The Legal 500

United States

Real estate

Real estate - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

In April 2018, Hunton & Williams and Andrews Kurth Kenyon merged to form Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. The combined real estate team of ‘practical and commercial lawyers’ advises on investments, redevelopment, private-public ventures and commercial leasing, while other areas of expertise include real estate M&A, REIT matters and securitizations. A recent highlight included acting for Pebblebrook Hotel Trust on its $5.2bn merger with LaSalle Hotel Properties, while the firm also advised Savanna on its $640m acquisition of the 5 Bryant Park building in New York City. New York-based Carl Schwartz and Matthew Scoville acted for Nahla Capital on the $260m sale of 30 rental apartment buildings in San Francisco, and Houston-based Michael Boyd advised on a joint venture led by USAA Real Estate Company and Patrinely Group on the $270m development of an office building in Colorado and the $188m refinancing of a New York apartment complex. Mark Arnold, who is also based in Houston, advised Clark County Stadium Authority on the $1.9bn development of a 65,000-seat stadium for the Las Vegas Raiders. Dallas-based Howard Schreiber, Jeff Giese and Kathleen Wu are also recommended. In the Los Angeles office, Jane Hinton focuses on highly structured debt and equity real estate transactions including mortgage, mezzanine and preferred equity financing. In the New York office, Peter Mignone specializes in commercial real estate finance and capital markets, including advising institutional lenders on the origination of commercial mortgage and mezzanine loans.

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United States: Dispute resolution

Product liability, mass tort and class actions: toxic tort - defense

Product liability, mass tort and class actions: toxic tort - defense - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Jointly led by Richmond-based ‘strategic thinker’ Alexandra Cunningham and Georgia Lucier in Houston, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is particularly active in asbestos litigation and also handles environmental matters for clients in the energy sector. In one highlight, the ‘forward-thinking’ team is representing Alfa Laval as national coordinating counsel in asbestos-related cases. Based in Houston, Thomas Taylor and Joseph Blizzard are additional contacts in the practice group.

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Securities litigation - defense

Securities litigation - defense - ranked: tier 5

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

At Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Edward Fuhr in Richmond leads a practice that has significant litigation capability in Texas, California, Florida and other key forums across the country. Fuhr represented Cleco Corporate Holdings in a putative shareholder class action pending in Louisiana. The firm's standout practitioners include Bradley Foster in Dallas and Mark Mandel in New York. Last year, Foster acted for insurance company Bowen, Miclette & Britt in a multibillion-dollar securities class action, and successfully settled matters for former officers of Tandy Brands Accessories brought by the company's bankruptcy trustee. The firm also has a highly capable practice that handles SEC, DOJ, FINRA and other regulatory matters.

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United States: Finance

Capital markets: debt

Capital markets: debt - advice to issuers - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Capital markets: debt offerings - advice to underwriters - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Noted for its ‘depth in the energy space’, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP also ‘punches above its weight’ in the utilities and real estate spheres. The firm secured several high-profile mandates for issuers over the past year, which saw department co-head Susan Failla advising Philip Morris International on two notes offerings totaling €1bn. Peter O’Brien, who co-leads the capital markets practice, and Christina Kwon advised Duke Energy on several debt capital markets deals, including a $500m public offering. On the underwriter front, Houston-based Michael O’Leary acted for the underwriters on $2bn worth of senior notes offerings by Kinder Morgan. The group also benefits from the experience of Houston-based co-lead Courtney Cochran Butler and Richmond-based real estate capital markets head David Wright. Named attorneys are based in New York, unless otherwise stated.

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Capital markets: equity offerings

Capital markets: equity offerings - advice to issuers - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Capital markets: equity offerings - advice to managers - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

‘A reliable team for sophisticated transactions’, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s underwriter-side practice impressed during 2018 with a run of high-profile engagements for major investment banks. The REITs, power, energy and retail sectors provide the bulk of instructions and sources say, ‘it really punches above its weight in its key areas’. In New York, group co-head Peter O’Brien, together with Christina Kwon, advised Credit Suisse Securities (USA) as placement agent on utility company NiSource’s $606m private placement. David Wright, who co-leads the group from Richmond, advised the lead underwriters on a $165m follow-on offering by Agree Realty Corporation. Susan Failla and Courtney Cochran Butler also co-lead the group from New York and Houston respectively.

