‘Incredibly well resourced’, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP exhibits excellence across commercial, antitrust, securities, intellectual property, data privacy, and appellate matters. The practice is anchored by Los Angeles founding partner John Quinn, a leading figure in complex commercial disputes, and New York-based Michael Carlinsky, the firm’s co-managing partner, global head of complex litigation, and co-chair of insurance litigation. Veteran trial lawyer Christopher Tayback, co-managing partner of the LA office, is noted for his deft handling of bankruptcy, criminal defense, and tort matters. Chicago’s Richard Godfrey, who chairs the complex multidistrict litigation practice, stewards high-stakes class actions and corporate crisis litigation. Boston co-managing partner Aliki Sofis advises on bet-the-company disputes, employment litigation, business fraud, and contractual controversies, while Houston co-managing partner Christopher Porter is experienced in breach of contract, trade secret, and antitrust disputes. Completing the leadership group, New York office managing partner Andrew Rossman, chair of M&A litigation, is a go-to trial lawyer for complex M&A, securities, and corporate governance disputes. The team is further supported by Boston’s Stacylyn Doore and New York’s Ryan Rakower, both highly regarded commercial litigators.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • I would hire Steve Cherny for all of my legal matters if I could. When he opines, we listen. Great judgment and advice, delivered in a calm and reassuring manner. Derek Shaffer is also a terrific lawyer. He is smart, engaged, and always available. I trust Derek to manage complex matters - he is completely knowledgeable on the facts and the law. Alex Loomis: A very smart and capable associate. Always has the facts at hand and is a great addition to the team.
  • QE has a reputation for aggressively advocating on behalf of their clients, and that is why we retained the firm for a particularly difficult appeal. Happily, QE's reputation was accurate—the firm has done terrific work for us, providing great advice and writing very effective briefs. They are smart and explain things well.

Key clients

  • Desktop Metal
  • Express Scripts
  • Hyundai Motor America and Kia America, Inc.
  • Samsung Electronics
  • X Corp. / Twitter, Inc.
  • Google
  • NextEra Energy
  • Miami Dolphins
  • MasTec
  • US News & World Report
  • Cultural Care, Inc. and International Care Ltd.
  • EF Education First International, Ltd.; Etc.

Work highlights

Secured a landmark trial victory for Desktop Metal, obtaining an order of specific performance requiring Nano Dimension to complete its $300m acquisition despite an activist investor's attempt to derail the deal.
Defended Express Scripts in a case filed by the City of Boston, which was dismissed in February 2025 by the US District Court for Massachusetts on the grounds that the City’s public nuisance and RICO claims were untimely.
Persuaded the US District Court and the Ninth Circuit to grant leave for an interlocutory appeal of an order denying a motion to dismiss claims brought by numerous municipalities nationwide alleging that our clients Hyundai and Kia America are liable for the costs of police response and related services arising from the acts of car thieves.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

John Quinn
John Quinn
Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Michael Carlinsky
Michael Carlinsky
Practice head

N/A

Other key lawyers

John Quinn; Michael Carlinsky; Christopher Tayback; Richard Godfrey; Aliki Sofis; Christopher Porter; Andrew Rossman; Stacylyn Doore; Ryan Rakower; Steve Cherny; Derek Shaffer; Alex Loomis