Winston & Strawn LLP > Dallas, United States > Firm Profile

Winston & Strawn LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s experienced team of lawyers and technical staff represents clients in e-discovery, information governance and privacy matters. The department is highly active in litigation, and act as counsel at the state, federal, and international levels for a considerable number of market-leading clients. Team leader John Rosenthal, based in Washington DC, is well-regarded for his expertise in e-discovery, privacy, and data security. Rosenthal covers antitrust, commercial litigation, trade regulation and IP counselling matters. Houston-based Sheryl Falk focuses on data security, internal investigations, computer forensics, and trade secret litigation, and co-chairs the firm’s global privacy and data security practice. Also key are of counsel e-discovery attorney Matthew Poplawski, who is based in Chicago, and senior e-discovery attorney Jason Moore, in DC. Poplawski specializes in reducing recovery costs and risks through the design and implementation of e-discovery blueprints, while Moore advises clients on preservation obligations, analytic document review technologies, and discovery sanctions. Bobby Malhotra joined the Los Angeles office in November 2022 from Munger, Tolles & Olson, where he was co-leader of the information governance and e-discovery practice.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1

Dan Webb – Winston & Strawn LLP. One of the most distinguished and sought-after trial lawyers in the US, Chicago-based Dan Webb’s practice focuses on major commercial, civil, regulatory, and white-collar criminal cases. Achieving an abundance of success in 2022, Webb obtained a complete plaintiff verdict and $100m in damages for Versata Software in its trade secrets litigation against Ford Motor Co. in November. Webb also served as Special Prosecutor in State of Illinois v Jussie Smollett, a high-profile successful prosecution of the actor in Chicago regarding felony charges.Abbe Lowell – Winston & Strawn LLP. Co-chair of the firm’s white collar, regulatory defense and investigations practice, Abbe Lowell regularly represents high-profile corporate and individual clients in matters of national and international significance. Lowell has recent victories in abundance, one of which involved successfully defending Matthew Grimes against criminal charges of being an unregistered agent of a foreign government, securing a complete acquittal from the Jury. Lowell is based out of Washington DC.Tom Melsheimer – Winston & Strawn LLP. A thriving practice which balances both public service as a federal prosecutor and private practice, Tom Melsheimer’s practice focuses on a broad array of areas including white-collar defense and government investigations, antitrust, environmental, securities, and IP litigation. 2022 proved to be another impressive year for Melsheimer, who in April achieved a complete acquittal for Davita CEO Kent Thiry, involved in a criminal non-solicitation case which alleged a labor-related “no poach” illegal agreement. Melsheimer’s practice is based in Dallas.George Lombardi – Winston & Strawn LLP. In Chicago, George Lombardi is highly active in significant and often precedential cases across a broad range of areas which includes IP, bet-the-company, antitrust, and consumer protection; with an equally broad sector focus that spans from life sciences and pharmaceuticals to consumer products and tobacco. In a recent standout matter before Oregon state court, Lombardi achieved a unanimous jury verdict for Monsanto Company in a Roundup product liability trial, the most widely used herbicide in the world.Jeffrey Kessler – Winston & Strawn LLP. In New York, Jeffrey Kessler has litigated and tried on numerous landmark antitrust and sports cases, recording several high-profile wins in recent years against sporting bodies including the NCAA. 2022 continued in a similar vein as Kessler co-led a team which defended WME Sports, a subsidiary of Endeavor, against tortious-interference claims filed by competitor Excel Sports Management.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 1

With experience in handling a range of market-significant transactions from across the sector, Winston & Strawn LLP‘s multidisciplinary energy & infrastructure industry group offers ‘specialists in nearly every related discipline needed for a large deal in this space, and a deep bench of associates’ to its domestic and international clients. The group is co-lead by transactional lawyer Mike Pikiel and Rich Shutran, both based in New York, and Mike Blankenship in Houston. Shutran is well-versed in finance and development work, while Blankenship is noted for his expertise in M&A. Based in New York, and representing a range of strategic and financial participants in complex transactions, Jonathan Birenbaum‘s ‘knowledge of the subject matter is at the top of the field’. On the West Coast, Laurae Rossi stands out for her work in project finance and debt transactions. Financing experts Hao Huang, who was promoted to partner in 2022, and Anne Gibbons, are also noted. All three lawyers are based in Los Angeles. Relevant team changes in 2022 include the arrival of Thomas Millar in Washington DC from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, who is well-versed in regulatory matters, and Houston-based financing expert Ryan Hunsaker from Vinson & Elkins LLP. San Francisco’s Tom Solomon and Alex Niebruegge from the Houston office are among the lawyers that left the practice in 2022.      