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Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings - advice to underwriters - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Following its high-profile combination in 2018, the newly merged Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is included for the first time in the high-yield debt category. The manager-focused group, which is recognized for its ‘depth in the energy space’, secured a solid stream of high-yield deals over the past year, with energy, utilities and financial services standing out as the key drivers of the practice. Highlights included Houston-based Jordan Hirsch advising the initial purchasers on a three-tranche private placement of notes by Sunoco LP and Sunoco Finance Corp, which totaled $2.2bn. On the financial services front, Dallas-based Steven Leshin acted for the initial purchasers on a $700m notes offering by Freedom Mortgage Corporation. Houston-based corporate co-lead Michael O’Leary, who has a strong record in energy-related offerings, is also recommended.

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Project finance

Project finance: advice to lender - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Project finance: advice to sponsor - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has ‘extensive market knowledge in the energy sector’ and is regularly engaged in project finance mandates in the energy and infrastructure sectors, acting for banks and other financial institutions as well as sponsor clients. In an example of the latter, department head Jeffrey Schroeder is advising DTE Energy Services on the Dearborn Campus Energy Infrastructure Project. San Francisco-based Michael Klaus and Eric Pogue, who is co-chair of the renewable energy and clean power practice and chair of the sustainability and corporate clean power initiative, are instructed by US financial institutions on the financing of large-scale projects. Jo Anne Sirgado in New York is regularly involved in domestic and cross-border project finance work and is experienced in acting for lenders in the financing of renewable energy projects secured by debt receivables. Richmond-based contacts include Eric Nedell, John O’Neill, who leads the firm’s infrastructure and P3 practice, and Laura Jones, who is experienced in energy tax credit matters. Other key figures include David Lowman, who co-chairs the renewable energy and clean power practice; Gregory Lang, Michael Madden and counsel Douglas Murphy in New York; John Tormey, who focuses on domestic and international project finance mandates; Laurence Skinner; Timothy Unger, who divides time between the Houston and Beijing offices; and Vera Rechsteiner, who operates from Dubai and Washington DC. Named lawyers are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

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Structured finance: securitization

Structured finance: securitization - ranked: tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

According to one client, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP's structured finance group is 'the definition of excellence'. With 'a deep bench of of professionals, who deliver exceptional client service', the team is considered by some to be 'the top firm for the regulation, warehouse financing and securitization of residential mortgages and mortgage-related assets'. Acting on the dealer side, the team acts for the underwriters on all of the Freddie Mac Seasoned Loan Structured Transactions and Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Offerings; the firm has also been involved in all of the Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk (STARC) transactions since the commencement of the program in 2013. Recently, Brent Lewis and Janet McCrae acted for the underwriters in the first series of credit-linked notes issued under the STARC program. Also of note, Tom Hiner and Richmond-based Rudene Haynes advised Angel Oak Capital Advisors on the $90m inaugural MBS offering backed by fix-and-flip loans; the duo also advised on Angel Oak's $402m non-qualified mortgage REMIC securitization. In the more esoteric space, Dallas-based David Barbour acted for Virage Capital Management in the first-of-its-kind securitization of litigation finance loans made to plaintiffs' law firms. Also recommended are Eric Burner, Steven Becker and Mike Nedzbala, the last of whom is based in Richmond.

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United States: Industry focus

Energy litigation: oil and gas

Energy litigation: oil and gas - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Following the merger of Hunton & Williams and Andrews Kurth Kenyon to form Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP in April 2018, the combined firm has 41 partners in its oil and gas industry group. Highlights included Stuart Hollimon (Houston) defending Encana Oil & Gas in a case concerning alleged underpayment of royalties, with the plaintiff claiming over $25m in damages; the case was settled on favorable terms. In addition to royalty disputes, the group also represents clients in rate cases and bet-the-company litigation, and prepares responses on their behalf when FERC issues a Notice of Inquiry. Phillips 66 and Texas Oil and Gas Association are some other noteworthy clients. Dallas-based partners Tab Urbantke and Myles Reynolds  are highly recommended. Hollimon, Chuck Knauss (DC) and Deidre Duncan (DC) are the heads of the team.

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Energy regulation: conventional power

Energy regulation: conventional power - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

New partners Tab Urbantke and Myles Reynolds joined the Dallas office of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP from Vinson & Elkins LLP in June 2018 and July 2018 respectively. Urbantke, Reynolds, New York City-based Kevin Jones and DC-based Ted Murphy are the joint heads of the energy regulatory team, which is noted for its 'high levels of responsiveness and willingness to go the extra mile'. Murphy and others assist NYISO with its design and implementation of 'buyer-side' capacity market power mitigation rules; specific work includes helping the client obtain FERC approval for the new rules and defending against complaints. Also of note, a group led by Urbantke is representing Oncor Electric Delivery in rate proceedings before several municipalities and the PUCT concerning the return of $250m in credits to ratepayers. The group also has 'deep knowledge of PUCT regulation'. Following the merger of the formerly separate firms Hunton & Williams and Andrews Kurth Kenyon in March 2018, the previous heads of the team, Kenneth Wiseman and Mark Sundback, departed for Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP.

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Energy regulation: oil and gas

Energy regulation: oil and gas - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP's oil and gas practice regularly counsels clients on matters pertaining to statutes such as the Natural Gas Act, Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Pipeline Safety Act. Shemin Proctor, Chuck Knauss, Deidre Duncan, Myles Reynolds (Dallas) and Stuart Hollimon (Houston) are the department heads. Highlights included Duncan and others representing Enbridge in its response to a Notice of Inquiry issued by FERC reviewing the policy for approving new interstate natural gas projects. On the contentious side, Reynolds acted for ENSTAR Natural Gas Company in a rate case before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, successfully winning approval of a significant rate increase and a return on equity. Rate proceeding specialist Mark Sundback and special counsel Kenneth Wiseman left for Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP in April 2018. Named attorneys are based in DC, unless otherwise noted.

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Energy: renewable/alternative power

Energy: renewable/alternative power - ranked: tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has particular expertise in project finance, where it acts for commercial banks and institutional lenders, development finance institutions, export credit agencies and project developers. The renewable energy and clean power practice is jointly headed by Eric Pogue and David Lowman, who are both based in Washington DC and were instructed by two major investment banks in relation to a tax equity investment in the California Flats portfolio of solar projects, which has an aggregate nominal capacity of 280MW. Other key clients include Allianz Renewable Energy Partners of America, JPMorgan Chase and Duke Energy Corporation. Also of note, Myles Reynolds and Tab Urbantke joined the Dallas office from Vinson & Elkins LLP.

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Energy: transactions: conventional power

Energy: transactions: conventional power - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts for commercial banks, institutional lenders and development finance institutions, export credit agencies and project developers. The practice is headed by Jeffrey Schroeder, who is based in Washington DC and focuses on project finance and energy-asset transactions. Also recommended are Washington DC-based Larry Skinner and Houston-based Mark Thurber, who advised EmberClear Corporation on the $1.8bn development of the Harrison Power Plant, a 1,050MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle electric generating facility in Ohio. Other key figures in Washington DC include renewable energy and clean power practice co-chair Eric Pogue, and John Tormey, who focuses on energy project development. Myles Reynolds and Tab Urbantke joined the Dallas office from Vinson & Elkins LLP.

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Energy: transactions: oil and gas

Energy: transactions: oil and gas - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Based primarily in Houston, the team at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP acts for a wide range of project sponsors, trusts and investors in transactions involving oil and gas exploration, production, development, storage and transportation. The practice group is jointly headed by Harve Truskett and Hal Haltom, and includes Michael O’Leary, who co-heads the firm's corporate group. Recent highlights included Robert Jewell acting for the Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner of Antero Midstream GP (AMGP) in AMGP’s acquisition of all outstanding common units of Antero Midstream Partners in a stock and cash transaction valued at $7.2bn. DCP Midstream Partners, Hilcorp Energy Company and Sinopec are among the team's key clients. Christopher Richardson and Charlie Ofner joined White & Case LLP.

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Environment: litigation

Environment: litigation - ranked: tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Born in April 2018 from the merger of Hunton & Williams LLP and Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advises clients in the energy, chemical, manufacturing, automotive, utilities and technology sectors on sophisticated and regulation-affecting cases concerning air, water, endangered species, natural resources, waste, and climate change. Highlights included assisting the Weyerhaeuser Amici Coalition in filing an amici brief before the Supreme Court in an Endangered Species Act case concerning the designation of private land as critical habitat for the dusky gopher frog, and representing Nutrien in an EPA enforcement investigation of multiple CAA regulatory and permitting programs. In Washington DC, Eric Murdock heads the administrative law team, which includes the environmental practice; practice leader Deidre Duncan has expertise in advising clients in the oil and natural gas pipeline sector as well as industry associations; the other practice leader Makram Jaber is a CAA specialist; Chuck Knauss is noted for his climate change work; William Brownell is ‘influential in terms of what he has accomplished’; Andrew Turner is another key contact. In San Francisco, Shannon Broome and Tom Boer are the names to note, and Samuel Brown was made partner.

Leading lawyers

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Environment: regulatory

Environment: regulatory - ranked: tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is the product of the merger between Hunton & Williams LLP and Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP, which was finalized in April 2018. The team impresses with its ‘deep bench’ and ‘strong’ regulatory practice. The ‘smart’ and ‘experienced’ lawyers have the expertise to handle climate change, air, water, waste, chemicals, and natural resources matters, with a particular focus on the oil and gas industry. Highlight work included acting as counsel to the Air Permitting Forum (an association of Fortune 100 companies dedicated to promoting efficient and effective regulations under the CAA) in relation to a range of CAA matters, including advocacy with the EPA. Further, the team is acting for Schlumberger Technology Corporation in relation to the Middlefield-Ellis-Whisman Superfund sites in California’s Mountain View, and acted for Schlumberger Lift Solutions in assessing compliance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations for vehicles. In San Francisco, Tom Boer was involved in various Superfund matters, and Shannon S. Broome was among the lawyers acting for Air Permitting Forum. Contacts in Washington DC include Chuck Knauss and Eric Murdock, the latter of whom heads the administrative law group and environmental team.

Next generation lawyers

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Environment: transactional

Environment: transactional - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP was formed in April 2018 out of the merger between Hunton & Williams LLP and Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP. In environmental transactional work, the team regularly assists clients with compliance and liability risks related to the development or transfer of commercial properties and industrial facilities and related business transactions. Recent highlights include assisting Dominion Energy with obtaining the necessary permits and authorisations from the Virginia State Corporation Commission, the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission for the construction of the Surry-Skiffes Creek-Whealton transmission line in Surry and James Counties, Virginia. The team is also acting as lead counsel to Mosaic Fertilizer in connection with federal permitting matters related to its new mines and mine extension projects in Florida. In Washington DC, Deidre Duncan and Makram Jaber jointly lead the firm’s environmental practice.

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Insurance: advice to policyholders

Insurance: advice to policyholders - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

The insurance practice at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has built up a nationwide reputation through its work on matters covering handling asbestos and environmental liability, D&O disputes and business interruption, while it also advises on disputes relating to cyber insurance and terrorism. Walter Andrews, who heads up the insurance coverage practice, has been advising H.I.G. Capital in negotiations with liability insurers over coverage of two investigations by the UK Pensions Regulator, while Lorelie Masters, who joined from Perkins Coie LLP in 2017, acted for Wellspan Health Systems in negotiations with its D&O insurer in relation to its defence against contractual breaches, fraud and defamation.

Leading lawyers

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United States: Intellectual property

Copyright

Copyright - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has expertise in both copyright counseling and litigation, particularly within the gaming, publishing and entertainment industries. Leading the team are Houston-based Jeff Dodd and Edward Colbert in Washington DC. Dodd is particularly skilled in transactional matters, whereas Colbert works on litigation and licensing issues. Other key figures include the New York-based litigators Jonathan Reichman and James Rosini.

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Patents: licensing

Patents: licensing - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP was active in a wide range of industry sectors, ranging from licensing work for Asator Global Technologies to assisting biopharmaceutical player Molecular Rebar Design and counseling Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center on various licensing matters. Other instructions came from Dr. Jack Arbiser and his company Natuderm. Tyler Maddry in Washington DC directs the practice following the merger of Hunton & Williams and Andrews Kurth Kenyon in spring 2018. New York's Michael Lennon is also recommended.

Leading lawyers

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Patents: litigation (full coverage)

Patents: litigation (full coverage) - ranked: tier 5

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP stands out through its body of work for Volkswagen, which the group represented in several cases, including an infringement case regarding patents of portable computerized wireless apparatuses and computerized information and display apparatuses litigated before the PTAB and in district court; Volkswagen is just one of several of the group's auto-sector clients. For Kawasaki Rail Car, the practice secured an IPR victory against a Canadian inventor, invalidating his patents on television systems used in subway cars. A recent pharmaceutical highlight was advising Catalent Pharma Solutions on two IPRs regarding naproxen soft gel capsules. Sony, Lenovo and Toyota are other key clients. Tyler Maddry, Michael Oakes, both based in Washington DC, and John Flock in New York direct the practice group.

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Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings)

Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) - ranked: tier 5

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

The 'outstanding lawyers' at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP are particularly strong in the automotive sector, but also assist with mandates from the consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, technology and electronics sectors. Created by the merger of Hunton & Williams and Andrews Kurth Kenyon in spring 2018, the group undertakes classic patent application drafting and filing work, but also has a solid track record in post-grant proceedings. Shawn O’Dowd led the prosecution of a high number of patents for Toyota, including advice on strategic patent portfolio questions. Other work came from Nichia, Emory University and Ingenious Designs. New York's John Flock and Tyler Maddry, and Michael Oakes in Washington DC form the trio at the head of the practice. Counsel David Bradin is also recommended. Ping Wang and Michael Ye joined Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, and John Hutchins joined Banner & Witcoff, Ltd..

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Trademarks: litigation

Trademarks: litigation - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP handles a broad range of contentious matters with a track record that spans district and federal courts in addition to the TTAB. Jeff Dodd operates from Houston and jointly heads the practice with New York-based Edward Colbert. Susan Smith in Washington DC is recommended, while James Rosini is another key name from the New York office.

Leading lawyers

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Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing)

Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) - ranked: tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is adept in portfolio management, prosecutions and Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceedings. Edward Colbert and Susan Smith are the key names in Washington DC, with Colbert chairing the practice alongside Houston-based Jeff Dodd. New York-based James Rosini is also recommended.

Leading lawyers

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United States: Labor and employment

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP’s seven-partner practice regularly advises executive teams on their executive compensation, ESOP and employee benefits issues. Houston-based practice head Anthony Eppert advised Layne Christensen Company on its $536m sale to Granite Construction by way of a stock-for-stock transaction; associate Emily Cabrera was also involved in that transaction. Other names to note include Jay Ritter in Richmond and Scott Austin in Dallas.

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Immigration

Immigration - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

‘Service is exceptional’ at ‘completely reliable and straightforward' boutique firm Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, which covers the full range of immigration law, from obtaining temporary work visas, permanent residence and citizenship to high-level executive transfers under L blanket programs and O-1 extraordinary ability visas. In addition, the team deals with I-9 compliance issues and deals with the immigration aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Ian Band leads the practice and ‘attentive’ Adam Rosser is known for turning around work very fast. In one work highlight, the team had to obtain visas for chefs on very short notice for a production company regarding a cooking show available on a well-known streaming service in order to avoid having the company lose time and money. Natalie Tynan joined in January 2019 as senior attorney after being with the Department of Homeland Security for more than nine years.

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United States: M&A/corporate and commercial

M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m)

M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) - ranked: tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP's 'M&A team provides excellent representation on transactions of varying sizes; it takes a practical and realistic approach and is always focused on delivering the right outcomes at the right cost for the client. The practice also has great depth, from senior partners to junior associates, and ensures that work is performed at the right level and with appropriate supervision at all times'. The firm was created in 2018 from the merger of Hunton & Williams LLP and Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP and advises clients on negotiated acquisitions, takeover defenses and contested situations, LBOs and spin-offs. Other areas of strength are holding company formations, corporate auctions, mergers-of-equals, go-private transactions and strategic acquisition and divestiture programs; and the practice has a particular focus on the consumer products, retail, defense, real estate, healthcare, energy, technology and financial services sectors. Regular clients include ExxonMobil, Smithfield Foods, Citibank International and Diageo; the practice also assisted the conflicts committee of diversified midstream company Andeavor Logistics (AL) with AL's acquisition of Western Refining Logistics; acted for Carlisle Companies in the sale of its Carlisle FoodService Products division to funds managed by middle-market private equity firm The Jordan Company; and advised longstanding client Xenith Bankshares on its sale to Union Bankshares. Other significant highlights included the team acting for Canadian energy infrastructure company AltaGas, as Virginia counsel, in its $9bn acquisition of WGL Holdings, as well as its advice to Pebblebrook Hotel Trust on its acquisition of LaSalle Hotel Properties. Steven Haas, who is based in both Richmond and Washington DC, and Steven Patterson in Washington DC, co-head the firm’s M&A team; Houston-based Robert Jewell has particular experience in the energy and forest products industries, master limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts, and representing special committees of boards of directors; and Fernando Alonso, who divides his time between Miami and New York, heads the Latin America team. Other key advisers include Houston's co-corporate team head Michael O’Leary, Richmond-based Gary Thompson, who chairs the public company M&A practice, Michael McCann, Houston's energy law specialist Ashley Burns Muehlberger and special counsel  Allen Goolsby.

Leading lawyers

Next generation lawyers

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United States: Media, technology and telecoms

Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)

Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) - ranked: tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Data Privacy and Data Protection - ranked: tier 1

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

The 'excellent’ Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP specializes in large-scale cybersecurity attacks, implementation of GDPR requirements for US-based multinational companies, board advisory work on privacy and data protection, international data transfer mechanisms, compliance with CCPA and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and preparation and prevention of cyber events. Practice head Lisa Sotto has been assisting Yahoo! with two huge cyber-attacks and related class action lawsuits and, together with Brittany Bacon, who was made partner in April 2018, has been advising companies such as Western Union and Tiffany on global data protection and privacy. The ‘incredible’ Aaron Simpson and Washington DC-based Phyllis Marcus and Paul Tiao are other key contacts. Named individuals are based in New York unless otherwise indicated.

Leading lawyers

Next generation lawyers

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Fintech

Fintech - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP frequently advises fintech companies, corporates, global banks, investors and other financial institutions on a range of matters, both as technology provider and customers. Two clients are the alternative lending platforms Lending Club and Ethos Lending, which the group is advising on a range of consumer compliance matters. Other recent work includes defending Kabbage’s core patents in inter partes re-examination proceedings and assisting Cross River Bank in connection with a revolving credit facility with Tally Technologies. Lisa Sotto and Aaron Simpson are key names to note for data privacy and cybersecurity, Jarrett Hale is highlighted for financial services litigation and compliance, and Dallas-based Peter Weinstock acts for financial institutions and financial service franchises on corporate and regulatory matters. The attorneys listed are all based in New York unless otherwise specified.

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Outsourcing

Outsourcing - ranked: tier 2

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has experience in the negotiation and implementation of outsourcing agreements in the healthcare, telecoms, banking and retail sectors. Washington DC-based Cecilia Y. Oh is advising Baylor Scott & White Health on the outsourcing of its hospitality functions for its hospitals and health care clinics, while Richmond-based Jeffrey L. Harvey provides outsourcing and technology advice to the healthcare services provider Owens & Minor, which recently involved the negotiation of a telecoms support outsourcing services agreement and the management of cloud and on-premise hybrid solutions. Randall S. Parks heads the practice from the Richmond office, which also includes senior associate Sarah S. M. Carpenter.

Leading lawyers

Rising stars

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Technology transactions

Technology transactions - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP regularly handles IT-related transactions in the computing and software industries, and has recently advised on development joint ventures in the mobile and online payments arena. Richmond-based practice co-head Randall S. Parks advises medical device manufacturer Zimmer Bioment Holdings on software licensing and acquisition deals, and Washington DC-based Cecilia Y. Oh has assisted financial institutions with various technology agreements. Also in Washington DC, practice co-head Tyler Maddry has been instructed by IT, cloud and cybersecurity services providers.

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United States: Real estate

Real estate investment trusts (REITs)

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) - ranked: tier 3

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is widely respected for its advice to issuer and underwriter clients; the practice is also active in both the property and mortgage REIT sectors. The team assisted Pebblebrook Hotel Trust, a publicly traded REIT that owns upscale, full-service hotels, with its $7.6bn acquisition of LaSalle Hotel Properties. George Howell III, who divides his time between New York and Richmond, and Kendal Sibley advise on the tax aspects of REITs, and David Wright heads the real estate capital markets practice. Other key contacts are Washington DC's Robert Smith, Mark Wickersham and counsel James Davidson. The advisers listed are in Richmond unless otherwise stated.

Leading lawyers

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United States: Tax

US taxes: non-contentious

US taxes: non-contentious - ranked: tier 4

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP regularly handles the tax aspects of M&A transactions, private equity and hedge fund formation, real estate matters and MLPs. Robert McNamara focuses on energy transactional matters and also advises publicly-traded partnerships on formation, acquisition and recapitalization activities. Allison Manor acted for Hilcorp Energy Company in the acquisition of Alaska North Slope oil and gas properties from BP. In another highlight, Thomas Ford advised GSO, the investment partner of Sanchez Energy, on the purchase of Eagleford Shale assets in South Texas from Anadarko Petroleum Corporation by way of a 50/50 joint venture between Sanchez Energy and Blackstone Energy Partners. Dallas-based Jeffry Blair has experience experience in corporate reorganizations, partnership structuring and capital markets matters. Andrew Feiner in New York is another contact. All named attorneys are based in Houston unless otherwise noted.

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