Chambers USA Names 17 Whiteford Taylor Lawyers Leaders In Their Field
Baltimore -- Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that the 2015 edition of Chambers USA recognizes 17 of its lawyers as leaders in their fields and, in addition, has ranked six of Whiteford’s practice areas, including:
- Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Recognized as Band One, Chambers’ highest ranking, with leading practitioners in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia.
- Corporate/M&A: Recognized for representation of companies in a wide array of industries and in a full range of business, corporate and transactional matters, with notable strength in IP matters for clients in the life sciences, cyber security and clean energy spaces.
- Litigation: Known for wide-ranging representation of private individuals and corporations, expertise in finance-related disputes, and considerable strength in business reorganization.
- Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation: Highly regarded for representation of a diverse client roster, including local government bodies and academic institutions, and well known for expertise in benefit law, compensation programs and retirement plans.
- Labor & Employment: Recognized as proficient in state and federal litigation and for having extensive experience before various administrative agencies, as well as for regularly handling matters involving union issues, violation of federal laws and wrongful discharge.
- Real Estate: Recognized as having experienced advisers on sale, purchase and leasing transactions relating to high-value properties on behalf of local and national clients, including developers, investors and owners, and for a dedicated focus on land use and zoning.
The following lawyers have been recognized as leading practitioners:
Maryland
- Paul M. Nussbaum , Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Maryland)
- Martin T. Fletcher, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Maryland)
- Kevin G. Hroblak, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Maryland)
- Robert Curran, Corporate/M&A (Maryland)
- Deborah Diehl, Corporate/M&A (Maryland)
- Mary Claire Chesshire, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (Maryland)
- Paul W. Madden, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (Maryland)
- Rose M. Matricciani, Healthcare (Maryland)
- Peter Guattery, Labor & Employment (Maryland)
- Kevin C. McCormick, Labor & Employment (Maryland)
- Thomas Barbuti, Real Estate (Maryland)
- Joseph J. Mezzanotte, Real Estate (Maryland)
District of Columbia
- David Kuney, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (District of Columbia)
Virginia
- Bradford Englander, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Virginia)
- Michael Hastings, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Virginia)
- Christopher A. Jones, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Virginia)
Delaware
- L. Katherine Good, Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Delaware)
Please see the full text from Chambers below:
Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Maryland
Band 1 | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
What the team is known for Sizable team with a reach across the mid-Atlantic region. Offers a well-rounded practice representing creditors, debtors and trustees, and expertise in such complex issues as related professional liability actions and fraudulent transfer claims.
Strengths: (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They're outstanding. A great team of professionals, who are detail-oriented and just very reliable."
"One of the go-tos for any bankruptcy."
Work highlights: Represented the trustee of the BearingPoint Liquidating Trust in litigation against its former CEO and directors, a case which involved issues of bankruptcy and breach of fiduciary duties.
Represented: Credit Securities (USA) and Credit Suisse International as Maryland counsel in litigation against the trustee of TMST, relating to certain repurchase and swap transactions entered into by TMST.
Notable practitioners
Chair of the team Paul Nussbaum handles corporate bankruptcies, reorganizations and bankruptcy litigation. He represented the creditors in litigation stemming from the restructuring of an Indiana casino and racetrack, a matter totaling $50 million. He is praised as an "exceptional deal-maker, whose strength is negotiating and coming up with solutions" as well as a litigator who is "very bright, creative and persevering."
Kevin Hroblak, who focuses on litigation arising from bankruptcy, is "just a terrific courtroom lawyer, very tenacious," say interviewees. Among other key highlights, he assisted the trustee of the BearingPoint Liquidating Trust against the company's former senior executives.
Martin Fletcher currently serves as managing partner of the firm. He has a broad corporate practice, and in relation to bankruptcy and restructuring has many years' experience of advising debtors, trustees and creditors in such matters as Chapter 11 proceedings and related litigation.
Significant clients: CITGO Petroleum, Credit Suisse Securities, BearingPoint Liquidating Trust, New England Motor Freight.
Corporate/M&A – Maryland
Band 3 | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
What the team is known for Recognized for its representation of companies in a broad swath of industries in a full range of business, corporate and transactional matters. Noted strength in IP matters for clients in the life sciences, cyber security and clean energy spaces.
Strengths: (Quotes mainly from clients)
"Excellent service. They are always responsive to our calls and the quality of the work has been extremely thorough."
"They are very, very good and very responsive. They move fast and they're very astute."
Work highlights: Advised Potomac Asset Management on a series of high-value investments in 17 portfolio companies.
Acted as outside general counsel to Egyptian Magic Skin Cream, advising on all corporate issues, as well as regulatory and litigation matters.
Notable practitioners
Robert Curran continues to be recognized for his representation of companies through their full life cycle. Curran is particularly noted for his understanding of the structuring of transactions with respect to tax implications. Clients say: "He is excellent; he's very responsive and insightful, and he asks good questions."
Significant clients EPIC Pharmacies, Brooksby Village, Asbury Communities, Richard Princinsky Associates.
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation – Maryland
Band 2 | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
What the team is known for Highly regarded for its representation of a diverse client roster including local government bodies and academic institutions. Particularly well known for its expertise in benefit law, compensation programs and retirement plans.
Strengths: (Quotes mainly from clients)
"I've been very happy and I think they're excellent."
"They're very strong in the government and nonprofit sectors."
Notable practitioners
According to clients, Paul Madden is "on the cutting edge of the law" and is also "very good at explaining complex matters in ways anyone could understand." He specializes in employee benefits, advising both public and private clients.
The "excellent" Mary Claire Chesshire remains a "recognized presence in the employee benefits world." Her practice centers on employee benefits matters such as ERISA compliance and executive compensation.
