In the 2017 edition of The Legal 500 UK, WilmerHale is named a top-tier firm for dispute resolution - international arbitration and crime, fraud and licensing - fraud: white-collar crime, and is recommended in four other practice areas. The guide also names five partners to its "Leading lawyers" list, and recognizes a total of 11 of the firm's London-based lawyers.
In addition to the top-tier rankings, WilmerHale was recognized for:
- corporate and commercial - financial services (contentious);
- crime, fraud and licensing - corporate crime;
- dispute resolution - 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 respective categories. Mr. Pollard was listed in corporate and commercial – financial services (contentious) and crime, fraud and licensing – fraud: white-collar crime; Mr. Born, Mr. Finizio and Mr. Schwarz in dispute resolution – international arbitration; and Mr. Watts in TMT – intellectual property. Charlie Caher was also named a “Next generation lawyer” in dispute resolution – international arbitration.
The below commentary from The Legal 500 UK highlights the WilmerHale lawyers recognized in the 2017 edition.
Corporate and commercial - Financial services (contentious)
“WilmerHale has a 'fantastic reputation' representing individuals who are the subject of regulatory investigations. The 'commercial and tactical' Stephen Pollard is an 'excellent advocate' and leads the team that also includes 'clever and confident' [former] counsel Elly Proudlock, who is noted for her 'excellence on the details'. Senior associate David Rundle also has a burgeoning practice and has an excellent perspective of the regulator, having previously spent time within the FCA's enforcement division.”
Crime, fraud and licensing - Fraud: corporate crime
“WilmerHale's 'outstanding' team is praised for its 'excellent coordination and understanding of complex business markets'; it 'develops a very good sense of the client's business risk, providing deep and effective advice on internal processes and risk mitigation'. Practice head Stephen Pollard is 'very diligent', and 'is able to take a pragmatic approach and engage well with senior management'.”
Crime, fraud and licensing - Fraud: white-collar crime
“WilmerHale has recently been at the forefront of several major financial crime cases investigated by the SFO, and continues to represent a mix of corporates and individuals across the full gamut of financial services-related criminal matters. Stephen Pollard, 'a leading white-collar crime practitioner' who is 'tactical, commercial and has a way of setting his sights on a clients' goal and doing his utmost to achieve it'. Elly Proudlock and Christopher David are recommended.”
Dispute resolution - International arbitration
“WilmerHale 'provides an absolutely great service, including an unparalleled level of business acumen'. Recommended practitioners are Gary Born, who is 'at the absolute top of the international arbitration universe'; Franz Schwarz, who secured a significant victory for a major consumer goods company in a dispute involving a failed strategic alliance; and Steven Finizio, who is noted for energy, shareholder, telecoms, financial services, joint venture and M&A issues. Duncan Speller is also highly rated, and Charlie Caher, who is 'incredibly intelligent', was promoted to the partnership.”
Dispute resolution - Public international law
“WilmerHale is frequently involved in significant state-to-state disputes; intra-state arbitrations; international human rights proceedings; and investment arbitrations. Other areas include territorial boundaries and territory sovereignty; PIL issues arising in national courts involving transnational litigation and transnational enforcement matters; and sovereign immunity. Gary Born and Steven Finizio are recommended.”
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) – Intellectual property
“WilmerHale's practice was bolstered by the arrivals of highly regarded patent litigator Justin Watts and associate Matthew Shade, who joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP IP litigator Anthony Trenton has particular expertise in patent litigation.”
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.