Pierce Atwood Receives High Rankings, Across All Offices, by 2015 Chambers and Partners

Chambers and Partners, a prominent London-based publisher of law firm rankings, continues to award its highest rankings to Pierce Atwood LLP and its attorneys in their 2015 guide, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

Pierce Atwood is the only firm in Maine to receive number one rankings in all six practice areas evaluated in the state by Chambers and Partners, and the only law firm in Maine with an international presence and ranking in Chambers’ Global Guide.

Chambers recognized attorneys across five Pierce Atwood offices, including attorneys in the areas of litigation, environmental law, and bankruptcy/restructuring law in the Boston office; litigation in the New Hampshire and Rhode Island offices; and national recognition for regulatory and litigation work in the field of Energy: Oil and Gas in the Washington, D.C. office.

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

Litigation: General Commercial – Rhode Island: The firm “Maintains a particularly strong profile for its representation of insurance companies.” A recent firm highlight includes representing two large insurers in multiple cases regarding rescinding annuity contracts providing for payment to investors upon the death of individuals who are terminally ill.  Chambers sources praise the group for its courtroom skills, and one particular partner as “an excellent and highly skilled lawyer, arbitrator, and mediator."

Corporate/Commercial – New Hampshire: The team is known for its diverse client base, representing borrowers and lenders on a wide range of deals. Firm attorneys handle various transactions, including M&A and tax-exempt financings. Chambers sources say, “They are an extremely well-run firm. Cost-effective with first- rate client service. The firm delivers big firm service at regional rates. They are a particular favorite."

Corporate/M&A – Maine: The team is known for its “Esteemed practice with strength in entity structuring, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance matters. Specialized knowledge of corporate tax credits, and skilled in complex M&A transactions and bankruptcy proceedings.” Chambers sources say: "They are an excellent practice group. Clearly as good as anyone in Maine." They have a broad range of experience and expertise."

Energy & Natural Resources – Maine: Called an “Impressive practice with international capabilities and proficiency in energy companies, utilities, and other energy industry stakeholders,” this group is “active in the representation of energy suppliers on compliance, market-specific M&A transactions, equity-raising, and taxation and litigation, including disputes involving spent nuclear fuel. A recent firm highlight includes providing counsel to the Electricity and Cogeneration Regulatory Authority of Saudi Arabia on regulatory compliance matters surrounding plans to introduce 54 GW of renewable energy and 18 GW of atomic energy to Saudi Arabia by 2032. Chambers sources praise the group as a "First-rate energy shop. The people there are first-rate attorneys who know their trade. They are persuasive and give good advice to clients. The counsel are very hands-on, extremely broad in their capabilities, and very detail-oriented."

Environment – Maine: The group is known as “An outstanding practice group, with a deep bench of skilled attorneys that offer notable strength in air, water, and waste permitting matters.” Other areas of strength include “toxic torts and brownfield site remediation.” A recent firm highlight includes assisting Casella Waste Systems in amending the license for its solid waste landfill site, and providing counsel to Irving Woodlands in relation to the implementation of a conservation easement. Chambers sources recognized group members as “"terrific" and "very skilled and talented,” and “excellent in environmental compliance and transactional work."

Labor & Employment – Maine: The team is known for offering “Significant experience providing education and healthcare organizations with general employee relations counsel and representing corporate employers in litigation proceedings.” The group has “Substantial expertise in employee benefits and strength in traditional labor matters, including arbitration hearings in front of regulatory bodies.” A recent firm highlight includes providing counsel to IDEXX Laboratories on immigration matters, and acting on behalf of MaineGeneral Medical Center in relation to an employment litigation proceeding. Chambers sources state that the group has “A real depth and breadth of experience. It is a wonderful practice with a lot of great attorneys."

Litigation: General Commercial – Maine: Pierce Atwood’s team is known for its “Outstanding commercial litigation practice with a deep bench of seasoned attorneys that offers significant experience in ERISA class action defense, product liability, and IP matters.” They offer “Notable strength defending banks against lender liability class actions and fraud claims.”  A recent firm highlight includes representing Yankee Atomic Electricity in its litigation against the Department of Energy regarding a contractual obligation to remove spent nuclear fuel from the facility. Sources say: "They have excellent litigators and trial lawyers. The practice has depth and an outstanding intellectual capacity."

Real Estate – Maine: The team is known as a “Highly rated practice group with extensive experience representing energy suppliers on transactional matters including leasing and land acquisitions.”  The group is “highlighted for expertise in foreclosures and loan restructurings, and also offering ability in land use and title insurance matters.”  Recent highlights include assisting Hannaford Bros in negotiating the lease for a new outlet in New York State, and advising Dead River Company on a series of disposals including a mixed-use property and a retail outlet. Sources say, ""They were fantastic. The real estate practice is excellent. There is nothing that I would want them to improve on."

The Chambers Guides have been ranking the best law firms and lawyers since 1990, and now cover 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 150 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.