Most Highly Regarded Firms: Corporate Governance 2011

• June 2011

• Corporate Governance

Who's Who Legal analyses the findings of our research in greater depth to identify the firms and practitioners who stand out worldwide.

Our research selects 464 individuals from 53 countries who are considered by clients, in-house counsel, and fellow private practitioners to be some of the very best in the world in their field and jurisdiction. Several firms stand out in this year’s research, with an overwhelming representation from the North American and the European contingents.

Leading firms in North America

Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz continues to demonstrate outstanding expertise in this field. It provides 12 lawyers in this year’s research, including the most highly regarded corporate governance lawyer of 2011, Martin Lipton. He maintains a strong practice, advising major boards on governance matters and M&A deals. He is internationally renowned and “no list is complete without his inclusion”. As “one of the most influential lawyers in his field” Lipton is joined by an impressive team in New York, which includes notable individuals such as Andrew Brownstein. He is considered “one of the best for M&A-related corporate governance” and has advised on significant deals such Phillips Petroleum Company’s merger with Conoco and ConocoPhillips with respect to its investment in OAO Lukoil.

Adam Emmerich has extensive experience in takeover defence and corporate governance issues, and the “very good” Andrew Nussbaum is known for his governance advice on IPOs, private equity transactions and M&A deals. Marc Wolinsky is a corporate governance litigator and has led successful representations for Rohm and Haas in its sale by Dow Chemical, and JPMorgan Chase in its acquisition of Bear Stearns.

Edward Herlihy received many nominations from highly ranked interviewees worldwide. He is “universally respected” for his leadership and governance advice on complex ventures. Similarly, David Katz is internationally lauded for his knowledge of governance matters and crisis management. Theodore Mirvis is an expert on defence work, with an emphasis on governance issues surrounding corporate crime, stockholder derivative suits and M&A transactions.

Daniel Neff ’s 30 years of experience in M&A and securities work strongly recommends him for inclusion in this chapter. He has acted for domestic and multinational companies on proxy contests, management and board acquisitions and conflicts. Paul Rowe is “a smart guy” who enjoys a specialist practice in representing entities and directors on proxy contests, breach of fiduciary duty and federal securities claims. Trevor Norwitz is well thought of by his peers for his noteworthy work on M&A matters and corresponding governance issues, as is the “leading” Steven Rosenblum, who has developed a “real expertise” in advising hedge funds on governance and shareholder activism.

Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP has seven listings throughout the United States. In California, co-chair of the firm’s securities regulation and corporate governance practice group, James Moloney enjoys a specialist practice in securities governance and brings his experience as a former SEC Special Counsel in the office of mergers and acquisitions in the division of corporate finance to the field. Alongside him in Orange County Wayne Smith is a “well regarded, tough opponent” according to a source. Jeffrey Chapman is the firm’s sole representative in Dallas where he maintains an M&A and governance practice. He is lauded for his problem solving skills. In DC, four lawyers are listed; Brian Lane and John Olson each cited for their “outstanding reputations”.

Larry Sonsini at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is the “dean of Silicon Valley”. He is widely thought of as one of California’s leading lawyers on director and officer governance matters and earns a place among the most highly regarded individuals in 2011.

Charles Cogut at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is an “outstanding” New York lawyer with a market leading reputation. He is one of the most highly regarded individuals in this year’s research. Alongside Cogut in New York are the “legendary” Richard Beattie, the “brilliant” Alan Klein and “profoundly knowledgeable” Robert Spatt. Richard Capelouto in California also earns a mention for his impressive understanding of the area.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has a good showing in Europe as well as in New York. Jan Meyers is regarded as one of Belgium’s leading M&A and corporate governance practitioners. Pierre-Yves Chabert is “fantastic” in Paris, and Roberto Casati in Milan is a “sure inclusion” for his broad experience in EU governance matters. Alan Beller, Victor Lewkow and Daniel Sternberg are the New York trio of veteran inclusions who continue to lead impressive and sought-after practices in this area.

Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell LLP is a leading firm in Delaware with six inclusions. Frederick Alexander received many highly ranked nominations, as did Gilchrist Sparks, both of whom feature in the most highly regarded list of individuals this year. Lewis Black comes “strongly recommend”. John Johnston has over 30 years of experience in the field and is known for his Delaware corporate law counselling, as is Andrew Johnston. Kenneth Nachbar concentrates his practice on litigation arising from M&A disputes relating to local corporations.

Also in Delaware, Chief Justice Norman Veasey at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP performs well this year. He is highly respected for his strategic advice to the firm’s global clients. The firm is also represented in New York and Texas, strengthening its reputation as a leading firm. In Dallas, Michael Saslaw has established an impressive reputation for his representation of companies in a range of sectors. Mary Korby is “one of the best in Texas”. In New York, Ira Millstein is the “dean of corporate governance”. He has counselled numerous boards on issues of corporate governance, including the boards of General Motors and Walt Disney. He is joined by the Holly Gregory who is a “star” in this field.

According to our 2011 research Stikeman Elliot is the leading Canadian firm for corporate governance. In Ontario, William Braithwaite is a “very fine lawyer” and Marvin Yontef is “extremely good”. The firm has a notable pool of governance expertise in Quebec with the inclusion of John Leopold, a lawyer with a strong reputation across North America. Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP’s Alberta-based chairman Brock Gibson QC performs well in the research and is “highly regarded”. In Toronto, Pamela Hughes is “very strong on securities law and related corporate governance matters, and is creative in reaching practical solutions”, according to one client. David Jackson is a “first-class lawyer with a fine reputation” and Jeffrey Lloyd is “impressive”.

Outstanding Firms in the Rest of the World

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP fields 10 lawyers from four jurisdictions in this year’s research. Enjoying representation in Austria, England, Germany and Hong Kong, the firm continues to demonstrate its international reach and European expertise in the research. In Vienna, Günther Horvath combines his interests of corporate law and dispute resolution by acting for and advising family-owned businesses on compliance and conflict issues. He is joined by Willibald Plesser, the co-head of the CEE/CIS region and an expert in governance and energy issues affecting M&As, joint ventures and investments in that region.

In England, the firm boasts some of the leading governance lawyers in Europe: Vanessa Knapp and Mark Rawlinson stand out as authorities. Knapp received international praise from peers and government sources for her extensive advisory practice and knowledge. She is current involved in advising European public entities on risk management and compliance to new regulatory regimes. Rawlinson specialises in advising boards on risk management and compliance strategies. He has worked on some high profile cases, including advising BP following the Gulf of Mexico spill.

Based in Hamburg, the global head of the corporate group Christoph Seibt advises listed companies, such as Continental and Infineon, on governance, securities and tax. Christian Decher in Frankfurt is a specialist on German public M&A stock corporations and transformation law, and was part of the team that acted for Daimler in its cross-shareholding with Renault and Nissan. Axel Epe divides his time between Düsseldorf and Munich where he enjoys a “very good reputation” for his work on compliance, and in Hong Kong Robert Ashworth is “well regarded”.

Slaughter and May delivers an impressive showing with eight entries, cementing its reputation as a leading corporate powerhouse and home to some of the world’s best M&A and governance lawyers. Nigel Boardman is a veteran inclusion in our research for his consistently “stellar” practice and knowledge. With over 25 years of experience in the M&A and governance field he is one of the most highly regarded individuals of 2011, as is William Underhill who is “one of the very best”. Stephen Cooke is a “doyen” of the field, and Frances Murphy is “extraordinary”. Senior partner Christopher Saul holds a managerial position and advises boards and directors on governance issues, as does the “fantastic” Charles Randell. The firm’s Hong Kong office is well represented in the research by Richard Thornhill, whose knowledge of governance procedures in relation to corporate financing is “second to none”, and Benita Yu who is a strong practitioner in securities regulation and compliance.

Hengeler Mueller is the leading German firm in this practice area and is home to one of the most highly regarded individuals in our research, Maximilian Schiessl. He received praise for his “outstanding” expertise in due diligence, disclosure and general governance and has an “excellent” international reputation. In Düsseldorf, he is joined by the “superstar” Michael Hoffmann-Becking. Gerd Krieger is a leading compliance practitioner and Rainer Krause is “excellent” on governance, particularly in India. In Frankfurt, Klaus-Dieter Stephan counsels clients from a variety of industries, ranging from software technology firms to family-owned entities. He is joined by the “very impressive” Oleg de Lousanoff.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek NV also provides a strong showing in the research with four nominees from Amsterdam, Jaap Winter scores highly and enjoys a repeat listing this year as one of the most highly regarded individuals in the research. He is a specialist in governance and corporate litigation and is internationally recognised for his work in the field. He is joined by the “superb” Martin van Olffen. Paul Cronheim has acted for JP Morgan in the merger between Deutsche Börse and NYSE Euronext and is well regarded for his compliance advice in public stock transactions, as is Bernard Roelvink.

Uría Menéndez was praised by one commentator as “one of the leading practices in Spain for corporate governance”. Managing partner Luis de Carlos is the “leading light” according to a number of interviewees. Charles Coward is “exceptional” in the Barcelona office and has over 35 years of experience within the M&A field. In Madrid, Juan Miguel Goenechea is similarly praised for his “first-rate” advice on finance and securities matters. He is joined by the head of the M&A and private equity practice group Christian Hoedl and the “highly regarded” Salvador Sánchez-Terán.

This year the research sees four entries from Bredin Prat in Paris. Olivier Assant focuses mainly on advising public listed companies and IPOs. Sébastien Prat acts for companies on governance litigation matters and is “really very good”. Patrick Dziewolski is “superb” and Didier Martin is “an obvious choice for inclusion”.

In Ireland, A&L Goodbody’s two inclusions deserve a mention. Kevin Allen is a “true expert” as the head of the firm’s business regulation and corporate governance, and financial services regulation and compliance practice groups. Former chairman of the corporate department Michael Greene is an experienced lawyer in corporate governance involving M&A, securities and funds.

In Sydney, David Friedlander at Mallesons Stephen Jaques is one of the most highly regarded individuals in our research. He is considered to be “one of the best in Australia”. He is joined by the “talented” Greg Golding and “top-notch” Tim Bednall. In Melbourne, Alison Lansley specialises in governance, takeovers and large scale corporate restructurings. Alongside her is Stephen Minns, the co-head of the national M&A practice and an established practitioner in listed acquisitions and equity issues.

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