McLane Middleton Earns High Rankings from Chambers USA

The law firm of McLane Middleton, Professional Association is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized with five firm rankings and 20 distinct individual attorney rankings in 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, Litigation: General Commercial, and Real Estate.  The firm was ranked second tier in Labor & Employment.

The list of outstanding McLane Middleton attorneys who were recognized individually in Chambers USA include: 

 

Now in its 17th 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, including M&A, executive compensation and business formation. Offers notable capabilities in securities law work, frequently advising on public and private offerings, regulatory compliance and litigation matters. Wider areas of strength include corporate investigations, bankruptcy and restructuring work.

Strengths

A client says: “The team is knowledgeable, experienced and cohesive. We’ve used them across a wide variety of fronts and their leadership has been very helpful.”

Other commentators describe the team as “highly responsive, efficient and friendly” and “cost-efficient and professional.”

Work highlights

Advised Fenix Outdoor AB, a Swedish outdoor equipment and apparel manufacturer, in its acquisition of Royal Robbins, a California-based outdoor apparel company.

Notable practitioners

Corporate department chair Daniel Norris counsels clients on corporate transactions and M&A. According to a source: “Dan is a workhorse and he’s very practical in his problem-solving ability.” Another comments: “He is a very collegial deal lawyer.”

Michael Tule advises corporate clients on matters such as M&A, governance and securities. Clients appreciate the practical approach he brings to deal making, drawing from experience as in-house counsel for publicly traded companies. An interviewee describes Tule as a “good, knowledgeable, competent practitioner.”

Patrick Closson vice-chairs the firm’s corporate department and enjoys a fine reputation for his transactional practice. Closson’s experience encompasses entity formation, contract negotiations and private security offerings, among other issues. A source says: “He knows what he’s doing, he’s detail-oriented and he knows when to back off to get the deal done.”

Richard Samuels is renowned in the field for his corporate governance, transactional and securities regulation practice. According to enthusiastic commentators, Samuels is “probably one of the most respected business lawyers in the state,” “an extremely experienced and practical lawyer,” “very knowledgeable, fair and reasonable to deal with,” and a “standout lawyer” with a “really good demeanor and skill set.”

Steven Burke has a diverse and highly respected practice across the corporate, tax and trust and estates spaces. Interviewees describe him as a “very good transactional lawyer” with “excellent tax expertise.” According to a client, Burke is “technically strong both as a tax and business issues attorney.”

 

Litigation: General Commercial

Chambers’ USA Assessment:

What the team is known for. 

Remains a leader in commercial litigation in New Hampshire, calling upon a strong roster of leading trial lawyers to handle complex disputes work. Offers litigation services in a wide range of areas, such as intellectual property, insurance coverage and personal injury. Represents clients across a variety of industry sectors, including education, energy and consumer product manufacturing.

Strengths

“What I value is that they’re a full-service law firm that can handle almost all needs, as well as being well-seasoned professionals,” confirms a client.

Sources report: “They have expert knowledge, and are highly responsive, efficient and collaborative.”

Work highlights 

Represented SIG Sauer in its action against Cybergun, alleging trademark violations and the termination of a licensing agreement.

Notable practitioners  

Bruce Felmly is well respected for his “tremendous breadth of experience in a variety of litigation.” He is an expert trial lawyer whose broad civil disputes caseload includes product liability, personal injury and breach of contract claims. “He knows the jurisdiction, courts and the law better than anyone,” observe clients.

Jack Middleton is “a dean of the litigation bar, with gravitas and significant experience,” says one peer. Another describes him as “a senior statesperson and one of the great gentlemen of the New Hampshire Bar.”

Jeremy Walker is held in high regard by interviewees, one of whom describes him as “very good, very thorough and very prepared.” He demonstrates particular strength in IP and real estate disputes, while offering broader commercial litigation capabilities across a range of industries.

Michael Delaney is an experienced litigator with notable strength in white-collar criminal defense, including advising on external and internal investigations. He is also recognized for his broader corporate disputes practice. Sources describe him as a “very, very thoughtful, serious and accomplished lawyer.”

Highly respected litigator Wilbur Glahn has an established corporate disputes practice that includes trade secret, shareholder and tax suits. One peer commends his “depth of litigation experience, including appellate work,” while another states: “He’s a tremendous commercial litigator.”

