Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP > Los Angeles, United States > Firm Profile

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

Assisting project developers, financing providers, and infrastructure investors with transactional, real estate, and regulatory matters, the energy, infrastructure, and project finance team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is recognized in the US renewable and alternative energy market for its breadth of practice. The department has wide-ranging expertise spanning structuring, financing, and taxation, as well as commodity hedging, disputes, and project acquisitions and divestitures, among other areas. With broad capabilities and experience handling high-value and high-profile matters, the team continues to attract new clients to its extensive roster, comprised of notable names from the financial services, renewable energy, and public sectors including the likes of the California Wind Energy Association and EDF Renewables. Heading up the practice in Chicago is Katherine Gillespie who stands out for her aptitude in debt transactions, tax equity partnership flip deals, and lease financings. Anthony Toranto leads the group in San Diego and concentrates on acquisitions, dispositions, and development, alongside financing and leasing transactions. On the tax front, Chicago’s Amit Kalra is the main contact, while San Francisco-based Christine Hourcade-Hoefliger focuses on cross-border acquisitions and sales.

Government > Government contracts Tier 2

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is a popular destination for government contracts and procurement clients operating across the intelligence, aerospace and defense sectors for assistance on the full range of contracting matters. This includes national security advice, bid protests and corrective actions before the GAO, grant advice and transactional support. Jonathan Aronie leads the Washington DC based team and is highly experienced in bid protests, FCA and internal investigations. Further key practitioners in the team include Anne Perry who has a broad practice that encompasses advice on export controls, foreign military sales and financing, suspension, debarment and bid protests. Keith Szeliga handles costs and pricing issues, compliance matters, small business issues and FCA litigation, Ryan Roberts handles a range of counselling, litigation and investigation matters and Townsend Bourne frequently acts as government contracts counsel to defense, tech and retail clients. Jonathan Meyer joined the firm from the Department of Homeland security in October 2024 and bolsters the firms offering in national security matters and governmental investigations.

Healthcare > Health insurers Tier 2

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP’s health insurance practice runs the gamut, and the team is highly experienced in advising clients on issues such as Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, regulatory and compliance concerns, as well as in acting for clients in complex litigation at trial and appellate level. Many major insurance carriers, MCOs, health plans, providers, and other key stakeholders in the health care market count themselves as clients of the firm, benefiting from the group’s extensive resources. The expanding practice is directed by a team of four: Century City-based Eric Klein, who is well-versed in M&A and the design of payor and provider initiatives and compliance programs, San-Francisco-based Eric Newsom, who is similarly instrumental in mergers and acquisitions, affiliations, corporate reorganizations, joint ventures, PE investments and disposition transactions, DC partner Christine Clements, who leverages extensive in-house experience and is noted for her Medicare Advantage chops, and NYC-based Amanda Zablocki, who advises health insurance players on ventures, corporate governance, fraud, waste and abuse, as well as Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Also central to the practice are Lynsey Mitchel, an HMO regulatory specialist hailing from Century City, and Los Angeles litigator Moe Keshavarzi. Century City-based Matthew Goldman concentrates on regulatory and transactional work.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 2

Eric Klein, Christine Clements, Amanda Zablocki, and Eric Newsom jointly head the practice at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, which is renowned for its handling of corporate healthcare mandates. The team counts private equity firms, health systems, and integrated care delivery systems among its broad client base. Klein works out of Century City, and is well-known for his expertise in handling high-profile joint ventures and M&A for health systems and hospitals, while Lynsey Mitchel is adept at advising on Knox-Keene Act-related risk arrangements. Chicago’s Kathleen O’Neill is a key contact for payors and providers seeking advice on provider employment work and commercial contracting, while Carolyn Metnick‘s primary area of focus is health data privacy and security, often assisting clients with using AI within the healthcare space. All having joined the Chicago team in 2024, Megan Rooney and Adam Marks joined from McDermott Will & Emery LLP, and Douglas Swill joined from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 2

A middle-market stalwart, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP supports strategics, entrepreneurs, and private equity clients on buy- and sell-side M&A transactions. During 2023/24, the team delivered a dominant performance in media and entertainment-related deals, where it acted for major industry names such as Lionsgate Entertainment and Toho Company - it also recently handled matters in the healthcare, financial services, and aerospace and defense sectors. In San Diego, Jeralin Cardoso is sought after for her specialist expertise in healthcare transactions. Cardoso co-heads the national corporate practice together with San Diego-based John Tishler, whose practice encompasses corporate, finance, and capital markets work, and New York-based counsel John Hempill, who has an emphasis on M&A and venture capital. The practice also benefits from a strong platform in Los Angeles, which includes David Sands, whose practice intersects corporate, entertainment, technology, and advertising law; and Zachary Turke, who spearheads the M&A team, as well as the aerospace, defense and government services practice.

