Pierce Atwood Receives Firmwide Rankings by 2018 Chambers and Partners

Chambers and Partners, a prominent publisher of law firm rankings, continues to award its highest rankings to Pierce Atwood LLP and its attorneys in Chambers USA 2018.  

Pierce Atwood continues to be the only firm in Maine to receive number one rankings in all six practice areas evaluated in the state and the only Maine-based law firm with lawyers ranked in Chambers’ Global Guide: Randy Rich for Energy & Natural Resources, and Robert Stier for his IP work in Sweden.   

Pierce Atwood is also the only Maine firm included in Band 1 for environmental law, and new in 2018, the only Maine firm in Band 1 for Litigation: General Commercial. According to Chambers, Band 1, the highest ranking available, indicates that the firm has the “technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.”

New in 2018, Portland, Maine-based attorneys Gavin McCarthy and Katie Minervino were recognized as “up and coming” attorneys in “General Commercial Litigation” and “Labor & Employment: Immigration” respectively. In addition, Providence-based attorney Katharine Kohm has been named a “recognized practitioner” in the category Litigation: General Commercial. In addition to these new individual rankings, the firm’s Environmental Practice in Boston is now a “recognized practice,” a ranking that indicates an active practice, and which typically precedes a Chambers ranking.

These new and improving recognitions point to our continued growth and strong regional presence throughout the Northeast.

Here is what Chambers USA 2018– and firm clients and contacts – had to say about some of our highest ranked practice areas:

Corporate/M&A – Maine (Band 1): An “Outstanding group, highly regarded for its advice and representation on a range of issues, including debtor and creditor rights, alongside corporate formation and governance concerns. Specialties include complex M&A transactions, venture capital financings and public offerings, as well as bankruptcy and tax matters.” Chambers sources state, “Pierce Atwood is an excellent firm to work with, as they have resources available in-house to accommodate the needs of a business across the board.” Other sources praises the firm’s client focus and ability to manage expectations, adding “the work product has been outstanding.”

Energy & Natural Resources – Maine (Band 1): “A distinguished group providing counsel on a wide variety of energy matters, notably regulatory and compliance advice, energy infrastructure development and domestic and cross-border transactional work. Acts for a diverse roster of clients including utilities, buyers and sellers of energy, renewable energy companies and financial institutions.” Chambers sources say, "Whenever I have an issue, they’re my first go-to call.” “I am very impressed with them and their capabilities. I’d recommend them to anyone and, in fact, I have.”

Environment – Maine (Band 1): The group is known as the “market-leading practice with excellent skills in a broad range of environmental law work, offering strength in areas such as renewable energy projects, licensing issues, and regulatory matters, including administrative and judicial appeals. Enjoys a fine track record for its work on land use issues and toxic tort matters.”  Chambers sources say, "Their client focus and attention is superb, and the work product has been outstanding.”

Labor & Employment – Maine (Band 1): Called an “outstanding practice with expertise across the spectrum of labor and employment matters. Highly adept in traditional labor issues, including unfair labor practice claims and collective bargaining. Also regularly in demand for its expertise in employee benefits with expertise in matters including ERISA, HIPAA and health and welfare plans, as well as possessing particular strength in immigration. Sought for guidance on producing handbooks and policies, and called in to advise on internal investigations. Represents a fine choice of firm for clients in the education, healthcare, manufacturing and technology sectors.” Chambers sources state, "I would definitely recommend the firm. They're very well connected in Maine and know all of the players and judges, as well as the nuances of Maine law." “They have a really good group of solid lawyers who provide great service to their clients."

Litigation: General Commercial – Maine (Band 1): The team is called “A market-leading commercial litigation group, acting for an enviable roster of clients across a diverse range of sectors, including health care, energy, manufacturing, retail, and financial services. Recognized for its strengths in IP litigation, including trademark and copyright infringement matters. The group is also noted for its “expert handling” of antitrust and energy litigation.” Possesses additional experience in class action cases and appellate proceedings and is regularly sought for professional liability defense by lawyers and law firms.” Chambers sources state, "The firm left a very good impression. They have an extremely high level of service and competency. “They have a strong knowledge of class action procedure and related jurisprudence that informs excellent strategic decision-making.”

Real Estate – Maine (Band 1): The team “maintains an excellent reputation in the real estate market, with substantial strength across acquisition, leasing, financing, and development work. Also routinely sought after for its counsel on land use and title matters. Offers strengths across a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare and energy.” “Chambers sources state, "They’ve got an incredible culture, and that spills over into the way they represent clients and handle matters.” “They’re responsive and very conscientious about keeping the end result in mind."

Litigation: General Commercial – Rhode Island (Band 2): Called “An excellent litigation group acting for both plaintiff and defendant clients. Cases cover a range of areas, including product liability, ERISA, UCC litigation and IP. Noted for its capabilities in class action matters. Maintains an excellent reputation for its expertise in construction-related litigation. Chambers sources state, "The team is practically unstoppable; their combination of construction, engineering, and litigation expertise is phenomenal.”

Corporate/Commercial – New Hampshire (Band 3): Recognized as “A well-regarded firm that acts for both large-scale organizations and private individuals on a broad range of corporate law mandates, including M&A and securities. Offers expertise in angel and venture capital investments and securities transactions for both investors and startups. Chambers sources state, “Their particular strengths are that they are efficient and business-focused. They were smart, agile, and always prepared to go full tilt into negotiations.”

Chambers USA 2018 recognized the following individual Pierce Atwood attorneys:

Maine:

• Anthony Derosby: Labor & Employment: Immigration
• Brian Rayback: Environment
• Charles Einsiedler, Jr.: Labor & Employment
• Charles Graceffa: Corporate/M&A
• Christopher Howard: Corporate/M&A
• David Barry: Eminent Practitioner
• David Champoux: Corporate/M&A
• Dennis Keeler: Real Estate
• Dixon Pike: Environment
• Eben Adams: Real Estate
• Gavin McCarthy: “Up and Coming” in Litigation: General Commercial – NEW in 2018
• Katie Minervino: “Up and Coming” in Labor and Employment: Immigration – NEW in 2018
• Jacob Manheimer: Corporate M&A: Bankruptcy
• James Erwin: Labor & Employment
• Jared des Rosiers: Energy & Natural Resources
• John Aromando: Litigation: General Commercial
• John Gulliver: Energy & Natural Resources
• Judith Woodbury: Real Estate
• Katharine Rand: Labor & Employment
• Kenneth Gray: Environment
• Margaret LePage: Labor & Employment
• Matthew Manahan: Environment
• Robert Stier: Litigation: General Commercial
• Sarah Tracy: Energy & Natural Resources
• Thomas Doyle: Environment
• William Taylor: Environment

Massachusetts:

• Donald Frederico: Litigation: General Commercial
• Michelle O’Brien: Environment
• Timothy Maguire: Corporate/M&A

Washington, DC:

• Randall Rich: Nationwide Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)

New Hampshire:

• Mark Beliveau: Environment
• Scott Pueschel: Corporate/Commercial

Rhode Island:

• Christopher Little: Litigation: General Commercial
• Christopher Whitney: Litigation: General Commercial
• John Bulman: Litigation: General Commercial
• Katharine Kohm: “Recognized Practitioner” in Litigation: General Commercial – NEW in 2018
• Mark Pogue: Labor & Employment; Litigation: General Commercial

Chambers and Partners has been ranking law firms and lawyers since 1990, and now covers 185 jurisdictions throughout the world. Lawyers and law firms are ranked on a variety of factors and considerations, all of which are investigated by more than 170 researchers that work full-time in their London headquarters. Individual lawyers are ranked (in their practice area(s)) on the basis of their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness, and their client service.