construction, term and permanent loans. On the east cost, New York’s Caroline Harcourt represents lenders in connection with the origination, securitization, sale and purchase of mortgage and mezzanine loans and the negotiation of inter-creditor, co-lender and participation agreements in multi-tiered debt stacks.    

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 5

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP specializes in SALT litigation, with particular strength in representing Fortune 100 clients on both coasts. The Northern California team includes practice head Jeffrey Vesely and Carley Roberts, both highly regarded experts in SALT litigation. Annie Huang and Robert Merten are also noted in the San Francisco and Sacramento offices, respectively, for their impressive SALT controversy expertise. Merten was promoted to partner in December 2021. Additionally, Marc Simonetti is highly regarded for his SALT litigation expertise in New York. Peter Elias departed in February 2021, while Dana Newman has retired.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 5

Widely praised by clients for their ‘outstanding‘ knowledge, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP fields strong tax teams across multiple offices throughout the nation. In New York, Harsha Reddy‘s broad focus encompasses securities transactions and aviation finance, while Nora Burke is the go-to contact within the group for FACTA-related matters. San Francisco-based Julia Divola helms the firm’s California transactional tax practice, with recent highlights including high-value acquisitions in the tech and energy sectors. The ‘tremendous‘ Michael Kosnitzky works with a number of high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and privately held businesses from Miami.  

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts