Benchmark: Litigation Names McDermott Partners Among Top Litigation Practitioners
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2008) — McDermott Will & Emery is pleased to announce that several of its lawyers have been recognized among the top litigation practitioners in Benchmark: Litigation, the Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys (2nd edition).
In regard to the Firm's Boston office, Benchmark noted that McDermott's intellectual property practice, "received a huge boost with the acquisition of Sarah Chapin Columbia." The guide went on to state that, "Competitors call Edward Leibensperger 'talented' and 'very smart in a courtroom'….Sources call [Mark] Pearlstein's abilities 'flawless' and acknowledge his breadth of knowledge about the SEC."
In Washington, D.C., Benchmark commented that more than 70 litigators give McDermott's office its "Washington prowess." Benchmark includes mention of McDermott's cross-office team including Silicon Valley partner and head of McDermott's global Intellectual Property, Media & Technology Department, Terrence P. McMahon and Washington, D.C. partners Raphael Lupo and Natalia Blinkova in In re Seagate. "The verdict handed down by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit abolished the 24-year-old 'duty of due care' standard imposed on defendants." In addition Margaret Warner, head of the Firm's D.C. Trial Department, was recognized by her peers as, "on the top of her game." Partner Abbe D. Lowell was described by peers as, "the smartest lawyer I know." Benchmark stated at Mr. Lowell, "proves himself as a premier white-collar attorney by representing former President William Clinton in Congressional impeachment proceedings and at least seven congressmen in ethics counsel." Partner Miller Baker was also mentioned in regard to his First Amendment cases, "M. Miller Baker argued the controversial McCain-Feingold law banning labor union funded broadcast advertisements mentioning candidates names within 60 days of an election. Representing Wisconsin Right to Life [WRTL]…Baker proved WRTL had a First Amendment Right to air the commercial during the election season."
Benchmark concluded that with locations in Los Angeles, Orange County, Palo Alto and San Diego, McDermott, "has a strong grasp in the state [California] as a go-to firm for litigation matters." Benchmark also noted that, "With an expansion into the energy markets in Houston, McDermott Will & Emery continues its presence as a full-service international law firm."
The litigation guide highlighted a number of the Firm's Chicago attorneys as well. Partner Michael Pope leads McDermott's international product liability practice and "is consistently recognized by his peers for his litigation work." Head of McDermott's White-Collar Criminal Defense Practice Group, David Rosenbloom, "specializes in cases involving healthcare fraud and complex commercial litigation." Jeffrey Stone, head of McDermott's Trial Department, "focuses on white-collar criminal defense, complex commercial litigation and internal investigations." Benchmark also included mention of partner Jocelyn Francoeur and associate Tiffini Hines, "Jocelyn Francoeur has tried cases in several matters involving business torts, products liability claims, securities fraud and criminal litigation. Tiffini Hines maintains a strong presence within the intellectual property group at McDermott Will & Emery."
Benchmark notes that while the Firm's New York office offers a variety of litigation services, "it is well-versed in mass and toxic tort work and employment matters." According to Benchmark, peers of Peter Sacripanti, partner-in-charge of the New York office, consider him, "a leader in multi-party toxic tort matters and class action litigation."
The full list of McDermott lawyers ranked in the 2009 edition of Benchmark are as follows:
National Rankings – lawyers recognized in the national section of the guide
M. Miller Baker, Washington, D.C., Insurance
Bobby Burchfield, Washington, D.C., General Commercial
David Rosenbloom, Illinois, White-Collar Crime
Steven Scholes, Illinois, Securities
Jeffrey Stone, Illinois, General Commercial
Margaret Warner, Washington, D.C., Insurance
Litigation Stars - lawyers who were recommended consistently by clients and peers in each state
Sarah Chapin Columbia, Massachusetts
Edward Leibensperger, Massachusetts
Abbe Lowell, Washington, D.C.
Raphael Lupo, Washington, D.C.
Terrence McMahon, California
Mark Pearlstein, Massachusetts
Michael Pope, Illinois
Peter Resnik, Massachusetts
David Rosenbloom, Illinois
Peter Sacripanti, New York
Jeffrey Stone, Illinois
Rising Stars
Jon Dean, California
Peter Drobac, California
Jocelyn Francoeur, Illinois
Tiffini Hines, Illinois
Daniel Jocelyn, New York
Benchmark makes recommendations based on evidence of outstanding case successes in the last year, and consistently positive feedback from peers and clients. Benchmark's research includes extensive face-to-face and telephone interviews with the nation's leading private practice lawyers and in-house counsel. For more information visit www.benchmarklitigation.com.
McDermott Will & Emery is a premier international law firm with a diversified business practice. Numbering more than 1,100 lawyers, we have offices in Boston, Brussels, Chicago, Düsseldorf, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, Munich, New York, Orange County, Rome, San Diego, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. Extending our reach to Asia, we have a strategic alliance with MWE China Law Offices in Shanghai.
