Litigation: Maryland

THE FIRM The group at the Baltimore office of this international titan is viewed as a go-to firm for high-profile, highly complex litigation. Sources praise the firm for the depth of its bench, the strength of its associates and the responsiveness of its attorneys, as well as the efficiency of its billing. The team handles litigation across a wide variety of areas, including white-collar crime, legal malpractice and civil disputes, and is also sought after for its expertise in high-profile bankruptcy cases. Its clients are drawn from a diverse range of sectors including financial services, construction and engineering.

Sources say: "I would trust them with bet-the-company cases."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil Dilloff "is one of the best trial lawyers I've ever seen," according to one impressed source. He is also praised for being "frank, honest, hard-working and good-humored." He has notable experience in professional malpractice, construction and insurance litigation.

The much-admired Robert Mathias is joint global leader and US chair of the firm's litigation practice, and specializes in IP, class action and commercial disputes. He is also routinely sought after to handle white-collar criminal litigation.  

Charles Scheeler is "just an absolutely superior attorney" and "the closest I have seen to Perry Mason." He focuses on commercial litigation and is also well regarded for his work in white-collar crime and internal investigations.

Brett Ingerman is "very smart, easy to work with, well respected, well versed in law, and has an ability to work his way around the courtroom," according to sources. He is also noted for his ability to get along with everyone from witnesses to senior executives.

Richard Kremen's "knowledge and expertise is very deep, and he can explain complex issues simply and clearly, and does not waste words." He is an excellent choice for clients seeking representation in bankruptcy and commercial lending litigation.

THE FIRM This firm is a noted presence in Baltimore and acts on behalf of a variety of clients in class action defense, bankruptcy and business litigation. It is also well versed in employment and healthcare-related disputes. 

Sources say: "A very good midsized firm."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ward Coe is regarded by sources as "one of the leading litigators in town." He draws special praise for his work in construction litigation, which is a key part of a practice that also covers class actions, ERISA, antitrust and land use disputes.

Thomas Dame enjoys a wide-ranging practice and comes particularly noted for his bankruptcy work. His clients are drawn from many sectors including healthcare, retail, construction and financial services.

Paul Caiola is noted for his extensive trial experience and is highly recommended for his expertise in commercial and real estate litigation.

David Kinkopf's practice encompasses civil, employment and land use litigation, with a particular niche acting on behalf of religious and nonprofit organizations.

THE FIRM The litigators at the firm's Baltimore office are highly regarded for their responsiveness and exceptional expertise, which extends across a wide variety of areas, including product liability, corporate investigations, securities and white-collar criminal litigation. A recent highlight was acting on behalf of Martek Biosciences and several of its senior executives in putative class actions concerning alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and inadequate disclosures concerning Martek’s announced merger with Koninklijke DSM.

Sources say: "Its Baltimore office is an outpost with a remarkable reputation for having real trial lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Gately enjoys a fine reputation for his work in securities and fraud disputes. He is also highly sought after to assist with breach of fiduciary duty matters and led on the aforementioned matter regarding Martek.

Stephen Immelt draws much praise for his healthcare work. He is currently acting on behalf of Medtronic in a matter concerning damages sustained due to allegedly defective cardiac devices. Working alongside him on this case is Steven Barley. Barley is an experienced trial attorney who acts across a variety of areas, including professional negligence, employment, securities and white-collar criminal litigation.

THE FIRM This litigation boutique handles commercial, IP, insurance and criminal matters for local and national clients in both state and federal courts. The firm's attorneys act for corporate clients, government and municipal organizations, and professional service firms, and are praised by market sources for their careful and methodical approach and bespoke advice.

Sources say: "A fine firm full of high-quality lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The widely admired Andrew Jay Graham is an extremely experienced trial lawyer who acts on a variety of matters, including recent involvement in issues emanating from the breakup of a number of professional services companies.

The "outstanding" James Ulwick has a well-regarded and wide-ranging practice covering criminal and civil litigation. He is especially well known for his expertise in healthcare and medical malpractice matters.

John Bourgeois is a highly regarded and highly experienced commercial litigator who enjoys a fine track record on IP disputes.

THE FIRM This well-regarded midsized firm operates out of Bethesda and is home to a general litigation practice that handles a wide variety of disputes, acting for hospitals, individuals, legal professionals, insurance companies and religious organizations, to name a few. In a highlight, it acted on behalf of a local Seventh-Day Adventist Church, its Church Conference and its construction manager with regards to damages incurred by a neighboring landowner due to the construction of a parking lot on church land. The firm is also sought after to handle commercial, employment and banking litigation for clients such as Adventist HealthCare, Community Association Underwriters of America and First American Title Insurance.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stanley Reed chairs the firm's litigation practice and recently acted on behalf of MedStar-Georgetown Medical Center in relation to the financing of a purchase of state-of-the-art radiosurgical equipment, and the alleged fiduciary duty imposed on the hospital due to that financing.

Lauri Cleary undertakes a wide range of complex disputes and recently acted on behalf of Montgomery Hospice in a case of alleged wrongful termination. She also took a leading role in the aforementioned matter concerning church land.

THE FIRM The firm's commercial and business litigation department shows strength in both commercial disputes and bankruptcy litigation, acting for a diverse client base, including high-profile financial institutions and REITs. The firm also has a particular niche acting for traditional and nontraditional secured lenders in Chapter 11 proceedings. Recent work has seen it act on behalf of Bank of America in a putative class action regarding alleged breaches of Maryland’s secondary mortgage loan law.

