The law firm of McLane Middleton, Professional Association is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized with five firm rankings and 19 distinct individual attorney rankings in the Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers.
Conducted by Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers recognizes America’s top business attorneys and leading law firms. Chambers USA selected McLane Middleton’s offices in New Hampshire (Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth) as top-ranked in the state for Corporate/Commercial, Environment, and Litigation: General Commercial. The firm was ranked second tier in Labor & Employment and Real Estate.
Among the outstanding McLane Middleton attorneys who were recognized individually in Chambers USA were: Steven M. Burke (Corporate/Commercial and Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Patrick C. Closson (Corporate/Commercial), Bruce W. Felmly (Litigation: General Commercial), Wilbur A. Glahn III (Litigation: General Commercial), John E. Hughes (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Linda S. Johnson (Labor & Employment), Jack B. Middleton (Litigation: General Commercial), Barry Needleman (Environment), Daniel J. Norris (Corporate/Commercial), Jessica A. Nylund (Real Estate), Jennifer L. Parent (Labor & Employment), Michael J. Quinn (Environment), Peter B. Rotch (Real Estate), Mark Rouvalis (Environment), Richard A. Samuels (Corporate/Commercial), Gregory H. Smith (Environment), Charla Bizios Stevens (Labor & Employment), David Wolowitz (Litigation: General Commercial), and William V.A. Zorn (Corporate/Commercial: Tax).
Now in its 14th edition, the list ranks top U.S. law firms and individual attorneys in various practice areas. The relative weight of client feedback in their rankings makes the Chambers guides among the most respected of all law firm reference publications available.
Corporate/Commercial
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Esteemed team of skilled attorneys with expertise spanning diverse areas of corporate law such as M&A, tax and business formation. Offers adept representation across numerous sectors, covering utilities, education, healthcare and manufacturing, among others.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“The group at McLane has a broad base of experience and capabilities. The service and responsiveness of the team is always very good.”
“They have a nice, deep bench of well-trained corporate lawyers and they’ve done a very nice job.”
Work highlights
Advised on the sale of a lumber supply company worth $4 million.
Notable practitioners
The “excellent” Steven Burke “is one of the best tax lawyers in the state,” interviewees enthuse. He offers expert advice on a wealth of corporate tax issues such as audits, transfer pricing structures and complex executive compensation.
Sources explain that the “terrific” Richard Samuels is a “very seasoned lawyer with a lot of local knowledge and good connections,” adding: “His legal work is first-rate.” He particularly excels in matters pertaining to utilities, energy and commercial finance.
The “smart” practitioner William Zorn‘s “work is excellent,” interviewees respond. He has developed particular expertise representing high net worth individuals, for whom he handles a range of matters such as estate planning and wealth management.
According to market commentators, Patrick Closson “has good leadership qualities; he’s both effective and collegial.” His areas of focus include healthcare, business succession planning, M&A and contractual matters.
Daniel Norris continues to be well respected for his work with M&A and securities transactions. Clients enthuse: “Aside from the fact that he’s incredibly smart, he’s a guy who understands corporate law very well and, more importantly, he then takes the time to understand his client’s business and how the two elements interact.”
John Hughes is “an expert in the field and one of the leaders in the wills, trust and estate planning in the state,” clients are keen to explain. He is also highly proficient in the full spectrum of tax matters.
Significant clients
Measured Progress, Wilcox Industries, SIG SAUER, Prolamina, Property-Liability Trust.
Litigation
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Market-leading firm with a depth of expertise that spans multiple industries and sectors, such as technology, employment, insurance and construction. Noted for its high-quality representation of businesses before both federal and state courts.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“The firm is very knowledgeable and adept at helping us think strategically and tactically through our legal issues and challenges.”
Work highlights
Defended Northeast Utilities and its affiliates against allegations arising from the proposed introduction of an electrical energy transmission line between Québec and New England.
Advised ExxonMobil during its appeal against a ruling that it was responsible for selling defective gasoline.
Notable practitioners
The “internationally renowned trial lawyer” Bruce Felmly “does excellent legal work, but is also fun to work with,” clients enthuse. His broad practice encompasses litigation relating to IP, real estate, antitrust and trade secrets, among other areas.
Clients consider Wilbur Glahn a “go-to guy for any litigation” matter, as he is “extremely strategic and a very good advocate who is well known and respected by the courts.” He regularly handles high-profile cases in such areas as tax, employment and business.
David Wolowitz is highly regarded for his adept handling of contentious matters. He draws on extensive experience to inform his work, which is primarily focused on the counseling of independent schools.
Sources continue to admire Jack Middleton for his extensive and impressive experience handling a variety of civil disputes. His strength in litigious matters is complemented by expertise in mediation and arbitration.
Significant clients
Northern Pass Transmission, TABA Enterprises, State of New Hampshire, Cate Street Financial, New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Labor and Employment
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Maintains its prominent stance in the New Hampshire market based on its proficiency across a wide range of employment issues, such as immigration, ERISA, ACA and discrimination. Provides expert representation to clients in the software, banking, education and healthcare sectors, among others.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“They provide excellent client service and communication.”
“Their responsiveness is just exemplary. I’ve never had to chase them.”
Work highlights
Defended Jorgensen Tool & Stamping against a wage claim, which was subsequently deemed invalid and an appeal at New Hampshire Superior Court was denied.
Acted on behalf of a startup company, Trunity, against a former employee’s allegations of wrongful discharge.
Notable practitioners
Linda Johnson “is extremely knowledgeable in all areas of employment law, amazingly responsive whenever I need her and just a pleasure to work with,” sources enthuse. Her broad skill set includes litigation and mediation. She also possesses particular knowledge of employment matters in the education sector.
The “widely respected, recognized and appreciated” Jennifer Parent is lauded by clients for her “absolute skill and professionalism.” She frequently appears before both state and federal courts, defending clients against a range of claims, such as discrimination, harassment and wrongful dismissal.
According to sources, Charla Stevens “is very well versed in both state and federal law,” and wins particular praise for the practicality of her counsel. She has extensive trial experience and also provides counsel to companies on risk avoidance and regulatory compliance.
Significant clients
University System of New Hampshire, AutoZone, Dyn, Nora Systems, City of Manchester Employee Contributions.
Real Estate
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Maintains its strong reputation for high-quality real estate work on behalf of both lenders and borrowers. Particular expertise in complex financing matters and related tax issues. Regularly called on to appear before municipal and state bodies.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“A clear choice for matters pertaining to energy facility development, siting and regulatory issues in New Hampshire.”
Work highlights
Acted for Manchester Water Works in its federal grant-funded 7,200-acre watershed conservation project.
Counseled manufacturing company SIG Sauer on its acquisition of a ground lease interest, among other high-value transactions.
Notable practitioners
The “wonderful” attorney Jessica Nylund is praised by clients for her noteworthy responsiveness and pragmatic approach. She is regularly called upon to act for private individuals and commercial organizations across a wide range of real estate matters.
Peter Rotch continues to be held in high esteem for his extensive experience in the real estate space. He has particularly deep knowledge of M&A matters and financing transactions.
Significant clients
Cheney Companies, National Finance, Liberty Utilities, Rialto Mortgage Finance, GD Holdings.
Environment
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Market-leading environment team that acts on behalf of industrial and commercial clients across numerous commercial and industrial sectors. Prominent New Hampshire presence is backed by its broader regional footprint.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
“They’re very efficient at what they do. They are a full-service firm that provides us with high-quality counsel.”
“I like that they are unbelievably responsive; they are wonderfully on top of things and attentive to their clients.”
Work highlights
Acted for Northern Pass Transmission with regards to its proposed construction of a 187-mile electricity line.
Appeared before the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee on behalf of Antrim Wind Energy, a renewable energy group, in order to secure the relevant approvals to construct a new wind farm.
Notable practitioners
The “accessible and responsive” Barry Needleman “is great to work with and has a broad range of experience, such that he can provide strategic counsel, advice and support,” clients say. His broad practice covers environment, land use and energy matters.
Gregory Smith is “exemplary in all respects.” Observers comment: “He is both very thoughtful and one who tries to strike a reasonable balance that protects clients’ interests while at the same time trying to reach a resolution.” He is highly skilled in both contentious and noncontentious environment matters.
Michael Quinn draws significant praise for “the technical expertise that he brings” to matters. He regularly acts for high-profile clients both in New Hampshire and nationally on environmental matters.
The “very bright” Mark Rouvalis is “used regularly and without hesitation” by pleased clients, who remark on his collected demeanor and depth of expertise. He possesses a wealth of knowledge across a range of environmental matters and regularly works on related litigation and mediation cases.
Significant clients
Eversource Energy, Monadnock Paper Mills, Verizon Wireless, Dartmouth College, Hitchiner Manufacturing.