Corporate/M&A: Northern Virginia

THE FIRM This full-service group is still leading the way in Northern Virginia, and has recently boosted its global reach following last year's merger with Lovells. Public and private companies, private equity firms, investment banks and financial institutions all employ the talents of this industry-focused firm. Its client base spans many sectors, and while telecommunications, technology and media matters continue to dominate the deal list, government contracts and defense work are growing areas of focus. Companies in the healthcare, transportation and real estate industries also feature on its roster of clients.

Sources say: "They are very nice people to collaborate with on top-tier work. Its ability to expand the scope of an operation and bring capable people to the table is always comforting."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Becker "provides very patient counsel whatever the matter. He is an incredibly grounded and capable attorney," say clients. He recently represented Sakhr Software, a company involved in Arabic speech and language solutions, in its acquisition of Dial Directions. Richard Horan is held in high regard by market observers. He worked alongside DC partners on Ford's $1.8 billion divestiture of Sweden-based manufacturer Volvo Cars to China-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. He also recently represented Shenandoah Telecommunications in its acquisition of the cable operations of JetBroadband Holdings. Kevin Vold works in equity offerings and debt securities, recently representing Chesapeake Lodging Trust in its $151 million IPO and $25.5 million concurrent private placements. He is "practical, efficient and enjoyable to work with," say clients. Robert Welp is "a very thoughtful, pragmatic and commercial attorney." One client adds: "He always makes me feel like I'm his most important client even though I'm not." He acts for Getco and ACON Investments, and recently represented Magic Media in the acquisition of Fairway Outdoor Advertising. Randy Segal recently joined the firm after 17 years as an in-house general counsel. She represented LightSquared as lead counsel in a complex $1 billion cross-border transaction with Inmarsat. She also acts for private equity funds including Columbia Capital. "She has walked in my shoes working inside a company so she has both a business and a legal mind. She knows what to fight for and she has incredible judgment," say clients.

THE FIRM Cooley is a leader in venture capital matters, and is viewed as an up-and-coming player in the Northern Virginia market. As well as assisting clients in setting up new credit facilities, the firm handles M&A for large publicly traded companies. The technology industry is the traditional realm for this group, and it has recently been gaining traction in the government contracts space.  

Sources say: "The firm is the 800-pound gorilla in the venture space. No other firm even comes close."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mike Lincoln is "a superstar - the best brand in town for venture," say sources. He heads the East Coast business technology group, and his forte lies in representing early-stage technology companies. He practices from Reston and New York, as does Mark Spoto, whose client base spans the breadth of the technology industry. He also represents clients from the government contracts and security fields. He works on M&A, venture capital, private equity and public offerings. Brent Siler works on corporate and securities matters for technology industry companies, and has great expertise in handling IPOs.

Since publication, Mark Spoto has moved in-house.

THE FIRM This 20-strong team specializes in government contracting and technology, acting for firms at all stages of the corporate life cycle in M&A, financing, restructuring and corporate governance. It has built a niche in the cybersecurity space, where it represents market leaders such as Sourcefire and Cigital. The group is also expanding its work for clients in the unmanned aircraft systems and cleantech industries. Other clients of the firm include Navistar International and Lennox Industries.

Sources say: "The partners are very strategic, very sensitive to my needs, speedy, and always take a personal investment in my success. This is always very helpful."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Knox advises technology, life sciences and manufacturing clients on M&A and corporate finance matters. Those who instruct him value his wisdom and experience: "He is somebody you go to for the most strategic advice." Lawrence Yanowitch is another top-drawer partner, who clients say "is great at negotiations and has a calm and even demeanor," adding: "He is very thoughtful and pragmatic, with a good grasp of market conditions." He represents emerging companies, investment banks and institutional investors and has a strong reputation for government contracts work. Gregory Giammittorio is "a real workhorse who is very dedicated to us and easy to do business with," say clients. He represents clients in the semiconductor, defense and government services, energy, software, IT and media sectors. Charles Katz works on all types of M&A and corporate finance. "He does a lot of the lifting, he is tireless and he is great," report clients.  

THE FIRM Pillsbury is highly respected for technology sector M&A and government contracts work. Recent highlights for the team includes representing Goldman Sachs as underwriters' counsel in the IPO of BroadSoft, as well as acting for K2M in its sale to buyout fund Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe.

Sources say: "Pillsbury has some very sophisticated lawyers and is truly a business-oriented firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Craig Chason is "a star lawyer and someone you see often on the government contracts side." In this arena, he recently completed the IPO of Global Defense Technology & Systems. He is praised by sources as a key driver of the firm's profile. Steven Meltzer "has an absolutely unique combination of securities experience and entrepreneurial expertise, and is very highly thought of in the legal community," say clients. His practice focuses on the information technology, biotechnology, healthcare, defense and intelligence industries.

THE FIRM Arnold & Porter undertakes a large volume of work involving government contractors, alongside private equity matters and midmarket M&A across sectors such as life sciences and media.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Kevin Lavin wins plaudits as a "terrific, high-end M&A lawyer." Splitting his time between the firm's offices in McLean and DC, he focuses on government services work. He also handles more traditional M&A and private equity work.

THE FIRM This firm specializes in emerging growth, venture capital and international transactions. Its six-attorney group in Reston was recently involved in the sale of Spectrum K12 School Solutions to Scantron.

Sources say: "Top-notch people with a global presence. All different offices of the firm work well together."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jeffrey Lehrer "is the rare breed of lawyer who can be both a trusted strategist and adviser, as well as a great technician," say clients. He handles the full range of corporate transactions for early-stage and established companies. He recently acted for EverFi in an $11 million venture financing led by New Enterprise Associates. Jeffrey Houle joined the firm last year as chair of its defense and government services transactional practice. His expertise spans energy transactions, defense and government contracting.

THE FIRM Government contract deals dominate the workload of this McLean-based group, which recently represented CGI Group in its $1 billion acquisition of Stanley. Its strong regional network allows it to regularly acts for local clients, focusing on middle and upper-middle market M&A.

Sources say: "A very successful firm, and great bang for your buck."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Mutryn is "the government contracts guru and a titan in his industry," say clients. He has recently worked on transactions including the sale of eXMeritus Software to Boeing, as well as the sale of Ascend Intelligence to General Dynamics. Eric Wechselblatt "is fantastic, with a phenomenal ability to explain to clients in plain English what the issue is." He focuses on venture capital and emerging growth companies, recently representing Black Ram Engineering Services in an equity purchase by SM&A.

THE FIRM This accomplished group has a focus on financial institution and government-related M&A, and recently represented Skillstorm in its sale to Salient Federal Solutions. Another recent work highlight was acting for Harding Security Associates in its sale to Six3 Systems.

Sources say: "Venable has the best client service ethic of any firm I have come across. It has been a full-service firm while still maintaining cost-consciousness."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joseph Schmelter focuses his practice on corporate debt finance and M&A, recently representing 3Di Technologies in its sale to L-3 Communications. In addition to his commercial acumen, clients appreciate his soft skills: "He is affable, responsive and cooperative." Thomas France is "highly knowledgeable on securities, and has a quiet confidence that is devoid of arrogance." He works on corporate transactions, securities matters and financial and banking regulatory matters, representing clients in a range of industries.

THE FIRM Despite this firm's recent loss of Jeffrey Houle to DLA Piper, it continues to win praise for its representation of healthcare and government contracting clients. It is also noted for its particular strength in the intelligence area.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Wishner handles debt and equity matters, and wins acclaim for his venture capital work.