Industry focus > Sport Tier 1

Among the clients advised by the team at Winston & Strawn LLP, which is praised for its ‘legal expertise, experience, professionalism, strategic thinking and diversity‘, are major players’ associations, sports franchises and leagues, professional athletes, financial services firms with sport-industry clients, and intellectual property licensees/licensors. Alongside established strength in litigation, the firm also advises clients on transactional issues through every phase of development and financing matters. The trio leading the team out of the firm’s New York office are prominent sports litigators Jeffrey Kessler, David Feher, and David Greenspan, with Kessler described as ‘an exceptional attorney with whom you feel like you are in the best possible hands‘. Jason Goldstein, also based in New York, is a key team member when it comes to transactions and is experienced in handling multi-use sports stadium and arena transactions. Associate Adam Dale, also in New York, is a key name to note for litigious matters.

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

Winston & Strawn LLP is home to seasoned corporate law attorneys, who often collaborate with the antitrust, employment, IP and tax practices on complex M&A mandates. The team, whose sector breadth covers tech, energy, healthcare, logistics and manufacturing, is a go-to choice for sellers engaged in upper middle-market transactions. Matthew Costigan is sought out by public and private companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies for his wealth of experience in the full spectrum of M&A matters; he oversees the practice that is primarily based in Chicago. Oscar David acts for clients from the worlds of manufacturing, private equity, pharma and technology in high-value and middle-market M&A. Matthew Bergmann is a skillful capital markets, M&A and private equity practitioner, while Steven Gavin often counsels on corporate governance issues. As a result of Florida’s tremendous growth in M&A activity and private equity firms, the firm has recently expanded in the jurisdiction. Former co-head Uri Doron and Katie Blaszak are no longer at the firm.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2

Winston & Strawn LLP is particularly well-known for its cartel litigation capabilities, and the team routinely defends executives and corporates in cartel trials and enforcement proceedings. The team has successfully secured favorable outcomes for its clients in a range of high-profile cartel matters, including the broiler chicken, auto parts, and cathode ray tube investigations. The practice is jointly headed by Eva Cole and Jeffrey Kessler, based in the firm’s New York office. Cole is an experienced cartel litigator whose practice principally focuses on international cartel investigations, acting for clients in a wide range of jurisdictions, while Kessler takes the lead on complex antitrust litigations before the Supreme Court. Also in New York is Jeffrey Amato, who advises on multijurisdictional investigations. Chicago-based litigator Jim Herbison has a highly active practice, most notably leading on cases in the broiler chicken sector, while Washington’s Heather Lamberg handles internal investigations as well as counselling on cartel-related compliance matters.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Winston & Strawn LLP continues to be a first point of contact for high-profile corporations and their senior executives, who often turn to the firm in matters of cross-border investigations and regulatory defense. New York’s Suzanne Jaffe Bloom acts as global co-chair of the group together with Abbe Lowell, who is active in both the New York and Washington DC office. Jack Knight in Charlotte as well as Chicago-based Steven Grimes are further key contacts and have both previously served as Assistant US Attorneys. Dan Webb, also in Chicago, is noted for his in-depth trial experience which spans civil, regulatory, and white-collar criminal cases. Hailed as ‘a legal rock star’, Jeffrey Steinfeld is based in Los Angeles and sought out by clients for his know-how in criminal insider trading and securities fraud. Another noteworthy Los Angeles-based practitioner is Angela Machala, who advises corporate and individual clients on investigations and regulatory enforcement actions, and represents them in state and federal litigation. In San Francisco, Pamela Davis is rated for her know-how relating to FCPA and anti-corruption matters.  

