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

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

The ‘flexible and energetic‘ structured finance team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP works closely with other departments in the firm, including bankruptcy, M&A and energy, to advise Wall Street banks and private equity houses on a wide variety of securities transactions. The team also has specialist tax capabilities within the practice, an area where Richmond-based Cecelia Phillips Horner  is the name to note. The group has a particularly good reputation in the mortgage market, with experience across performing, non-performing and reperforming portfolios. It is also known for synthetic and asset-backed credit risk securitizations, and is increasingly busy in the fintech space, carrying out transactions involving blockchain-originated consumer loans. Tom Hiner in New York, whose experience spans asset-backed securities (ABS) and esoteric asset-backed financings, leads the practice alongside Richmond-based Mike Nedzbala, who is a veteran of the mortgage space. Also in Richmond, Amy Williams is another mortgage securitization expert. New York’s Brit Mohler, promoted to partner in April 2020, has experience with esoteric products, as well as residential and commercial mortgage-backed securitizations.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP enjoys a strong reputation in the market, given its preeminent role in significant environmental policy debates and regulatory developments in the US and beyond. Covering all aspects of environmental law, the firm is the trusted adviser to many energy industry clients, but is also retained by major players from the manufacturing and real estate development sectors. The group demonstrates wide-ranging experience covering waste, chemicals and climate change issues, as well as rulemaking matters under the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. Apart from its strength in environmental compliance and enforcement issues, practitioners are also seasoned in the legislative arena before the US Congress and multi-national treaty organizations. The group is led from Washington DC by Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan, the latter of whom is a skilled attorney in environmental permitting, especially in the oil and natural gas sphere. Also in DC, Chuck Knauss stands out for his knowledge of energy legislation and environmental policy issues, while Kerry McGrath often advises clients on regulatory proceedings involving the scope of federally regulated “waters of the United States”. In San Francisco, Shannon Broome not only counsels clients on EHS issues, but also assists with air permitting and enforcement matters. Tom Boer left the team in July 2020 for Hogan Lovells US LLP, and Makram Jaber departed to McGuireWoods LLP.

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

The data protection offering at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is led by Lisa Sotto, ‘by far the country’s gold standard for privacy and cyber-security matters‘ in the eyes of her clients. Other key figures in the team include seasoned transatlantic counsel Aaron Simpson, COPPA expert Phyllis Marcus, risk management specialist Paul Tiao, Brittany Bacon, ‘the best at what she does‘, and Danielle Dobrusin, ‘one of the country’s leading CCPA experts‘. In broader terms, the practice is increasingly active in the areas of AI and facial recognition, where it advises on myriad cybersecurity issues, as well as on breach response. Indicative of the group’s work is its advice to Cybereason Inc., a new client for the team. In this regard, the team has assisted with numerous privacy issues relating to the client’s business growth, which included multi-jurisdictional questions pertaining to the EU, the Middle East and Asia.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 2

Led from Washington DC by the ‘responsive and commercial‘ Jeffrey Schroeder, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s energy and infrastructure team is particularly adept at advising banks investing and lending into domestic solar and wind projects. Tax equity financing structures account for a significant volume of this work, which shows no signs of abating, particularly in light of the recent federal extension of the tax credit system. San Francisco-based partner Michael Klaus is a key member of the team and has advised investors on the tax equity financing to facilitate utility-scale, distributed generation and residential-related solar projects throughout the country.

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides comprehensive environmental law assistance to multinational clients across a variety of industries in domestic and international contentious matters. The team is a popular destination for energy companies (chiefly in the oil and gas segment), but is also engaged by household names from the automobile, manufacturing, and real estate development sectors. With expertise in air, water, natural resources, chemicals and waste, the specialist team has a strong profile in multi-party environmental disputes before federal and state courts, and is particularly rated for its work at the intersection of environmental regulatory issues and litigation. Eric Murdock and Deidre Duncan (a go-to environmental counsel for oil and gas industry clients) jointly coordinate the practice from Washington DC. Chuck Knauss is another name to note in DC; he combines expertise in environmental and energy regulations, litigation and risk management. On the West Coast, Shannon Broome has a wealth of experience in climate change nuisance suits, incident response and enforcement action defense. She is based in San Francisco.

Industry focus > Insurance: advice to policyholders Tier 2

The insurance team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a strong record in property and business interruption claims, primarily representing clients in the hospitality sector. Based in Miami, practice head Walter Andrews has over 30 years of experience in insurance coverage matters and other related issues and represents major food and beverage franchises. In addition, Michael Levine in Washington DC has extensive experience in insurance litigation and has been heavily involved in Covid-19 business interruptions matters. Lorelie Masters handles various types of first-party property insurance claims, including claims under boiler and machinery, business interruption, extra expense and other related coverage. Andrea DeField is also recommended.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides comprehensive advice and counsel on the full range of trademark matters, including clearance, evaluation, licensing, enforcement, and portfolio management. The IP team works in conjunction with other of the firm’s practice groups, playing a key role in matters ranging from M&A to data security. John Gary Maynard co-heads the IP practice from Washington DC, and leads on brand protection and licensing. Also recommended in DC are Michael Oakes and Tyler Maddry. In New York, IP practice co-leader James Rosini leads on a range of IP matters for clients in sectors such as advertising, entertainment, and publishing. The team saw several departures in 2020: in February, Michael Lennon left for Potomac Law Group and Laurence Posorske joined Arent Fox LLP; and in April, Michael Turner took an in-house role, and Clifford Ulrich departed for Carter, DeLuca & Farrell LLP.

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

In the M&A space, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP stands out for its cross-disciplinary and international capabilities. In addition to its US, European and Asian offices, the firm also has in-depth experience of transactions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Contested acquisitions, corporate auctions and spin-offs as well as buyouts and divestiture programs are among the team’s main activities. Richmond-based co-head Steven Haas assists companies and boards of directors with matters regarding corporate governance, shareholder activism and other fiduciary duty matters. Steven Patterson in Washington DC specializes in representing retail and consumer products companies. In Houston, Michael O’Leary has a wide reputation in master limited partnerships, energy and oilfield services matters.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 2

Predominantly based in the Richmond office, the outsourcing team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP stands out for its expertise in advising global clients on high-value, multi-vendor outsourcing transactions. The team acts as longstanding counsel to a number of clients on IT and business process outsourcing matters. Randall Parks leads the practice, and Jeffrey Harvey and IT outsourcing specialist Andrew Geyer are other notable practitioners. In Washington DC, Cecilia Oh focuses on outsourcing involving financial services and payments transactions and is especially active in the fintech sector.

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

The team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP defends clients in a broad range of class actions and single or multi-plaintiff toxic tort cases involving products liability, occupational injuries and public nuisance. The firm serves as national counsel for asbestos litigation to industrial companies, manufacturers, retailers and distributors. Most recently it has put its toxic tort know-how to use in one of the first Covid-19-related workplace exposure cases, obtaining a dismissal for its client. Experienced product liability lawyer Alexandra Cunningham in Richmond co-leads the practice together with Georgia Lucier in Houston.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a highly focused practice with a strong emphasis on REITs, power and energy, retail and consumer products. This specialization has enabled the firm to develop a significant market share of major issuer and underwriter engagements, and has attracted an enviable client base of blue-chip corporates and financial institutions. Houston-based Michael O’Leary  co-heads the firm’s corporate team and frequently represents the underwriters in debt offerings by issuers in the oil and gas sector. Courtney Cochran Butler is another key name in Houston; she co-heads the capital markets group alongside New York-based Susan Failla, who has broad industry coverage and large deal experience. Also recommended in New York is Peter O’Brien, another energy sector specialist, representing a number of major issuers and underwriters. Richmond partner David Wright   is noted for REIT offerings.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s sizeable capital markets practice is highly specialized, with designated teams for real estate (including property and mortgage REITs), power and utilities, energy, and retail and consumer products. It has an equally impressive client base and standing in both issuer and underwriter engagements. Richmond-based partner David Wright is a frequent advisor to issuers and underwriters in real estate offerings. Michael Fitzpatrick is an experienced figure in energy transactions and Peter O’Brien is recommended for power-sector deals.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a well-developed high-yield debt practice, driven by offices across the country, operating in range of industry sectors, including real estate, power and utilities, energy, and retail and consumer products. The firm is especially strong in underwriter engagements with Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Suisse Securities and JP Morgan Securities listed among the team’s key clients. Houston partners Michael O’Leary and Henry Havre have extensive experience in energy sector deals. New York’s Steven Friend is noted for offerings in the energy and utilities space.

Finance > Project finance

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is one of the busiest firms for infrastructure finance, regularly advising commercial banks and institutional lenders on the financing of US projects. The group—which features lawyers based in Washington DC, New York and Richmond—is particularly notable for its tax equity work; practice head Jeffrey Schroeder regularly assists with investments in wind, solar, and geothermal projects. Though the practice is primarily lender focused, the team also has impressive sponsor-side expertise, most notably in the context of conventional power. In October 2020, Eric Pogue and John Tormey (both of whom specialize in renewable energy projects) left for Mayer Brown.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: conventional power Tier 3

Rated for its ‘deep knowledge and understanding‘ of the industry, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advises on a wide range of issues involving FERC, and also provides regulatory advice on corporate and commercial transactions in the energy sector. The group also has experience representing clients before various state agencies, including PUCT, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Jeffrey Schroeder heads up the energy and infrastructure team from Washington DC, while Myles Reynolds in Dallas heads the energy regulatory department and acts for a number of prominent electric utilities utilities and midstream companies. Also recommended in Dallas is Tab Urbantke, who acted for Oncor Electric Delivery Company in a number of contentious and non-contentious matters over the review period.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: conventional power Tier 3

Able to draw from the expertise of corporate, projects, finance and regulatory lawyers spread throughout the firm’s national offices, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s multi-disciplinary energy team is well-positioned to advise stakeholders on the acquisition, financing, and development of electric-generating facilities employing both conventional and renewable technologies. While the firm has expertise throughout a project’s life cycle, including as it relates to some energy company M&A, it is perhaps best-known for its work at the inception of a project for developer and project sponsor clients, including DTE Energy and EmberClear. The firm also handles a considerable volume of debt financing work for commercial banks, as well as advising them on their wind and solar tax equity investments. Washington DC-based partner Jeffrey Schroeder leads the energy and infrastructure team and regularly handles project financing mandates in the conventional power sector for both lenders and borrowers.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Led from Houston by Harve Truskett, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s ten-partner team handles a range of transactional and commercial and operational work in the upstream and midstream sectors. In this regard, the team acts for a huge range of clients including independent producers, pipeline companies, investors and national oil companies. ‘Very smart and easy to work with‘, Michael O’Leary has an excellent reputation for his work on behalf of energy companies and private equity firms on oil and gas-related M&A. He also acts for issuers and underwriters in energy-related public and private offerings of equity and debt securities.

