Ropes & Gray LLP > Chicago, United States > Firm Profile
Ropes & Gray LLP Offices
191 NORTH WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO, IL
60606
ILLINOIS
United States
Ropes & Gray LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1
Ropes & Gray LLP fields a long-established team with experience in the full spectrum of e-discovery matters. This includes class action suits, data breaches, data intrusion issues, and investigations, frequently with multi-jurisdictional elements, necessitating coordination of large and international teams. The group remains at the forefront of technological developments in the field, and has a strong record of managing all discovery aspects of complex litigation. Counsel Shannon Capone Kirk, based in Boston, leads the team; she has a background in complex commercial litigation, is well known as an e-discovery thought leader, and is active in emerging issues such as the regulatory risks of text and app-based messaging. Senior discovery attorney Martha Harrison, also based in Boston, has experience managing large document productions in civil and criminal actions, and advises clients on information governance and document retention policies. Based in the New York office are Emily Cobb, a senior discovery attorney with experience across numerous practice areas, and associate Xueguang Sun, who is primarily active in the firm’s government enforcement group.Practice head(s):
Shannon Capone Kirk
Other key lawyers:
Emily Cobb; Martha Harrison; Xueguang (Chris) Sun
Testimonials
‘Shannon Capone Kirk is one of the three or four best ediscovery practitioners in the country, and leads a great department.’
Work highlights
Finance > Commercial lending
With activities spanning the breadth of the debt finance area, the team at Ropes & Gray LLP is particularly noted for its prolific record advising its borrower clients on complex transactions. The firm’s borrower-side practice, led by New York-based leveraged lending expert Stefanie Birkmann alongside Boston’s Michael Lee, is distinguished by its flexibility and ability to handle high-value and sophisticated loans involving complex and novel structures. The firm routinely assists private equity firms and their portfolio companies with complex or uniquely secured acquisition financings and leveraged buyouts, including transactions with cross-border elements as well as deals involving unitranche or annual recurring revenue (ARR) structures. Boston-based Byung Choi is a key contact for advice on acquisition financing, while New York’s Alexander Zeltser is highly recommended for his ‘excellent understanding‘ of cross-border lending matters. The firm also maintains an active lender-side practice, led by Boston’s Jeffrey Katz and New York’s Leonard Klingbaum, which stands out for assisting major private credit clients with financings involving borrowers in highly-regulated industries. The firm’s lender offering in Los Angeles was expanded with the arrival of Jennifer Harris from Milbank in early 2022.Practice head(s):
Stefanie Birkmann; Michael Lee; Jeffrey Katz; Leonard Klingbaum
Other key lawyers:
Alexander Zeltser; Jay Kim; Alyson Gal; Jennifer Harris; Byung Choi
Testimonials
‘Alex Zeltser has an excellent understanding of the market and our financing and legal situation and provides timely and value-added advice about our loan agreements.’
Key clients
American Industrial Partners
Aquiline Credit
Bain Capital
BlackRock
Blackstone
Gridiron Capital LLC
Hayward Industries, Inc
HIG Capital LLC
LSB Industries
PG Investment Services AG
Provention Bio Inc.
Silver Lake Partners
Sycamore Partners Management LP
TPG Capital LP
Work highlights
- Represented Sycamore Partners in a secured bridge loan facility as a precursor to their inaugural whole-business securitization securities offering for The Goddard School, a leading franchisor of premium early childhood education centers across the United States.
Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 1
Ropes & Gray LLP’s diversified asset management practice is noted for its advising of sponsors of registered funds as well as private funds, with particular focus on the US Investment Advisers Act, the AIFMD and commodities and derivatives regulation and compliance. The leadership team is made of multiple key figures; Jason Brown and James Thomas work out of the Boston office; Melissa Bender is based in San Francisco; Brynn Rail, Mike Doherty, and Bryan Chegwidden are based in New York and; Joel Wattenbarger and Leigh Fraser divide their time between Boston and New York. The firm’s broker-dealer offering, considered a key area of work for the group, is co-led by Rail and management partner Eva Carman in New York.Practice head(s):
Jason Brown; Melissa Bender; Joel Wattenbarger; Brynn Rail; Leigh Fraser; Mike Doherty; James Thomas; Bryan Chegwidden; Eva Carman
Key clients
Affiliated Managers Group
Thrivent ETF Trust
Thrivent Asset Management
Accolade Capital Management
Menai Financial Group
ProShares Funds
Runa Digital Assets
Blackstone
PIMCO
Carlyle
Siguler Guff
William Blair & Company
Golden X
Meta4 Capital
Stanford University
BondBloxx
Fundrise Advisors
Voya Funds
State Street Corporation
State Street Global Advisors
Putnam Funds
Work highlights
- Advised State Street on compliance with new rules adopted by the SEC and ongoing matters affecting their registered open-end mutual funds.
- Advised Carlyle on issues relating to Reg BI and Form CRS requirements, matters relating to marketing of private funds, and matters relating to SEC and FINRA compliance.
- Represented a leading multi-asset alternative investment firms and its various affiliated registered investment advisers on a variety of regulatory matters.
Healthcare > Service providers Tier 1
Ropes & Gray LLP’s healthcare team utilizes its ‘deep and extensive knowledge‘ to assist hospital systems and pharmaceutical companies with acquisitions, drug pricing investigations. The team is known for its broad expertise in handling healthcare privacy and data security mandates. Deborah Gersh heads the practice alongside Timothy McCrystal. Based in Chicago, Gersh advises medical device and managed care companies on value-based care initiatives, while Jennifer Romig dispenses regulatory advice to private equity firms and software companies using her expertise in blockchain tech matters. Working out of the Boston office, McCrystal notably handles healthcare privacy and cybersecurity matters; The ‘extremely knowledgeable‘ Adrianne Ortega frequently advises on Covid-19 financial relief provisions under the CARES Act, and David Peloquin has considerable experience advising life sciences companies on clinical research issues. Stephanie Webster has expansive litigious expertise and often represents hospitals in federal district court cases, situated in Washington DC. In the New York practice, Stephen Warnke assists clients with fraud and abuse related government enforcement proceedings, while associate Sarah Blumenthal advises a number of biologic companies and physician networks. Thomas Bulleit has since retired.Practice head(s):
Deborah Gersh; Timothy McCrystal
Other key lawyers:
Stephanie Webster; Stephen Warnke; Jennifer Romig; Adrianne Ortega; David Peloquin; Harry Richards; Sarah Blumenthal; Christina Bergeron
Testimonials
‘A cut above in terms of their legal expertise and business acumen. The team has vast experience and comes up with clear and, when necessary, creative, ways to approach client goals.’
‘Stephen Warnke, I really cannot say enough about his knowledge and personal style. He is patient in explaining concepts, and has a great sense of humor.’
‘The team has deep and extensive knowledge regarding governance, corporate law and how healthcare laws overlay and interplay in these arenas.’
‘Adrianne Ortega is our go-to for all governance matters and is extremely knowledgeable and an overall pleasure to work with. She provides legal advice in addition to practical and creative guidance on how to approach the unique issues that arise in an academic medical center environment.’
‘Ropes and Gray deftly analyzes complex regulatory issues in the healthcare space.’
‘Christina Bergeron is very detailed oriented and strategic. She has a grasp on corporate governance and the ability to quickly come up to speed on healthcare regulatory matters.’
Key clients
1Life Healthcare/One Medical
ADAPT Community Network
Advocate Aurora Health
Allina Health Services
American Hospital Association
Amwell
Atrium Health
Avista Capital Partners
Baptist Health South Florida
Benevis YesBeth Israel Lahey Health
Boston Children’s Hospital
California Northstate University
Capital Clubhouse
Children’s Hospital and Health System, Inc.
City Medical of Upper East Side PLLC
Community Hospitals of Central California
Coordinated Behavioral Care
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Elite Dental Partners
Emory University
Galderma Laboratories
George Washington University
H.I.G. Capital
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Heartland Dental LLC
Hospital for Special Surgery
Indiana University Health
Lifespace Communities
LifeStance Health Group
Molina Healthcare
Montage Health
National Association of ACOs
Northwest Oncology and Hematology, S.C.
Work highlights
- Advised 1Life Healthcare, Inc., which operates under the name ‘One Medical’, on healthcare matters in relation to its sale to Amazon for approximately $3.9 billion.
- Represented Allina Health Services in a significant D.C. Circuit and Supreme Court appeal affirming the invalidation of a Medicare policy standard involving Medicare Disproportionate Share payments adopted without proper notice and comment.
- Representing Atrium Health in connection with its strategic combination with Advocate Aurora Health to form Advocate Health, creating a nation’s large non-profit health systems.
Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 1
With a ‘very deep bench‘ and investment fund lawyers that can ‘handle myriad topics‘, Ropes & Gray LLP is equipped to assist with the full spectrum of hedge fund matters. Fund formation, operational and regulatory matters at the highest level are all routinely covered, and the client base includes all types of hedge fund sponsors, from large institutional managers to start-ups. The practice is represented at the firm’s offices across the country and work often has cross-border components too. Leigh Fraser has been an instrumental figure in building the practice over the past decade and is a renowned figure across the broader asset management market. She divides her time between the New York and Boston offices and co-leads the broader funds department with Peter Laybourn in Boston and Morri Weinberg in New York. ‘Thoughtful, seasoned and very commercial‘ lawyer Laurel FitzPatrick in New York is the go-to figure for hedge fund work specifically and a pioneer in the space, having founded the practice group at the firm. Sarah Davidoff is another respected senior figure that acts for some of the largest hedge funds in the world, and Katie Waite in Boston is a more recent partner that comes with client recommendation. On the west coast, Melissa Bender in Silicon Valley is the name to note, along with October 2022 hire from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP Eric Requenez, who focuses on the real estate sector from New York.
Practice head(s):
Leigh Fraser; Peter Laybourn; Morri Weinberg
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Ropes & Gray has a very deep bench and can handle myriad topics. Partner availability and meeting deadlines is a strength of the firm.’
‘Laurel FitzPatrick is thoughtful, seasoned and very commercial. She understands the business considerations and consistently provides practical advice.’
‘Katie Waite is rising star. She is an extremely hard worker who is always available and consistently meets deadlines.’
Key clients
Pacific Investment Management Company
PFM Health Sciences
MFN Partners Management
Greenoaks Capital Partners LLC
Work highlights
- Assisted PIMCO with the launch of its California Carbon Access Funds, which posed unique regulatory and structuring issues.
- Acting for PFM Health Sciences in a platform-wide update of fund offering and operative documents.
- Representing MFN Partners on a repeat basis in a variety of hedge fund issues.
Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1
Ropes & Gray LLP is seen as a destination firm for leading names across the funds space, acting for renowned registered open and closed-end funds, including interval funds, exchange-traded funds, and registered funds investing in hedge funds. The department covers the full suite of work in the area, from the operation of innovative fund types and managing regulatory issues, to transactional matters and related disputes, where, according to one client, ‘the litigation expertise of the firm informs ongoing advice more so than in other firms‘. The firm’s Boston office is one of the key locations for the team, the base for practice co-head James Thomas, as well as Thomas Hiller, who advises mutual and registered funds and their independent trustees on the full range of issues, and John Loder, one of the market's most respected figures, whose extensive experience covers the organization of investment advisory firms and investment funds of all types. The other two co-leaders of the practice Bryan Chegwidden and Michael Doherty are based in New York, while in Chicago, Paulita Pike garners client praise as an ‘outstanding‘ lawyer, and advises on a broad range of issues, including governance structures, compliance, and press communications.Practice head(s):
Bryan Chegwidden; Michael Doherty; James Thomas
Other key lawyers:
John Loder; Timothy Diggins; Elizabeth Reza; Paulita Pike; Thomas Hiller; Brian McCabe; Jeremy Smith; David Sullivan; Adam Schlichtmann; Jessica Reece
Testimonials
‘The Ropes team is unparalleled when it comes to registered funds work.’
‘Paulita Pike is the best relationship partner I have ever worked with. She understands our business and puts a huge premium on making sure we’re satisfied with every part of Ropes’ service.’
‘The litigation expertise of the firm informs ongoing advice more so than in other firms.’
‘Prompt follow up and good communication regarding setting expectations about deliverables.’
‘Paulita Pike is outstanding.’
Key clients
Affiliated Managers Group (AMG)
Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (BAAM); and its registered investment companies
BondBloxx
Brighthouse Funds (formerly MetLife Funds)
Calamos Funds and their Independent Trustees
DoubleLine Funds and their Independent Trustees
Forum Capital Advisors (Independent Trustees)
Fundrise Advisors, LLC
Impact Shares ETFs
Ironwood (Independent Directors)
JP Morgan Funds & ETFS (Independent Trustees)
Masterworks.io
MFS Funds and their Independent Trustees
Natixis and Loomis Sayles Fund Groups and Natixis Global Investment Managers, Loomis Sayles & Company, L.P., Alpha Simplex Group LLC, and Harris Associates, L.P.
The Northern Trust Company
Pax World Funds
Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (PIMCO)
Putnam Funds and their Independent Trustees
State Street Corporation and State Street Global Advisers
Thrivent ETF Trust and Thrivent Asset Management, LLC
Voya Funds
Work highlights
- Acted as fund counsel to over 40 mutual funds sponsored and managed by AMG Funds, a wholly owned subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, the leading US-based global asset management firm that operates through a diverse group of boutique investment firms.
- Represents the DoubleLine Funds, a leading US-based mutual fund family, and their Independent Trustees. They are sponsored by an adviser led by prominent fixed income manager, Jeffrey Gundlach.
- Representing the Independent Trustees of the MFS Funds and the MFS Funds mutual fund complex, consisting of circa 136 funds in all asset classes.
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
Praised for its ‘incredibly strong bench’ consisting of several former federal prosecutors and enforcement lawyers, Ropes & Gray LLP spans the whole gamut of corporate investigations and white-collar criminal matters. Cross-border capabilities and a strong domestic network allow the firm to assist companies and individuals in high-profile, ranging from FCA and qui tam litigation to export control issues and public corruption. The practice is chaired by a trio of practitioners: Chicago’s Laura Hoey, John Bueker in Boston, and Gregg Weiner in New York. ‘All-around superstar’ Alexandre Rene in Washington DC is reputed for his know-how of the oil and gas, aerospace, and life sciences sectors, while New York-based Michael McGovern regularly represents clients in bet-the-company litigation, oftentimes opposite enforcement authorities such as the DOJ, SEC, and CFTC.Practice head(s):
Laura Hoey; John Bueker; Gregg Weiner
Other key lawyers:
Brien O’Connor; Christopher Conniff; Michael McGovern; Alexandre Rene; Brian Blais; Ryan Rohlfsen
Testimonials
‘Ropes & Gray brings an incredibly strong bench to its work on behalf of clients. They are able to leverage a deep healthcare regulatory bench, appellate advocates, and tax expertise to complement advocates who are skilled with negotiating with the government, in the courtroom, and with senior executives.’
‘They offer a powerful combination of deep industry expertise, meaningful/credible relationships with regulators and sharp strategic approaches to problem-solving.’
‘Ropes has excellent practitioners covering most high-risk jurisdictions with strong local teams.’
‘Ryan Rohlfsen is a standout on the Ropes roster. He is diligent and protective of clients, indefatigable, strongly commercial, and able to maintain good working relationships with the government and other counsel. Just a great attorney.’
‘The team is highly experienced, including former senior federal prosecutors with direct subject matter expertise in the relevant areas (e.g., enforcement activities against life sciences companies).’
‘They have several experienced team members, including Ryan Rohlfsen and Alex Rene.’
‘Ryan Rohlfsen understands how compliance and business have to work together.’
‘Alex Rene is an all-around superstar.’
Key clients
Modernizing Medicine
Avianca Holdings, S.A., and certain affiliates and subsidiaries (together, “Avianca”)
Former Louisiana State University Head Basketball Coach: Will Wade
Former Deutsche Bank precious metals trader: Cedric Chanu
Former Credit Suisse Banker: Detelina Subeva
Work highlights
- Representing Modernizing Medicine, in a FCA and AKS investigation conducted by the United States Attorney’s Office in Vermont and DOJ Civil Frauds.
- Representing Will Wade, the former head coach of the LSU men’s basketball team, in a DOJ inquiry regarding NCAA recruiting practices.
- Representing s a former Deutsche Bank precious metals trader, Cedric Chanu, who was charged in January 2018 in the Northern District of Illinois with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud affecting a financial institution and ten substantive counts of wire fraud affecting a financial institution based on alleged spoofing in the precious metals market between 2008 and 2013.
Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP has a wealth of experience in M&A and securities litigation, and its lawyers frequently appear in the Delaware Court of Chancery in high-stakes, high-profile cases. The firm has a strong private equity practice that generates significant work for the litigation group, as does the firm's broader corporate client base. The firm has amassed a strong track record in fiduciary duty cases, controlling stockholder litigation, matters arising from friendly and hostile takeovers, and claims filed in connection with going-private transactions. Peter Welsh in Boston and David Hennes in New York are the lead partners. Boston-based Randall Bodner is also active, as is Anne Johnson Palmer in San Francisco.Practice head(s):
David Hennes; Peter Welsh
Other key lawyers:
Randall Bodner; Anne Johnson Palmer
Key clients
Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. – former directors
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. – current/former directors and officers
Bain Capital
National Amusements, Inc., Shari Redstone, Robert Klieger
Norcraft Companies, Inc. – former directors
Teneo Holdings
Work highlights
- Trial counsel defending National Amusements, Inc. against parallel actions in the Delaware Court of Chancery brought by former stockholders of Viacom and former stockholders of CBS challenging the multi-billion dollar merger of Viacom and CBS in 2019.
- Obtained a complete and with prejudice dismissal of a stockholder derivative lawsuit filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery against global consulting, strategy and communications advisor Teneo Holdings, along with its affiliate Teneo Strategy.
- Secured complete dismissal by the District of Delaware of litigation arising from a $1.3 billion dollar merger, by which Akebia acquired Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc, and successfully defended the District Court’s dismissal before the Third Circuit.
Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP climbs the ranking this year having continued to bolster its practice with new hires and promotions, and having secured key roles in high-profile matters. It is particularly active in the asset management and private equity space, as well as representing investment banks, life sciences companies and public corporations in securities cases and regulatory enforcement matters. David Hennes in New York and Peter Welsh in Boston are the lead partners. Hennes and New York partner Martin Crisp are advising banks on a federal securities class action filed in connection with the IPO of Jianpu Technology Inc. Gregg Weiner in New York secured the dismissal of securities class action claims against underwriters including Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, which concerned alleged misstatements by AmTrust Financial Services in connection with certain equity offerings. The matters are currently on appeal in the Second Circuit. Robert Skinner is one of the country’s leading asset management litigators in the United States, frequently scoring high-profile victories for the most prominent asset managers. He is acting for Eaton Vance Funds and Nuveen Funds in cases against activist investor Saba Capital. Amy Jane Longo, formerly head of the trial unit at the SEC’s Los Angeles Regional Office, joined the practice, which also made up three new partners in 2022. Emerging talent in San Francisco Anne Johnson Palmer is highly recommended.Practice head(s):
David Hennes; Peter Welsh
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Akcea Therapeutics, Inc. – former directors
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. – former directors
Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC
Deutsche Bank AG and current and former directors and officers
Eaton Vance Funds
Forescout Technologies, Inc.
Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Novavax Inc.
Nuveen Funds
Provention Bio
REV Group, Inc.
Semper Midas Fund
SolarWinds – former CEO and board member Kevin Thompson
TG Therapeutics, Inc.
TPG Capital
Underwriter Defendants: Morgan Stanley; Citigroup; RBC Capital Markets; UBS Securities; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods; China Renaissance Securities; Goldman Sachs (Asia); J.P. Morgan Securities; Credit Suisse; Robert W. Baird & Co.; Cowen and Company; Stifel, Nicolaus & Company; Wedbush Securities; Merrill Lynch; Apollo
Walgreens
Work highlights
- Acting as lead counsel in a shareholder derivative action brought in New York State court asserting breach of fiduciary duty under German law and related claims for secondary liability against forty-four current and former members of the Management and Supervisory Boards of Deutsche Bank, Germany’s leading financial institution.
- Won the dismissal of a derivative claim brought in Delaware by alleged shareholders of SolarWinds, claiming that the Company’s current and former directors breached their fiduciary duties by failing to ensure that SolarWinds had minimal cybersecurity protections.
- Won dismissal, with prejudice, of a federal securities law class-action lawsuit brought against Provention Bio in the District of New Jersey.
Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings
Ropes & Gray LLP has earned a significant market share of the SPAC IPO segment and frequently advises private equity houses and their portfolio companies on their equity offerings. It is also particularly known for its representation of underwriters. With the slowdown in IPO activity, the firm has remained active in follow-on offerings, at-the-market offerings and PIPE financings. New York partner Paul Tropp co-heads the capital markets team alongside Craig Marcus, who splits his time between Boston and New York. New York’s Rachel Phillips, Christopher Capuzzi and Faiza Rahman are all emerging talents.Practice head(s):
Craig Marcus; Paul Tropp
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
BrightSphere Investment Group
CCMP Capital Advisors
Foghorn Therapeutics
Hayward Holdings
Hillman Solutions Corp.
ImmunoGen
LSB Industries
Provention Bio
Surgery Partners
The Duckhorn Portfolio
TSG Consumer Partners
Work highlights
- Represented the underwriters in the $1.1bn IPO by TPG.
- Represented BrightSphere Investment Group in its $1.05bn self-tender offer.
- Represented Surgery Partners in its $320m and $575m follow-on equity offerings.
Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings
Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 2
The team at Ropes & Gray LLP provides a diverse offering to biotech startups, biopharmaceutical companies, and private equity investors. The practice handles the full gamut of issues concerning IP asset protection, and research funding. Marc Rubenstein and Michael Beauvais jointly lead the Boston based group. Rubenstein frequently represents pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device corporates in private securities offerings; while Christopher Comeau acts for investors and public companies in minority investment transactions and private mergers within the medical tech industry. Kellie Combs continues to assist biotech companies with regulatory and compliance issues.Practice head(s):
Marc Rubenstein; Michael Beauvais
Other key lawyers:
Chris Comeau; Megan Baca; Arthur Mok; Alyce Chen; Brad Flint; Geoffrey Lin; Gregory Levine
Key clients
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Sana Biotechnology
CJ CheilJedang Corp.
Medtronic plc
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Sana Biotechnology
CJ CheilJedang Corp.
Medtronic plc
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Sana Biotechnology
CJ CheilJedang Corp.
Medtronic plc
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Sana Biotechnology
CJ CheilJedang Corp.
Medtronic plc
Becton, Dickinson and Company
Sana Biotechnology
Work highlights
- Represented Pfizer in its acquisition of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Arena Pharmaceuticals, and Trillium Therapeutics, for an aggregate of over $20bn.
- Represented Acceleron Pharma in its $11.5 billion sale to Merck & Co..
- Represented Ionis Pharmaceuticals in its $3.5 billion collaboration with AstraZeneca.
Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP‘s ‘collaborative and knowledgeable’ team is renowned for its involvement in high-profile licensing and collaboration deals, including data transactions, brand licensing and other strategic commercial transactions. The group boasts a deep substantive and procedural knowledge of international patent regimes, having represented clients in proceedings before both the US and the European Patent Office. Retail and consumer-oriented businesses are a key focus for the firm with regular work executing strategic acquisitions through IP transactions, licensing, and other commercial contracts. The team is jointly led by Boston’s Melissa Rones who is a top choice for international clients in the financial services and international life sciences industry, and Silicon Valley’s Megan Baca whose expertise lies in innovative digital health transactions. David McIntosh, who is active in the Boston office, complements the team with vast experience leading and negotiating complex cross-border life science collaboration and licensing deals. Boston's Hannah England is experienced in advising clients in the life sciences industry on a range of strategic transactions.Practice head(s):
Melissa Rones; Megan Baca
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘In my experience the team has been extremely collaborative and knowledgeable about industry regulation and how we can approach business while remaining compliant.’
Key clients
Pfizer
TPG Capital
Immunogen
Genesis Therapeutics
Blueprint Medicines
Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals
Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe
Atomwise
Blackstone
Maverick Capital
Work highlights
- Represented ImmunoGen, a leader in the field of antibody-drug conjugates for the treatment of cancer, inits $1.7bn global, multi-year licensing agreement that granted Eli Lilly and Company exclusive rights to research, develop and commercialize ADCs to disease targets selected by Lilly based on ImmunoGen’s novel camptothecin drug technology.
- Represented Genesis Therapeutics, Inc. in a $670 million license, research and collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Company.
- Advised Pfizer on IP issues in connection with many leading transactions in 2022.
Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP fields a ‘very thorough and engaging team‘ for private equity and venture capital fund matters, advising on precedent-setting fund formations, drawing on dovetailing expertise in investments and regulatory issues. It represents both sponsor and investor clients in the gamut of fund matters, and has lawyers on the ground in offices across the country, as well as working with the firm’s international offices to be able to assist with multi-jurisdictional mandates. The team’s new engagements in 2022 often focused on innovative sectors, and the venture capital side of the practice has continued to grow, where clients include B Capital Group, Cayuga Venture Fund, and Cowen Investment Management. The highly-regarded ‘very experienced campaigner‘ Morri Weinberg in New York co-leads the department alongside Boston-based Leigh Fraser and Peter Laybourn in Boston. Marc Biamonte in New York is another key name for fund formation and operation, and also represents investment advisers to private equity funds on Advisers Act matters. In Boston, John Ayer is a senior practitioner with great experience in private equity fundraising and related matters.Practice head(s):
Leigh Fraser; Peter Laybourn; Morri Weinberg
Other key lawyers:
Marc Biamonte; Bryan Hunkele; Debra Lussier; Amanda Persaud; John Ayer; Lindsey Goldstein; Katie Waite; Justin Kliger; Jessica Marlin
Testimonials
‘The depth of the team and the way ownership of the work and relationship are embraced at every level of the team are what sets Ropes & Gray apart.’
‘Morri Weinberg and Lindsey Goldstein are incredibly responsive. What really sets them apart is how proactive they are.’
‘The R&G VC team has particular expertise at the vanguard of impact investing that was crucial to the establishment of our fund. Their combination of experience in non-traditional fund structures and expert knowledge of law around both philanthropy as well as investment management was critical for us.’
‘The team, led by Morri Weinberg, not only have excellent insight on market practice and participants (including non-US) but also provide seamless interactions between the tax, regulatory and fund parts of the wider team. They have helped us raise funds in extremely short time periods and from ever increasing number of LPs, with great control over the process. A fantastic team.’
‘Morri Weinberg – very experienced campaigner who has an answer to many hard questions. His understanding of VC fundraising and our client operations are difficult to beat, a relationship worth investing in.’
‘I have received top notch service from Ropes, on both fund formation and anti-trust analysis and filings. The sophistication and accessibility of the partners is key.’
‘Peter Laybourn is incredibly knowledgeable, but also practical and easy to talk to. Last year, he helped work through a challenging question from our business and showed an ability to think deeply about the intricacies of our documents, but also was able to help me to communicate that to a non-lawyer audience.’
‘Very thorough and engaging team. Provides valuable market insights. Always willing to go the extra mile. Provides practical solutions to our most complex problems.’
Key clients
AlpInvest
Crosspoint Capital
Hamilton Lane Advisors LLC
Index Ventures
Kohlberg & Co
Wynnchurch Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Represented Index Ventures on its aggregate $3.1bn fundraise across three funds to support the next wave of company founders across all stages and geographical locations.
- Advising AlpInvest on the raise of its first Strategic Portfolio Finance Program at approximately $900m, which focuses on credit secondaries investments and portfolio financing investments.
- Represented CCMP Capital in its first-ever GP-led secondary transaction involving two portfolio companies in its most recent private equity fund.
Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP offers vast experience of representing domestic and global companies on every element of executive compensation and employee benefits issues arising in high-end M&A and complex IPOs. The firm’s expertise primarily lies in the life sciences, private equity, and financial services industries, boasting global clients such as LianBio and TriArtisan Capital Advisors. Boston-based Renata Ferrari co-heads the group, specializing in structuring equity-based awards and deferred compensation plans, while co-head, Alexandra Alperovich, handles the benefits and executive compensation aspects of M&A from the New York office. In San Francisco, Ellen Sueda has in-depth knowledge on incentive plans and executive employment. Based in Boston, Jennifer Rikoski advises clients on benefit plans, and Loretta Richard supports clients on equity-related compensation issues. Joshua Lichtenstein and Danna Kivell operate out of New York, with the former focusing on ERISA matters, and the latter on employment and severance issues. Pascal Mayer was promoted to partner, and Christa Sanchez to of counsel, in November 2022.Practice head(s):
Renata Ferrari; Alexandra Alperovich
Other key lawyers:
Jennifer Rikoski; Ellen Sueda; Loretta Richard; Joshua Lichtenstein; Danna Kivell; Matt Jones; Jennifer Cormier; Kyle Higley
Key clients
TPG Capital
Bain Capital
American Industrial Partners
iCapital Network
New Mountain Capital
Cove Hill Partners
Harvest Partners
Collaborative Fund Management
Tribune Media Company
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
The TJX Companies
New York University
Silver Lake Partners
Advent International
Genstar Capital
Aquiline Capital Partners
M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP offers a fully integrated private equity practice, combining a commanding presence both across the US and globally, with a deeply experienced bench capable of handling the most complex and high-value transactions. The outstanding breadth of work is reflected in the scale of headline deals concerning regulatory-heavy situations, complex structurings and and unique financing terms, as well as a particular strength in middle-market transactions. David Blittner leads the team, following the departure of former co-head Amanda Morrison in August 2022. Blittner regularly steers clients through complex leveraged buyouts, minority investments and public recapitalizations, which has led to him becoming a trusted advisor to major market players such as Avista Capital. Carolyn Vardi has advised on numerous large acquisitions across a broad range of industries including financial services, software and health care. In Chicago, Neill Jakobe ’s practice focuses on PE buyouts and strategic M&A, while San Francisco-based Minh-Chau Le represented Genstar Capital in the sale of a majority stake in Advarra to Blackstone and CPPIB. Attorneys located in New York unless otherwise stated.Practice head(s):
David Blittner
Other key lawyers:
Carolyn Vardi; Neill Jakobe; Minh-Chau Le
Testimonials
‘The team shows a fine touch, is very responsive and commercially minded.’
Key clients
Advent International
Altamont Capital
Audax Group
American Industrial Partners
Audax
Avista Capital Partners
Bain Capital
Baring Private Equity Asia
Berkshire Partners
Blackstone Group
CCMP Capital Advisors
Charlesbank Capital Partners
Cinven
Cressey & Company
Evergreen Coast Capital
Gauge Capital
Genstar Capital
GHO Capital Partners
GI Partners
Golden Gate Capital
Harvest Partners
H.I.G. Capital
Kohlberg & Company
New Mountain Capital
Partners Group
Silver Lake
Thomas H Lee Partners
TPG Capital
TSG Consumer Partners
Vistria Group
Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe
Work highlights
- Represented TPG Capital-backed McAfee Corp, a global cyber security software company, in its take-private sale to an investor group, in an all-cash transaction valued at over $14 billion on an enterprise value basis.
- Represented New Mountain Capital portfolio company Signify Health, in its agreement to be acquired by CVS Health, in a total transaction value of approximately $8 billion.
- Represented Partners Group in its sale of a nearly 50% stake in United States Infrastructure Corporation to an investor consortium led by Kohlberg & Company, in a transaction with an enterprise value of $4.1 billion.
M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2
One of the standout features of Ropes & Gray LLP‘s practice is its cross-disciplinary nature, with the group regularly operating in tandem with teams from the M&A, litigation, capital markets and corporate governance practices at the firm. Group head Jeffrey Katz, who works out of the firm’s Boston office, is also co-head of the firm’s special situations practice, and regularly assists clients with private and public activist campaigns and proxy contests. Emblematic of the group’s broader investor-side expertise, his recent work includes advising funds on how to bolster their defenses against activist campaigns by investors. New additions to the team include Jackie Cohen in New York, who joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in November 2022 and has strengthened the team’s public company capabilities.Practice head(s):
Jeffrey Katz
Other key lawyers:
Jackie Cohen; Paul Kinsella
Key clients
Radius Health
United States Commodity Funds
Acceleron Pharma
Independent Trustees of Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund
Work highlights
- Represented Radius Health in its $890 million take-private sale to Gurnet point Capital and Patient Square Capital, and in connection with its related proxy contest with Velan Capital and Repertoire Partners.
- Represented a publicly traded life sciences company in its engagement with a leading activist investor targeting the sector.
- Defending United States Oil Fund, its adviser United States Commodity Funds, and approximately a dozen individual defendants including the fund’s independent directors, in a class action lawsuit alleging 1933 Act claims arising out of the share price declines during the COVID-related oil market disruption in early 2020.
Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 2
Leveraging its global network of offices across the world, with particular advantages held in the cross-Atlantic collaboration between the data privacy team in Washington DC led by Edward McNicholas and the firm's UK presence enables Ropes & Gray LLP to provide solutions to multinational clients operating in a plethora of jurisdictions. The firm works on the full range of issues in the cyber and data privacy space: litigation involving the use and collection of consumer data and cybersecurity incidents, compliance counselling on the topic of the commercialization of data and emerging technologies, and the identification of privacy and cyber risks part of corporate transactions. McNicholas is the key name for companies requiring contentious assistance following data breaches and cyber-attacks. Washington DC-based Fran Faircloth is also a key practitioner for clients requiring assistance following a data breach.Practice head(s):
Edward McNicholas
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Practical client-focused advice’
Key clients
Kevin Thompson
America’s Test Kitchen, Inc.
Advocate Aurora Health
McAfee
Carlyle
Alpinvest
GreenSlate
Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities) Tier 2
Boston-based Kendi Ozmon leads the team at Ropes & Gray LLP and is heavily involved in the group’s transactional work, frequently acting as lead tax counsel in transactions. Ozman also recently represented the National Association of Basketball Coaches, a tax-exempt business league, in the formation and initial financing of Coaches+ Media, Inc. At associate level, Washington DC-based counsel Carolyn Ward ‘s practice is based on advising tax-exempt organizations on a variety of matters, including general tax matters, unrelated business income, fundraising, planned giving, endowment management, investments, employment, real estate, and government relations. Another sector specialism for the firm is the healthcare industry, and Ben Wilson, who works out of the firm’s Boston office, stands out in this regard for the provision of transactional, strategic, and regulatory advice to clients from the healthcare sector.
Practice head(s):
Kendi Ozmon
Other key lawyers:
Carolyn Ward; Ben Wilson; Gil Ghatan
Key clients
University of Southern California
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
University of California
U.S. Fund for the Global Fund
CareQuest
Stanford University
New York University Langone Hospitals
Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research
Work highlights
- Represented the National Association of Basketball Coaches, a tax-exempt business league in connection with the formation and initial financing of Coaches+ Media, Inc.
- Represented a provider of dental insurance majority owned by a tax-exempt institute, in its sale to Sun Life for $2.475 billion.
- Represents Wellcome Trust in U.S. tax matters, including U.S. federal tax and private foundation considerations relevant to the Trust’s operations and its investments into private investment funds and program-related investments.
Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP is highly experienced in private equity transactions, SPACs and de-SPACs, and the cross-border tax implications of licensing and collaboration agreements for life sciences companies. The team is also routinely instructed by global asset managers, where New York-based Jim Brown is one of several key contacts; he advises leading private equity sponsors and investment companies and is further active in credit fund tax matters in the fintech space. Practice head Elaine Murphy focuses on cross-border acquisitions, dispositions and financing arrangements, in addition to leading the firm’s tax, employment and benefits department. David Saltzman concentrates on international tax matters, while Amanda Holt handles corporate and partnership mandates. Kendi Ozmon is a regular port of call for non-profit organizations. Among other recommended individuals are Pamela Glazier and New York-based partners Kristen Winckler and Adam Greenwood. Dan Zuckerman was promoted to partnership in November 2022. All named lawyers are based in Boston unless noted otherwise. Eric Behl-Remijan arrived at the New York office in June 2023.Practice head(s):
Elaine Murphy
Other key lawyers:
Jim Brown; David Saltzman; Amanda Holt; Kendi Ozmon; Kristen Winckler; Scott Pinarchick; Jay Milkes; Adam Greenwood; Pamela Glazier; Alyssa Kollmeyer; Eric Behl-Remijan
Key clients
University of Southern California
Bain Capital
Advent International
Harvard University
Pfizer
E-mart Inc.
Baring Private Equity Asia
GHO Capital
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
The Blackstone Group
ACORE Capital
Ares Management
Audax Group
Sculptor Capital Management
CBRE
Harvest Partners
TSG Consumer Partners
TPG Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Pfizer on a number of acquisitions, including its $11.6bn acquisition of Biohaven, $6.7bn acquisition of Arena Pharmaceuticals, and $2.26bn acquisition of Trillium Pharmaceuticals.
Antitrust > Cartel Tier 3
Ropes & Gray LLP combines its global reach, litigation expertise, and the governmental agency experience of its bench, providing a full-service cartel offering with particular emphasis on both governmental and internal investigations. Healthcare is a particular area of expertise for the team, who represents healthcare companies and pharma manufacturers in cartel-related investigations and litigation. The team also regularly acts for clients in the tech and financial services industries. Michael McGovern, based in New York, co-leads the team, focusing on high-stakes criminal defense litigation, while Mark Popofsky oversees the team from Washington DC. Veteran antitrust enforcer Samer Musallam, also in DC, represents clients through all phases of cartel-related litigation, and also advises on domestic and international investigations. Former FTC trial attorney Chong Park rounds out the DC office, representing corporates and individuals in various agency proceedings.Practice head(s):
Mark Popofsky; Michael McGovern
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, plc
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Work highlights
- Representing Mallinckrodt in lawsuits brought by a coalition of state attorneys alleging a conspiracy to inflate and manipulate the prices of dozens of generic drugs.
- Representing State Street and its subsidiary, Currenex, Inc. in a putative antitrust, RICO and fraud class action brought on behalf of users of Currenex, an electronic trading platform for foreign exchange transactions.
Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 3
With experience advising debtors and creditors’ committees, New York-based Gregg Galardi and recently elevated New York- and Chicago-based Ryan Dahl, well known for advising debtors and distressed investors, jointly head Ropes & Gray LLP’s business restructuring practice, which represents a variety of borrower, lender, and creditor clients, including large and middle market companies, ad hoc creditor committees, indenture trustees, and litigation parties, in relation to restructurings, reorganizations, and liability management transactions both in and out of court. Galardi has recently led a team, alongside Andrew Devore in Boston, representing Vewd Software AS as debtor in connection with its multijurisdictional pre-packaged Chapter 11 reorganization.Practice head(s):
Gregg Galardi; Ryan Dahl
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Devore; Benjamin Rhode; Cristine Schwarzman; Mark Somerstein; Matthew Roose;
Testimonials
‘The core team we work with knows us well, is skilled and experienced, and has effectively drawn on their colleagues. They are well networked among US restructuring professionals. They have supported us on significant matters outside of the US. They work efficiently, guiding us on the key decisions we need to make.’
‘Mark Somerstein is our primary contact. The people he works with at my firm are primary not lawyers in a niche area of banking. Mark is easy to work with. He understands our business and is able to think things through from our perspective. This is reflected in efficiently guiding us through understanding risks and options and decision making. I know we’re well represented by Mark and his colleagues.’
‘Ryan Dahl is extremely smart and pragmatic. He is a creative problem solver who not only tells what can’t be done, but knows how to accomplish the goal and tells you how. He has large complex matter expertise which is invaluable, but also brings that perspective to middle market situations where much sophistication is usually lacking.’
Key clients
OSG Group Holdings, Inc.
Vewd Software AS
Beautyge II LLC (Revlon)
Ion Geophysical
Ad Hoc Group of K&N Engineering First Lien Term Lenders
Ad Hoc Group of Yak Access Second Lien Term Lenders
Ad Hoc Group of Exela Technologies Inc.
Indentures Trustee Matters
Bankruptcy Litigation Matters
Vesta Holdings, LLC
CHC Helicopter
PlayMonster LLC
Work highlights
- Represented Output Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries in connection with negotiations with lenders under its first and second lien credit facilities.
- Represented Vewd Software AS in connection with their pre-packaged Chapter 11 cases.
- Representing the 13 “BrandCo” Debtors in the Chapter 11 megacase filed in mid-June by Revlon, Inc.
Government > State attorneys general Tier 3
Housing a team of experienced enforcement attorneys, litigators and former government officials, Ropes & Gray LLP is highly experienced in federal and state enforcement matters. Drawing on the firm’s cross-practice capabilities, including data privacy and cybersecurity, antitrust and healthcare, the group frequently handles complex individual and multistate investigations and litigation. From Chicago, former federal healthcare fraud prosecutor Laura Hoey co-leads the practice with experienced litigator John Bueker in Boston and New York-based Gregg Weiner, who is a popular destination for financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Another key contact is Boston-based James Dowden, whose practice covers investigations brought by federal, state and foreign government agencies.
Practice head(s):
Laura Hoey; John Bueker; Gregg Weiner
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Morgan Stanley
Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, plc
Former CEO of Solar Winds
DentaQuest
University of Toledo
Work highlights
- Successfully represented Morgan Stanley Capital in a qui tam action filled on behalf of the state of Florida.
- Represented Mallinckrodt in lawsuits brought by a coalition of state attorneys general against 26 pharmaceutical companies and 10 executives.
- Acted for the former CEO of SolarWinds on various state attorneys general, congressional, and federal investigations, as well as securities litigation in Texas.
Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 3
Ropes & Gray LLP has vast experience at the ITC, with attorneys who familiar with the intricacies of the proceedings. The global nature of the firm and international capabilities make it a strong choice for multi-forum proceedings, with vast experience also in acting on parallel ITC and PTAB proceedings. The team has seen significant victories including for Roku against Universal Electronics, NetApp against Proven Networks, and Marvell against Bell Semiconductor. Steven Pepe in New York is the intellectual property litigation practice head, with great experience litigating multijurisdictional and complex patent infringement cases. Matthew Rizzolo in Washington DC leads the firm’s ITC practice, frequently working with tech companies to defend clients from infringement claims. Silicon Valley-based Andrew Thomases is another key figure in the team – a first chair trial lawyer with deep experience litigating complex patent cases.Practice head(s):
Steven Pepe; Matt Rizzolo
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Roku, Inc.
NetApp Inc.
CJ CheilJedang
RAB Lighting Inc.
MACOM Technology Solutions, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented Roku in its ITC investigation against Universal Electronics.
- Represented NetApp in a patent-based ITC investigation filed by Proven Networks.
- Represented CJ CheilJedang in ending its six-year dispute against competitor Ajinomoto in the ITC and Southern District of New York regarding methods of producing tryptophan.
Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 3
The team at Ropes & Gray LLP is based in Boston and advises clients in major industries including manufacturing, private equity and venture capital, retail, health care and life sciences. The team advises on employment concerns including personnel policies, wage and hour compliance, negotiation of employment and separation agreements and pay equity. Megan Bisk counsels employers on issues such as sexual harassment and non-competition matters. Doug Brayley has expertise in issues relating to Covid-19 such as vaccinations and workplace safety.Practice head(s):
Megan Bisk
Other key lawyers:
Douglas Brayley
Key clients
TPG Capital LP
American Industrial Partners
GHO Capital
The TJX Companies Inc.
Advent International Corporation
Monomoy Capital
Bain Capital LP
Partners Group Administration Services AG
Baring Private Equity Asia
Silver Lake Partners
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
University of Southern California
Centerbridge Partners
Nova Path Supply Chain Solutions
Work highlights
- Advised several leading private equity portfolio companies and public companies in the design and implementation of employee impact-based (ESG and DE&I) incentive programs.
- Represented GHO Capital Partners on employment matters in its acquisition of Lykan Bioscience from Windrose Health Investors.
M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 3
Relying on a strong international network, Ropes & Gray LLP is well versed in national and global corporate and M&A matters, most notably transactions involving the life sciences, biotech and tech sectors. Besides acting for leading corporate clients on buy and sell-side mandates, the group is also adept in high-end de-SPAC deals. Singled out for his in-depth knowledge of corporate transactions concerning the consumer, life sciences and medical technology industries, Christopher Comeau leads the M&A practice out of Boston. Emily Oldshue is a key reference for both public and private companies, private equity firms and investment banks; her most recent advice to Pfizer on several strategic acquisitions is particularly noteworthy. Jackie Cohen, who joined the New York office from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in November 2022, excels in transactional matters, shareholder activism, and takeover defense. Suni Sreepada further strengthened the New York M&A offering in April 2022, when she joined from White & Case LLP. All practitioners are based in Boston unless stated otherwise.Practice head(s):
Christopher Comeau
Other key lawyers:
Emily Oldshue; Paul Kinsella; Carl Marcellino; Sarah Young; Jackie Cohen; Suni Sreepada
Key clients
Acceleron Pharma Inc
Advent Technologies
Cambrex Corporation
Cloudmed
Eversource Energy
Galderma Laboratories LP
Ginkgo Bioworks Inc
HP Inc.
