Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 1

Jointly led by Emilio Cividanes and Stuart Ingis, the 'world-class' team at Venable LLP is particularly notable for its work on FTC enforcement matters relating to the security of personal information. Having recently established an office in Chicago, the firm continues to help clients with policymaking discussions on data privacy legislation, cybersecurity risk management and state AG investigations focused on privacy concerns. In particular, it is known for representing the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets in relation to the significant data questions raised by autonomous vehicles. Notably, the practice also handles work for numerous advertising trade associations, an area in which it has secured clarifications on the CCPA's right-to-know and advised clients on their opposition to Washington State's proposed private right of action. Reed Freeman Jr joined the team from WilmerHale in August 2020. Also recommended in the team are Ariel Wolf, Kelly DeMarchis Bastide, Julia Kernochan Tama and Michael Signorelli.

Telecoms and broadcast: transactions

Advertising and marketing: transactional and regulatory

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

Venable LLP offers a wide range of corporate services,  and is particularly known for advising on public and private deals. The practice also handles related transactions including joint ventures, tender offers, divestitures, reorganizations and liquidations; continuity business planning is another strength. Charles Morton Jr is particularly recognised in the private equity space, focusing on technology and healthcare; he splits his time between Baltimore and Washington DC. Morton jointly chairs the group with Washington DC-based Robert Bolger Jr, who regularly represents start-up companies. The group also has a Los Angeles offices, which is noted for its expertise in media and entertainment, including digital media and branded merchandise businesses. In additional to transactional work, the practice also advises on corporate governance, securities compliance and regulations, and shareholder litigation.

Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) Tier 1

Venable LLP's non-profit organisations practice is housed primarily in Washington, DC, and covers the full gamut of matters spanning complex taxation matters and corporate governance issues. Practice head Cynthia Lewin advises clients on compliance, tax litigation and transactional matters, alongside co-chair George Constantine who has experience advising public charities and advocacy groups on governance issues, and lobbying and political activity. The core team includes Baltimore based Robert Waldman; key contact for international philanthropy and wealth planning measures, and Yosef Ziffer who handles charitable giving. On the litigation side, Eric Berman is of note, handling enforcement actions brought by federal regulators against charitable organizations and professional fundraisers. Counsel Lindsay Nathan in New York advises political groups and non-profits on federal, and local law, and regulatory issues.

Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

Venable LLP is especially well known in the dietary supplement industry, with a strong track record in false advertising class actions and Lanham Act cases. The team is also highly skilled in the broader food and beverage sector. A key figure for this work is Washington DC-based practice lead Roger Colaizzi, who also has experience advising on state deceptive trade practices, direct-to-consumer marketing, social media advertising and celebrity and influencer endorsements. Jeffrey Knowles (also in Washington DC) is recommended for television marketing and e-commerce matters. Contacts on the West Coast include San Francisco-based Angel Garganta, who co-chairs of the class action defense group and focuses on food, beverage and supplement litigation; and Daniel Silverman in Los Angeles.

Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 2

Venable LLP’s trial-ready team represents pharmaceutical, vaccine and medical device manufacturers in a variety of product liability and mass tort litigation. The firm is currently acting as national or co-national counsel in three MDLs. It is representing Merck both in disputes involving the shingles vaccine Zostavax® and in long-running litigation related to the osteoporosis drug Fosamax®. The firm also plays a lead role for Takeda in litigation surrounding proton-pump inhibitor medications. Baltimore-based Kathleen Hardway and Jason Rose, an experienced litigator, co-chair the group. Craig Thompson, an assertive trial lawyer and legal counsellor, is a name to note in Washington DC.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 2

The team at Venable LLP acts for clients across the full life cycle of REITs.  Known as 'experts in Maryland law', the firm is adept at managing the unique aspects of capital markets, corporate law and corporate governance work required of businesses and investment vehicles incorporated in the state. Thanks to its standing in Maryland, the team represents not only publicly traded REITs but private and non-traded REITs as well. Sharon Kroupa and James Hanks lead the firm from its Baltimore office, and both are known for their tenure and expertise in the practice area. Brian Field is also recommended for his expertise in both Maryland and general corporate law.

Technology transactions Tier 2

Venable LLP has a well-regarded standalone team with strong expertise in contracts and counseling related to strategic sourcing, systems procurement, data exploitation and technology and asset transfers. The lawyers work closely with colleagues in M&A, IP and government affairs, and the practice also stands out for its advice to major nonprofit clients. The bulk of the team's lead partners are based in Washington DC, including the highly experienced William Russell, Nora Garrote, and Armand Zottola. James Nelson is one of the key contacts in the firm's San Francisco office. Emerging technology developers, life sciences and healthcare companies, and leading end-users are included in the team's client base.

Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 3

In November 2020, Venable LLP hired a seven-partner construction team from Schiff Hardin LLP, bringing to the team experienced practice co-heads Kenneth Roberts and Heidi Rowe. The firm's existing connections with government organizations in Washington DC, in addition to a firm-wide strength in the infrastructure sector, perfectly complements the already-established construction team, which has experience working with corporate clients and government bodies. Roberts stands for his expertise in mediation and arbitration and splits his time between New York and Chicago. Rowe is solely in Chicago and has significant experience in contract drafting and negotiation. Also recommended are Amanda MacVey in DC, who has broad experience of contentious and non-contentious matters, and New York-based Gary Rubin, who acts for owners and contractors in alternative dispute resolution.

Outsourcing Tier 3

Under the leadership of William Russell and Armand Zottola in Washington DC and Jim Nelson in San Francisco, Venable LLP advises on technology-related transactions. Nora Garrote is another name to note in Washington DC.

Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 3

The team at Venable LLP focuses on life sciences, pharmaceutical and electronics litigation. With its wide range of expertise in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sector, including medical devices, Hatch-Waxman disputes, and related trade secret and unfair competition litigation, the loyalty of the group's clients comes as no surprise. The group's electronics clients benefit from the firm's prosecution practice in the sector. With a long string of litigation involving non-practicing entities under its belt, the team is a very good choice for this particular type of litigation. Additionally, the group is able to draw on the expertise of its colleagues in the government and regulatory affairs departments, for example for matters involving government contracts or FDA regulations. New York's Dominick Conde and Washington DC's Justin Pierce co-chair the practice. The trio at the helm of the technology litigation practice consists of Frank Gasparo,  Michael Sandonato, both in New York, and Megan Woodworth in Washington DC. New York duo Scott Reed and William Solander lead the life sciences practice.

Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design Tier 4

Venable LLP's employee benefits and executive compensations practice primarily operates from the firm's offices in Washington DC, New York and Baltimore, and has recently been kept busy handling health and welfare plan mandates, including compliance with HIPAA and ERISA and healthcare reform matters. The client portfolio also includes not-for-profit, media and retail entities, which the group advises on 401(k) plan designs, tax-advantaged (403(b) and 457) plan advice, multi-employer plans and executive compensation agreements. Baltimore-based Thora Johnson jointly heads the practice with Juliana Reno in New York. Harry Atlas is also recommended in the Baltimore office.

Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 4

At Venable LLP, Steven Adducci and Gregory Wagner have experience advising shippers and pipeline companies on a range of regulatory matters. The duo are based in Washington DC.

Government contracts Tier 4

Venable LLP assists government contractors with a variety of matters, such as claims litigation, bid protests, suspension and debarment proceedings and investigations involving export regulations. Paul Debolt in Washington DC and Scott Hommer in Virginia are the primary contacts in the department.

Financial services regulation Tier 7

Based in Washington DC, Venable LLP's regulatory practice focuses on consumer banking and fields a team including a number of former counsel at the CFPB. Recently, the team has been active in advising fintech lenders on compliance, as well as assisting non-financial institutions involved in financial services, an example of which was advising Verizon on its device financing service. Andrew Arculin and Jonathan Pompan advise a wide range of clients on compliance at the state and federal level. Michael Bresnick is currently serving as independent monitor of Deutsche Bank following a settlement between the bank and the DOJ related to the packaging and sale of RMBS. Allyson Baker represents clients in investigations and litigation involving the CFPB and state attorneys general.