Choate Receives Top National Rankings from The Legal 500 in Seven Practice Areas

Choate announced today that seven of its practice areas received top national rankings from The Legal 500, a guide to the preeminent law firms in the United States.  Choate’s Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) practice received a Tier 1 national ranking for Middle-Market M&A (sub-$500m).  The firm also received top national rankings for its Finance & Restructuring, Insurance & Reinsurance, Private Equity, Tax, Trade Secrets, and Venture Capital practices.

According to The Legal 500, “Only a small number of firms in the US have a truly national presence coupled with the capability to handle sophisticated and complex work....” The rankings are based on a series of criteria, and highlight the practice areas and teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

Choate’s Tier 1 M&A practice “mostly handles deals in the $10m-$500m range, and...has deep experience advising technology and life sciences companies on cross-border transactions.”  William Asher, co-chair of the Business & Technology and Life Sciences Groups, was one of only 24 attorneys in the country named to the elite “Leading M&A Lawyers” list.  Other recommended Choate lawyers include Brian Goldstein, co-chair of the Business & Technology Group and Frederick Callori.

Choate’s Insurance & Reinsurance Group “covers complex litigation, arbitration and bankruptcy proceedings for insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries on a national and international scale.”  Practice co-chair David Attisani was one of only 12 attorneys in the country named to the elite “Leading Insurance Lawyers” list in the reinsurance category.  Other recommended Choate lawyers include co-chair Robert Kole and Hugh Scott.

Joan Lukey, chair of the Choate’s Complex Trial & Appellate Litigation Group, was one of only 52 attorneys in the country named to the elite “Leading Trial Lawyer” list in a special “Litigation” ranking.  Legal 500 noted that, “trial lawyers are a rare and arguably declining breed in the United States.  The lawyers in this section have a unique set of skills, and are able to assimilate vast amounts of information in short periods of time in order to simplify a client’s case before a courtroom.”

Choate’s Finance & Restructuring practice is “a standout ... in the Northeast” due to its “strong all-round restructuring knowledge” and its ability to “provide necessary supplementary advice as needed.”  The publication noted that Kevin Simard and the “practical, responsive and business-minded” Douglas Gooding co-chair “a Boston-based team that has a focus on advising creditors and lenders in restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings and distressed M&A.”

The firm’s Private Equity Group, which was profiled in the “Buyouts” category, “has a strong private equity heritage that extends way beyond its New England heartland.” Co-chairs T.J. Murphy and Brian Lenihan were recommended.

The firm’s Tax practice and chair Louis Marett were recognized for their experience “in the taxation of private equity and venture capital transactions and fund formations.” Timothy Becker was also recommended.

Choate’s Trade Secrets Group was commended in the “Litigation” category, as the firm “litigates in the trade secrets context across the country.”  Co-chairs Michael Bunis and Paul Popeo were recommended.

Choate’s Venture Capital Group “spans classic venture capital through to growth equity and private equity investments.”  Brian Goldstein and Brian Lenihan were recommended again for the venture capital category.

The Legal 500 conducts extensive research to analyze and assess the capabilities and strengths of law firms. The resulting rankings provide buyers of legal services with an objective analysis of the US market.  Research includes in-depth interviews with law firms, clients, and lawyers across the country.  Inclusion in The Legal 500 is based solely on merit and the guides are widely regarded as offering the definitive judgment of law firm capabilities.