Max Finkelstein Inc.
McAfee Corp.
Medtronic Inc.
National Financial Partners Corp
Perella Weinberg Partners LP
Pfizer Inc.
Planet Fitness Inc.
Qorvo Inc.
Radius Health, Inc.
ServiceMax, Inc.
Signify Health
Sports Entertainment Acquisition Corp.
Stripe Inc.
The Jordan Company
Work highlights
- Represented McAfee Corp. in its $14bn take-private sale to a consortium of investors.
- Acted for Pfizer in its acquisitions of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals, Arena Pharmaceuticals and Trillium Therapeutics, for an aggregate of over $20bn.
- Assisted Signify Health in its $8bn sale to CVS Health.
Real estate Tier 3
Ropes & Gray LLP has an extensive history acting for representing private equity clients and REITs in equity and finance transactions, demonstrated by New York’s Daniel Stanco, who co-leads the team, and Anthony Mongone advising Blackstone Mortgage Trust and Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies in the financing of its $6.4bn acquisition of the Crown Resorts luxury hotel and casino portfolio in Australia. Global co-head John (Jack) Creedon, Richard Gordet and counsel Effie George Floyd in Boston advise on joint ventures and co-investments, distressed debt purchases and restructurings, acquisitions and dispositions, leasing and ground-up development.Practice head(s):
John Creedon; Dan Stanco
Other key lawyers:
Richard Gordet; Effie George Floyd
Testimonials
‘Familiarity with our firm, investment strategy, and subject matter expertise.’
‘Dan Stanco is a thought provoking and highly technical attorney that can think big picture while knowing and looking after the details.‘
Key clients
Abrams Capital Management
ACORE
American Equity Investment
Apollo Management
Audax Group
Bain Capital Real Estate
Baupost
Blackstone
BrightSpire Capital
Brookfield
CPP Investment Board
Grosvenor Capital Management
Harbor Group International
Kayne Anderson
King Street Capital Management
KKR
Morgan Stanley
MSD Partners
Oaktree Capital Management
Oak Hill Advisors
Oxford Properties
Partners Group
PIMCO
Related Fund Management
RMR Group
Rosewood Investment Corporation
Work highlights
- Represented Partners Group on more than 10 high-profile complex joint ventures valued at approximately $3 billion in the aggregate for the acquisition and development of real estate assets located throughout the U.S.
- Represented The Baupost Group in the $400 million joint venture with affiliates of Atlas Capital and Zeckendorf Development to acquire 550 Washington Street, New York, NY and develop a $1 billion+ super-luxury condominium.
Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP offers broad expertise across DOJ and FTC merger processes, advising a broad range of corporate and private equity clients on HSR filings through to investigations and regulatory actions, as well as coordinating global merger approvals in concert with its international offices. The firm is particularly strong in the life sciences space, advising strategic purchasers and investors on contested transactions facing significant regulatory scrutiny, such as Medtronic’s $1.1bn acquisition of Intersect ENT, which succeeded following a FTC Second Request in a notable victory for the highly experienced Michael McFalls and former FTC Mergers I head Jonathan Klarfeld . Additionally, the firm is active in handling merger filings and strategy for private equity clients such as Bain Capital, with the prolific Deirdre Johnson in Boston specializing in HSR work. Mark Popofsky oversees the team, which also includes Samer Musallam, who focuses on merger-related investigations in a range of regulated sectors, including medical devices, telecoms, and semiconductors. Jacqueline Grise joined the firm in April 2024 from Cooley LLP. All attorneys are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.Practice head(s):
Mark Popofsky
Other key lawyers:
Samer Musallam; Deirdre Johnson; Jonathan Klarfeld; Michael McFalls
Key clients
Google Inc.
Signify Health
Pfizer
Harvest Partners
New Mountain Capital
TPG
Gingko Bioworks
McAfee
Bain Capital
Thomas H. Lee Partners
Audax
TriArtisan Capital Advisors
Fidelity Investment Management
Work highlights
- Advised Pfizer Inc. on the merger control aspects relating to its $5.4 billion acquisition of Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.
- Advised Medtronic Inc. in its $1.1 billion acquisition of Intersect ENT, a well-known publicly traded healthcare equipment company.
- Represented TPG Capital in its acquisition of ClaimsXten, Change Healthcare’s claims payment and editing business, from UnitedHealth for $2.2 billion.
Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)
Ropes & Gray LLP’s appellate and Supreme Court practice has recently handled cases involving a broad scope of issues, including constitutional law, IP, antitrust, securities and bankruptcy, among other matters. The national group is driven out of Washington DC by department chair Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, who has presented 18 arguments before the US Supreme Court. Among his recent cases, Hallward-Driemeier represented the City of Boston before SCOTUS in a First Amendment case concerning the flying of certain non-governmental flags outside Boston City Hall. Senior counsel James Batchelder, based in Boston, also brings to bear significant appellate experience.Practice head(s):
Douglas Hallward-Driemeier
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Apax Partners
Central Brooklyn Homeowners of Color
City of Boston
DACA Recipients
Emerson Electric
H.I.G. Capital
Investment Company Institute
IP Bridge, Inc.
MOAC Mall Holdings LLC
Massachusetts Medical Society and the Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation of Massachusetts
Nuveen Funds
Samsung Electronics
Target Corporation
Tribune Company pension plans (and approximately 30 clients, mostly major public and private pension plans and funds)
George Lee Tucker, II
Washington State School Directors’ Association
Work highlights
- Represented the City of Boston before the US Supreme Court in a First Amendment case that concerned the City of Boston’s program flying certain non-governmental flags outside Boston City Hall.
- Won a decision in the Eleventh Circuit that affirmed the dismissal of a False Claims Act case against HIG Capital.
- Led and coordinated the defense of $8bn worth of fraudulent conveyance litigation against 30 clients seeking to recover payments made to shareholders in a leveraged buyout of Tribune Company.
Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP fields a well-regarded team highly sought after by private equity firms and their portfolio companies, financial institutions, and investment management companies. The firm also regularly works with corporations in industries such as life sciences, TMT, consumer goods, and retail, among others, and is able to draw upon strong regulatory expertise across diverse industries. The team is led by Jeffrey Bushofsky in Chicago and Daniel McCaughey in Boston, handling a diverse range of commercial disputes, class actions, and corporate governance issues, as well as displaying strong capabilities in alternative dispute resolution settings.Practice head(s):
Jeffrey Bushofsky; Daniel McCaughey
Key clients
Albertson’s Companies, Inc.
Apax Partners, LLP and affiliates
Bain Capital Ventures and Activate Venture Partners
Belvedere Capital
Defense group of institutional investor and mangers, including Fidelity, Blackrock and Vanguard
Goldman Sachs Affiliate AMLQ Holdings (Cay), Ltd.
Google Inc.
GTCR, LLC
H.I.G. Capital, LLC
Invesco, Ltd.
Lazer Spot, Inc.
Morgan Stanley
Schroders plc
Smedvig Capital Ltd.
State Street Bank and Trust Company and Currenex, Inc.
Tiptree, Inc. and Stefanos Kasselakis
Walgreen Co.
Work highlights
- Representing an affiliate of Invesco in the Southern District of New York, in a dispute arising from an earn-out dispute under an acquisition agreement.
- Represented Morgan Stanley in a qui tam action under the Florida False Claims Act brought by a former municipal bond trader on behalf of the State of Florida against UBS, Morgan Stanley, Citi, JPM, and RBC.
- Secured a favorable verdict in favor of the founder of one of the nation’s leading home health and hospice businesses.
Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP’s reputation in the DCM market is very much in the ascendancy. Having grown its New York team over the last five years, it brought in Faiza Rahman from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and Daniel Forman from Proskauer Rose LLP in April 2022 to further cement the firm’s standing in the city and nationwide. The team is noted for its advice to private equity houses and other fund managers, and also sees high levels of engagements from underwriters. Paul Tropp co-heads the capital markets group from the Boston office and frequently represents underwriters in investment grade offerings by private equity funds, credit funds and business development companies (BDCs). Boston’s Craig Marcus and New York partner Christopher Capuzzi are also key partners.Practice head(s):
Craig Marcus; Paul Tropp
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Blackstone
Cabot Corporation
Eversource Energy
LSB Industries
Sarepta Therapeutics
Work highlights
- Represented Eversource Energy and its subsidiaries in debt capital markets transactions worth an aggregate of over $3.5bn within the 12-month research period
- Represented Blackstone in its strategic financing collaboration with PTC Therapeutics, worth up to $1bn.
- Represented the underwriters in debt capital markets offerings for Blackstone Private Credit Fund worth an aggregate of over $4bn along with a £250m GBP-denominated offering during the 12-month research period.
