Profile: Arnold & Porter LLP

Arnold & Porter LLP - Who's Who Legal '70'

What is the Who's Who Legal '70'?

In regions where it does not boast a physical presence, it can call on a network of formal and informal alliances, and is able to assist clients that conduct business internationally. The firm’s commitment to pro bono work was highlighted in 2007 with the creation of the position of senior pro bono partner, held by former managing partner James Sandman. It is also one of only five US law firms to make Fortune magazine’s 2007 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For”.

ANTITRUST, TRADE AND REGULATED INDUSTRIES
As with the previous edition, the firm’s “first-class” antitrust group provides its largest contingent on the following pages: nine of its number make the grade. “Tremendous” William Baer once again received nothing but praise during the course of our research with sources noting: “He’s analytical, good with clients, good at focusing on the key problem and has great relations with the agencies.” Robert Pitofsky is also one of the practice area’s leading lights. One prominent rival labelled him a “superstar”. DC-based Michael Sohn, Deborah Feinstein, Richard Rosen and Donna Patterson also come highly recommended and complete what rivals label as “the main competition” in the US capital. Arnold & Porter is also strong in Brussels where Marleen Van Kerckhove and Luc Gyselen were consistently endorsed. Van Kerckhove is “doing a terrific job”, according to sources and won praise for “going the extra mile for her clients”. Gyselen is said to be a “deep thinker”, offering clients “amazing insight”. In London and Brussels, Tim Frazer is “a pleasure to deal with”. He is a new entry in the publication
this year.

The firm’s international trade team also boasts another entry in this year’s trade and customs chapter. Michael Shor was rated by one prominent source as “quite exceptional”; while another remarked: “He’s a definite for entry this year.” Lawrence Schneider heads the firm’s international trade practice and was labelled a “very substantial practitioner” by rivals. Michael Ryan affords the firm an international dimension in the regulatory communications chapter. Ryan heads the firm’s telecommunications practice group in London and is joined in the chapter by Richard Firestone in DC. Firestone remains one of the practice area’s leading lights. The internet and e-commerce chapter is new to the publication; it features Ronald Johnston, head of the Arnold & Porter’s Los Angeles office. Johnston is a respected litigator and counsellor and co-founded The Computer and Internet Lawyer, a leading journal in the field.

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION AND DISPUTES
Commercial arbitration remains a strong point, with both Jean Engelmayer Kalicki and the “up and coming” Paolo Di Rosa in DC consistently endorsed. Di Rosa heads the firm’s international arbitration group and comes recommended for his knowledge of Latin America. Robert Litt chairs the firm’s white collar criminal defence practice group and once again features prominently in the business crime chapter.

PRODUCT LIABILITY DEFENCE
The firm’s entry in the product liability chapter is another trans-Atlantic affair. Ian Dodds-Smith co-heads the firm’s food, drug and medical devices practice group from London and remains one of the practice area’s most respected names. Arnold & Porter’s largest collection of talent is, however, found in DC where the “excellent” Peter Grossi excels in our research. Grossi has served as national counsel for Wyeth in its diet drug litigations since 1997 and is joined in the chapter by Peter Bleakley and “top tier” Robert Weiner.

“Formidable litigator” Peter Zimroth in New York completes the firm’s quintet in the chapter and he was recommended for his work as national counsel for the defendant pharmaceutical manufacturer in In re Diet Drugs products liability litigation.

ENVIRONMENT AND REAL ESTATE EXPERTISE
It is also evident from our findings that Arnold & Porter boasts an extremely well regarded environmental team. Lawyers from the firm serve as outside environmental counsel to companies such as Honeywell, BP and General Electric and four highly rated individuals feature in the chapter. Michael Gerrard heads the New York office and was variously described as a “superstar”, “phenomenally good” and an “outstanding talent”. Thomas Milch in DC currently serves as chair of the firm and was recommended to researchers as “formidably bright”.

Joel Gross also features prominently in DC. A former chief of the environmental enforcement section at the United States Department of Justice, he was praised as a “real asset to the firm”. Blake Biles also performed well and is said to be “one of the best in the country for chemical related matters”. Michael Goodwin appears in the real estate chapter and “has a fabulous reputation and a very sophisticated real estate practice”, according to one prominent source.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Arnold & Porter’s presence in the trademarks chapter also spans the Atlantic. Clive Thorne in London represents clients in the IT, electronics, media, aerospace and financial services industries to name but a few. He is joined in the chapter by Roberta Horton who heads the firm’s Washington, DC trademark practice and comes recommended for both counselling and litigation.Patrick Doyle features prominently in the banking chapter and brings to a close what is an excellent showing for Arnold & Porter across a wide range of practice areas.