In the 2018 edition of The Legal 500 UK, WilmerHale is named a top-tier firm for international arbitration, fraud: white-collar crime, and is recommended in four other practice areas. The guide names five partners to its "Leading Lawyers" list, one to its “Next Generation Lawyers” list, and recognizes 13 of the firm's London-based lawyers overall.
In addition to the top-tier rankings, WilmerHale was recognized for:
- Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime;
- Corporate and Commercial: Financial Services, Contentious;
- Public International Law; and
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) –Intellectual Property.
Partners Gary Born, Steven Finizio, Stephen Pollard, Franz Schwarz and Justin Watts were named elite "Leading Lawyers" in their practices spanning six Legal 500 categories. Mr. Pollard was listed in Fraud: White Collar Crime, Corporate and Commercial: Financial Services, Contentious, Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime; Mr. Born in International Arbitration and Public International Law; Mr. Finizio and Mr. Schwarz in International Arbitration; and Mr. Watts in TMT – Intellectual Property. Charlie Caher was again named a “Next Generation Lawyer” in International Arbitration.
The below commentary from The Legal 500 UK highlights the WilmerHale lawyers recognized in the 2018 edition.
International Arbitration
“WilmerHale's 'top-notch practice has a deep bench with vast experience in international arbitration and extraordinary strategic and critical thinking skills'. The 'legendary' Gary Born has served as counsel in over 650 arbitrations, including several of the largest arbitrations in ICC and ad hoc history; Duncan Speller is 'a rising star in the international arbitration world and an excellent choice to lead or second-chair before a UK-centric tribunal'; Steven Finizio has particular experience with energy, shareholder, telecoms, financial services, joint venture and M&A issues; and Franz Schwarz has extensive experience with arbitral practice, procedure and advocacy both in civil and common law systems. Other names to note include Charlie Caher and recently promoted counsel Daniel Costelloe.”
Public International Law
“WilmerHale's public international law (PIL) team is particularly known for its advice on matters involving territorial boundaries and sovereignty over territory, including significant state-to-state matters, intra-state disputes; and high-value, complex, investor-state cases. Other areas of strength include PIL issues arising in national courts, involving transnational litigation and transnational enforcement issues; legal proceedings relating to rights of freedom of speech and belief; advising states and companies on treaty accession, maritime delimitation and human rights; and sovereign immunity. Gary Born and Steven Finizio are highly rated individuals.”
Fraud: White Collar Crime
“‘Well-established as leaders in the field’, WilmerHale is consistently involved in acting for defendants in the most high-profile SFO investigations. Practice head Stephen Pollard provides ‘innovative thinking and global expertise’ and is ‘always inventive and demanding: a force to be reckoned with’. Counsel Alison Geary and Christopher David are recommended. David Rundle was promoted to counsel.”
Corporate and Commercial: Financial Services, Contentious
“Led by the 'experienced' Stephen Pollard, WilmerHale provides 'very knowledgeable, pragmatic and hands-on' advice to senior executives facing regulatory scrutiny. Counsel David Rundle is also recommended.”
Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime
“WilmerHale advises corporates and individuals involved in significant SFO and FCA investigations on the full gamut of financial services-related criminal matters. The firm works across a global network of offices to attract high-profile clients which include HSBC, Rolls Royce and Standard Chartered. Stephen Pollard heads the team, supported by counsel Christopher David and David Rundle who was promoted to counsel.”
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) – Intellectual property
“Highlighted for its intellectual property litigation expertise, WilmerHale handles disputes relating to the full scope of rights, particularly for clients in the technology and life sciences sectors. The team was bolstered with the arrival of Justin Watts from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, who has significant biotech experience, and Matthew Shade. Other key names to note include Anthony Trenton.”
The Legal 500 recommends law firms and individuals based purely on merit. Researchers surveyed and interviewed more than 250,000 corporate counsel and clients over the course of 12 months. The list of WilmerHale's rankings, including commentary, can be viewed on The Legal 500 website.