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

Winston & Strawn LLP handles a broad range of commercial suits for clients from agriculture, financial services and the media and entertainment industry. The complex commercial litigation practice is co-chaired by Amanda Groves in Los Angeles and Thomas Walsh  in Dallas. In Chicago, Stephen D’Amore and George Lombardi co-chair the litigation department. D’amore focuses his practice on breach-of-contract matters and RICO violations while Lombardi is a patent specialist who recently represented Monsanto in cancer suits relating to a herbicide produced by the multinational.  In Chicago, Dan Webb  is a renowned trial lawyer who was recently retained by Fox as lead trial counsel in a defamation suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems. Houston-based Paula Hinton is an esteemed litigator who recently won a 5th circuit victory for Occidental Petroleum in a suit related to a profit-sharing clause in the Ecuadorian constitution. Also in Houston, Denise Scofield is a business disputes litigator who is currently representing Schlumberger Technology in a broad array of oil and gas disputes. Chicago-based product liability specialist Kimball Anderson is also a name to note.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 2

Drawing upon its traditional overarching trial skills, at first instance and appellate level, as well as a growing capability throughout the life cycle of product liability/mass tort mandates, Winston & Strawn LLP is a popular choice for consumer brands seeking robust representation in often high-stakes matters throughout the litigation continuum. Praised for its ‘strategic, practical and technically knowledgeable’ advice, the firm is adept at trying cases throughout the country, including in many plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, including Florida, a geographical location where the firm, following the opening of its Miami office in May 2022, is now better-positioned to act. The ‘extremely experienced and strategic’ class action expert David Coulson, who joined the firm in May 2022 from Greenberg Traurig LLP, spearheads the litigation efforts from the nascent Miami office and is one of several notable new hires, while New York-based Terrence Dee  is a major fillip for the practice in light of his aptitude and experience of co-ordinating large product liability MDLs and class actions. Chicago-based partners Dan Webb and George Lombardi provide real gravitas to the practice, as a result of their extensive trial experience across a myriad product liability/mass tort matters, the latter who continues to act as trial counsel to Monsanto in its Roundup product liability litigation. San Francisco-based Sandra Edwards chairs the product liability and mass tort practice.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 2

Drawing upon a deep bench of litigators, including many prolific first-chair trial lawyers, Winston & Strawn LLP is a popular choice for clients seeking a robust, yet highly strategic defense, against high-stakes toxic tort-related matters. The scope of the work is broad, encompassing mandates in the pharmaceutical space, including as it relates to the opioid MDL and the infant formula litigation; environment and energy, including cases involving the release of hazardous substances and groundwater contamination; and the transportation sector. Spearheaded by Chicago-based George Lombardi and practice chair Sandra Edwards in San Francisco, the firm’s role as trial counsel to Bayer in relation to the legacy Monsanto product Roundup continues to be one of its highest-profile mandates and continues to elicit successes in various jury trials throughout the country. Denise Scofield in Houston has an excellent track record handling environmental and toxic tort disputes involving allegations of groundwater, soil and air contamination; she has particular expertise representing clients in the energy sector where she is able to bring added insight to bear as a result of former in-house role at a global oil and gas company.  

Finance > Project finance

Winston & Strawn LLP ‘s ‘diligent’  energy & infrastructure group is co-chaired by Latin American transactions specialist Rich Shutran and experienced transactional lawyer Michael Pikiel. The team is especially active on the lender side of major traditional and renewable energy transactions. Pikiel is also co-chair of the firm’s project finance practice group, a role he shares with Alan Hoffman, a resourceful lawyer who is highly experienced in sports facilities financings. Fellow sports specialist Jason Goldsteinn recently provided key support to Hoffman in the firm’s representation of Oak View Group in the renovation of the Climate Pledge Arena. In Los Angeles, Laurae Rossi is a renewables debt transactions expert who is renowned for her ability to handle a prodigious amount of cases. Adding depth to the team’s debt financings expertise is Hao Huang, who is also based in Los Angeles. Further recommended is Miami-based Richard Puttré who chairs the Latin America projects team. All lawyers mentioned are stationed in New York unless otherwise specified.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s structured finance practice has strength in a number of niche market fields, resulting in the team being a key point of contact for many clients looking for focused, experienced expertise. The group demonstrate expertise in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bonds and residential and commercial projects, and also provide counsel to market lending platforms regarding formation, regulatory compliance and portfolio securitization. Furthermore, the practice is extremely knowledgeable of transportation finance issues and assets, including aircraft engines, railroad rolling stock and land-based fleets. Francisco Flores and Chris Gavin, who joined the firm from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in March 2023, co-head the practice from Los Angeles and New York respectively, with the former focusing on automobile leases, commercial and residential mortgages and solar energy receivables, and the latter on CLOs and esoteric asset finance and securitization. Chicago’s Nolan Bolduc is active in matters regarding secured and unsecured credit facilities and works alongside Michael Mullins who regularly counsels alternative asset managers, captive finance companies and hedge funds. Eunice Chay is active on a range of matters from the Los Angeles office, including the firm’s leading PACE financing work.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 2

