The Best Lawyers in America® has recognized 42 Choate attorneys in its 2026 edition. Recognition in Best Lawyers® is based entirely on peer review and is widely regarded by both clients and legal professionals as a significant honor. Four partners – Cameron Casey for Nonprofit/Charity Law, Douglas Gooding for Bankruptcy Litigation, Rob Kole for Insurance, and John Ventola for Banking and Finance – are named “Lawyer of the Year” in Boston for their respective practice areas. This recognition is awarded to individual attorneys with the highest overall peer-feedback for a specific practice area and geographic region. Additionally, eight attorneys – Melissa Adams for Patent Law, Daniel Brutti for Patent and IP Litigation, John Calhoun for Commercial and IP Litigation, Kolbie Deamon for Tax Law, Margo Monroe for Patent Law, Kyle Munns for Trusts and Estates, Natalia Smychkovich for Commercial Litigation, and Dana Spigelman for Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity – are listed as “Ones to Watch” in Boston. These awards are given to attorneys who are earlier in their careers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. More than 20 Choate attorneys have been recognized for over 10 years and many are listed in multiple categories, including: Antitrust Law – Robert M. Buchanan, Jr. Antitrust Litigation – Robert M. Buchanan, Jr. Banking and Finance Law – Dallas Cruz, Scott J. Moore, and John F. Ventola Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law – Douglas R. Gooding, Kevin J. Simard, and John F. Ventola Bet-the-Company Litigation – Douglas R. Gooding Biotechnology & Life Sciences – Michael H. Bunis, Brenda Herschbach Jarrell, PhD, Charles E. Lyon, DPhil, Eric J. Marandett, and Paul D. Popeo Commercial Litigation – Michael H. Bunis, Robert S. Frank, Jr., and Michael T. Gass Corporate Law – Brian P. Lenihan Corporate Compliance Law – Michael T. Gass Corporate Governance Law – Michael T. Gass Criminal Defense: White Collar – Adam J. Bookbinder and Melissa Bayer Tearney Employment Law: Management – Alison F. Reif Health Care Law – Lee S. Feldman and Christine G. Savage Insurance Law – David A. Attisani and Robert A. Kole Litigation: Antitrust – Robert M. Buchanan, Jr. Litigation: Bankruptcy – Douglas R. Gooding and John F. Ventola Litigation: Intellectual Property – Michael H. Bunis, Robert S. Frank, Jr., Eric J. Marandett, and Paul D. Popeo Litigation: Patent – Robert S. Frank, Jr. and Eric J. Marandett Non-Profit/Charity Law – Cameron Casey and Charles A. Cheever Patent Law – Brenda Herschbach Jarrell, PhD, Charles E. Lyon, DPhil, and Rolando Medina, PhD Privacy and Data Security Law – Adam J. Bookbinder Real Estate Law – Gregg B. Cosimi, Brian J. King, and Paul C. Laudano Securities Regulation – John R. Pitfield Trade Secrets – Paul D. Popeo Trusts & Estates – Kristin T. Abati, Marc J. Bloostein, Cameron Casey, Charles A. Cheever, Kimberly E. Cohen, Jennifer S. Ewing, Geoffrey Mason, and Brian W. Monnich Venture Capital Law – Brian P. Lenihan