RICHMOND, Va. – LAWFUEL – Legal News Network – Chambers & Partners has recognized 24 partners in McGuireWoods’ Richmond office as leading lawyers in the 2006 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers. Chambers, which annually publishes a client guide to leading lawyers, interviewed clients and conducted independent peer reviews to highlight the top business law firms and attorneys in the United States.
Chambers wrote that McGuireWoods’ had “clearly one of the leading corporate practices in the region” and said that clients interviewed by Chambers were impressed by McGuireWoods’ “mass of resources.” The client guide book specifically recognized Robert L. Burrus, Jr., chairman of McGuireWoods and member of the Corporate Services Department, who was described by clients “as a major advantage in any boardroom, where he counsels clients on corporate governance and fiduciary duties.” Chambers also recognized Clifford A. Cutchins IV, who chairs the firm’s Corporate Services Department, as having “great business judgment” and it noted that mergers and acquisitions counsel was a particular strength. Leslie A. Grandis was also recognized for his work on providing legal counsel to energy companies in structuring financial transactions.
Chambers highlighted McGuireWoods’ labor and employment practice, which it said that clients described as having a “breadth of experience and bench strength.” Jonathan P. Harmon was recognized by Chambers as an “up-and-coming individual.” The client guide book described Harmon as a “thorough lawyer who is good on his feet.” Gary S. Marshall, chair of the Labor and Employment Department, was noted for representing management clients on union discrimination claims and sexual harassment cases. Dana Rust was described as “astute” and a “skilled trial lawyer with experience defending employers against single plaintiff and class action discrimination cases.” W. Carter Younger was recognized for his “incredible breadth of experience and extensive knowledge in the field.”
Chambers also recognized McGuireWoods’ employee benefits practice. It specifically recognized James P. McElligott for having an employment, employee benefits and compensation practice that is national in reach. McGuireWoods private wealth services practice was recognized as a national leader, and described in Chambers as “representing high net worth individuals as well as trustees who manage assets for beneficiaries.” Dennis I. Belcher, whose practice focuses on business planning, estate and trust administration, estate planning, and fiduciary litigation,was recognized for his national reputation.
McGuireWoods’ environmental practice was recognized in Chambers for its lawyers’ “ability to achieve results for clients.” Chambers noted that clients “come from all over the USA, and beyond, in recognition of the firm’s skill in this area.” David E. Evans, leader of the environmental solutions group’s water practice, was described by clients as “a top-notch water guy.” Daniel K. Slone, co-leader of the firm’s environmental solutions group, was recognized for his national work centered on sustainable and green development projects. James A. Thornhill,
also co-leader of the firm’s environmental solutions group, was recognized for his transactional work for corporate and real estate clients where he focuses on due diligence and permitting analysis.
McGuireWoods’ intellectual property practice was also recognized by clients in Chambers for its solid expertise in corporate intellectual property counseling and litigation over trademarks, trade dress, trade secrets, copyright, licensing and patents. Brian C. Riopelle was noted for having “substantial experience in patent infringement, trademark and copyright litigation.” The client referral guide said that Riopelle “is well regarded in the rocket docket of the Eastern District of Virginia.” Chambers also selected Robert M. Tyler as a leading intellectual property lawyer, and highlighted him as an “up-and-coming individual.” Chambers said that Tyler is “smart, impressive and extremely practical.”
The firm’s commercial litigation practice was described in Chambers as “a key player, both in Virginia and throughout the nation.” Chambers recognized McGuireWoods as having “a wealth of experience in a broad range of contentious issues, including corporate and securities disputes, as well as white-collar crime.” William G. Broaddus was described by clients in Chambers as a “great litigator.” Richard Cullen, who heads McGuireWoods’ white collar and government investigations team, was described in Chambers as a “politically well-connected authority who regularly advises companies and their executives in relation to prosecutions and examination by federal and state governments and their entities.” Anne Marie Whittemore, who focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation issues and corporate governance matters, was acknowledged has having “a fantastic reputation for her counseling and trial work on general corporate, corporate governance and securities matters.” Howard C. Vick Jr. was recognized for his white-crime practice and his work as legal counsel in internal corporate investigations and compliance matters.
The firm’s products liability practice was also acknowledged. William H. King Jr. was called “the go-to guy for products liability, particularly at the management of defense at a national level.” Rosewell Page III was noted as “clearly one of the best trial lawyers.” Steven R. Williams, recognized as an “up-and-coming individual,” was noted for his defense work in mass/toxic tort and commercial class/consolidated actions on behalf of major manufacturers.
Chambers described McGuireWoods’ real estate practice as having “the resources to tackle some of the largest and most complex transactions around the USA and the globe.” The client guide cited John W. Bates III as a “first-class lawyer (who) is considered a star in zoning and land use.” John V. Cogbill IV was described as a “highly thoughtful lawyer (who) is a big player in land use, and has particular expertise in mixed-use and sustainable/green developments.” Chambers recognized T. Craig Harmon for his real estate finance practice representing credit tenants, developers/equity participants and lenders on project finance and lease finance transactions, and said that clients “seek out this top lawyer for his work on acquisitions and lease transactions.” Nancy R. Little, described by Chambers as “truly great,” was recognized for her real estate financing practice, where she advises on the real estate aspect of corporate and merger and acquisition deals.
McGuireWoods LLP is a full-service law firm with approximately 775 lawyers in 14 offices in the United States, Europe and Central Asia providing legal counsel to clients around the world. The firm’s Richmond office is located at 901 East Cary Street. For more information, visit www.mcguirewoods.com.