 

Labor and Employment

Chambers’ USA Assessment:

What the team is known for. 

Highly regarded for its expertise in areas such as discrimination and harassment, retaliation, wage and hour issues and wrongful termination. Also calls upon wider skills in internal investigations, data privacy and data security. Its clients include a number of high-profile employers in industries including education, technology, healthcare and manufacturing.

Strengths

According to a client: “It’s an excellent firm with great staff. They work well together and communicate with us and with each other to support us.”

Another client remarks: “I am very happy with everyone there. They’re very responsive and know the subject matter.”

Interviewees highlight “their ability to accomplish significant tasks quickly and highly professionally.”

Work highlights 

Represented defendants against a class action in which plaintiffs allege that delivery drivers were misclassified as independent contractors, and as such, seek compensation for overtime wages and business expenses.

Notable practitioners  

Charla Stevens is an experienced employment litigator whose practice also extends to advising on workplace investigations and labor matters. She is particularly recognized for her representation of healthcare and educational institutions. Clients note that “she is incredibly easy to talk to and explains things in an understandable format, as well as being extremely knowledgeable and in touch with all current legal trends.”

Jennifer Parent is well versed in litigating an impressive breadth of labor and employment disputes, including single plaintiff, class and collective actions asserting wage and hour, discrimination and retaliation claims. “She has an extensive knowledge of human resources and everything associated with employment matters,” confirm clients.

John Rich comes highly recommended for his benefits and compensation practice, including significant expertise in ERISA, ESOP and tax-exempt pension plan issues. A source relates: “He’s very knowledgeable and he also does an excellent job explaining a complex regulatory scheme in terms that are readily understood.”

Linda Johnson specializes in employment law as it relates to the education sector, fielding broad experience in litigation and alternative dispute resolution proceedings. “I cannot say enough positive things about the work she does for us,” confirms one source, explaining that “she explains the law and risks clearly.”

 

Real Estate

Chambers’ USA Assessment:

What the team is known for. 

Esteemed practice with a distinguished reputation for its high-quality real estate work. Particular expertise in complex financing matters and related tax issues, with wider strength in ancillary areas such as insurance, conservation and environmental law. Experienced in representing clients in the banking, technology, and telecommunications sectors, among others.

Work highlights

Represented Hitchiner Manufacturing Company with the $18 million disposal of its Littleton, New Hampshire plant and land to a developer.

Notable practitioners  

Peter Rotch is a hugely experienced real estate finance attorney who continues to provide clients with the benefits of his immense expertise in connection with mortgage lending, workouts and foreclosures. Sources name him “a great, great lawyer.”

Head of department Rolf Goodwin is a “very well-respected, experienced lawyer” who focuses his practice on transactional matters such as financing, acquisitions and title.

 

Environment

Chambers’ USA Assessment:

What the team is known for. 

Market-leading environment team that acts on behalf of clients across numerous commercial and industrial sectors. Areas of expertise include Superfund matters, environmental permitting and enforcement and insurance coverage litigation, alongside notable strengths representing clients before local, state and federal governmental agencies. Prominent New Hampshire presence, but active on work across the wider region.

Strengths

Market-leading environment team that acts on behalf of clients across numerous commercial and industrial sectors. Areas of expertise include Superfund matters, environmental permitting and enforcement and insurance coverage litigation, alongside notable strengths representing clients before local, state and federal governmental agencies. Prominent New Hampshire presence, but active on work across the wider region.

Work highlights 

Advised Northern Pass Transmission in obtaining a permit for its proposed development of an electric transmission line from the Canadian border to Southern New Hampshire.

Notable practitioners  

Barry Needleman is highly rated as “an extremely well-rounded environmental lawyer with a wealth of knowledge.” He regularly represents energy companies before the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee and Supreme Court to obtain approval for oil and gas, electric transmission and renewable energy projects.

Gregory Smith is “a great person to work with,” says a peer, who adds: “The institutional knowledge that he brings to bear on environmental matters is really quite superb.” He regularly acts for New Hampshire businesses in defense of allegations of environmental contamination.

Mark Rouvalis is a litigator with a significant focus on environmental disputes. Clients note that “our experience dealing with Mark has been excellent – he has established himself as an integral part of the team and often goes above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the best possible outcome for us.”