Technology & Outsourcing: Illinois

THE FIRM Baker & McKenzie is respected by peers as a leader in the outsourcing world. The firm's strength on the international stage, supplemented by extensive industry knowledge, attracts a number of prestigious clients to the practice. Working as part of a 100-strong global team, the Chicago office has access to healthy reserves of expertise. Clients value the highly responsive service provided by the firm, and the attention paid to ensuring continuity in relationship management. The team has recently represented household names such as Bausch & Lomb.

Sources say: "The team knows us and truly protects our interests."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Mensik chairs the North American practice and is revered as a thought leader. Sources note that he is "an excellent lawyer" and a big name in the industry. He advises IT and e-commerce companies on both US and global matters pertaining to IP protection, external sourcing agreements and external risk management on behalf of major clients such as Wells Fargo.

Outsourcing specialist Peter George offers clients experience in a variety of complex transactions. He has handled both domestic and multinational arrangements on behalf of clients including Cardinal Healthcare.

Brian Hengesbaugh's strengths in privacy and data security draw clients from the technology industry to his IT and sourcing practice. Domestic and international companies including Hewlett-Packard look to Hengesbaugh and benefit from his prior experience as special counsel to the US Department of Commerce.

Interviewees note that Samuel Kramer "has a tremendous amount of knowledge about outsourcing." He is involved in a range of industrial sectors including medical devices, financial services and research. Clients particularly praise his adherence to their needs. 

THE FIRM Mayer Brown's global technology and business sourcing practice is known as a significant player in the field with a formidable reputation in outsourcing. Sources are attracted to the diversity of the firm's practice, and praise its ability to deal with a range of needs across a variety of industries, exemplified by its representation of clients from JPMorgan to CoreLogic. Clients are notably impressed by the high level of responsiveness with which matters are handled.

Sources say: "The teamwork between the firm and our team was excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rebecca Eisner is universally regarded by peers as being at the top of her game. Her practice attracts a host of high-profile clients including Motorola, for which she recently handled an IT infrastructure arrangement. She is particularly prominent in the cloud computing and outsourcing field. According to interviewees, "her dynamism in negotiations is extremely effective."

Outsourcing expert Brad Peterson "not only provides a very high caliber of substantive advice, he works well with the internal team." He is particularly experienced in service agreements, software licensing matters and outsourcing transactions.

Paul Roy is described as "insightful and a problem solver with great attention to detail." His full-service outsourcing practice focuses on IT infrastructure services, network management and application development on behalf of insurance, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals clients.

"Master negotiator" Kevin Rang wins plaudits for his broad industry knowledge. He is well versed in the handling of BPO, facilities management and application hosting. He has recently worked with a number of high-profile companies on a series of sophisticated transactions.

Rising star Gregory Manter is praised for his confident manner. "When he approaches matters he puts himself in the customer's shoes," say impressed clients, whom he represents in outsourcing, licensing and development transactions. He has recently represented CoreLogic in the sale of its India captive to Cognizant.

THE FIRM This firm is praised for the depth of resources it offers to clients, and is widely regarded as a team possessing true understanding of client needs. Sources attest to the high standard of service provided by the strategic sourcing team. Businesses are attracted to a broad-based global practice that has the capability to serve a variety of industries including the technology, financial, government, healthcare and insurance sectors.

Sources say: "The continuity and experience on offer is why we go back to SNR Denton - it guides and steers rather than trying to take things over."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ross Docksey is one of the founding members of the firm's global technology and outsourcing group. He is regarded by commentators as "a very able guy doing an admirable job" in achieving successful results on groundbreaking matters.

Rosemary Gullikson is a respected member of the outsourcing community. She is lauded by clients as "a very good business lawyer who understands the economics of the transaction as well as the legal aspects." Her practice focuses on customer-side work such as IT and business process outsourcing.

THE FIRM This well-established international firm acts for both suppliers and customers, with strong capabilities across the board in IT and outsourcing transactions. The technology sourcing and commercial group attracts a global clientele that values the team's understanding of the business needs on both sides. The firm has represented a range of major organizations including BP, Marriott and Union Bank.

Sources say: "Very business-oriented as opposed to legal-oriented, DLA Piper makes a point of understanding what I'm looking for."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Vincent Sanchez has a strong reputation among peers and clients alike. According to sources, "when he looks at the entire transaction for risk and leverage, it's going to be done right and in a timely fashion." A range of industry leaders including Groupon, RBS and BP engage him to bring a high level of expertise to their matters.

