Profile: Hogan & Hartson LLP

Hogan & Hartson LLP - Who's Who Legal '70'

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

Twenty-three of its lawyers, from the US, Europe and Latin America, are included in this book, recommended in 10 separate practice areas. True to its DC roots, it is “especially well known for regulatory and
antitrust work” – the firm performs particularly well in the regulatory communications, trade and customs, and competition chapters.

COMPETITION
The firm makes its presence felt most keenly in the competition chapter, where seven of its lawyers, based in four jurisdictions, make the cut. In Washington, Janet McDavid is “queen of the DC competition bar”, according to sources. Peers noted her merger work and her proactive approach was praised by many. Joseph Krauss is another highly regarded antitrust expert at the office. Deemed “excellent” by his rivals, he served 11 years at the FTC before joining private practice in 1999. Philip Larson chairs the antitrust, competition and consumer protection practice group. He has a broad practice and is well known for his clearance work on competitor relationships such as mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures.

The “highly effective” John Pheasant, in Brussels, co-heads the European antitrust division. A solicitor-advocate, he recently advised Apple on the launch of the iPhone across Europe and is also known for his intellectual property work. Catriona Hatton manages the Brussels office and is the other co-head of the European antitrust practice. She is “great to work with” and “handles cases well”, according to sources. Hatton is well known for her merger control expertise and handles EU and multi-jurisdictional cases. In France, Michel Debroux focuses on French and EU competition law, with special expertise in the telecommunications and energy sectors. In the Caracas office, Bruno Ciuffetelli is “a trusted practitioner”, advising on Venezuelan antitrust enforcement and representing foreign companies on entry into the local market. Ciuffetelli also appears in the merger and acquisition section, advising foreign multinational clients.

COMMUNICATIONS AND E-COMMERCE
Five lawyers based in Washington, DC; France; and Belgium feature in this chapter. “Solid”, “highly recommended” Gerald Oberst led in the voting for the firm. He was selected by the European Commission to prepare a study as part of the review of the electronic communications regulatory framework. In Paris, Winston Maxwell appears prominently.

He is well known for his work on telecommunications liberalisation schemes. In the United States’ regulatory heartland, Washington, DC, sources have “a great deal of respect for” Peter Rohrbach, who co-directs the firm’s communications group and represents large national and international operators. Michele Farquhar forms the other half of the team’s directorship and is a former chief of the wireless telecommunications bureau at the Federal Communications Commission. Peers consider partner Joel Winnik “a real stand out”.

Internet and e-commerce “star” Christine Varney’s work includes regulatory, antitrust, privacy, business planning and intellectual property advice to companies including eBay and Synopsys. She spent five years in government service before rejoining the firm in 1997 to head the internet practice group in DC.

TRADE AND CUSTOMS
The firm serves as counsel to the consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition and is well respected by rivals in the field. The “exceptionally good” Lewis Leibowitz in DC leads the voting. He appears along with “first-rate” Marc McConnell. Jeanne Archibald completes the trio in the US capital. In Brussels, Lourdes Catrain affords the firm a high-profile presence. Contributors to the survey consider her “an absolute must for inclusion”.

AVIATION
Two lawyers from the Houston office represent the firm’s “strong aviation team”, which “consistently delivers the highest quality integrated legal advice”. Thad Thano Dameris has vast experience in jury and non-jury aviation trials and is well known for his expertise in multi-party litigation and complex disputes. Bruce Oakley is also very well known in the litigation and arbitration arena, including multi-party disputes and class action litigation.

FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS
The firm counts a further four practitioners in the chapters that follow. Based in DC, Ty Cobb is director of the firm’s white-collar criminal defence and investigations group and performed well in the business crime research. A “respected presence on the litigation circuit”, Cobb has represented high-ranking US government officials and companies during congressional investigations among other matters.

Fellow DC lawyer James Hourihan is also famed for his litigation prowess, in the field of product liability. He is experienced in mass and toxic tort litigation involving chemicals, drugs, medical devices, paints and many other products. An “excellent advocate”, he is “a pleasure to see in action”, according to one source.

Based in DC, Dennis Lehr represents the firm in the banking chapter, where peers noted his regulatory knowledge and his representation of financial institutions worldwide.

Kevin Lipson of the energy practice in DC appears in the oil and gas chapter and is the final lawyer to be listed in the guide. He is a “major player” in the area, according to rivals and is highlighted for his representation of clients before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.