Finance > Fintech Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP is particularly active in fintech-related corporate M&A and private equity, with lawyers acting on a regular flow of high profile deals. In addition to banking and payments-related fintech businesses, the firm is also increasingly involved in transactions in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space, where a team led by San Francisco-based Melissa Bender is assisting on digital asset launches, fund formations, web3 technologies, and related regulatory and enforcement work. This can be seen through some of the clients the team represents, with traditional funds increasing their involvement, such as Bain Capital Crypto. Other key partners include TMT co-heads Edward Black (Boston), Andrew Thomases (Silicon Valley), and Los Angeles-based litigation and enforcement partner Amy Jane Longo, who joined in 2022 from the SEC.Practice head(s):
Edward Black; Andrew Thomases; Melissa Bender
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Accolade Capital Management
Baillie Gifford
Bain Capital Crypto
BlueYard Capital Crypto
Boston Children’s Hospital
The Decentralized Code Network (Deconet)
Galaxy Digital
Genstar Capital
GoldenX
L40 Foundation
Menai Financial Group
Meta4 Capital
Nordic Capital
Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO)
ProShares Funds
Protocols Labs
Robert Moses’ Kin
Runa Digital Assets
Stanford University
Temasek
Work highlights
- Advised Bain Capital Crypto in the launch of its $560 Million Crypto Fund, the private equity firm’s first crypto currency fund.
- Represented BlueYard in multiple investments including, Braneframe, Subconscious, Cowri Labs, Tephra, among others.
- Advised ProShares, a premiere provider of ETFs, in connection with sponsoring the ProShares Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO), the first ever bitcoin futures ETF to be approved and commence trading.
Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP counts a broad range of asset managers, from institutional managers to start-ups, institutional investors and corporations, as well as private fund sponsors, mutual funds, financial institutions and sovereign wealth funds, among its key roster of clients. The practice advises on investment transactions involving commodities, futures and a range of derivatives, in addition to product structuring and regulatory matters. In the firm’s Boston office, practice leader Leigh Fraser acts for buy-side clients in negotiations concerning ISDA master agreements, master derivatives confirmations and repurchase agreements, and advises on derivatives regulatory reforms under the Dodd-Frank Act. Other key contacts in the group include New York-based Isabel Dische and Chicago-based Jeremy Liabo, who acts for asset managers on commodities mandates.Practice head(s):
Leigh Fraser
Other key lawyers:
Isabel Dische; Jeremy Liabo; Molly Moore; Egan Cammack
Work highlights
- Advising an investment firm with offices in the US, the UK and Singapore on derivatives, CFTC registration, securities financing matters and regulatory issues.
- Advising a global investment management firm on a variety of derivatives, Dodd-Frank and CFTC regulatory issues for its various private funds and separately managed accounts.
- Advising an alternative investment firm on US commodities laws and regulations, including navigating National Futures Association exams and negotiating trading documentation, trade structuring and providing advice regarding US and EU derivatives regulatory issues for a variety of investment product types.
Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4
The intellectual property department at Ropes & Gray LLP has national and global capabilities, trying cases frequently in all major patent litigation forums including district courts, the US Patent and Trademark Office, and US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. A standout mandate for the team is its representation of LG Electronics in a number of complex patent litigations, including a ten-patent case brought by ParkerVision. Steven Pepe, based in the firm’s New York office, is the chair of the firm’s IP litigation practice, with extensive experience litigating patent cases in almost all of the notable patent jurisdictions. Silicon Valley-based James Batchelder is a key attorney in the group, acting on behalf of prominent international tech clients.
Practice head(s):
Steve Pepe
Other key lawyers:
James Batchelder; Andrew Thomases; Scott McKeown; Matthew Rizzolo
Key clients
Samsung Electronics Co.
LG Electronics Inc.
Roku Inc.
Emerson Electric Co.
Godo Kaisha IP Bridge 1 (“IP Bridge”)
BorgWarner Inc.
Collision Communications
Exactech, Inc.
Egenera, Inc.
NetApp, Inc.
Teradyne, Inc.
Akamai Technologies Inc.
CJ CheilJedang Corp
MACOM Technology Solutions Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented LG Electronics in multiple complex patent litigations against RFCyber, ParkerVision, Sonrai, and EcoFactor.
- Represented CJ CheilJedang, ending its six-year dispute against competitor Ajinomoto in the ITC and Southern District of New York (SDNY) regarding methods of producing tryptophan.
- Represented Roku in its ITC investigation against Universal Electronics.
Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 4
New-York based IP litigation specialist Steven Pepe co-leads the team at Ropes & Gray LLP alongside head of false advertising, copyright, trademarks and trade secrets Peter Brody, who works from the Washington DC office. David Chun , who divides his time between San Francisco and Seoul, has significant experience handling trade secret misappropriation cases in particular, and has represented such notable clients as Samsung Electronics and Emerson Electric. Medical device and pharmaceutical-related work is a focus; with a notable matter for the team is its work representing Exactech, Inc. as a plaintiff against Zimmer, regarding the alleged misappropriation of high-stakes medical device technology.Practice head(s):
Steven Pepe; Peter Brody
Other key lawyers:
David Chun
Key clients
Exactech, Inc.
Emerson Electric Co.
Work highlights
- Representing Exactech, Inc. and its subsidiary XpandOrtho Inc., in a dispute against Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc. in relation to multiple allegations, including patent infringement, misappropriation of company trade secrets, and unfair competition.
Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP has an active transactional team which provides strong support on buy-side and sell-side corporate and private equity M&A. Key to the firm’s success in the technology sector is its experienced bench of transactional IP specialists. In addition to corporate support, the team also advises on more standalone matters, including partnership agreements and product launches, such as NFTs. Key partners include Megan Baca, who co-heads the firm’s digital health practice, and TMT co-lead Edward Black in Boston. Violetta Kokolus in New York is also building a good name for IP transactional advice, plus the privacy and cybersecurity aspects of related M&A.Practice head(s):
Andrew Thomases; Ed Black
Other key lawyers:
Violetta Kokolus
Key clients
McAfee
TPG Capital
HP Inc.
ServiceMax
Social Leverage Acquisition Corp
Forescout Technologies
Sixth Street
New Mountain Capital
Thomas H. Lee Partners
Aquiline Capital Partners
Berkshire Partners
H.I.G. Capital
NielsenIQ
Stripe
Work highlights
- Advised TPG Capital in connection with many high value transactions in 2022.
- Represented McAfee, a global computer security software company, in its $14 billion sale to an investor group.
- Advised HP in its acquisition of Poly Inc., an audio and video devices maker, implying a total enterprise value of $3.3 billion.
Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 5
The team at Ropes & Gray LLP offers multijurisdictional disputes experience and support on claims alleging monopolization, group boycotts and intellectual property antitrust, among other anticompetitive behaviour. In Washington DC is complex business litigation specialist Mark Popofsky who co-heads the team, represents clients such as Google and whose practice includes jury trials, class actions, cartel litigation and arbitrations. Also co-heading the team and splitting her time between Boston and New York is healthcare law expert Jane Willis who handles antitrust matters for clients in a range of industries including consumer products, sports and transportation. Other noteworthy attorneys include DC-based Samer Musallam who represents clients in private litigation, price-fixing class actions and monopolization lawsuits and Chong Park who handles litigation and government enforcement investigations.Practice head(s):
Mark Popofsky; Jane Willis
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Google Inc.
John Hopkins University
Advocate Aurora Health
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Work highlights
- Representing Google as litigation counsel in the DOJ’s monopolization case against Google, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in October 2020, alleging monopolization of various markets involving Internet search.
- Representing State Street and its subsidiary, Currenex, Inc. in a class action on behalf of users of Currenex, an electronic trading platform for foreign exchange transactions.
- Representing Advocate Aurora Health in a class action lawsuit brought by a self-funded insurance plan on behalf of similarly situated plaintiffs concerning managed care contracting practices.
M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 5
Ropes & Gray LLP has long been a lead player in the private equity fund space, though the firm also has a good track record advising emerging companies on the full range of issues. The team has been especially active for life sciences companies and advised Camp4 Therapeutics in its $100 million Series B financing. Venture capital funds naturally form a large part of the overall workload, and the firm is popular with funds, such as BlueYard Crypto, that target niche assets. Boston-based partners Marc Rubenstein and Brad Flint jointly lead the team, with strong input from Melissa Bender in San Francisco, who leads the firm’s crypto blockchain taskforce.Practice head(s):
Brad Flint; Marc Rubenstein
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
LianBio
Population Health Partners LLC
Genesis Therapeutics, Inc.
CAMP4 Therapeutics Corporation
Neurogastrx
Chroma Medicine
BlueYard Crypto
NorthPond Ventures
Protocol Labs
Golden X Company
Work highlights
- Represented LianBio, a biotechnology company operating in China and other Asian markets, in its $325 million initial public offering.
- Represented CAMP4 Therapeutics in a $100 million Series B financing.
- Represented BlueYard in multiple investments including, Braneframe, Subconscious, Cowri Labs, Tephra, among others.
Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 5
Finance > Structured finance: securitization
International trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions
Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations
Ropes & Gray LLP represents both corporates and individuals in white-collar cases and investigations. The firm houses a large number of anti-corruption, government enforcement and white-collar crime specialists that are fluent in Spanish or Portuguese; this includes a substantial group of former federal prosecutors, including co-chairs of the firm’s global anti-corruption and international risk practice, Chicago-based partner Ryan Rohlfsen and María González Calvet, who were members of the DOJ’s FCPA unit. González Calvet also co-chairs the Latin America practice. The practice is frequently engaged by clients in relation to government investigations, internal investigations, compliance and sanctions, and its specialists in this area are also noted for due diligence relating to M&A and other transactions. The team has an exceptional record in representing life sciences, technology and healthcare businesses, along with asset managers and financial sponsors. Alexandre Rene and Ama Adams are also key members of the practice. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.Practice head(s):
María González Calvet; Amanda Raad; Ryan Rohlfsen
Testimonials
‘The Ropes team is our go-to for all FCPA and internal investigation support as well as expertise in sanctions. They are user friendly, always make themselves available, are commercial and thoughtful. The team knows our firm well and it is very easy to get them read in on any matters where we need their support.’
‘Maria Calvet is like an extension of our internal team. She has helped our firm through numerous sensitive investigations as well as provided support with more routine FCPA and sanctions support at the firm level or within our portfolio. She is sharp, knowledgeable and creative!’
Key clients
Avianca Holdings
Work highlights
- Represented Avianca Holdings, Colombia’s flag carrier airline, in connection with investigations by the DOJ, the SEC, and several Colombian law enforcement and regulatory authorities.
Ropes & Gray LLP > Firm Profile
Ropes & Gray attorneys focus on the most critical business needs of their clients, across a range of leading legal practices. The firm’s collaborative approach means that its clients have ready access to corporate, litigation, transactional and regulatory attorneys whose knowledge and experience span industries and geographies. The firm is also committed to pro bono service, with 162,000 hours dedicated to important causes in 2017.
Main areas of practice
Antitrust: Ropes & Gray’s antitrust team offers sophisticated insight in addressing the wide-ranging needs of our clients, with a record of success in the courtroom and before US antitrust enforcement agencies.
Business restructuring: The team has extensive experience representing clients in bankruptcy cases, insolvencies and distressed situations throughout the US and internationally.
Enforcement/FCPA: Recognized as a leader, Ropes & Gray has a successful track record representing clients globally on enforcement actions, internal investigations and compliance issues.
Finance: The lawyers regularly work on domestic and cross-border financings, providing sophisticated borrowers, lenders and investors with seamless advice on financings spanning the capital structure and industries.
Hedge funds: Clients, ranging from start-up ventures to established firms with hundreds of billions of dollars under management, receive advice and innovative solutions from one of the most sophisticated hedge fund practices.
Healthcare: Home to one of the nation’s first practices dedicated to health care law, Ropes & Gray counsels clients on transactions, regulatory matters and government investigations, and provides strategic counseling.
Intellectual property: The firm delivers cohesive and comprehensive guidance over a full range of IP services, from rights protection and litigation to licensing and transactions, across a wide range of industries.
Investment management: Clients receive counsel on all aspects of their businesses, including fund formation and management, compliance, fund distribution arrangements, mergers and restructurings, tax matters, and litigation.
Life sciences: The team understands the unique needs of clients in the dynamic life sciences industry and handles various transactions, from licensing agreements for small companies to large mergers of industry-leading enterprises.
Litigation: As one of the largest and most experienced securities litigation practices in the US, the firm advises leading companies, financial institutions and individuals when their businesses and livelihoods are on the line.
M&A: Comprehensive public and private company transactional experience across industries including financial services, health care, life sciences, retail and consumer brands, and technology, media and communications.
Privacy and cybersecurity: The multi-disciplinary team consists of litigators and transactional, health care and IP attorneys who counsel clients across a broad range of industries.
Private equity: The firm routinely advises leading large and middle-market clients in multiple industries on every aspect of their largest and most complex global transactions.
Private investment funds: A pioneer from the inception of the private funds industry, Ropes & Gray has one of the largest and sophisticated global private investment funds practices, advising both fund sponsors and investors.
Real estate: A multi-disciplinary team advises on domestic and global investments (direct JVs, co- investments and funds, including distressed), financings, acquisitions and leasing in today’s growing real estate market.
Special situations: The firm’s integrated team includes partners from the US, London and Asia and is ideally equipped to assist clients across the entirety of the special situations deal spectrum.
Tax: Attorneys offer tax planning, transactional and tax controversy advice for multinational business entities, including private and registered funds, fund sponsors and advisors, public companies, and tax-exempt organizations.
Market perception: The American Lawyer A-List: 2011–2017; Financial Times North American Innovative Lawyers: 2011–2017; The Legal 500 US – ‘Mutual/Registered Funds Firm of the Year,’ 2015; Chambers USA – “Corporate Crime & Government Investigations Client Service Award,” 2016 – “Health Care Firm of the Year,” 2015 – “Investment Funds Client Service Award, 2017”; Law360 ‘Practice of the Year 2017’ – Asset Management Private Equity, National Law Journal – Pro Bono Hot List 2017
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
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Antitrust | |||
Asset management | |||
Business restructuring | |||
Capital markets | |||
Finance | |||
Healthcare | |||
Intellectual property | |||
Labor and employment | |||
Life sciences | |||
Litigation and enforcement | |||
Mergers and acquisitions | |||
Privacy and data security | |||
Private equity | |||
Real estate | |||
Sports | |||
Tax and benefits | |||
Wealth management |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Gregory Bauer Bauer | Partner | View Profile | |
Jeff Bushofsky | Partner | View Profile | |
James Davis | Partner | View Profile | |
Deborah Gersh | Partner; Co-Chair of Health Care practice | View Profile | |
Laura Hoey | Partner | View Profile | |
Deborah Monson | View Profile | ||
Paulita Pike | View Profile | ||
Benjamin Rhode | Partner | View Profile | |
Matthew Richards | View Profile | ||
Jennifer Romig | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners : 300 Number of Lawyers : 1,200Other
Chairman : R Bradford Malt (brad.malt@ropesgray.com) Managing Partner : David C Chapin (david.chapin@ropesgray.com) INTERNATIONAL OFFICES : Hong Kong INTERNATIONAL OFFICES : London INTERNATIONAL OFFICES : Seoul INTERNATIONAL OFFICES : Shanghai INTERNATIONAL OFFICES : TokyoDiversity
Commitment to Diversity
At Ropes & Gray, diversity has long been an essential part of our firm identity. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of professionals of all races, religions, genders, sexual orientations and family structures. We see our individual differences as an asset that enhances the quality of life for each of us and strengthens what we can accomplish as a firm.
The firm works hard to promote the recruitment, retention and advancement of people of diverse backgrounds at all levels. Our diversity committee, led by partners Regina Sam Penti and Joan McPhee, hosts programs and events, addresses policy issues, and works to ensure that diversity remains a key focus across all of our offices. With the help of resources such as the Ropes Multicultural Group, LGBTQ Forum, Women’s Forum, and professional development and attorney support teams, we offer educational programs and seminars to our firm community.
Ropes & Gray has consistently been recognized as being among the nation’s leading law firms in the area of diversity overall, as well as with respect to minorities, gays and lesbians, and women:
· In the 2020 Vault survey, Ropes & Gray was ranked number five among U.S. firms for overall diversity and among the top ten for diversity for “Individuals with Disabilities,” “LGBTQ Individuals,” “Women,” and “Racial Minorities,” marking the 10th consecutive year that the firm has been ranked in the top 10.
· For the past 12 years, the firm received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), earning designation as a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality.”
· The Minority Corporate Counsel Association honored the firm with two consecutive Thomas L. Sager Awards. This award recognizes firms that have succeeded in introducing policies that promote diversity and inclusion through retention, client inclusion, pipeline, mentoring and LGBTQ initiatives.
· Ropes & Gray was recognized for “Best Mentoring Program” in the Chambers Women in Law Awards.
· Yale Law Women’s Top Ten Family Friendly Firms survey recognized Ropes & Gray for Gender Equity (2014, 2016 – 2018, 2020).
· The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association honored the firm with the Law Firm Diversity Award (2015).
· Ropes & Gray was named one of the top 10 “Best Law Firms for Women” by Law360 (2017, 2018, 2019), and ranked fifth on the publication’s “Ceiling Smashers” list of large firms with the highest percentage of female equity partners.
- Dispute resolution > E-discovery
- Finance > Commercial lending
- Finance > Financial services regulation
- Healthcare > Service providers
- Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds
- Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
- Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense
- Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense
- Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings
- Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings
- Healthcare > Life sciences
- Intellectual property > Patents: licensing
- Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital)
- Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional
- M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+)
- M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism
- Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)
- Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities)
- Tax > US taxes: non-contentious
Firm Rankings
- Antitrust > Cartel
- Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate
- Government > State attorneys general
- Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission)
- Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling
- M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+)
- Real estate
- Antitrust > Merger control
- Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)
- Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes
- Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings
- Finance > Fintech
- Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products
- Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage)
- Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters)
- Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions
- Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense
- M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies
- Tax > US taxes: contentious