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 3

The team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is well versed in assisting with the patent licensing aspects of corporate transactions and in advising on development and commercialization agreements. The group’s most prominent matters originate in the manufacturing, life sciences and pharmaceutical, and education sectors, but the practice is also active in a number of other sectors, including the energy and automotive industries. The lead trio consists of John Gary Maynard, Tyler Maddry and Michael Oakes, all based in the Washington DC office. Michael Lennon joined Potomac Law Group in April 2020; Michael Turner joined Yokogawa as director of IP strategy in the same month; Laurence Posorske moved to a counsel position at Arent Fox LLP in February 2020; and Clifford Ulrich joined Carter, DeLuca & Farrell LLP in August 2020.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state court claims of infringement and dilution, with experience extending to trade dress infringement, and unfair competition in both bench and jury trials. In Washington DC, IP group co-head John Gary Maynard has experience representing major retail companies in federal court. He works alongside IP group co-leaders Tyler Maddry and Michael Oakes, who act for clients in the financial services and telecoms industries, as well as major Fortune 100 companies. Additionally, Edward Colbert and Susan Smith are known for their experience litigating on behalf of clients in the banking and financial services sectors and high-profile tech companies, respectively. A contact in New York is James Rosini, who has a leading market reputation in high-stakes trademark litigation. Laurence Posorke left for Arent Fox LLP in February 2020, and Michael Lennon departed to Potomac Law Group in April 2020.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s immigration practice is ‘exceptional‘ according to clients and is focused on both domestic and global immigration matters. Housed in Washington DC, the group is managed by ‘seasoned veteran‘ Ian Band and handles the full range of visa issues including student, temporary work, and permanent residency. Practice co-head Adam Rosser focuses on business immigration matters for large corporations, particularly those operating in the pharmaceutical sectors and advises on I-9 compliance. Also in the team is Counsel Suzan Kern who specialises in obtaining P visas and green cards for employees. In Miami, associate Lieselot Whitbeck is the name for international immigration needs and has experience in employment law.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is a popular choice, particularly among banks that provide platforming services to major fintech companies. The versatile group offers a strong blend of regulatory, data protection, financing, corporate and tech advice. This expertise, particularly in payment services, was brought to bear throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and related federal stimulus and pay check plans. Austin-based practice head Erin Fonté is highly experienced on the corporate and regulatory side. The team also includes New York’s Lisa Sotto, global head of the firm’s privacy and cybersecurity practice, and financial services litigation and compliance co-chair Jarrett Hale in Dallas. Clients also rate Washington DC-based Scott Kimpel, who leads the firm’s blockchain and distributed ledger working group.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 3

An ‘extraordinarily talented’ real estate finance group, the team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP handles a caseload consisting of workouts and restructurings, the sale and purchase of real estate debt instruments, secured financings and preferred equity investments, among other matters. The department is proficient in all mainstream asset classes and has recently been increasingly active in the financing of affordable housing, and life sciences and healthcare properties. In New York, Brett Gross focuses on construction, hospitality, securitized and portfolio mortgage lending; he jointly heads the department with Laurie Grasso, also based in New York, and Howard Schreiber who works from the Dallas office.

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

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP provides a set of co-ordinated, cross-disciplinary legal support to its issuer and underwriter clients. The team has expertise in a variety of matters, including IPOs, public and private securities offerings, and M&A. Of late, it has advised a variety of firms on high-stakes situations arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, including representing Chimera Investment Corporation in a convertible note offering and a $400m credit facility with Ares Capital. The team is led by George Howell and David Wright in the Richmond office. Also recommended is James Davidson, singled out by clients for his ‘outstanding legal expertise‘ and significant experience of REIT IPOs.

Real estate Tier 3

The ‘personalized’ service at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP covers the gamut of urban investment, redevelopment, commercial leasing, sale-leaseback and public-private venture mandates, in addition to real estate-related planning and M&A. The group is particularly accomplished in commercial, retail, industrial, multi-family and mixed-use projects, including those involving multi-jurisdictional transaction structures. It has expanded its breadth of activity of late, significantly ramping up its activity in the life sciences, healthcare, and affordable housing sectors. In Dallas, Howard Schreiber jointly leads the department together with New York-based duo Brett Gross and Laurie Grasso, the last of whom has an impressive number of high-value transactions under her belt over the past 12 months. Most notably, Grasso acted for Savanna in its $435 purchase of a 27-story, 500,000 sq ft office building in Manhattan. The group benefits from an extensive national footprint with other key names spread across the Washington DC, Los Angeles, Miami, Richmond and Houston offices.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has extensive experience advising on all aspects of environmental issues related to oil and gas permitting, construction, operation and maintenance, infrastructure and compliance. Deidre Duncan is the practice group leader and represents key domestic oil and natural gas pipelines and their respective trade associations. San Francisco managing partner Shannon Broome represents companies and trade associations in both the upstream and downstream spaces. Also recommended are Eric Murdock and Houston-based Alexis Gomez. Named partners are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advises pipelines and other energy companies on regulatory matters arising from commercial energy transactions and infrastructure developments, and also acts in commercial and administrative disputes relating to environmental incidents and ratemaking procedures. Names to note include Myles Reynolds in the Dallas office and Shemin Proctor in Washington DC. Deidre Duncan and San Francisco-based Shannon Broome are recommended for environmental matters in this space.

