Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > Richmond, United States > Firm Profile

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP's structured finance and securitization practice is closely aligned with the firm's restructuring, bankruptcy, M&A and energy departments, and draws on close links with east coast financial institutions, resulting in an impressively broad offering. In 2021, the team was increasingly instructed on distressed and rescue financings, as well as capital and fund formation deals. Areas of particular expertise include master trust securitizations, blockchain originated consumer loans, triple-net leases, in addition to more exotic asset classes, such as litigation finance and agricultural loans. Lawyers are also adept at CRE CLO structures. In New York, Tom Hiner  is an expert in securitizations involving mortgages, and co-chairs the practice alongside Richmond's Mike Nedzbala, also a mortgage-related securitization specialist. Amy Williams  in Richmond advises borrowers and lenders on structuring and closing asset-based finance transactions, covering residential and commercial loans; while in the same office, Cecelia Horner provides assistance with the income tax aspects of domestic and international secured financings. Brit Mohler Dufilho is also recommended.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 1

The highly specialised environmental law practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s provides comprehensive advice to its corporate client roster based in the United States and abroad, but is perhaps best known for its involvement in high-profile litigation, environmental rulemakings and regulatory developments. With a deep bench of lawyers in Washington DC and San Francisco, the practice is singled out for its experience with air-related matters, having advised numerous energy and chemicals clients on regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, policy issues, waste management and site clean-up. Furthermore, its broad service offering also covers multi-jurisdictional regulatory issues involving natural resources, climate change and water on behalf of clients from a myriad of industries, including manufacturing, real estate development and mining. The environmental group is jointly led by Washington DC-based Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan, the latter of whom is a preeminent figure for water and natural resources regulations. Chuck Knauss, who maintains a broad environmental practice focused on the oil and gas, and transportation sectors, is another noteworthy practitioner in DC. Former general counsel for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Matthew Leopold is ‘incredibly knowledgeable and experienced‘ in major federal environmental statutes in the permitting, compliance and enforcement contexts. Also in DC, Kerry McGrath is frequently retained by major industrial groups in relation to matters under the federally regulated “waters of the United States” and NPDES permitting issues. On the West Coast, Shannon Broome is recommended for Clean Air Act matters, energy transition and climate change. She sits in San Francisco.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is widely recognized as a cybersecurity law leader, specializing in complex cybersecurity and data breach events. Recently, the New York-based department has been particularly active advising clients in data breach preparedness, data transfer strategies post-Schrems II and defending major businesses against claims with respect to the CCPA. The practice is led by Lisa J. Sotto, who is also known for her role as chair of the US Department of Homeland Security’s Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee. The team includes Aaron Simpson, who has an established EU data protection practice and provides ‘exceptional commercial perspective and insight.’ Brittany Bacon advises large, multinational companies on large cybersecurity incidents. Associate Danielle Dobrusin has a name as CCPA and CPRA expert.

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a long history of acting in high-exposure environmental claims and has represented large energy, manufacturing, commercial real estate development, petroleum product terminating and mineral extractive industry clients in environmental litigation in the US and beyond. Covering all major federal and state environmental statutes, the team’s impressive track record includes significant Clean Air and Water Act matters, precedent-setting greenhouse gas public nuisance suits, complex enforcement defense proceedings involving chemicals, waste management and site clean-up. The environmental group is led out of Washington DC by Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan, the latter of whom has a notable reputation in the oil and gas sector. Also in the DC office, Chuck Knauss maintains a broad base environmental practice, demonstrating particular strength in enforcement, permitting, risk management and climate change matters, while permitting natural resources mandates are core areas of activity for Kerry McGrath. Matthew Leopold, who also sits in the DC office, is ‘exceptionally skilled and an expert in environmental law‘, bringing to the table strategic insights as the former General Counsel for the US Environmental Protection Agency. The ‘world-class team of professionals‘ also includes Shannon Broome, who is a leading practitioner in landmark nuisance litigation in California. She is based in San Francisco and represents clients from the oil and gas, renewable energy and manufacturing industries.

Industry focus > Insurance: advice to policyholders Tier 2

With lawyers who are 'put in a big fight’ for their clients, the practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has recently been very active on Covid-19 coverage issues. The practice is also notable for its support of energy industry clients and its work on cyber insurance and ransomware issues in close cooperation with the firm’s cyber security practice. Practice head Walter J. Andrews in Miami offers program audits and policy manuscripting as well as representing clients in litigation and arbitration. Lorelie S. Masters  in Washington DC is a recognized expert in insurance work who has recovered insurance coverage for products, environmental property damage, cyber and other liabilities. Miami-based Andrea DeField, who joined the partner ranks in April 2021, is an active up-and-comer.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 2

At Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, the M&A team pulls together multidisciplinary transactional, competition, data protection, labor, securities, tax and IP expertise. Richmond-based Steven Haas handles a wide range of corporate transactions, and is also active on the corporate governance and shareholder activism fronts. Steven Patterson, a member of the Washington DC office, co-chairs the team alongside Haas and is particularly well-regarded among retail and consumer products entities. The practice is also active in the field of energy-related deals, owing to the extensive expertise of Michael O’Leary in Houston.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP continues to be highly active across the outsourcing space, advising clients from a range of sectors on complex transactions. The team is equally adept at handling the outsourcing of business processes such as HR, finance and accounting as well as IT outsourcings involving cloud systems and software-as-a-service aspects. Randall Parks leads the team and has extensive experience in commercial transactions, with a focus on technology. Andrew Geyer and Jeffrey Harvey are also noted for their expertise in technology-related transactions, while Cecilia Oh in Washington DC focuses on outsourcing deals in the financial services and retail sectors, such as the outsourcing of payment processing. Lawyers are in Richmond unless otherwise stated.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 2

Led by Howard Schreiber in Dallas together with New York-based Laurie Grasso and Brett Gross, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has been increasing its presence in acquisition, financing and development of affordable housing, and life sciences and health care sectors, parallel to its well-established commercial real estate lending and REIT practice. It is also highly knowledgeable on foreclosure on defaulted mortgage and mezzanine loans, deeds in lieu of foreclosure and the sale of REO properties. The practice also undertakes a significant amount of pro-bono work. Gross specializes in securitized and portfolio mortgage lending, mezzanine, construction and hospitality lending, and credit facilities, while New York-based Peter Mignone and Matthew Halal ‘s practice focuses on advises lenders and investor representation. Dallas’ key attorneys include Kathleen Wu, Kathleen Tarbox Muñoz and Raegan Watchman.  

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

Adept at handling private litigation (including class actions/MDLs and individual actions), as well as matters proceeding on multiple fronts (including regulatory and government enforcement actions), the ‘knowledgeable and experienced’ team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides ‘efficient and effective’ representation of clients in toxic tort cases involving product liability, occupational injuries and public nuisance. Asbestos litigation is a strength, as is involvement in novel areas, including Covid-19 litigation, where the team, led by ‘top-notch‘ Richmond-based litigator Alexandra Cunningham, recently secured dismissal of federal law suit brought against its client, Smithfield Foods, against allegations that it subjected its employees to unsafe working conditions in the immediate outbreak of the pandemic. Houston-based Georgia Lucier co-heads the team alongside Cunningham and is a key contact, as is Richmond-based associate Merideth Daly, who exhibits ‘thoughtful, effective, and strategic approach to litigation and case strategy’. 

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is intensely focused on the energy (including oil and gas, renewables and energy transition), utilities, retail and consumer, and REITs sectors. The Houston office has experienced a notable uptick in debt offering engagements from energy clients and is also making an impact in green bonds and sustainability-linked bonds thanks to the efforts of Courtney Cochran Butler and others. Susan Failla is driving forward the retail and consumer side of the practice, and Peter O’Brien, Steven Friend and Michael Fitzpatrick are leaders in power and utilities transactions. Richmond’s David Wright is a key name in real estate and REIT deals.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP continues to primarily operate in the REITs, power, energy, retail and financial services sectors. The firm has achieved a significant market share of REIT IPOs over the last few years and the power and utilities groups are also active in equity offerings. The capital markets team has an evenly balanced emphasis on issuer and underwriter clients. New York partners Peter O’Brien, Christina Kwon and Michael Fitzpatrick are key figures in power and utilities transactions and Richmond partner David Wright  is prominent in REIT offerings.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a particular focus on energy, power, REITs, retail and financial services. It has a broad spread of issuer clients and an especially strong connection to underwriters such as RBC Capital Markets, JP Morgan Securities and Bank of America Securities. Although better known for investment grade debt, it has achieved substantial growth in high-yield thanks to its well established energy capital markets practice in Houston, where partners Henry Havre and Michael O’Leary  have advised on a series of headline deals.