THE FIRM Kirkland & Ellis is known as a long-standing presence at the Illinois outsourcing Bar and covers the full range of outsourcing transactions. Attorneys are consistently engaged in a variety of outsourcing initiatives and service agreements for clients in the insurance, aerospace, music and healthcare industries. The firm has recently handled an array of complex matters for Goldman Sachs, CIGNA and Prologis.

Sources say: "Clearly experts in the area - Kirkland & Ellis has the advantage of having done many contracts for many different companies; it creates a sense of reality in terms of what you can actually achieve."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gregg Kirchhoefer earns much admiration as a veteran of the technology practice in Chicago. Sources observe that "when he's in the room, he's in command," and his attention to detail is appreciated by his clients. He focuses on corporate and commercial issues for the telecommunications, biotechnology and computer industries.

Neil Hirshman's clients value the customer-oriented approach that he takes to his work, as well as his broad experience in both domestic and international matters.

THE FIRM Sidley Austin's technology transactions practice focuses on IT procurement and outsourcing, and is known for its industry depth in life sciences, agricultural technology, entertainment and digital media. The team is praised for its responsive and attentive approach, and commentators attest to the high level of competence the firm brings in strategic arrangements and outsourcing agreements. Recent highlights include the representation of Iridium in relation to its satellite technology license expansion from Motorola.

Sources say: "The value is driven not only by technical and legal expertise, but Sidley also brings a business judgment and a business view."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise Mark Kaufmann for his dedication to their needs as well as the depth of his knowledge and strategic advice. He focuses on technology issues arising from acquisitions, divestitures and alliances, and recently represented OneAmerica on a long-term IT infrastructure agreement. "His dynamism is valuable on long and complicated deals," say interviewees.

Jeffrey Rothstein is highly regarded for his work in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical field. His expertise includes outsourcing, licensing and development agreements, with sources singling him out as "one of the most calm, organized and thorough lawyers there is to work with." He recently acted for Monsanto in the extension of a gene collaboration agreement.

THE FIRM This practice represents a broad range of companies and is particularly recommended for its deep bench. Clients also benefit from the international network of firms with whom the team works. Lawyers at the firm are notable for their expertise in handling matters for emerging companies, healthcare issues, outsourcing and systems acquisitions. Clients such as Comcast and B/E Aerospace have recently retained Drinker Biddle to take on significant work for them. 

Sources say: "We could not be more satisfied with everything Drinker Biddle & Reath does. The lawyers understand the sector and our business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rising star Ira Kalina is singled out by peers and clients, who describe him as "amazing, very smart and knowledgeable on technology issues." His practice incorporates transactions, IT R&D and licensing, with a recent highlight seeing it advise KingsIsle on an online international distribution matter.

THE FIRM Newly merged Edwards Wildman Palmer is praised by clients for its sensitivity to clients' business needs. The firm can now offer companies the benefit of an enhanced international platform. Sources admire the extensive expertise and business-savvy advice provided by the technology practice. The dedicated team offers a wide range of experience across the field, including transactional and litigation work, and international outsourcing. Recent clients include Groupon and KIA Motors.

Sources say: "The team deals smoothly and capably with our transactional parties as well as with our internal business clients."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Thomas Smedinghoff is a renowned thought leader and pioneer in e-business and IT law. Clients describe him as "exceedingly knowledgeable in the area of electronic signature law and identity." He has recently advised Microsoft and UNCITRAL on identity management. 

THE FIRM The IT and outsourcing team at Kelley Drye & Warren receives praise from clients for its commercial and solution-oriented approach. Vendors and customers from a range of industries such as healthcare, telecommunications and IT use the firm for complex transactions. The practice is equipped to handle matters for both startup companies and multinational entities.

Sources say: "Kelley Drye has been excellent - very professional and extremely responsive. It knows what's going on in the market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Ryan is noted for his exceptional industry knowledge, and highly regarded as a commercial and collaborative problem solver. According to clients, he is "an unflappable and very principled person who always remains even-keeled."

THE FIRM This group is respected as a broad-based technology practice with an outstanding knowledge base and attentiveness to industry trends. Clients stress the business-focused approach taken by the team and appreciate its clear understanding of the interface between technology and the law. The firm provides expertise on both a domestic and international level to an array of industries. Key areas of strength include license development and technology transfer.

Sources say: "Neal Gerber has a collaborative style and understands what our needs are."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice chair Robert Weiss earns particular praise for his thorough approach to sophisticated transactions. He is noted for his outsourcing and licensing capabilities, while clients appreciate his high-level business acumen.