Legal 500 U.S. has included 12 Haynes and Boone, LLP lawyers and five practice areas in the 2020 edition of the legal directory.
The Legal 500 series analyzes the capabilities of law firms across the world, based on feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, law firm submissions, and interviews with leading private practice lawyers.
The guide singled out 11 Haynes and Boone partners as leaders in their practice areas: David Ammons, Giorgio Bovenzi, Jesse Gelsomini, Tom Harris, Neal Kaminsky, Jeff Kuehnle, Phil Lookadoo, Michael Mazzone, Jan Sharry, Craig Stahl, and Susan Wetzel. Counsel Brian Sung also was named a Rising Star in Derivatives and Structured Products.
Haynes and Boone was ranked in the following practice areas:
Trademarks: Non-Contentious (including Prosecution, Portfolio Management and Licensing)
In feedback from a client, Haynes and Boone is lauded as having a “multi-disciplinary practice that works across a variety of industries and has particular strengths in brand launches and clearances.” David Bell is praised for his “extensive knowledge in all jurisdictions and his thoughtful and responsive service.” Purvi Patel Albers and Jeffrey Becker were also commended for their strength in the practice.
Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas
Commentators say the firm has a “solid Texas oil and gas litigation group with a big bench and “good depth and knowledge across the state.” Craig Stahl is praised for being an “experienced practitioner in royalty payments and joint operating agreement disputes” and his “notable expertise in class actions.” Michael Mazzone and David Ammons are “key trial lawyers with extensive oil and gas industry knowledge” and Jeffrey Kuehnle is “also highly rated.”
M&A: Middle-Market (sub-$500M)
The firm is recognized for its ability to handle “all related issues pertaining to tax planning, employee benefits and executive compensation, antitrust, IP, and real estate.” Tom Harris and Jan Sharry are listed as key contacts for the practice.
Structured Finance: Derivatives and Structured Products
Legal 500 notes that the firm’s derivatives and structured products practice group was “strengthened in early 2019 by the arrival of Giorgio Bovenzi” in New York. Brian Sung is recognized for his abilities to advise “end-users across a number of sectors on commodities hedging strategies and interest rate risk.” Phil Lookadoo is referred to as a key figure in the D.C. office.
Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation and Retirement Plans: Transactions
One client quoted in Legal 500 said: ‘I believe the team at Haynes and Boone sincerely have our company’s best interests in mind at all times.” The guide added that lawyers in the practice “provide prompt and reliable legal advice and counsel and “are strong in their knowledge of ERISA matters.”
Haynes and Boone is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., London, Mexico City and Shanghai, providing a full spectrum of legal services in energy, technology, financial services and private equity. With more than 575 lawyers, Haynes and Boone is ranked among the largest U.S.-based firms by The National Law Journal, The American Lawyer and The Lawyer. It also was recognized across the board for excellence in the BTI Consulting Group’s 2020 “A-Team” report, which identifies the law firms that in-house counsel commend for providing superior client service.