Finance > Project finance

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP's US group, which forms part of its global energy practice, works with banks, institutional lenders, development finance institutions and project developers on the financing of wind, solar, and geothermal projects, in addition to more traditional power facilities. Jeffrey Schroeder leads the team from Washington DC and represents a number of premier investment banks in asset, stock, and portfolio acquisition transactions. In New York, Michael Madden advises on offshore drilling platforms and oil refineries. John Shepherd, Jr.  arrived from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in March 2021 to add to the firm's regulatory expertise, practicing out of DC.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents a broad range of oil and gas industry clients before FERC and other federal governing bodies and state regulatory entities. The team handles audits, compliance and enforcement issues, as well as oil-pipeline regulatory matters. It also supports clients on jurisdictional issues for unregulated companies and is able to advise on environmental matters, including oil and gas permitting, and the operation, repair and replacement of infrastructure. Based in Washington DC, co-chair Deidre Duncan is a water and natural resources law expert, while fellow co-chair Myles Reynolds -in Dallas- primarily represents natural gas utilities and midstream companies.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is the ‘"go-to" firm for state regulatory matters in Texas’.  The team is praised for being ‘highly responsive and willing to go the extra mile as needed’. It regularly represents clients in routine and contested, federal and state regulatory proceedings, and provides regulatory guidance to support a variety of commercial transactions. Additionally, the group has extensive NERC capabilities including representing clients in compliance audits. Based in Washington DC, project finance specialist Jeffrey Schroeder jointly leads the team with Myles Reynolds in Dallas; Reynolds primarily advises electric utilities, natural gas utilities and midstream companies. In Dallas, Tab Urbantke and counsel Lauren Freeland are also recommended. John Shepherd, previously at FERC, joined the Washington DC office in March 2021.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 3

Best known for its strong credentials in financing and tax equity, the renewable energy practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is a top destination for several financial institutions investing and lending into wind, solar and other clean power projects. In addition, the practice is well versed in the development and acquisition of renewable energy projects and portfolios, involving wind, solar and geothermal facilities. Leader of the energy and infrastructure group Jeffrey Schroeder  is primarily focused on domestic and international project finance and other financing transactions, including but not restricted to tax equity, Rule 144A offerings and mezzanine debt. He is based in Washington DC, where Hilary Lefko stands out for her experience in tax credits for the production of electricity from renewable sources. Michael Klaus  in San Francisco is recognized for his work in the fields of project finance, development and M&A.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 3

Combining project finance, corporate, lending, environmental, litigation, regulatory and tax expertise, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP brings a multidisciplinary approach to its conventional power practice. Particular areas of advisory expertise include financing, tax, environmental and land use, FERC and energy regulatory, project development and real estate matters. Jeffrey Schroeder spearheads the practice from Washington DC and focuses on domestic and international project finance, notably project development and asset, stock and portfolio acquisitions.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents multinational oil-and-gas companies in litigation, advises governments on the development of regulatory regimes, and assists energy companies, investors and lenders on the development, financing and acquisition of oil-and-gas interests. The team’s experience also covers oil-and-gas acreage, asset and entity acquisitions, and transactions involving exploration, production, development and transportation. Energy transactions specialist Harve Truskett leads the team from Houston and can call on the expertise of Michael O’Leary  (also in Houston) who focuses on corporate securities and M&A in the energy space.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Representing high-profile trademark plaintiffs and defendants across the US, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP brings bench strength and experience to  every stage of litigation, from injunctions and temporary restraining orders all the way up to appeals before the Supreme Court. The team is led in Washington DC by John Gary Maynard, an expert in high-level brand protection disputes, who also operates out of the Richmond, VA office, and tech sector specialists Tyler Maddry and Michael Oakes. At the New York office, trademark litigation authority James Rosini, with deep experience in the practice area, represents major brands across the pharmaceuticals, retail, tech, food and beverages, and entertainment industries. DC-based special counsel Edward Colbert, who represented the Cleveland Guardians in a dispute stemming from their name change, is a go-to for clients involved in high-stakes infringement matters, along with Jeremy S. Boczko in New York.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides comprehensive brand services to major global clients, advising on the clearance, registration and enforcement of their trademark portfolios. The group is led in Washington DC by John Gary Maynard who develops enforcement programs for companies in aviation, retail, chemicals and financial services, Tyler Maddry and Michael Oakes. James Rosini at the New York office employs deep IP experience to assist on trademark and unfair competition matters. Stephen Demm in Richmond counsels clients in the energy sector.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 3

Led out of its Washington DC office, the team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP handles global immigration mandates, sponsorship issues and compliance work for domestic and international corporates. Jointly managed by veteran professional Ian Band and business immigration expert Adam Rosser; the team is active in the healthcare, pharmaceuticals and retail sectors, advising clients on temporary work visas, including H-1B, O-1, and permanent residence matters through PERM. Counsel Suzan Kern handles green card applications for employers and maintains a busy pro-bono immigration practice. At the associate level, Sara Harlow advises on family-based immigration matters whilst Lieselot Whitbeck in Miami is the contact for global workforce transfers.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is regularly engaged in wage and hour claims, discrimination and harassment allegations, trade secret matters and issues related to the ERISA. Representing clients from the the financial services, manufacturing and retail sectors, among others, the group is well versed in class and collective as well as single-plaintiff claims. The practice’s leadership is split between Los Angeles-based Emily Burkhardt Vicente is experienced in high-stakes litigation proceedings. She jointly heads the practice with Kevin White in Washington DC, who often handles wage and hour and discrimination cases. Also in Washington DC is Ryan Bates, who is skilled in class and collective actions. In Houston, Scott Nelson deals with most employment matters, including ERISA class actions and trade secret disputes. Other key names include Michael Brett Burns and Roland Juarez in Los Angeles and Christopher Pardo in Boston.

