DALLAS, September 15, 2004 LAWFUEL Best for attorney news, law firms, law, legal research – Piper Rudnick partners Ann Hurwitz and Michael Santa Maria have again been named to The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, the law firm reports.
Ms. Hurwitz and Mr. Santa Maria are partners in the firm’s Franchise and Distribution practice group.
The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers cites top attorneys as the result of a lengthy and complex process of research. Only five franchise and distribution lawyers in Texas were ultimately chosen for its newest list.
“We are pleased to see Ann and Michael once again honored in this way,” said Dennis Wieczorek, co-chair of Piper Rudnick’s Franchise and Distribution practice group. “They are a vital part of the excellent problem-solving environment of Piper Rudnick.”
Who’s Who Legal, publisher of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, also recently ranked Piper Rudnick as the number one firm in the world in the area of franchise law.
Ann Hurwitz is managing partner of the Dallas office. She concentrates her practice in the structuring and development of franchise programs, the implementation of new system initiatives, including Internet strategies, and the expansion of franchise systems through mergers, acquisitions, and international expansion. Ms. Hurwitz has authored several articles on the subject and is a frequent speaker on franchise and distribution issues for such groups as the ABA Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association, and the International Bar Association.
Michael Santa Maria’s practice consists of representing U.S.-based companies in transactions outside the U.S. with an emphasis on representing franchisors in international development transactions. He focuses on all facets of international transactions: helping clients with international development strategies, assisting in tax analysis and structural implementation of the strategy, and engaging in the negotiation and implementation of matters outside the U.S. A former member of the board of directors for the US-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, he is a frequent speaker on international matters.
About Piper Rudnick LLP
Piper Rudnick is a business law firm of about 975 lawyers with U.S. offices in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Edison, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Reston, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., and a European office in Paris..
In 2004, Chambers USA named 40 of the firm’s lawyers (up from 28 in 2003) among America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, including two who received the rare “Exceptional” rating and one “Senior Statesman,” particularly in the areas of real estate, corporate, litigation, and labor and employment.
The firm’s practice is focused on:
Litigation, including national business and securities, product liability and toxic torts, intellectual property, antitrust, labor and class action litigation, and a white-collar group featuring a former Watergate prosecutor. This group includes eight members of the American College of Trial Lawyers (one of whom also served as president), two former United States Attorneys and a former federal judge.
Real Estate, comprising one of the largest and most diverse practices in the United States, with a focus on transactional, finance and securities capabilities for owners and investors in all property sectors. In 2004, Chambers and Partners, the Practical Law Company, and Who’s Who Legal in separate independent surveys of clients and competitors all ranked the Real Estate group as the undisputed leading real estate practice in the nation. The group includes the President-elect and a former President of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, as well as 16 other members of the College.
Business and Technology, including corporate and securities, corporate governance, franchise and distribution, intellectual property, media, information technology, taxation, bankruptcy, biosciences, IPOs, private equity, mergers and acquisitions, project finance, and other major transactions for companies of all sizes.
Government Affairs, including the nationally known federal affairs and legislation group formerly with Verner Liipfert Bernhard McPherson and Hand; a government controversies practice headed by the former general counsel of a leading telecommunications company; and prominent regulatory practices in government contracts, environmental, e-commerce and privacy, tax legislation, antitrust and communications. This group includes former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey.