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

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice acts for an impressive client list including private equity firms and companies in the financial services, energy and real estate sectors. Of late, the team has been active in high-value acquisitions, as well as multiple IPOs. The partnership includes Austin-based Anthony Eppert, who handles the range of executive compensation matters and has noted expertise in ESOP transactions and 409A issues; and Dallas-based Scott Austin, noted for his expertise in ERISA fiduciary compliance.

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

The team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP handles class, collective and mass actions as well as single-plaintiff claims and arbitration proceedings. It has specialist expertise in wage and hour claims and PAGA suits, and is often instructed by clients from the banking, retail and manufacturing industries. Los Angeles’ Emily Burkhardt Vicente is also active in whistleblower claims; she jointly leads the practice with Kevin White in Washington DC, who is active in the retail and energy industries. San Francisco-based Michael Brett Burns handles public accommodation litigation. Other team members include Roland Juarez and Michele Beilke in Los Angeles, Susan Wiltsie and Ryan Bates in Washington DC as well as Boston-based Christopher Pardo. The Houston office was reinforced by the arrival of Scott Nelson from Seyfarth Shaw LLP in August 2020.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is recognized for its thorough national coverage and its deep bench of experienced practitioners. In particular, the tax group is noted for its expertise in structured finance and securitization. Houston-based Tom Ford and Richmond-based Cecelia Philipps Horner co-chair the department, which regularly handles transactions for financial institutions, renewable energy suppliers, hedge funds, private equity groups, and tax-driven entities like MLPs and REITs. It has also been involved in a number of bankruptcies and restructurings of late. Houston-based Robert McNamara is a key figure for energy sector deals, while Kendal Sibley in Rishmond focuses on REIT taxation, asset securitization and investment funds.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 5

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a large national litigation practice with notable strength in depth in Texas, California, Florida and the Mid-Atlantic region. Its work encompasses shareholder litigation, corporate internal investigations, regulatory investigations and enforcement proceedings. This focus gives the firm a presence in some large securities litigation proceedings and enforcement matters, a recent example of which was its work for insurer Bowen, Miclette & Britt in a multibillion-dollar securities class action arising from the Stanford Ponzi scheme. Bradley Foster in Dallas led that matter. Edward Fuhr in Richmond leads the practice and handled a class action against Cleco Corporate Holdings LLC that alleged breach of fiduciary duty by its directors. Richmond-based counsel Johnathon Schronce also played a key role in that case.

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

At Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, David Mustone and Jessica Agostinho (both based in Washington DC) are acting as outside counsel to the retirement and welfare benefits teams of a large international retail company for a broad range of compensation and benefits matters, including qualified and non-qualified defined contribution retirement plans, welfare benefit plans, and executive compensation matters. Energy, manufacturing and financial services entities are also included in the team’s client portfolio. Mustone shares leadership of the practice with Scott Austin in Dallas and Anthony Eppert in Austin.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is recommended for its depth of expertise in both bankruptcy-related litigious and distressed asset and company transactions. The team is able to assist creditors and debtors with a wide range of restructuring matters, and has a particular focus on the provision of strategic advice to corporate clients and independent board committees. In addition to maintaining its strong reputation for representing financial institutions, the firm has recently been involved in Chapter 11 work in the energy industry, as well as in high-profile retail bankruptcies, including the J. Crew restructurings. Practice co-heads Tyler Brown and Timothy Davidson lead from Richmond and Houston, respectively.

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