In the 2022 edition of The Legal 500 UK, WilmerHale is named a top-tier firm for international arbitration and is recommended in five other practice areas. The guide names five partners to its "Leading Lawyers" and “Hall of Fame” lists, one to its “Next Generation Partners” list, two counsel to its “Rising Stars” list and recognizes 15 of the firm's London-based lawyers overall.
In addition to the top-tier ranking, WilmerHale was recognized for:
- Fraud: White Collar Crime;
- 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 as elite lawyers in their practices spanning six Legal 500 categories. Mr. Pollard was listed in Fraud: White Collar Crime; Corporate and Commercial: Financial Services, Contentious; and Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime. Mr. Born was listed 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 named a “Next Generation Partner” in International Arbitration, David Rundle was named a “Rising Star” in Financial Services: Contentious, and Alison Geary was named a “Rising Star” in Fraud: White Collar Crime.
The below commentary from The Legal 500 UK highlights the WilmerHale lawyers recognized in the 2022 edition.
International Arbitration
Globally recognised for its prowess in major international disputes, WilmerHale's sizeable international arbitration group is devoted exclusively to international arbitration, handles all its own advocacy, and has an enviable track record in complex and high-value disputes. International arbitration practice chair Gary Born's experience includes serving as counsel in over 675 arbitrations, including several of the largest arbitrations in ICC and ad hoc history; Franz Schwarz is global vice-chair of the firm’s practice, alongside Rachael Kent in Washington DC. Other highly rated partners are Steven Finizio, who has particular experience in energy, shareholder, telecoms, financial services, joint venture and M&A issues; and Charlie Caher, who represents clients in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations in all major arbitral centres.
Public International Law
WilmerHale's PIL team is active in cases involving territorial boundaries, including state-to-state matters and investor-state disputes. In addition, its team has expertise in PIL issues arising in national courts, which involve transnational litigation and enforcement issues, as well as sovereign-related matters and legal proceedings over rights of freedom of speech and belief. International arbitration practice chair Gary Born has longstanding experience acting as lead counsel in PIL matters. Steven Finizio, who has experience of serving as an arbitrator, is also a name to note.
Fraud: White Collar Crime
WilmerHale has carved out a strong reputation based on its work on high-profile SFO investigations involving allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption. The practice sets itself apart through its ability to defend both senior individuals as well as corporate clients, often in complex cross-border matters; department leader Stephen Pollard garners praise from the market for his work on both sides. Counsel Alison Geary is also a key figure in the department.
Corporate and Commercial: Financial Services, Contentious
WilmerHale's 'tactically astute' team is most noted for securities litigation, and specialising in FCA-related enforcement actions, as well as experience representing senior executives facing regulatory exposure. The group is able to work in tandem with the firm's US offering, enabling it to act in transatlantic regulatory investigations. The team is led by Stephen Pollard and includes counsel David Rundle, whom clients note is 'extremely effective, smart and client focussed'.
Regulatory Investigations and Corporate Crime
Drawing on the firm’s global resources, WilmerHale’s team acts for multinational companies in multi-jurisdictional internal investigations. The team is also experienced in investigations conducted by UK, US and European authorities, with a particular focus on SFO-facing mandates. Stephen Pollard sits at the helm of the practice.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms)—Intellectual Property
Cited for the strong collaboration between its UK and US offices, WilmerHale’s patent litigation practice is a go-to name for impressive, household-name technology giants. The London partnership consists of Trevor Cook, Matthew Shade, Anthony Trenton and 'heavyweight' Justin Watts, who are all engaged in high-profile, multibillion-dollar FRAND litigation. In the life sciences sector, the team is coordinating pan-European litigation for Bristol-Myers Squibb relating to a blockbuster drug. Also ongoing are parallel infringement proceedings relating to patented medical devices.
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.