Sources say: "They are as knowledgeable as a top-end firm, and they are extraordinarily well priced." "They are very practical in terms of the weighing up of cost versus benefit and the likelihood of success."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Linda Donhauser "is great: very personable, very smart, she knows the law and she has excellent responsiveness," according to sources, who also praise her excellent negotiation skills. She is further singled out for her "very sound understanding of things from a business and finance perspective," and for her ability to collaborate with financial sector clients on the strategic aspects of a case.

Department head Hutchinson Robbins "gives very pragmatic and practical advice across corporate and HR issues," according to market sources. He played a leading role in the matter for Bank of America mentioned above. 

Jefferson Wright is described by peers as a "smart all-around litigator." He recently acted on behalf of the Baltimore City Public School System in connection with an audit conducted by the Department of Health & Human Services, resulting in the client being deemed liable for $16 million claims for 'school-based services', which the firm successfully reduced by $4 million.

THE FIRM This local firm is home to an excellent practice that undertakes commercial litigation and white-collar criminal work at both the state and federal level, as well as litigating numerous foreclosures and acting on cases related to the defense industry. The group also comes recommended for mediations and alternative dispute resolution.

Sources say: "A very reputable litigation practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gerard Martin is well regarded by market sources and enjoys a fine reputation at both the criminal and civil Bar. He is particularly noted for his experience in fraud and tax controversy disputes.

"Stellar litigator" Benjamin Rosenberg enjoys a widely respected practice, which spans business disputes, antitrust work and contentious contractual matters. He is also highly sought after for his expertise in alternative dispute resolution.

THE FIRM This team shines when it comes to litigating complex issues and is particularly recommended for acting on behalf of debtors in complex bankruptcy proceedings. It continues to be involved in large-scale Chapter 11 cases and has an excellent track record representing financial institutions with regards to commercial real estate loan workouts. Notable clients include GEICO, Caruso Homes and FIRST Insurance Funding.

Sources say: "Since using them I recommend them without hesitation. They are really good, and a bargain for the quality you get."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joel Sher is noted both in Maryland and beyond for the strength of his bankruptcy disputes practice and draws praise for his "uncanny ability to conceptualize a case" and "cut through the complexities and find what needs to be done." 

Well-regarded bankruptcy practitioner Richard Goldberg is described as "terrific tactician" by sources, who also note their "unbridled confidence in his work." He continues to be called upon to handle all bankruptcy issues for GEICO.

The highly respected Paul Mark Sandler heads the firm's litigation group and handles a mixture of civil and criminal litigation work, acting for a number of high-profile clients on a range of matters at both trial and appellate level.

THE FIRM The Baltimore office of this national firm is a well-respected presence at the Maryland Bar. Its attorneys undertake a wide variety of litigation, including product liability, securities litigation, SEC investigations and white-collar defense. In a highlight, the team successfully acted as secured lender’s counsel to a securitized trust, for a value of $4.1 billion, and structured a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) tax solution that led to a bankruptcy auction netting a 97% recovery for its client.

Sources say: "They are very creative and very smart, and they don't confuse the needs and the aims of the business with winning obscure legal points."

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Gray is a noted litigator, and acts at the state and federal level on commercial disputes, product liability matters and insurance coverage. He is also highly regarded for his expertise in contentious IP matters.

Paul Strain is a "very formidable trial lawyer," with a great courtroom presence, and is also noted for his ability to build a rapport with the judiciary and the jury. He specializes in cases concerning sophisticated scientific or technological subject matter, and is particularly busy acting for large pharmaceutical companies.

THE FIRM This firm possesses a market-leading bankruptcy practice that acts across the mid-Atlantic region on behalf of lenders, creditors and debtors in debt restructuring, bankruptcy reorganization and complex litigation. On the commercial side, the firm handles trial and appeal work at the state and federal level for the likes of Rothschild Capital Partners and Aramtel. Recent highlights include acting for the trustees of several related corporations pursuing claims of breach of fiduciary duty against those entities' former directors and officers, which resulted in a $6 million-plus recovery.

Sources say: "They are tremendously accomplished." "They are proactive and very good at educating the client."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bankruptcy lawyer Kevin Hroblak is cochair of the firm's litigation services department and focuses on litigation regarding trustees and estate representatives and malpractice claims. "His command of the law in very complex areas is truly impressive and a very rare commodity," remark sources, who also praise his ability to practically apply this legal knowledge to everyday problems.

Paul Nussbaum is a noted bankruptcy lawyer and chairs the firm’s bankruptcy litigation, restructuring and debtor-creditors’ rights practice. He is "creative and has good insight not only into the law, but into the motivations of the other side."

Managing partner Martin Fletcher specializes in a broad range of bankruptcy reorganization and restructuring matters. He is "a top-notch administrator," according to sources, and also elicits praise for his awareness of developments in the financial sector.

Business litigation chair Edward Buxbaum draws particular praise for his creativity and level of insight on matters and has a well-regarded and broad-based commercial disputes practice. He played a leading role in the breach of fiduciary duty matter mentioned above.

THE FIRM This well-regarded litigation group undertakes civil, criminal and regulatory litigation work on behalf of both local and nationally known clients. Recent highlights include representing former NFL running back Eric Shelton in a case against the NFL's pension plan for disability pension payments owed due to a career-ending tackle.

Sources say: "I think very highly of them. They are very fine lawyers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Murphy continues to enjoy an excellent reputation in the market and acts on a variety of complex civil and criminal cases. He was recently involved in a civil rights class action law suit concerning Maryland state's underpayment of nursing home costs for the elderly poor. 

Sources describe the firm's litigation head Martin Himeles as "really superb and really detail-oriented." He handles white-collar criminal litigation and civil disputes, and is known for his work on healthcare fraud and insurance cases.