Labor and employment > Labor-management relations Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is noted for its effective labor and management-side labor litigation practice. The team is led by Los Angeles-based partner Emily Burkhardt Vicente and Washington DC-based partner Kevin White.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s versatile fintech team advises on the full range of industry-relevant issues, including regulatory, finance, data protection, corporate and technology. Clients come from across the market, though the firm is especially known for representing banks, financial services and wealth management companies. Recent mandates have included advice on the launch of new products and platforms, and partnering agreements with fintech companies. The multi-faceted team is spread throughout the firm’s US office network, including Austin’s Erin Fonté, co-chair of the financial institutions corporate and regulatory practice, and New York’s Lisa Sotto, global head of privacy and cybersecurity. Other key partners include Dallas-based Jarrett Hale, co-chair of financial services litigation and compliance, and Washington DC’s Scott Kimpel, a lead contact for blockchain and distributed ledger technology.

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

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP capital markets-based practice is based out of Richmond and is led by George Howell and David Wright . The team represents issuers and underwriters on high-value transactions and is skilled in public and private securities offerings, SEC compliance matters and IPO’s — James Davidson is the contact here. In Washington DC, Robert K. Smith  handles capital markets work, particularly 144A offerings and private placements. Federal income tax issues related to equity and mortgage REITs are dealt with by Kendal Sibley who is highly praised by clients.

Real estate Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s real estate practice is split between the Dallas and New York offices, with Howard Schreiber, in Dallas, and Laurie Grasso and Brett Gross in New York co-heading the nationwide offering. In addition to its core focus on acquisition, financing, development and leasing, the team has been increasingly active supporting various blue-chip clients with acquisitions in affordable housing, and life sciences and health care sectors. Dallas and New York based, respectively, Jeff Giese, Matthew Scoville and associate Paul Greco routinely counsel private equity and investor clients, with Greco a regular advisor on top-end private equity mandates.  

Industry focus > Energy litigation: electric power Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP maintains a strong focus on the electric power sector; the firm regularly acts for electric and gas utilities in defense actions brought under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as well as handling environmental litigation related to energy storage and waste disposal. Other areas of expertise include representation in rate cases, corporate change-in-control proceedings and tariff disputes. Based in Washington DC, practice head Eric Murdock draws on 30 years of litigation experience.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP regularly represents clients before various state regulatory bodies such as the Railroad Commission of Texas. The group handles the gamut of issues before the FERC as well as defending clients’ positions before appellate, federal bankruptcy and state courts. It also handles oil pipeline regulation under the ICA. Environmental law expert Deidre Duncan jointly leads the group with Myles Reynolds who represents natural gas utilities and midstream companies.

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

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s workload includes high-end M&A arising out of the financial services, real estate, hospitality and energy sectors, where the team advises both public and private companies on a range of executive compensation and employee benefits issues. The practice is also noted for its capability in ESOP transactions. In the firm’s Austin office, practice co-leader Anthony Eppert advises on section 409A issues, while Dallas-based Scott Austin focuses on the employee benefits aspects of corporate transactions, as well as ERISA fiduciary compliance matters.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Renowned by clients for its market-leading capabilities in REIT transactions, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is regularly sought out by some of the leading institutional investors, insurers, and utilities companies for assistance in a host of matters. Richmond-based practice co-head Cecelia Philipps Horner  anchors the firm’s securitization and REIT offering, most recently handling a growing volume of triple-net lease and crop-loan securitizations. Also in Richmond, Kendal Sibley represents public and private REITs in all manner of qualification and structuring issues. Houston-based co-head Robert McNamara focuses his practice on renewable energy tax, including carbon capture incentives, transactions, and MLPs. Washington DC-based Hilary Lefko is recommended for renewable energy projects and tax credit matters.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 5

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advises clients across the retail, financial services, manufacturing and energy sectors on a range of compensations and benefits matters, ranging from qualified and non-qualified defined contribution retirement plans and welfare benefit plans to equity and non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements. In Austin, Anthony Eppert focuses on ESOPs, while Scott Austin, who operates from the firm’s Dallas office, handles deferred compensation issues. Eppert and Austin lead the practice alongside Washington DC-based David Mustone, who advises on the ERISA aspects of employee benefits matters.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

The practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides strategic advice on a vast array of matters, with its team well versed in the handling of both in and out-of-court corporate restructurings, as well as reorganizations. Co-head Timothy Davidson, based in Houston, has particular expertise within pre-bankruptcy workouts and counter-party risks related to mergers, acquisitions and general corporate transactions. Co-head Tyler Brown, based in Richmond, is well equipped to advise both debtor and creditor sides in bankruptcy matters.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions