K&L Gates > Miami, United States > Firm Profile

K&L Gates > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 1

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

K&L Gates is well placed to act for a diversity of clients, ranging from emerging and middle-market companies to Fortune 500 entities, and private equity funds. The department, which is noted for being ‘client-focused, competent and timely‘, operates across a wide spectrum of industries, most notably energy, infrastructure and transport. Robert Zinn maintains a strong M&A practice in Pittsburgh and New York. Chicago-based Mark McMillan assists middle-market and emerging companies, multinationals and investors in M&A, corporate governance and securities issues. Both practitioners manage the group alongside Rick Giovannelli in Charlotte and Seattle-based Annette Becker. Calvina Bostick in New York often acts for companies and private equity players in M&A involving the worlds of healthcare, financial services, technology and insurance. Leah Baucom is a key name to note in Charlotte for corporate transactions, private equity investments and activist shareholder defense.

Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 1

Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 1

K&L Gates‘ maritime practice is consistently mandated by US and international maritime industry clients for complex legal, transactional, legislative and regulatory matters. In traditional maritime work, the group advises on the arrest, attachment and seizure of vessels and cargo, limitation of liability proceedings, vessel collisions, and personal injury and death-related claims. It also advises on piracy, marine insurance cases, and maritime contractual disputes. The firm’s policy and regulatory team is also experienced in working with legislative and executive branch agencies. Boston-based maritime practice coordinator Jeffrey King is well known for maritime and transportation-related commercial litigation and arbitration proceedings, while Emanuel Rouvelas regularly works with the executive branch, Congress, and foreign embassies and governments on international trade and transport matters, and Mark Ruge concentrates on federal government issues. Other key practitioners are policy and regulatory practice co-head Michael Scanlon, William Myhre, who is a specialist in US vessel ownership and documentation laws, government affairs expert Darrell Conner , and experienced of counsel Jorge Romero. George Kontakis and Luke Reid are active practitioners in New York and Boston, respectively. Elle Stuart is an experienced associate. All lawyers listed are based in the firm’s Washington DC office, unless otherwise mentioned. Ifigeneia Xanthopoulou has left the firm.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 2

K&L Gates fields a cross-disciplinary team of lawyers and professionals with experience as e-discovery counsel for litigation, arbitration, and investigations. The department, which exists as a dedicated practice group within the firm, handles the management, review, and production of records, with expertise in litigation readiness, legal analysis, and pre-trial and trial support. Julie Anne Halter, based in Seattle, has experience at all stages of the e-discovery process, from identification and preservation, to review and production, and post litigation support. Halter co-leads the team alongside Thomas Smith, of Pittsburgh, who is a highly experienced litigator, and originally established the department in 2004. Daniel Miller, also in Pittsburgh, has experience advising clients regarding complex records preservation and collection issues, and acts across a range of industries and jurisdictions.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

K&L Gates has served as lead counsel in matters involving federal and state regulation of the electric power industry for a diverse range of clients, from traditional electric utilities to grid developers in renewable generation, transmission, and storage technologies. The team acts as regulatory counsel for lenders, tax equity and developers in the acquisition, sale, and financing of utility-scale wind, solar and battery projects, alongside supporting the development and integration of emerging technologies into the electric grid across the country. Donald Kaplan (Washington, DC) concentrates on representation before courts and administrative agencies, with extensive practice before FERC. Kimberly Frank focuses on FERC and state public utility commissions, having represented clients in administrative and appellate litigation, while Jennifer Mersing, based in Seattle, is a name to watch for her focus on energy regulatory and interconnection issues, including FERC.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 2

K&L Gates has a proven track record in project development, construction matters and equity investments, as well as matters related to distributed generation and energy storage. The team is particularly strong in advising buyers on the market for corporate energy sourcing, and has supported clients form a range of industries, such as retailers and cloud computing companies, in purchasing renewable powers. William Holmes is noted for his expertise in corporate transactions, water and real estate law, with a particular focus on energy storage. The practice was able to strengthen its breadth significantly in 2022 with the arrival of John Crossley, James Goettsch and Brogan Sullivan from Husch Blackwell LLP.

Government > Government relations Tier 2

Highly rated for ‘its deep bench of policy expertise coupled with a vast network of bipartisan contacts’, K&L Gates‘ Washington DC-based team assists public and private organizations with strategic advice and policy advocacy across a wide range of industries, including telecom, energy, financial services and infrastructure. Emanuel Rouvelas boasts a long-standing career in representing leading shipping companies and CEOs before Congress, the executive branch and foreign governments on matters related to international trade and transport. Another key expert in maritime matters is Michael Scanlon, who oversees the practice alongside David Wochner and Karishma Shah Page. Wochner is the go-to adviser for regulatory issues and federal policy in the energy sector, with a focus on the global energy transaction. Page acts for a diverse client roster, including Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and tax-exempt entities. Stimers is noted for his expertise in policy advocacy work related to emerging technologies. Cybersecurity and privacy policy issues are the area of expertise of Bruce Heiman, while Daniel Crowley focuses on financial services and capital markets policy matters. Leonard Bickwit joined the firm from Miller & Chevalier Chartered  in March 2023.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Delaware counsel Tier 2

With ‘deep knowledge and expertise with respect to Delaware corporate law’, K&L Gates’ offering stands out for its access to global expertise as an international  firm. According to one client ‘what makes the team unique is the way they work so seamlessly together to deliver great service’. The group, which is based in the firm’s Wilmington office, was founded by Scott Waxman, who is described as ‘one of the preeminent practitioners in Delaware’, offering extensive experience in Delaware law and was formerly a Chairman of the Alternative Entities Subcommittee of the Delaware State Bar Association. An additional name to note is Eric Feldman, who is viewed by one client as ‘the lawyer to whom you turn when you have an extremely complex matter. and who can dig through the most difficult issues with ease’, and mainly concentrates on issues in connection with Delaware alternative entities.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 3

K&L Gates is noted for its expertise in the regulation of natural gas pipeline transportation and storage, in addition to LNG imports and exports. Members of the team frequently appear before the FERC on mandates concerning pipeline regulation, including transportation capacity, rates and the permitting process, with additional experience representing natural gas pipeline clients in appellate court proceedings concerning transportation infrastructure, regulated rates and commercial transactions. Based in the firm’s Washington DC office, co-head of the global regulatory group David Wochner jointly leads the LNG and hydrogen practices, and frequently advises on critical federal regulatory and policy issues associated with energy infrastructure and commodities. Fort Worth’s Jamie Bryan leads the US-based team.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 3

K&L Gates has expertise in the emerging corporate energy sourcing, with unmatched experience on the buy-side of power purchase agreements both in the domestic and international market. The firm is experienced in developments in energy storage transactions, renewable power purchase, utility scale, response and net metering. Based in Seattle, Eric Freedman represents clients in both private and public sectors in the preparation and negotiation of agreements relating to power project, M&A, joint ventures and power purchases. Over in Kansas City, Kaitlyn DeYoung is an associate who is a name to watch for her focused practice on the development of renewable energy and power projects, including support on the acquisition and disposition of power projects at varying stages of development.

Finance > Fintech Tier 3

K&L Gates fields a strong spread of regulatory and transactional lawyers with deep expertise in fintech matters. The client base includes an array of start-ups and emerging growth companies, payments and e-commerce companies, banks, software developers and investors. The firm also acts for wealth management and robo-advisors and an increasing number of players in the crypto, digital assets and blockchain space. Recently the firm has been involved in several high value financing rounds for both start-ups and investors, as well as advising clients on product launches, and day-to-day regulatory and compliance matters. Lead partners include Judith Rinearson  who divides her time between London and New York, and corporate partner Rick Giovanelli  in Charlotte. Washington DC’s Jennifer Crowder and Linda Odom are respectively strong on regulatory and licensing matters, while Andrew Hinkes in Miami has developed a good name in digital assets and blockchain.

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 3

K&L Gates‘ insurance recovery team represents mid-sized and Fortune 500 clients in addition to government bodies in litigation concerning COVID-19 business losses, environmental pollution, and product liability matters. Pittsburgh-based David F. McGonigle heads the practice and offers a wealth of experience in handling coverage disputes concerning issues such as asbestos and chemical exposure, aviation and E&O before state and federal courts, in addition to arbitrations governed by the UK’s Arbitration Act. Newark-based Donald W. Kiel advises health care providers on malpractice claims and is also sought after for his COVID-19 business interruption work. Jonathan M. Cohen specializes in handling multi-party disputes, focusing on product liability and recalls, supply chain issues and cyber events out of the Washington DC office, while Pittsburgh’s Lucas J. Tanglen advises clients on D&O exposures and environmental liability.

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

K&L Gates brings strength to advising household names brands such as TripAdvisor and Abercrombie & Fitch, on the clearance, prosecution, maintenance, policing, enforcement, and licensing of their global trademark portfolios. The team is led in Chicago by veteran portfolio manager Robert Barrett, who applies experience to advising clients in sectors ranging from biotech, chemical and software, to e-commerce, health care and manufacturing. In Boston, David Byer provides expertise in appearances before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Susan Kayser in Washington DC handles complex global brand launchers. Other key figures include practice area expert Pam Jacobson in Seattle, Stewart Mesher in Austin, who utilizes in-house experience, and Sana Hakim, who guides clients through social media and Web-related issues, and filing strategist Kathryn Starshak in Chicago. Eric Lee in Boston was promoted to partner in January 2023.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 3

The well-regarded asset management and investment funds practice at K&L Gates has ‘great expertise in all types of fund structures‘ and its client roster includes prominent, busy fund sponsors and managers. Counsel on open and closed-end registered funds, launches of ETFs, and traditional mutual funds are all features of the department’s case load. Mark Amorosi draws on long-standing experience in co-leading the practice group and leading counsel to a wide range of investment advisers, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, insurance companies, fund boards, banks and other financial institutions. Fellow practice head Ndenisarya Bregasi has a similarly broad practice that includes leading teams that assists investment company complexes and investment advisers of all sizes with day-to-day operations and compliance, and interactions with the SEC. They are both based in Washington DC, while the third of the practice heads, Michael Caccese is a very experienced name who splits his time between Boston and Pittsburgh. In Boston, George Zornada receives significant client praise for his ‘expertise in unique and different fund structures‘.

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 3

K&L Gates‘ work is ‘spot on, accurate, fast and cost efficient‘. The US team represents lenders including banks and non-institutional lenders, as well as lessors, airlines, and aviation industry-related new technology providers. Its recent track record includes advising on the financing, leasing and licensing programs for manufacturers of hydrogen fuel tanks, magnetic propulsion and range services, along with assisting with the acquisition of aircraft and aerospace technology. The team is also highly active in relation to high-stakes restructurings. Leading the firm’s air finance practice in the Americas, New York-based Elizabeth Evans is highly rated for her fixed wing and rotary-related aviation finance credentials; and in Orange County, Amanda Darling‘s asset and project finance practice covers aircrafts. Counsel Milos Kovacevic in Seattle represents airlines, financiers and major leasing companies, while Pittsburgh-based associate Howard Chang focuses on aerospace finance and space law. Former partner Marie-Pierre Grondin recently left the firm for m7TecGroup.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

The corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense practice at K&L Gates excels in handling international investigations and enforcement proceedings by utilising the company’s presence in many of the world’s major hubs. Strengths in government and internal investigations are complemented by the group’s in-depth sector expertise, including financial services and healthcare, while anti-corruption and anti-bribery also form part of the team’s specializations. Pittsburgh-based Brian Saulnier is particularly well versed in cases relating to corruption and leads the practice jointly with Washington DC’s Stephen Topetzes, who sports deep experience advising both corporate and individual financial services clients. Also in Pittsburgh, former federal prosecutor Thomas Ryan is reputed for his know-how of the healthcare industry.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

K&L Gates represents clients in a broad range of disputes, including securities, business torts, bankruptcy, banking, antitrust, white-collar crime, class actions, employment litigation, and intellectual property litigation, among others. With robust regional strengths, the firm serves both national and international companies from a variety of industries, including software and electronics, financial services, pharma, manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, and entertainment. Melissa Tea and Jeffrey Patterson lead the firm’s litigation arm from Pittsburgh and Boston respectively. Seattle-based Pallavi Mehta Wahi specializes in corporate and technology-related disputes, while Thomas Birsic in Pittsburgh focuses on class actions, business disputes, environmental and toxic torts, and shareholder disputes. The team also consists of Thomas Holt in Boston, Artoush Varshosaz in Dallas, and Joseph Welborn and Beau Creson in Nashville.

Energy > Energy litigation: electric power Tier 4

K&L Gates acts as counsel in matters involving federal and state regulation of the electric power industry for a range of clients including traditional electric utilities to grid-edge developers in renewable generation, transmission and storage technologies. The team is regularly involved in FERC proceedings, including defending and challenging rulings on appeal in federal courts of appeals. Donald Kaplan focuses on litigation and representation before courts and administrative agencies, especially in matters related to energy and competition. Kimberly Frank‘s practice revolves around electric utility regulatory matters before FERC and state public utility commissions; she continues to advise renewable and grid-edge developers in negotiating complex regulatory requirements. Both lawyers mentioned are based in Washington DC.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 4

K&L Gates frequently acts as trial and appellate counsel to major clients in the upstream oil and gas industry, and defends lessees in multi-jurisdictional litigation brought by royalty owners, as well as litigating hydraulic fracturing cases and eminent domain. Other key areas of expertise include advising on issues impacting oil and gas operations in unconventional production areas. Jamie Lavergne Bryan, who splits her time between Fort Worth and Houston, represents oil and gas producers and pipeline companies in multi-district litigation, and jointly leads the practice alongside London-based Clare Kempkens. The Fort Worth office is also home to Jeffrey King, who has experience in multi-district and class action litigation, and Elizabeth Tiblets, who is commended as ‘smart, tenacious, and knows the industry very well’.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 4

The ‘very responsive and professional’ practice at K&L Gates handles a broad range of disputes in the environmental arena, including permitting, natural resource damages, Superfund matters, and actions brought by regulators. The team, which acts for domestic and international clients, is spread out across the US and is led by Newark’s Brian Montag, Craig Wilson in Harrisburg and Seattle’s Ankur Tohan. Montag is active in the manufacturing, construction, telecoms and chemical sectors on regulatory, enforcement, and litigation matters. Dawn Lamparello , who is also based in Newark, handles both compliance and litigation and is well versed in a wide range of federal and state environmental statutes, with a focus on CERCLA and RCRA issues.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 4

K&L Gates acts for mid-size and Fortune 500 companies on a range of environmental regulatory matters, with particular experience of permitting, and air and water issues. The team is led by Brian Montag in Newark, Craig Wilson in Harrisburg and Seattle’s Ankur Tohan. Montag is active in the manufacturing, construction, telecoms and chemical sectors and represents clients before administrative authorities, such as the DOJ and EPA; Wilson has over 25 years’ experience and has a strong track record in environmental issues pertaining to energy projects. Tohan handles energy infrastructure and natural resource development projects and is a name for greenhouse gas matters.

Government > Government contracts Tier 4

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 4

K&L Gates houses a ‘deep bench‘ which acts for long-term care facilities and Medicaid-managed care organizations in matters concerning federal regulations, HIPAA, and regional care delivery. Mary Beth Johnston heads the team alongside Limo Cherian, working from North Carolina and Chicago respectively. Johnston primarily assists health and hospital systems, accountable care organizations, and clinical laboratory providers with physician compensation models and corporate governance, while Cherian handles government investigations, and Medicare fraud and abuse issues. Based in Dallas, the ‘amazing‘ Joshua Skora often advises skilled nursing facilities and hospice agencies on overpayment audits, internal investigations, and payor disputes. Ken Marlow, who works out of the Nashville office, maintains a transactions focused practice, advising alternative investment management firms, non-profit health systems, and healthcare companies on strategic acquisitions and syndications.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 4

K&L Gates has longstanding relationships with some of the leading fund managers and investment firms in the US, acting for them in the structuring, documentation, and operation of hedge funds. The firm’s Boston office is a key destination for this practice area: Nicholas Hodge draws on deep experience advising on hedge funds, while Pablo Man assists a broad funds client base with structuring and registration of obligations. Matthew Mangan at the San Francisco office is the name to note on the west coast, representing investment advisers, private fund managers and broker-dealers in fund formation, product structuring, transactional, regulatory and compliance and securities matters.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 4

As part of a robust offering across financial services, K&L Gates acts for some of the best-known fund sponsors and investment management firms in the market. Its strength in regulatory matters is a differentiator with the majority of the team’s key partners being adept in this aspect of the work. Recent years have also seen the firm further its fund raising counsel and in 2022 it was kept busy with a more diverse range of sources sought for funding from clients, particularly dealing with HNWIs and family investors. Sasha Burstein has experience assisting funds with structuring, as well as internal organization, registration and operation, and ongoing corporate governance matters. She is based in San Francisco, while on the east coast, New York-based Edward Dartley advises the range of private equity clients, from large institutional managers, to emerging and middle-market names. In Austin, Robert McCarthy has experience implementing complex investment structures for private equity and real estate funds.

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

K&L Gates handles a variety of plans, including equity compensation, retention and deferred compensation plans. The firm advises publicly-held companies on the disclosure implications of executive compensation decisions under US securities laws, including advice on the drafting of required disclosures, the design and implementation of equity and cash incentive plans, as well as the preparation and analysis of Section 457(f) plans. San Francisco’s Rikki Sapolich-Krol concentrates on a variety of benefit plan and compensation arrangement work for public, private, non-profit and government clients, while Seattle’s ‘knowledgeable’ and ‘responsive’ Karrie Johnson Diaz is experienced in advising clients on all aspects of qualified retirement plans, in addition to health and welfare plan matters.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 4

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 5

With a particularly prominent record in enforcement actions, K&L Gates also possesses significant experience in construction and commercial arbitrations. Additionally, the team continues to gain ground in the investor-state sphere, as evidenced by its recent work for AHG Industry in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Iraq concerning the expropriation of a cement plant and a pipe plant. New York-based Matthew Weldon fronts the international arbitration practice in the US and is particularly sought after for enforcement matters.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

The IP litigation team at K&L Gates is a full-service practice with standout global integration, allowing the firm to handle complex cross-border intellectual property matters in conjunction with international experts. The team acts across various industries, including chemical and mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and pharmacology. Theo Angelis, a talented trial lawyer operating out of Seattle, is the practice group coordinator for the IP litigation practice. Christina Goodrich, the managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office, and Benjamin Weed, a Chicago-based patent attorney with a computer science background both also lead the team.  

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 5

With experience in drafting and negotiating an array of industry contracts, K&L Gates assists clients in regional as well as global construction disputes, notably in international and domestic arbitration, also advising clients at all stages of construction projects including contract negotiation, procurement, project changes and execution. Slade Sevier has long-standing litigation and contract negotiation experience, and often negotiates an assortment of construction agreements including installation, joint ventures and maintenance. Ryan Lee, as well as Emma Wolfe, further reinforce the team with their dispute resolution capabilities, with the former possessing expertise in transactional matters. All mentioned individuals are located in Nashville.

Real estate Tier 5

At K&L Gates‘ Charleston office, Matthew Norton co-chairs the firm’s global real estate practice and spearheads the resort, hospitality and leisure practice. He has worked extensively throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, and is experienced in the sale, acquisition, financing, and development of hotels, resorts, and golf courses. Shannon Skinner is the other co-head, based in Seattle, concentrating her practice on commercial real estate and financing transactions, particularly regional shopping centers, hotels, office buildings, industrial and logistics properties, mixed-use projects, multifamily and museums.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 6

K&L Gates‘ corporate tax practice works with a broad range of clients, including both Fortune 500 companies and start-ups, as well as individuals and tax-exempt entities. New York-based co-head Adam Tejeda is a key port of call for private equity, credit and real estate funds across the full gamut of tax matters, while in Charlotte, fellow co-head Jared Mobley advises on the tax and business aspects of limited liability companies, S corporations, and other flow-through entities, in addition to his estate planning expertise. Dallas-based Sam Megally is noted for his specialization in SALT matters across the technology, aviation, and healthcare sectors.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+)