Squire Patton Boggs > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Squire Patton Boggs > The Legal 500 Rankings

Government > Government relations Tier 1

Squire Patton Boggs Washington DC-based public policy offering excels in providing integrated and multi-disciplinary expertise from within the firm’s international backdrop. US-China/US-Europe policy matters and relationship issues are a mainstay of the team’s expertise, which regularly advises and advocates before the executive and Congress for both corporate and sovereign clients, the latter being where the team excels. Current noteworthy work includes high-stakes work within pension reform and national cannabis legislation. Matters related peace in the Middle East and US bilateral relationships are also a focus of the team. The firm’s Capital Thinking blog – a publication offering thought leadership, public policy, and regulatory insights continues to be a valuable resource for clients, and members of the practice are regular speakers in news sources and radio as experts. Edward Newberry and Robert Kapla co-lead the practice- Newberry manages the the global public policy, investigatory, and regulatory solutions practice, trusted by and representing some of the largest companies in the world. Kapla advises multinational corporations, and is trusted by Sovereign governments as counsel for foreign investment, international trade and policy, and project development. Patricia Doersch and Carolina Mederos co-chair the team and are key contacts for transport, local government and infrastructure policy issues, particularly for transportation agencies, corporations, and municipal governments. Aubrey A. Rothrock III is counsel of choice for large domestic and multinational corporations, particularly in private sector coalitions. David Schnittger has extensive expertise in the energy, transportation, entertainment, and financial services industries. Senior associate Ludmilla L. Kasulke is also notable, building a strong practice in international goods and services trade, investment flow, and global supply chain-related mandates.

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

Squire Patton Boggs, an international firm with 45 offices throughout 20 countries, is engaged by significant players in industries as diverse as aviation, automotive, finance, business services, chemicals and diversified industrials. During 2021 Cipriano Beredo was appointed as chair of the Americas practice, a position garnered through 20 years’ worth of experience in M&A, securities, corporate governance and divestiture transactions; he succeeds Daniel G Berick who remains an integral cog within the team, complimenting his prowess in M&A with significant private equity, fund formation, venture capital and general corporate law expertise; the duo are based in Cleveland where Jonathon Whittlesey often leads and coordinates on international transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions. Elsewhere, over at the Phoenix office, Jaime Daddona is an up-and-coming partner with significant exposure to business and finance transactions, stockholder relation affairs, securities offerings and restructurings.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal Tier 2

The practice at Squire Patton Boggs is best known for its ‘integrated and multidisciplinary approach to municipal restructuring’, combining its knowledge within policy, governmental and public finance. The group’s expertise is evidenced through its representation of the US Virgin Islands, where it served as issuer and governmental affairs counsel to its Department of Finance to oversee the refinancing of $1bn in outstanding bond debt. San Francisco-based Karol Denniston has long-standing experience advising distressed governmental entities. Stephen Lerner divides his time between New York and Cleveland, and is recognized for his expertise in representing clients in Chapter 9 municipal restructurings and out-of-court workouts. Miami's Pedro Hernandez has specialist expertise advising over public finance matters, with particular focus placed upon bond issues concerning the State of Florida and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Together, they lead the practice.

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 3

The environment, safety and health practice group at Squire Patton Boggs excels in handling complex litigation, ranging from challenging new environmental regulations to defending enforcement actions, cost recovery claims, class actions and multi-party toxic tort matters. Clients operating in the steelmaking, mining, chemical, manufacturing, oil and gas, energy and consumer products sectors benefit from practitioners’ long history of working with state and federal regulators, and their track record in site remediation, brownfield redevelopments and water rights issues. Based in Columbus, department head Karen Winters is proficient in environmental tort claims and in the management of large-scale environmental liabilities. In Denver, Carolyn McIntosh is extremely active in environmental litigation and compliance issues, and Peter Gould assists clients with administrative law, government investigations and environmental disputes. In the same office, Alexander Arensberg  is skilled at acting for clients in litigation and regulatory matters before federal and state agencies.

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

The Washington DC-based team at Squire Patton Boggs has established itself as a leading practice for large government project managers such as the 800 MHz Transition Administrator, LLC and the Relocation Payment Clearinghouse LLC. Mark Dever, who leads the firm in this area, is an expert in FCC auctions and the commission’s competitive bidding regulations. Another specialist in this area is Robert B. Kelly, who focuses on spectrum policy and allocation and has led the team on the 800MHz and Relocation engagements. Eduardo Guzmán is an expert on regulatory and dispute resolution matters, leading several of the team’s matters for Puerto Rico Telephone Company d/b/a Claro. Additionally recommended is Robert Stup, for his expertise in wireless-related matters. The team strengthened its ranks with the arrival of counsel Gardner Foster, who joined from an in-house position in November 2021.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Clients highlight Squire Patton Boggs US LLP' ability to 'work as a truly global team'. The strength of its cross-border offering is borne out by an increasingly international client list, which recently saw the firm add six new sovereign nations to its roster, including Nigeria, Peru and Romania. Alongside its work for states and state-owned entities in investor-state arbitrations, the group also has a strong record in representing energy companies in natural gas price review disputes. In New York, investment arbitration co-head Miriam Harwood stands out for her 'brilliant legal mind'; she counts states from across Europe, the Middle East and Latin America among her clients. Stephen Anway, who splits his time between New York and Washington DC, is global co-chair of the international dispute resolution practice and handles a mix of investor-state and commercial arbitration cases. New York-based associate Carlos Guzmán Plascencia is an 'upcoming leader'.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 4

Standing out for its in-depth knowledge of environmental, safety and health issues, Squire Patton Boggs is seen with great regularity advising clients from the chemicals, energy, transportation, mining, steelmaking, pulp and paper sectors in relation to environmental compliance, federal and state permitting matters and enforcement actions. Mandates involving site remediation, brownfield redevelopment, federal and state land use approvals, water rights and water resource management are core areas of activity for the department, which is led by Karen Winters in Columbus. Winters assists with the defense of federal and state enforcement proceedings. Douglas McWilliams, who is based in Cleveland, advises on the entire spectrum of environmental matters, including rule development and air permitting. A name to note in Denver, Carolyn McIntosh is regularly retained by energy clients on compliance and litigation issues.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

Squire Patton Boggs offers a ‘seasoned’ and sizeable team, having experience across all aspects of restructuring and insolvency matters such as Chapter 11 proceedings, Chapter 15 insolvencies and out-of-court restructurings. Stephen D Lerner  heads the practice, dividing his time between Cincinatti and New York; he was appointed as Examiner in the Purdue Pharma Chapter 11 case, whereby he oversaw the allegation that the Sackler family sought to improperly influence the Special Committee of the Board of Directors. The team was bolstered by the promotion of Dallas’s Travis McRoberts to partner in January 2021.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 4

Squire Patton Boggs has a major focus on Latin America, particularly Mexico and Brazil. It has a particularly strong record in oil and gas, conventional power and renewables. Washington DC partner Alvaro Mestre chairs the firm’s Mexico desk, and specialises in energy and transport transactions, (including project development and M&A) in Latin America. In Houston, dual-qualified (Brazil/New York) Paula Galhardo leads the Brazil desk, and has an extensive record in inbound and outbound M&A. Also in Houston, senior foreign counsel Cássio Braga Arantes is another member of the Brazil desk and a specialist in the oil and gas sector, having practised in Brazil for many years before moving to Houston.