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California In Brief
California In Brief
The most populous state in the US, California contains eight of the fifty biggest cities in the country, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose. Its gross state product is similarly impressive: over $1.6 trillion. California is not just the largest economy in the US but one of the largest in the entire world. Indeed, the state accounts for over 13 per cent of the United States’ total output, and the next largest state economy – Texas – makes up just over half of that figure.Over a hundred Fortune 1000 companies across a range of industries are headquartered there, including household names Chevron, Northrop Grumman and Wells Fargo. After the bursting of the ‘dotcom bubble’, the technology sector is thriving once again, and Silicon Valley is home to eBay, Google, Intel and Apple to name but a few.
Hollywood is recognised worldwide as the major centre for the film and television industry, and Walt Disney has its HQ in Burbank. Elsewhere, Amgen, McKesson – the largest pharmaceutical distributor in North America – and a range of energy and utility companies such as Occidental Petroleum, Edison International and Sempra Energy are also based in the state.
This dynamic economy and range of industry leads to a great deal of work for the leading law firms in the state. We have identified over 700 individuals whom their peers and clients hailed as leaders in their chosen fields of law. We have classified these experts under 25 practice areas. They come from firms ranging from small boutiques to major international corporate outfits. The following firms stood out for the depth and breadth of the expertise they command in California, and should be regarded as the leaders in the state.
Editorial
Editorial: California
Editorial: Corporate Tax in California
The research for this chapter has identified 16 leaders in the field of corporate tax law from 12 firms within California. We identify experts with a wide range of specialisations. International tax specialists are included alongside domestic experts; direct taxation practitioners feature in a list which also includes indirect tax lawyers and specialists on transfer pricing and tax issues deriving from M&A and dispositions. All, however, are recognised for their outstanding ability in the legal aspects of corporate taxation.
Editorial: Employee Benefits in California
The area of ERISA and employee benefits law is one of major concern to US companies, with potential liability in this area sometimes reaching into millions of dollars. As such, clients rely on the lawyers in this chapter for their drafting skills, advice and, when necessary, representation in this area.
Editorial: Energy in California
Our research into the energy industry in California has identified 19 lawyers from 13 firms with an established record advising major, independent and state energy companies and utilities.
Editorial: Environment in California
The practice of environmental law is booming in California – our research has uncovered a wealth of talent within the state. In total 49 individuals from 25 firms are listed. Myriad state and federal environment laws dictate that the individuals featuring in the chapter focus on a variety of areas. A number of firms deal solely with environmental litigation involving toxic tort defence, Superfund cases, the defence of enforcement actions, claims against insurance carriers and government investigations.
Editorial: Franchise in California
The strength of California’s economy and the growth of international franchising activity is reflected in the quality and quantity of the counsel found in the state. Our research recognises the following individuals as the leading lights of California’s franchise bar, where they represent franchisors, franchisees and companies of all sizes, in diverse industries.
Profiled Firms
Firm Profiles: California
Bingham McCutchen LLP
Bingham McCutchen LLP has seen considerable growth in the last decade. With more than eight major combinations successfully completed in the past decade the firm has established a global presence and calls on the services of over 1000 lawyers, in 14 offices across the US, Europe and Asia. At the time of going to press the firm had announced its merger with New Tokyo International Law Office – its second Japanese merger in six months.
DLA Piper US LLP
A firm with 3,400 lawyers in 25 countries, DLA Piper boasts an enviable international network, offering clients seamless support in a global market. As well as representing professional firms and financial institutions, Global 1000 and Fortune 500 clients, the firm also champions many new businesses. In the following pages, DLA fields 12 times, principally in the corporate and transactional areas.
Fenwick & West LLP
Silicon Valley powerhouse Fenwick & West LLP was founded in 1972 by lawyers looking to take advantage of the region’s growing reputation as a centre for technological development.
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP was formed in Los Angeles in the 1880s, whereupon it landed one of the region’s most important clients: the Southern Pacific Railroad. Today the firm counts big names such as Lehman Brothers, Goldman Sachs, Hilton Hotels, Intel and Wal-Mart among its many clients. Gibson Dunn is now a global law firm with approximately 800 attorneys in 13 locations; four in its home state. The firm performed exceptionally well in our research: 25 nominees in 13 of the chapters.
Heller Ehrman LLP
Heller Ehrman can claim to be one of the oldest law firms in California, and is able to trace its history back to 1890 when Emanuel Heller opened his practice in San Francisco. Partners from the firm have since been involved in some of the largest projects in the state’s history, including negotiating the financing for the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and serving as general counsel to the Golden Gate Bridge District, arranging for the bonds to carry the project. Recent mergers and acquisitions mean that today the firm has 13 offices worldwide, including four in its home state.
Focus On Corporate Counsel
Corporate Counsel Q&A: California
California Corporate Counsel: Javade Chaudhri
Executive vice president and general counsel (Also serving as chief environmental officer) Sempra Energy
Sempra Energy was created in 1998 through a merger of the parent companies of two long-established and highly respected private sector utilities. Sempra is a Fortune 500 energy services company based in San Diego, serving the largest customer base of any energy utility in the United States and with approximately 14,000 employees worldwide. The Sempra Energy companies develop energy infrastructure, operate utilities and provide related products and services to more than 29 million consumers in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and Asia. In 2006 Sempra produced revenues of nearly $12 billion.