The team at Winston & Strawn LLP utilizes the bench strength of its global presence to represent entertainment and digital media companies including household name Hasbro, and major corporates in telecoms, financial services, publishing, and beverages involved in high-value infringement litigation. The practice is led by Michael Elkin in New York, who brings expertise to disputes involving the streaming of motion picture, television, and music properties, David Enzminger in Los Angeles, who specializes in technology litigation, and Jennifer Golinveaux in San Francisco, who, along with Elkin, defends internet service providers against secondary liability claims for infringement brought by their subscribers. Erin Ranahan in LA advises music and film clients on a wide range of copyright infringement matters and the safe harbor provisions of the DMCA. Of counsel Robert Vlasis in Washington DC joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in June 2022. Of counsel Ryuk Park in Silicon Valley joined in September 2022 from an in-house position. Partner Paul Salvaty in Los Angeles joined from Hogan Lovells US LLP in March 2022. Recent partner departures include Michael Nutter in August 2022 and Merritt Westcott in September 2022.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 2

The intellectual property practice at Winston & Strawn LLP acts across patent litigation, regularly representing companies in the tech and pharma sectors, offering patent knowledge covering semiconductor design, consumer electronics, wired and wireless networking, industrial machinery, and telecom standards, among others, supported by a number of key team members with technical degrees. The expertise of the team further lies in handling litigation before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. In line with the increase in ITC and district court proceedings, the practice continues to expand, with the arrival of Barry Shelton and Bradley Coburn from Shelton Coburn in Dallas, Brian Ferguson and Robert Vlasis formerly of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in Washington DC, and Ryuk Park from video-game company Krafton Inc in California. David Enzminger and Nimalka Wickramasakera co-head the practice, operating out of the firm’s Los Angeles office. Chicago-based George Lombardi is vastly experienced in patent trials as a first-chair attorney.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 2

Winston & Strawn LLP advises various clients on the full spectrum of employee benefits services, encompassing M&A, health and welfare benefit plans and qualified retirement plans, amongst others. Chicago-based joint practice head Joe Adams has a wealth of expertise that includes the drafting and operation of 401k plans and incentive compensation arrangements. Alongside him, Scott Landau, who is active in the firm’s New York office, has a particular focus on acquisitions, divestitures, and restructurings for both private and public clients. Also in New York, David Rogers is a vastly experienced figure within the team and remains highly active.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

Winston & Strawn LLP handles litigious advertising matters across a broad spectrum of sectors, though it is particularly well-regarded for its expertise in the food and beverage industry, with the team regularly acting in consumer class action cases relating to mislabeling, false advertising, and failure to properly disclose ingredients. Ronald Rothstein chairs the practice from Chicago, and has significant experience advising on false advertising, trademark, and domain name cases in federal courts across the US. In Los Angeles, Amanda Groves co-chairs the firm’s complex commercial litigation group and is noted for her expertise in labeling and advertising disputes, with particular expertise in the food and beverage space, while Gayle Jenkins chairs the class actions practice; Shawn Obi was recently promoted to partner and has experience handling consumer protection class actions in the financial services sector. Dan Blouin has particular experience defending false advertising class actions, while associate Sean Suber is also noted for his experience in advertising and commercial litigation, both of whom are based in Chicago.

Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 2

‘Recognized as one of the best maritime law firms in the sector‘, Winston & Strawn LLP‘s full-service Washington DC-based practice is widely respected for its ability to handle maritime issues involving US government policy, legislation, regulations, enforcement work, transactions, and litigation. Its specialisms cover acting for port authorities and marine terminal operators in a range of disputes before the Federal Maritime Commission. Clients notably benefit from the group’s ability to leverage its colleagues’ expertise in both the US and Europe for cross-border matters, and the department also routinely works alongside members from the firm’s appellate, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, global trade, and labor and employment practices. The recent track record of maritime and admiralty practice chair Charlie Papavizas includes high-stakes maritime regulatory and litigation work; Papavizas is also experienced in representing maritime clients before federal agencies, such as the US Coast Guard, the US Maritime Administration, and the US Congress. Bryant Gardner's expertise includes maritime government contract negotiations and disputes, Shipping Act and Federal Maritime Commission litigation, and Jones Act compliance work.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