Real estate > Land use/zoning Tier 2

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP‘s real estate, energy, land use, & environmental team helps developers, investors, and owners cross California’s regulatory waters and develop projects in sectors as diverse as energy, hospitality, and healthcare. The department is led by San Francisco’s Keith Garner, who assists clients with a scope of issues from land use planning and entitlement to associated litigation; and San Diego’s Michael Leake, who fields a broad real estate practice representing commercial and industrial owners and tenants. In New York, Jodi Stein and Eva Schneider advise developers on obtaining discretionary land use approvals as well as compliance throughout the project lifecycle. San Francisco’s Jennifer Renk advises her clients on the environmental hurdles implicit in the Californian development process; San Diego’s Jeffrey Forrest litigates similar issues. Lorie Soares Lazarus and Peter David Ballance joined the practice in late 2023 while Jennifer Brough, Douglas Yeager, Bruce Grabow, and Jeffrey Smith joined in 2024.

Tax > Not-for-profit (Fortune 1000 private foundations, national trade associations, and charities) Tier 2

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP provides comprehensive counsel to tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations, guiding them through every stage, from formation and obtaining tax-exempt status to compliance, operations, restructurings, and critical transitions. Molly Unterseher and Tamar Rosenberg jointly head the practice from the New York office, with Unterseher handling a wide range of corporate and tax matters, and Rosenberg specializing in federal tax law related to tax exemption, corporate governance, and charity law. Another key member of the New York office, Amanda Zablocki, supports clients with complex corporate transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. Strengthening the practice’s nonprofit practice, Megan Rooney joined the Chicago office from McDermott Will & Emery LLP. .

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 3

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP possesses notable expertise in putative class action defense, supporting clients across industries in their matters. The firm is well-versed in data breach incidents and privacy compliance, both at the state and federal level. In Los Angeles and Chicago respectively, the team is led by Craig Cardon and Liisa Thomas, who focuses on privacy and advertising matters. Wynter Deagle, based in Del Mar, is an experienced defense litigator in both individual and class actions relating to privacy and cybersecurity. Rachel Hudson brings privacy and advertising expertise to retail, fashion and beauty companies. Kari Rollins is adept in international commercial arbitration contexts.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 3

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP's entertainment, technology and advertising practice group is spearheaded by New York-based Alexis Robinson who acts as strategic counsel in entertainment-related commercial transactions as well as assisting clients with negotiating digital content, music licensing and distribution deals. The Century City-based team advises studios, streaming services and platforms on financings, acquisitions, production and distribution of content. The team often act as lead entertainment counsel for clients and are sought out for their skills in handling motion picture and TV productions. As part of the West Coast team, Robert Darwell leads on the acquisition and development of motion picture and TV projects, Robb Klein focuses on film and TV financing and Linda Michaelson brings corporate expertise to the media team.

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

The team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is well-versed in regulatory issues affecting space and satellite companies. It also specializes in national security matters and cable infrastructure work. The Washington DC-based group is led by Brian Weimer who is well-known for his work in the satellite industry. Dave Thomas has expertise in regulations affecting broadband networks, such as network operations and security, local franchising, rights-of-way and infrastructure. Douglas Svor works with companies in the tech, telecoms, aerospace, defense and infrastructure sectors. Jodi Goldberg has particular expertise in issues surrounding the satellite, space, wireless and new tech industries.

Real estate Tier 3

The real estate team at Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP offers a combination of acquisition and joint venture, public-private development, finance, development, and leasing advice. Assisting clients to acquire, finance, and develop real property assets, the practice acts for a range of entities from developers, owners, and investors to REITs and private equity funds. The team is co-headed by Michael Leake, a partner in the firm’s San Diego office, who has a broad-based real estate transactional practice with experience in property purchases and sales, leasings and financings. Alongside Leake is co-head Keith Garner, who acts out of the San Francisco office and focuses on state and federal environmental laws, land use planning issues, and entitlement procedures.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 4

With a strong track record in antitrust investigations, prosecutions, and enforcement actions, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is frequently instructed by both domestic and multinational clients. Renowned for its expertise in the technology sector, the group brings deep insight into the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law, handling complex issues like patent pooling, product distribution, and licensing restrictions. Based in Washington DC, the practice is co-led by Leo Caseria, who handles federal and state cartel investigations, and former DOJ official Ann O’Brien, who brings extensive experience in domestic, international, and multi-agency cartel matters, including federal jury trials.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

The merger control offering from Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is experienced in merger review and HSR filings, working closely with the firm’s corporate group, wider antitrust and competition group and its government antitrust enforcement defense practice. It is particularly experienced in supporting clients in the healthcare sector, in addition to cement and concrete focused clients. Practice co-head Leo Caseria also heads the firm’s governmental practice, working across the Washington DC and Los Angeles offices and offering expertise in complex investigations brought by the Department of Justice, FTC, and state enforcers. Co-head Ann O’Brien, in DC, focuses on advising clients facing criminal and civil government investigations and litigation. Jared Nagley joined the New York team in May 2024 from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 4

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP’s environmental attorneys offer comprehensive counsel across industries, handling high-stakes litigation, regulatory matters, permitting, and crisis response. The firm represents clients in cases involving contamination, hazardous waste, and air quality. Its regulatory expertise includes working with agencies such as the U.S. EPA and California Air Resources Board. The firm also advises on environmental due diligence, land use, and Prop 65 compliance. Key partner Jeffrey Parker , co-leader of the environment practice in Los Angeles, represents clients in energy, aerospace, construction, and chemicals.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 4

The Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP team has extensive knowledge of wage and hour class and representative actions, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, non-compete and trade secrets matters. The group is jointly headed by Denise Giraudo in Washington DC and Jason Kearnaghan in Los Angeles. Kearnaghan devotes a large portion of his practice to the defense of wage and hour class action litigation. Also sat in the Los Angeles office, Richard Simmons is active in wage and hour, PAGA, discrimination, contract and wrongful discharge lawsuits. Paul Cowie is a key name in the Silicon Valley office for his expert knowledge in class actions and PAGA claims.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 4

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP recently bolstered the strength of its practice with the arrival of trial specialists from Brown Rudnick LLP in August 2024, including Camille Vasquez and Leo Presiado who both sit in Orange County. The firm represents individuals in the entertainment industry such as producers on litigation involving distribution rights, profit and revenue participation, audit claims and talent disputes. Entertainment specialists Alexis Robinson and Robert Friedman both lead the New York practice, while class action expert Sascha Henry chairs the Los Angeles group and John Brooks spearheads the San Diego business trial team. Benjamin Chew is noted for his commercial litigation expertise and resides in Washington DC.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 4

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has broad experience across software, healthcare-IT, fashion, retail, and more. With specialists in corporate law, intellectual property, and media, the team offers practical guidance on complex transactions such as outsourcing, licensing, and joint ventures. Brian Anderson , a distinguished leader in San Francisco, brings deep expertise in intellectual property and commercial transactions, helping domestic and international companies and entrepreneurs optimize and commercialize their technology.

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

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP routinely handles matters for clients in the space and satellite industries with a particular focus on cable infrastructure. The Washington DC-based team is led by Brian Weimer who specializes in advising space and satellite clients on M&A, financing and commercial issues. Douglas Svor represents wireless, satellite and other tech companies before the FCC, providing advice on matters at the intersection of tech and national security. Jodi Goldberg undertakes regulatory, licensing, allocation and transactional matters.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 5

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is well-positioned to represent domestic and multinational clients in antitrust investigations and prosecutions by the FTC and DOJ. The team has played a pivotal role in recent monopoly investigations involving big tech companies and in facilitating significant M&A transactions for its clients. Co-chair Leo Caserio’s litigation expertise has been instrumental in securing favorable outcomes in complex conspiracy trials. Fellow co-chair Ann O’Brien brings extensive experience in antitrust and white-collar crime investigations, including representing clients in federal criminal jury trials. Both attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 5

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP advises pharma, biotech, medical device, and digital health clients in matters spanning the entire product lifecycle. With notable FDA regulatory expertise, its work includes counseling, compliance, and due diligence matters. On the IP side, it handles strategic portfolio development and licensing, prosecution, and due diligence. The team is led by New York-based Jeffrey Fessler and Scott Liebman, who focus on corporate transactions and FDA regulatory, compliance, and legal matters, respectively. Jaime Choi joined San Diego’s Del Mar office from Snell & Wilmer LLP, bringing complex patent and disputes expertise. Washington DC-based Kwan-Ho Chung, who arrived from Perkins Coie LLP, focuses on patent prosecution, counseling, and litigation.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is well-versed in handling high-stakes patent disputes, with first-chair experience before federal and district courts, as well as the PTAB. The practice’s core client base lies within the media and telecoms sectors, such as TikTok, Netflix and Hulu. Co-chairing the team is Daniel Yannuzzi, based in Del Mar, and Steven Schortgen in Dallas. Schortgen has extensive experience as lead trial counsel for patent litigation. Other key practitioners in Del Mar include Martin Beldar, who is sought after by tech companies for high-stakes cases, and Stephen Korniczky, who has recently focused on standard essential patent (SEP) litigation

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 5

Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP guides clients throughout their proposed undertakings, from inception to completion and any issues arising during and after the process. The construction practice is led by San Francisco’s ‘deeply engaged’ Erinn Contreras, and New York’s Ira Shulman who ‘inspires confidence’ in his clients. In Del Mar, John Yacovelle represents developers, investors, and contractors on litigious and arbitrational claims ranging from stop notice and early terminations to engineering and construction contracts. In Orange County, Aaron Sobaski drafts design-build and other agreements pertaining to mixed-use projects.

Insurance > Advice to insurers

Deeply involved in Californian insurance matters, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP specializes in class action and bad faith defense, and is also well-versed in handling coverage disputes across numerous lines of insurance, from personal liability, E&O and D&O, to toxic torts, life, and auto insurance litigation. The works under the stewardship of Orange County-based property and casualty expert Jeffrey Crowe , San Diego-based insurance trial lawyer Peter Klee , and Theona Zhordania, who maintains a diverse practice from the Los Angeles office. Other integral group members include San Diego-based John Edson and Charles Danaher , who both focus on bad faith and unfair competition litigation, with Edson also engaging in fraud and bankruptcy matters. In Orange County, Marc Feldman assists carriers in disputes stemming from first and third-party claims, bad faith, class actions, and claims under California’s Business and Professions Code.

Finance > Fintech

Real estate > Real estate finance