Significant clients: SECU of Maryland, McDaniel College, Hartford Mutual Insurance, Howard County, Idaho Public Employees Retirement System.
Healthcare – Maryland
Other Notable Practitioners | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston's Rose Matricciani handles regulatory and bond financing work. She advises numerous healthcare entities, including retirement communities, nonprofit organizations and physician practice groups.
Labor & Employment - Maryland
Band 3 | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
What the team is known for Proficient in state and federal litigation, with extensive experience before various administrative agencies. Regularly handles matters including violation of federal laws, wrongful discharge and union issues.
Work highlights: Continues to counsel Spotless Janitorial Services on all union and employment matters, including a collective bargaining agreement with Liuna.
Advised Active Minerals on termination negotiations for a senior executive, in addition to providing guidance on employment policies.
Notable practitioners
Sources praise Kevin McCormick for his defense of public and private healthcare entities and employers against allegations of discrimination, aided by his considerable knowledge in the alternative dispute resolution field.
Peter Guattery is recognized for his work with both public and private employers on a number of matters, including alternative dispute resolution, litigation and immigration law.
Significant clients Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union, McClung-Logan Industries, Baltimore Convention Bureau, USALCO, State Employees Credit Union.
Litigation - Maryland
Band 3 | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
What the team is known for Wide-ranging representation of private individuals and corporations, with considerable strength in business reorganization. Expertise in finance-related disputes, complemented by a highly respected bankruptcy team.
Work highlights: Acted for the Baltimore Museum of Art to secure the safe return of a stolen Renoir painting which appeared at auction, with the seller claiming legal ownership due to lack of knowledge of the theft at time of purchase.
Served as special litigation counsel for the Chapter 7 trustee of RoomStore Furniture in relation to multiple matters, including a claim of breach of fiduciary duty.
Successfully defended Safeway against a class action brought by employees claiming wrongful failure to pay wages.
Notable practitioners
Practice heads Kevin Hroblak and William Ryan are key contacts at the firm.
Significant clients: Kennedy Krieger Institute, Ford, BearingPoint Liquidation Trust, Union Carbide, Carroll Independent Fuel.
Real Estate - Maryland
Band 2 | Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP
What the team is known for Experienced advisers on sale, purchase and leasing transactions relating to high-value properties on behalf of local and national clients, including developers, investors and owners. Dedicated additional focus on land use and zoning.
Strengths: (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They know their way around, they're experienced and they have good relationships with decision-makers at government level."
Work highlights Advised The Matan Companies on the real estate, corporate and tax aspects of its $128.4 million acquisition of Milestone Business Park.
Notable practitioners
Thomas Barbuti is recognized in the market for his broad focus, with sources noting that he is "very good in commercial leasing, but also has a broad range of experience in all areas of real estate." His practice includes transactions relating to all kinds of developments.
Real estate practice cochair Joseph Mezzanotte is experienced in the full range of transactional work. One impressed client notes: "I'm very comfortable that he has thought through all of the angles and I know we haven't missed anything."
Significant clients: Edison Properties, Baltimore Gas & Electric, KIMCO Realty, R&R Ventures, Florida Rock Properties.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring - Virginia
What the team is known for Impressive offering for business bankruptcy matters in Virginia and the wider region. Handles transactions, reorganizations and litigation for all bankruptcy parties. Noted for its strength in debtor work.
Strengths: (Quotes mainly from clients)
"The firm has excellent lawyers who know how to resolve cases efficiently and effectively for their clients."
Work highlights: Represented the creditors' committee of the law firm Howrey in its $100 million Chapter 11 bankruptcy case.
Acted for Acadia Investments in its $50 million Chapter 11 reorganization.
Notable practitioners
Bradford Englander has experience representing all bankruptcy constituents in Chapter 11 proceedings. Clients reserve particular praise for his thoughtful and detail-oriented approach to matters.
Roanoke-based Michael Hastings has a broad bankruptcy practice and offers experience in distressed transactions and reorganizations. He offers expertise in the manufacturing, healthcare and financial services sectors. One prominent source described him as "an extremely hard-working attorney who is very thorough and well prepared. He impresses the judges and everyone around him with his demeanor."
Christopher Jones handles bankruptcy disputes for clients from a wide array of sectors. One source describes him as "a very thoughtful, smart bankruptcy practitioner."
Significant clients: Client Network Services, Monarch Alternative Capital, Credit Suisse Securities (USA), American Bank, CITGO Petroleum.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring – District of Columbia
Senior Statesmen
David Kuney of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP recently joined the firm as senior counsel from Sidley Austin. He is widely regarded as "a dean of the bankruptcy Bar," and highly praised by respondents for his intelligence and experience. He specializes in bankruptcy litigation and commercial real estate-related bankruptcies.
Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Delaware
Associates to watch:
Katherine Good recently moved to Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP from Richards, Layton & Finger. She continues to build a strong reputation in the Delaware market and has experience handling sophisticated reorganizations, liquidations and Chapter 15 cases. One source comments: "She brought real value to the cases that she worked on."
About Chambers: Chambers and Partners, the publishers of world-famous guides to law firms and lawyers, conducts thousands of in-depth interviews with clients to assess the expertise and reputations of business lawyers in 175 countries across the world for its publications, including Chambers UK, Chambers USA, Chambers Global, and Chambers Student. In an independent survey of 20,000 in-house counsel, Chambers’ guides were by far the most used – 51% compared to 22% for Legal 500 and 14% for Martindale-Hubbell.
About WTP: The 160 attorneys at the 85-year old Whiteford, Taylor & Preston are dedicated to helping our clients protect and grow their businesses through strategic legal counsel. We serve our clients in the region, across the nation and around the globe from our base of eleven offices in Maryland, Delaware, Michigan, Kentucky, Washington, DC, and Virginia.