The team at Winston & Strawn LLP is ‘incredibly effective in their litigation abilities’, providing ‘excellent legal advice and representation’ particularly across the sports and financial sectors. The firm is also well-versed in antitrust matters relating to the tech and food and beverage industries. The team is headed up by New York based attorneys Jeffrey Kessler, who frequently acts as lead counsel in high profile sports and intellectual property antitrust litigation and Eva Cole, whose practice focuses on international cartel investigations and class actions, representing clients in the electronics, sports, retail, and private equity industries. In the firm’s Chicago office is ‘skilled lawyer’ James Herbison who offers significant experience in antitrust litigation involving price fixing and monopolization claims. Heather Lamberg in Washington DC is noted by clients, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in matters concerning predatory pricing, bundling, tying, unfair competition, leveraging as well as monopolization and price fixing claims. New York-based David Greenspan is another name to note. Staci Yablon and Robert Sperling left the firm in August 2022.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP handles an array of disputes with an international component, with a focus on white collar and regulatory investigations and  numerous DOJ matters. Co-chair of the white collar, regulatory defense and investigations practice, Abbe Lowell, who is based in Washington DC, has represented several key clients including the Kingdom of Morocco, in relation to both criminal and regulatory investigations. The firm is co-chaired by Jeffrey Kessler and Dan Webb, based in New York and Chicago respectively. Webb is chief trial counsel defending Boeing against numerous product liability cases and Kessler is predominantly active in antitrust and cartel matters, as well as cross-border sports law issues. San Francisco’s Pamela Davis has led numerous FCPA and global investigations for multinational clients in white collar and regulatory defense cases. Marcelo Blackburn, based in New York, is a key contact in Latin American transnational disputes and Christopher Man, in Washington DC, is experienced in international white-collar defense along with Mariana Pendás.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s securities litigation practice has a significant cadre of lawyers who handle deal-related cases, including major trials in the Delaware Court of Chancery. Practice head James Smith in New York is ‘a titan in this space and has practised at the top of this field for decades‘. Clients also note that chair of firm’s Los Angeles litigation practice John Schreiber ‘ has great presence and judgement, plus wonderful writing, presentation and client-management skills‘. The firm is heavily involved in SPAC-related cases and Matthew DiRisio in New York, who is ‘a strong performer and can write with the best of them‘, is active in Delaware cases in this space. Chicago-based William O’Neill is ‘best-in-class in terms of business partnership, communication and service‘.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 3

With strong core product liability expertise and also able to provide enhanced resources by virtue of its accomplished commercial litigation team, Winston & Strawn LLP has the strength-in-depth to handle large-scale MDLs and class actions for life sciences clients throughout the litigation process. The firm has a successful record both at first instance and at an appellate level, an approach that has elicited excellent results at an early stage through effective dispositive motions and in trials before juries. Although he is best-known for his work on patent-related disputes, esteemed trial lawyer George Lombardi has also had numerous victories in jury trials in product liability matters, as has San Francisco-based team head Sandra Edwards .

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP is ‘highly skilled in securities litigation, with strong brief writing and client counselling skills’, best known for representing companies in parallel or civil proceedings following governmental investigations, qui tam lawsuits, and other corporate trauma matters in heavily regulated sectors, such as healthcare and financial services. It also has a strong track record in challenging class certification in securities class actions, which is historically a challenging process. James Smith leads the securities litigation practice and ‘instills confidence – he can be put before senior management and board with confidence they will be impressed’. Key partner Matthew DiRisio provides ‘accurate, practical advice delivered in a timely, efficient manner’. Smith is currently representing global medical technology company Becton, Dickinson and Company in a securities fraud class action alleging that the company made material misrepresentations and omissions surrounding the regulatory status of its Alaris infusion pump.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Operating across the entire oil and gas value chain, Winston & Strawn LLP has a strong focus on the midstream markets and advises on financings and commercial agreements concerning gathering, transportation and marketing. Praised for its ‘world-class commercial acumen’, other key areas of expertise include transactions involving interstate pipelines, crude oil gathering and LNG projects, in addition to handling mandates arising out of the oilfield services market. In the Houston office, Mike Blankenship, who focuses on corporate finance and securities law matters, co-chairs the energy and infrastructure industry group alongside New York-based Mike Pikiel and Rich Shutran. The Houston office is also home to Isaac Griesbaum, who specializes in upstream and midstream oil and gas mandates, and Chris Ferazzi, who handles M&A and private equity work for exploration and oilfield services clients. Rodney Moore and Samuel Peca joined the Dallas office from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in May 2023.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 3

