Whiteford, Taylor & Preston and 13 Partners Named as Leaders in the Legal Profession by Chambers and Partners
Baltimore -- Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has again ranked the firm highly in its 2013/2014 list of America’s leading firms and business lawyers.
The firm was recognized in Maryland in six separate categories of practices: Corporate/M&A, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation; Labor & Employment; Litigation: General Commercial; Litigation: Bankruptcy; and Real Estate. As in the past, the firm’s Bankruptcy Litigation practice is the only such practice in Maryland to receive the highest rating, Band One.
The quotes below come from sources interviewed by the Chambers researchers; the rest of the descriptive text comes from Chambers’ editorial commentary:
Corporate/M&A: Maryland
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP – Band Three
THE FIRM: This team is well versed in a diverse range of corporate work and comes recommended for its strengths in M&A and public and private financing. In addition, it is regularly sought by a varied client base, including energy and healthcare companies, to assist with corporate formation, succession planning and securities issues.
Sources say: "They provide spot-on guidance, instruction and counsel. They consider the best courses of action appropriate for us, and make the best recommendation based on the legal situation and our business interests."
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Robert Curran is much in demand for his taxation and private capital work, in addition to his expertise in M&A. He is also renowned for his strengths in corporate structuring and succession plans.
Eva Hill excels in matters concerning corporate reorganizations and is also noted for her wide-ranging M&A experience, which has seen her handle transactions in a variety of fields, including healthcare, IT, retail and energy.
Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation: Maryland
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP – Band Two
THE FIRM: This excellent team has made a particular name for itself acting on behalf of state and local government entities on the design and implementation of retirement and welfare plans, but also enjoys a fine reputation handling benefits and compensation matters for a range of private sector companies, and tax-exempt and nonprofit clients. Among its key clients are Howard County, Idaho Public Employees Retirement System, McDaniel College and Harford Mutual Insurance.
Sources say: "For large, complex matters we refer to Whiteford."
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Paul Madden is a senior partner at the firm and has vast experience in designing, drafting and providing advice on all kinds of employee benefit and executive compensation programs. He continues to be particularly sought for his expertise in qualified pension and 401(k) plans and nonqualified deferred compensation matters.
Mary Claire Chesshire has more than three decades of experience in the employee benefits arena, advising an array of emerging and already established businesses, nonprofit organizations and government entities.
Healthcare: Medical Malpractice: Maryland
Other Notable Practitioners:
Rose Matricciani of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP is well known for her representation of healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, dentists, physical therapists and psychologists, before multiple licensure boards. She is also sought for her expertise in hospital-physician group strategic alliances and Medicare matters.
Labor & Employment: Maryland
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP – Band Three
THE FIRM: This group acts for a broad client base, including Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, nonprofits and state and local government entities in employment-related disputes, arbitration and contract negotiations, as well as providing general employment and labor counseling to these clients. Recent work includes successfully guiding a software solutions provider into an asset sale while defending several employment-related claims against the client.
Sources say: "Strengths are knowledge of the law, negotiation strategy and execution."
KEY INDIVIDUALS: The excellent James Gillece is much recognized for his litigation strengths, not least in disputes regarding breaches of contract, RICO and other contentious corporate-related matters. "He has a stellar work ethic and capabilities – he made himself available 24/7 and deftly helped handle a delicate employment situation to our satisfaction," reports one impressed client.
Peter Guattery maintains a fine reputation acting for public and private clients in employment and discrimination-related cases, across state and federal courts and agencies, and in courts of appeal throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Kevin McCormick is noted for handling work across all areas of the employment relationship, advising clients on issues concerning compliance and disputes. He is also recognized for his expertise in union-organizing matters and for his work with healthcare clients. He elicits particular praise for his communication skills.
Litigation: General Commercial and Bankruptcy
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP – Band One, Bankruptcy, and Band Three, General Commercial
THE FIRM: This excellent team is particularly known for its strength in bankruptcy disputes, acting for a diverse roster of clients, from Fortune 500 companies and government entities to individuals, trusts and nonprofit organizations. The group is also well versed in a wide variety of other disputes, including construction, environment and IP. In a recent highlight, it represented Ford in asbestos and toxic tort litigation. Union Carbide, Property & Casualty Insurance Guaranty, Rothschild Capital Partners and Papa John’s are also included among its key clients.
Sources say: "The team is responsive, smart, analytical, client-focused and pragmatic."
KEY INDIVIDUALS: The "smart and creative" Paul Nussbaum is much in demand for his expertise in bankruptcy disputes, but also maintains a fine reputation for business litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He heads the firm's business reorganization and bankruptcy practice.
Managing partner Martin Fletcher is similarly well regarded for his strengths in bankruptcy litigation, and also comes recommended for his reorganization and restructuring work.
Rising star Kevin Hroblak cochairs the firm's litigation services department. He is routinely called upon to handle professional and product liability, construction, environmental, IP, technology and labor and employment-related disputes, in addition to bankruptcy litigation. "He is very easy to work with and practical," notes one impressed peer.
Real Estate: Maryland
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP – Band Two
THE FIRM: This group offers an extensive range of expertise across real estate-related transactions, bankruptcy and litigation. The group comes recommended for its expertise in commercial and residential development and is additionally well versed in complex easement agreements and multiform purchase and sales agreements. Sources are quick to also commend the practice's strength in land use and zoning matters and it is frequently sought for advice on condemnation and eminent domain issues.
Sources say: "Quality of service and attention to detail are excellent."
KEY INDIVIDUALS: Thomas Barbuti enjoys a broad practice in real estate and is recognized for his work in matters related to green building and sustainability. Sources value his ability to "stay focused on the issues and negotiate well."
Joseph Mezzanotte assists clients with zoning and land use work, as well as financing, taxation and environmental aspects concerning real estate matters. "He always looks after our best interests and we are very satisfied with his work," a client reports.
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 80-year old Whiteford, Taylor & Preston are dedicated to helping our clients 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 nine offices in Maryland, Delaware, Michigan, Washington, DC, and Virginia.