Twenty-one Jackson Walker partners were selected for inclusion in the 2016 edition of the prestigious Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide.
One additional partner was named an “Eminent Practitioner” and two partners were named as “Recognized Practitioners.” The firm itself was ranked for its Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Construction, Corporate/M&A, Energy: State Regulatory and Litigation (Electricity), Environment, Healthcare, Labor & Employment, Litigation: General Commercial, and Real Estate practice groups in Texas.
The Chambers guide identifies leading lawyers and law firms through interviews with thousands of lawyers across the U.S. and their clients. The criteria for selection in the guide include recommendations by clients, the attorney’s visibility in his or her area of law, and the volume, complexity and size of work undertaken.
Jackson Walker’s Texas-ranked practice groups received the following commentary from Chambers and from interviewed clients:
Bankruptcy/Restructuring
Chambers says: “Represents a diverse client base across sectors including energy, real estate and healthcare. Frequently engaged on reorganizations, Chapter 11 cases and bankruptcy litigation.”
Sources say: “The team is exceptional, and its fees are reasonable for the level of work and efforts involved.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Construction
Chambers says: “Fields a strong group of litigators with broad experience in handling construction disputes. Also noted for its significant transactional practice, advising on matters involving a range of projects. Increasingly active in healthcare and industrial development work.”
Sources say: “The team works well together and delivers immensely effective work.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Corporate/M&A
Chambers says: “Diverse practice with [experience] in a range of industries including telecommunications, energy, healthcare and technology. Has significant experience in complex M&A including private equity matters.”
Sources say: “The team work very well together; they always produce timely results and leverage their strengths to serve the client well.”
“The firm is very strong on client service and value for the money.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Energy: State Regulatory and Litigation (Electricity)
Chambers says: “Strong reputation for its experience across the full range of regulatory and litigation matters involving the electricity market. Frequently appears in complex PUCT and ERCOT proceedings, as well as advising on regulatory concerns involving transactions. Also noted for its oil and gas industry [knowledge].”
Sources say: “Its client service is one of its strengths – the attorneys I’ve worked with are very responsive to our needs.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Environment
Chambers says: “Strong team fielding [experience] across a range of litigation and regulatory matters involving areas such as Superfunds, water permitting and air issues. Maintains a notable focus on environmental concerns arising from renewable energy projects.”
Sources say: “They are all very responsive and willing to accommodate people, and are great at following up.”
“They are great negotiators and client advocates — they take complex or adversarial situations and make everyone feel that they got something positive out of it.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Healthcare
Chambers says: “Advises clients on a broad range of transactional and regulatory healthcare issues including joint ventures, M&A, corporate governance and the formation of health networks. Clients include clinical laboratories, hospitals and health systems.”
Sources say: “They have a very experienced team of partners, associates, and support staff that have the ability to handle detailed, complex projects in a timely and cost effective manner.”
“They have great insight and connections with the state.”
“They are extraordinarily responsive.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Labor & Employment
Chambers says: “Respected provision of a broad range of labor and employment advice, with a large team handling matters such as labor relations, employee benefits matters and the employment implications of M&A. Also noted for its strength in employment litigation.”
Sources say: “I really appreciate their efficiency; you can go to someone who can answer your questions succinctly. They are very pragmatic and they are solutions-oriented.”
“Its client service, value, billing and transparency are all exemplary.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Litigation: General Commercial
Chambers says: “Longstanding [experience] in the Texas litigation market with particularly notable ability in handling complex disputes at trial. Industry focuses include aviation, media and energy.”
Sources say: “An extremely good firm that has a number of really good courtroom lawyers.”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Real Estate (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “Advises an array of clients, including investors, owners and developers, in connection with a range of sophisticated real estate transactions, including acquisitions, leasings and capital markets matters. Also houses significant capabilities in land use and zoning.”
Sources say: “We have invested a lot of money in this team’s ability to navigate through very challenging deal parameters and I would not hesitate to do so again.”
“The team’s strengths are their knowledge, availability and wide scope and range of [experience].”
[From Chambers USA 2016]
Congratulations to the following Chambers-ranked lawyers:
Chip Babcock
Ranked for First Amendment Litigation (Nationwide — Band 1)
Ranked for Litigation: Trial Lawyers (Nationwide)
Ranked for Litigation: General Commercial (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “Charles Babcock is a highly experienced and esteemed litigator with a reputation as “the premier First Amendment lawyer in Texas” and as someone who “is dedicated to his clients and works all-out on their behalf.” He is widely regarded as a superb trial lawyer and offers clients substantial experience in handling a very wide range of complex business disputes.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Brad Brown
Ranked for Transportation: Aviation: Litigation (Nationwide)
Chambers says: “Brad Brown of Jackson Walker LLP has experience representing aviation clients in personal injury, wrongful death and product liability claims. He is also noted for his strength in business tort, premises liability and deceptive trade practice matters.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Pat Cowlishaw
Ranked for Energy: State Regulatory and Litigation (Electricity) (Texas)
Chambers says: “Patrick Cowlishaw is ‘very good at keeping abreast of regulatory issues,’ according to impressed interviewees. He regularly appears before the PUCT in contested matters, which include precedent-setting proceedings in the telecommunications and electricity market.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Richard Dahlson
Ranked for Corporate/M&A (Texas)
Chambers says: “Richard Dahlson offers deep experience in M&A and has strong capabilities handling cross-border transactions. Clients say: ‘He is great at deal structure, negotiations and relationships.’” [From Chambers USA 2016]
William Dahlstrom
Ranked for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “William Dahlstrom is well thought of in the market for his [knowledge] in land use and zoning matters. He is experienced at guiding high profile mixed-use developments through zoning and other land use applications.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Leonard Dougal
Ranked for Environment (Texas)
Chambers says: “Leonard Dougal is noted for his [experience] across a range of water supply and quality matters. He remains a popular choice among clients who state: ‘He is really easy to work with and just zeroes in on the major issues.’” [From Chambers USA 2016]
David Folsom
“Recognized Practitioner” for Intellectual Property (Texas)
John Jansonius
Ranked for Labor & Employment (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “John Jansonius continues to be held in the highest regard by observers of the Texas labor and employment market. Clients note that he ‘approaches problems from a business as well as legal perspective,’ while his fellow attorneys describe him as a ‘dean’ of the Bar.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Steve Jenkins
Ranked for Real Estate (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “Steve Jenkins maintains ‘an excellent reputation’ in the market. His [focus] is centered [on] joint venture formations and equity investment, while he is also experienced in providing land use advice for real estate projects.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Mark Josephs
Ranked for Litigation: Securities (Texas)
Chambers says: “Mark Josephs maintains his reputation as a skilled securities litigator with additional [experience] in handling cases at trial. Sources attest that ‘if you’ve got to go to court, judges and juries love him.’” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Kathleen LaValle
“Eminent Practitioner” in Energy: State Regulatory and Litigation (Electricity) (Texas)
Chambers says: “Kathleen LaValle is held in high regard for her extensive experience in litigating on behalf of electricity companies and providing strategic counseling on regulatory matters. Clients describe her as an ‘excellent lawyer’ who is ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ in the electric market.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Susan Mead
Ranked for Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “Susan Mead ‘is the person everyone mentions for zoning,’ observe sources. She has a strong track record securing land use and planning permits for contentious and noncontentious proposals.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Alfred Meyerson
Ranked for Real Estate (Texas)
Chambers says: “Clients note that the experienced Alfred Meyerson ‘has good legal knowledge but also good business acumen.’ He represents lenders as well as owners and developers of real estate in a broad range of transactions.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Mike Moran
Ranked for Construction (Texas)
Chambers says: “Michael Moran advises on a range of disputes, including litigation involving bonds and sureties. Clients highlight his ‘knowledge of the construction industry’ and ‘great strategy and tactics.’” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Jed Morrison
Ranked for Healthcare (Texas)
Chambers says: “Edgar Morrison represents a multitude of healthcare clients, including hospitals, nursing homes, academic medical centers and pharmacies. He advises on various transactional and regulatory matters including Medicare and Medicaid issues and fraud and abuse claims.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Mike Nasi
Ranked for Environment (Texas)
Chambers says: “Michael Nasi handles an impressive range of environmental matters, which include permitting, air quality concerns and policy development. Market commentators praise his ‘incredibly strong practice,’ stating that: ‘He is very well known for being at the cutting edge of coal and greenhouse gas issues.’” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Kurt Nondorf
Ranked for Real Estate (Texas — Band 1)
Chambers says: “Clients affirm that Kurt Nondorf has ‘lots of experience, is knowledgeable and a deal maker. He looks for solutions rather than problems and is able to think outside the box.’ Other sources add that his ‘broad knowledge base includes all different classes of property and types of transaction.’ His recent experience includes sophisticated acquisitions and leasing transactions.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
James Prappas
Ranked for Immigration (Texas)
Chambers says: “The ‘very experienced’ and ‘extremely talented’ James Prappas of Jackson Walker LLP is commended for being ‘quick to respond and provide guidance.’ He has extensive experience of a variety of immigration matters, but is particularly well known for his [experience] in relation to nonimmigrant visas.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Bob Ruckman
Ranked for Transportation: Aviation: Litigation (Nationwide)
Chambers says: “Robert Ruckman heads the aviation group at Jackson Walker LLP. He is noted for his representation of airlines and manufacturers in air carrier and product liability litigation.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Bruce Ruzinsky
Ranked for Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Texas)
Chambers says: “Bruce Ruzinsky ‘has an excellent appreciation of the business side of legal decisions.’ He is regularly engaged by creditors and debtors on bankruptcies and workouts, and related litigation.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Katherine Staton
Ranked for Transportation: Aviation: Litigation (Nationwide)
Chambers says: “Katherine Staton of Jackson Walker LLP represents aviation clients in negligence, subrogation and international treaty matters. She is described by sources as ‘knowledgeable, reliable and dependable.’” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Ken Stohner
Ranked for Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Texas)
Chambers says: “Ken Stohner is an experienced member of the bankruptcy group and advises creditors, debtors and trustees. Sources say he is ‘very detailed’ and ‘does an excellent job’ for his clients.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Tim Taylor
Ranked for Real Estate (Texas)
Chambers says: “Timothy Taylor ‘has a huge breadth of knowledge’ in the real estate space, say sources. His experience includes the negotiation of leases, purchase and sale agreements and development agreements.” [From Chambers USA 2016]
Jerry Webberman
“Recognized Practitioner” in Environment (Texas)