The team at Winston & Strawn LLP is noted for its ability to ‘think outside the box to develop practical and actionable solutions’ for clients’ trade secrets issues, with a combination of intellectual property, labour, and litigation expertise noted across the team. The team handles high-value work, a noteworthy example being the $100m victory for Versata Software Inc. against Ford Motor Company wherein it was ruled trade secrets had been misappropriated. Los Angeles-based David Enzminger , Houston-based Sheryl Falk , and Steven Grimes , who is based in Chicago, are at the head of the practice.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP is highly specialized in handling complex M&A, qualified retirement plans and Title I investment advice for domestic and global clients. The firm demonstrates substantial expertise in the private equity space, consistently attracting major players such as Court Square Capital Partners and Veritas Capital. Chicago-based Joe Adams co-chairs the team, advising corporations on the drafting and operation of 401(k) and profit-sharing plans, while the other co-chair, Scott Landau, represents private equity firms and public companies in divestitures and restructurings from the New York office. Jennifer Stadler is also in New York, focusing on the design and implementation of equity and incentive compensation plans, while Chicago-based Amy Gordon supports clients on their self-funded and insured health plans. Maria Kenny handles executive employment agreements and welfare benefit plans from New York. Bill Merten retired from the firm in 2022.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

Integrated into the firm’s wider capital markets practice group, the team at Winston & Strawn LLP is jointly led by capital markets and corporate governance expert Charlie Haag and Bryan Goolsby  who dedicates a vast proportion of his practice to the representation of public and private REITs. Under the pair’s stewardship, the team acts on behalf of real estate operating companies, including private, non-listed and public REITs, alongside business development companies, on a diverse range of mandates including initial and follow-on public offerings of equity and debt securities, stock exchange compliance, corporate governance, tax structuring and UPREIT and DownREIT structures, among other issues. Key partner Kenneth Betts and Chicago-based real estate practice chair Andrew White are other important points of contact within the team. All lawyers mentioned are in Dallas unless otherwise specified.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP represents clients in the full spectrum of tax controversy, with experience acting at all levels, from trials in the tax courts and district courts, to the US Courts of Appeals and Supreme Court. The team is led by civil and criminal tax enforcement expert and Susan Seabrook, who covers global tax controversy. Mastracchio works from Washington DC and New York, whereas Seabrook is based solely in DC. Other key names in DC include associate Karl Kurzatkowski, formerly of insurance company Allied World, and associate Zachary Weit, who was previously a judicial law clerk to a Judge of the US Tax Court.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s New York-based aviation finance team consistently acts for highly active finance and leasing companies on substantial capital markets, finance and restructuring work. Several of the group’s matters involve team members from both the firm’s US and European offices, and its advice covers aviation-secured loans and leases, from origination stages to bankruptcy, restructuring and enforcement phases. It also assists with complex asset and portfolio transactions and capital markets-structured financings. Clients additionally benefit from the team’s expertise in the regulatory aspects of transactions, as well as high-stakes aviation finance-related disputes. The practice is co-led by leasing, lending, structured finance, private equity and fund formation expert Peter Morgan and London-based transportation finance specialist Mark Moody. The group is further supported by fellow partners David Gillespie, Carrie Hardman and David Neier, along with Washington DC’s Cari Stinebower.

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation Tier 3

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s transportation practice has a strong track record in representing railroads and rail equipment suppliers. Its expertise covers assisting rail companies with securing various easements, permits and rights of way. The group also has significant relationships with major automobile manufacturers, including Toyota Motor Corporation and General Motors Company, as well as several electric vehicle manufacturers, and trucking, transportation logistics and vehicle rental companies. In Washington DC, appellate partner Andrew Tauber is a highly rated authority on pre-emption matters, and his railroad sector experience includes litigating cases under the industry’s relevant statutes. Over in Chicago, Bill O’Neil‘s experience includes handling numerous major cases for Hertz Corporation, and of counsel Matthew Poplawski assists with the e-discovery aspects of commercial litigation, multi-district product liability disputes, and regulatory investigations. Brett Johnson leads the firm’s Dallas litigation practice.

Transport > Shipping: finance Tier 3

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal) Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP’s appellate practice is closely allied with its trial group, and its key partners are involved in cases in both spheres. Over the past year, the team secured several wins in state and federal courts of appeal. Most notably, it successfully represented Schlumberger when the Fifth Circuit affirmed a zero-recovery judgment in a $250m breach of contract dispute brought by Hess Corporation; Chicago-based department head Linda Coberly argued the appeal, while Houston-based counsel Brandon Duke took a lead role in the briefing. The group also includes Washington DC-based preemption specialist Andrew Tauber and IP-focused Brian Ferguson, who recently joined in Washington DC from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s international arbitration practice is valued by clients for its ‘excellent substantive lawyers, who are also top-level case managers‘. In a significant development, the group boosted its Latin America expertise with the 2022 hire of Gustavo Membiela, who joined the firm’s nascent Miami office from Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. The extensive national group also benefits from its ability to lean on international platforms in London and Paris to handle multi-jurisdictional matters in venues across Asia, Europe and Africa. In Chicago, Ricardo Ugarte brings to bear over thirty years of experience in handling commercial and investment arbitrations. In Houston, associate Imad Khan ‘always brings innovative solutions to the table‘.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Winston & Strawn LLP has maintained its presence in investment grade and high-yield debt, convertible debt and other hybrid securities. It has a particularly strong record as underwriters’ counsel. Real estate, technology, industrials, media, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, financial services, energy, and food and beverages are key sectors of focus for the capital markets team. It has extensive experience in debt tender and exchange offers. Carol Anne Huff co-chairs the capital markets group from Chicago, alongside David Sakowitz in New York. Chicago partner Cab Morris is also an active member of the practice.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Winston & Strawn LLP’s practice is founded on a variety of equity offerings, from IPOs to spin-offs, carve-outs and SPAC transactions. In recent years, the firm has landed a series of major SPAC deals, including IPOs and business combinations. In 2022, it advised the placement agents on Allwyn Entertainment’s business combination with Cohn Robbins Holdings Corp and represented the placement agents in ProKidney’s business combination with Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. Chicago partner Carol Anne Huff co-heads the capital markets group alongside David Sakowitz in New York. Both are major figures in SPACs, as is the high-profile Mike Blankenship in Houston and New York partner Jason Osborn.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP’s offering to its middle-market lender clients encompasses refinancing work, senior term loans and revolving facilities, as well as leveraged and asset-based lending. In addition to a range of corporate borrowers, the firm primarily advises national banks such as Wells Fargo and also maintains a roster of alternative lender clients. Practice co-chairs Patrick Hardiman and Michael Mullins are based in Chicago, while co-chairs William Brewer and Mats Carlston work from New York. Key contacts across the US also include Dallas-based lawyer Brian Jansen as well as Jason Bennett, whose office is located in Charlotte. The firm also welcomed partners Sean Hilson, from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2022 and Sanjay Thapar from Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP in August 2022. Ronald Jacobson has retired.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP’s Houston-based oil and gas litigation practice is routinely involved in high-stakes litigation for prominent clients, such as BP and Occidental Petroleum. The fully-integrated team is well-placed to leverage the expertise of the firm's M&A, finance and tax departments, to advise on a wide range of energy mandates. Hugh Tanner chairs the firm’s litigation practice, regularly appearing in mediations, arbitrations and disputes in the energy sector, while Paula Hinton is often involved in bet-the-company commercial litigation in the oil and gas industry. Denise Scofield runs the litigation practice in Houston, handling business disputes and conducting internal investigations, as well as acting as counsel to clients in cases concerning crisis management.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP has a focus on M&A with experience in fields ranging from electric generation, transmission, distribution and fuel supply. Rich Shutran is a partner in New York and is experienced in M&A transactions alongside finance and development work for clients including major developers and owners; he is based alongside Mike Pikiel handles transactions for clients in a range of projects, including project financings and acquisition financings, and Jonathan Birenbaum  who has represented both strategic and financial participants in complex transactions involving structures and assets. Amanda Sewell, based in Washington DC, is a name to watch for her focus on renewable energy and Latin America on M&A, finance, securities law compliance and capital markets.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP’s environmental law team is well versed in enforcement, compliance, and litigation and has a strong track record in air, water, and hazardous waste matters. The firm handles civil and criminal enforcement proceedings, Superfund cases and toxic tort claims and the team is led by Washington DC’s Jonathan Brightbill and Chicago’s Eleni Kouimelis. Brightbill is a veteran trial and appellate attorney and held a high position in the environmental department of the DoJ before joining the firm; he is experienced in in government enforcement actions and investigations, and regulatory challenges, while Kouimelis is an EPA alumna with considerable knowledge of environmental policy.

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

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s employment group is headed by Michael Roche from Chicago, who has extensive experience in complex employment and benefits litigation as well as employment counseling. The firm’s recent work includes achieving a well-publicized equal-pay settlement for players of the United States Women’s National Team in a wage discrimination action. Other notable names include Jason Campbell in Los Angeles, who is experienced in wage and hour class actions. Monique Ngo-Bonnici departed the firm in March 2022.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

Winston & Strawn LLP specializes in data security by design litigation involving emerging technologies such as AI and IoT devices. The firm also works on overlapping trade secret and cyber theft matters. Specialist in computer forensic investigations Sheryl Falk, based in Houston, leads high profile cybersecurity breach and ransomware cases as well as trade secret investigations, also working on compliance mandates, data due diligence, and is a go-to advisor for data security considerations concerning new technologies. Sean Wieber, in Chicago, is an experienced litigator, who defends clients in class action cases. The depth of the practice is showcased by Chicago-based Alessandra Swanson’s experience in counselling a range of clients, including healthcare, retail and media companies on compliance programs, breach responses and regulatory defenses.

Real estate Tier 4

Andrew White chairs Winston & Strawn LLP‘s global practice and is highly experienced counsel for private equity funds, hedge funds, REITs, developers and other institutional investors and operators in a wide variety of real estate transactional matters. In Dallas, key names include department head, Billie Ellis and fellow partners Douglas Yeager and Jeffrey Smith. Industrial, multifamily, manufactured housing, self-storage, and retail assets are key sectors of expertise.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 5

Winston & Strawn LLP’s team handles the full range of life sciences mandates, including antitrust disputes, Hatch-Waxman litigations, and government investigations. Reed Stephens, who heads the practice from Washington DC, has a great deal of experience advising clients on FCA, anti-kickback, and Stark related cases, particularly in relation to fraud and abuse. Nimalka Wickramasekera divides her time between Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, handling all matters relating to patent and licensing disputes concerning medical devices and technology. David Dahlquist  has since left the practice to join the Department of Justice in August 2022, while Sharon Desh joined the Chicago practice in February 2022, contributing her experience in commercial litigation and antitrust matters.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 5

The ‘incredibly collaborative, bright, and insightful‘ team at Winston & Strawn LLP notably advises on the antitrust aspects of healthcare M&A, fraud and abuse issues involving criminal investigations, and contentious matters before administrative boards. Reed Stephens and Amandeep Sidhu jointly lead the ‘responsive, efficient‘ team from Washington DC. Sidhu, in particular, exhibits varied expertise in contentious government investigations, whistleblower cases, and international risk compliance. Guy Collier often acts for universities and hospitals in affiliation negotiations between health systems. David Dahlquist has since left the team to join the Department of Justice.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 5

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s ‘highly knowledgeable and accessible‘ practice is well-regarded for its advice on fund formation, covering an array of strategies, from venture capital and growth funds, to buyout funds, private credit, aviation and real estate. The team is also adept at advising institutional investors on their investments in private investment funds, secondary transactions, and co-investments. Sponsor separations and breakups, defaulting limited partners, fund restructurings and liquidity solutions are among the other expertise of the diverse practice group. Meg Frey leads the team from Chicago, with Megan Devaney and Brad Mandel further key contacts there. Scott Naidech and Beth Kramer represent the practice area in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 5

The private equity practice at Winston & Strawn LLP has a strong reputation among clients in the mid-market, offering guidance through every stage of the investment life-cycle including deal sourcing, acquisition financing, tax structuring, and portfolio management. Brad Vaiana co-chairs the practice from New York, regularly counseling clients through complex take-privates, PIPEs, and leveraged buyouts. In Dallas, co-chair Matthew Stockstill and David Lange have a broad practice, their experience spanning a wide range of industries from healthcare and technology to real estate and manufacturing. Los Angeles-based Eva Davis is a key member of the team, who has developed a solid reputation among PE funds and their portfolio companies for cross-border transactions, with a particular focus on M&A. Matthew Bergmann maintains strong relationships with Shore Capital and Water Street Healthcare.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission)

International Trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions

International Trade > CFIUS

Chicago, United States

New York, United States