Blank Rome LLP > Fort Lauderdale, United States > Firm Profile
Blank Rome LLP Offices
BROWARD FINANCIAL CENTRE
500 EAST BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 2100
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33394
FLORDIA
United States
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
Blank Rome LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 1
Blank Rome LLP excels in navigating a diverse spectrum of insurance matters with a specific focus on policyholders, with expertise spanning various industries and underpinned by considerable trial experience. Noteworthy achievements include leading a $25m lawsuit for Urban Edge Properties related to coronavirus business interruption and advocating for religious organizations in cases involving sexual abuse claims. In Washington DC, negotiation and trial expert John Gibbons and James Murray, recognized for his work on institutional liability for sexual abuse of minors, co-head the practice, alongside high-stakes litigation expert Linda Kornfeld from Los Angeles. Also in LA, Mary Craig Calkins supports the practice currently handling diverse coverage matters arising from the 2020 election fraud allegations and media defamation claims. In Washington DC, the team also includes Omid Safa, specializing in insurance issues for high-profile individuals, Kyle P Brinkman managing complex insurance coverage matters, and veteran John Heintz
in corporate insurance coverage and complex litigation. In New York, Jared Zola focuses on high-stakes litigation and corporate transactions, while Natasha Romagnoli brings notable experience in sexual abuse coverage, discrimination claims, directors’ and officers’ liability, and errors and omissions. Noteworthy additions in March 2023 include partner Minneapolis-based Rikke Dierssen-Morice, joining from Maslon Edelman Borman & Brand, LLP, recognized for expertise in food contamination/recall, crime, and construction coverage, and Jason Frye, joining from Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP in Chicago, marking the firm’s continued expansion into the Midwest.
Practice head(s):
John Gibbons; Linda Kornfeld; Jim Murray
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Rikke Dierssen-Morice is an exceptional attorney, with years of experience in the insurance space. As an attorney to companies of all sizes and reach: large, small, local, national, and global, Rikke is able to not only bring the academic, legal and technical expertise to her clients, but balances it with a level-headed and practical approach as well. This in combination with Rikke’s amazing people skills and authenticity in her relationships makes her an unbeatable, unmatchable, and incomparable attorney and advisor in the insurance space. ’
‘A really tight knit team – they have worked together for many years – and it shows. They are well oiled machine – sharp lawyers who run a smooth operation.’
‘Mary Craig Calkins is a force of nature. She is relentless, intelligent, experienced and insightful. I have worked with her on several different matters over the years and she has ALWAYS delivered exceptional results. She gets results and that’s what matters.’
‘Jim Carter is both technically gifted and immensely clever. His ability to develop manuscriptal policy language that both addresses the concerns of the Insured and that is also acceptable to Insurers is particularly noteworthy.’
‘Of the insurance recovery firms with national practices, Blank Rome is certainly among a small group with the deepest bench and talent. They are in every area of insurance recovery and work on the largest and complex matters with success. They are highly pragmatic and strategically resolution focused and value civility and professionalism in a very strong way.’
‘I cannot say enough about Jim Murray and Jared Zola. Alot of large law firms, of course, have the expertise to litigate. However, Jim and Jared along with their litigation expertise put their clients first and try to find ways to resolve matters in the best interests of the client. They have a common-sense approach to litigation that some others do not. Jim is one of the finest trial lawyers I have seen and if a case needs to go to trial, he is the lawyer you would want in front of a judge or jury. However, it is not practical to litigate all cases to death and Jim and Jared have that rare combination of legal expertise, common sense, and loyalty to the interest of the client that make them ideal for any policyholder that needs a coverage lawyer.’
‘The lawyers I know in this practice group are aggressive, painstakingly careful, and fearless. So many lawyers are anxious about taking a client’s case to court – this group thrives on courtroom work because they know it will benefit their clients. Of course they are smart, but more than that they are “insurance smart” meaning they know the policies often far better than insurance company counsel and know how to use them to benefit their clients.’
‘Natasha Romagnoli and Dave Thomas are an amazing team that provides expert advice and fiery advocacy for their clients. They are unafraid to jump into the deep end of large cases and take the reins. I would highly recommend them to any of my clients for future use.’
Key clients
New Archdioceses: New Orleans, San Diego, Baltimore; Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (California); Roman Catholic Bishop (Diocese) of San Diego (a corporation sole)
Nooter Corporation
Urban Edge
Goldman Sachs
Yelp Inc.
Surf Style Retail Management, Inc.
Varsity Brands
Bimbo Bakeries, USA
FAT Brands Inc.
Flintridge Riding Club
Lionsgate Entertainment
Life Fitness L.L.C.
High-net-worth investor group, including entities affiliated with Bryn & Associates, Chemtov Mortgage Group, Horvitz Group, and Moncler Motors, LLC
International Micro Industries
Yeshiva University
M.A. Mortenson Company
Vanguard Soap, LLC
NGI Capital, Inc., dba Apex IT
Donaldson Companies, Inc.
Andersen Corporation
3M
Accenture
WSP Global Inc./ The Louis Berger Group (“LBG”)
Chiquita Brands, International
North American Automotive Services
The Rockefeller University
Kraft Heinz
Philadelphia Eagles
Tory Burch
Arthrex, Inc.
Sargent & Lundy
Work highlights
- Argued and defeated Allied World Assurance Company’s motion for summary judgment, which was one of only a small handful of victories in the entire country over an insurance company’s bid to reject coverage for a major COVID-19 business interruption insurance claim.
- Acted as counsel for The Rockefeller University in connection with what is currently the nation’s largest sex abuse coverage case for a single institution.
- Represented Vanguard Soap, LLC in a litigation on stock-throughput insurance coverage against 24 Lloyd’s syndicates which participated in two $8 million STP policies and denied coverage for a $3.8 million soap product loss and recall in 2019.
Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation Tier 1
Government > Government contracts Tier 2
With a strong record in the defense, aerospace, and IT sectors, Blank Rome LLP matches expertise in traditional bid protests and claims with industry-specific experience in national security, export controls, M&A transactions, and government investigations. Justin Chiarodo chairs the Washington DC-based practice, and assists clients with all facets of federal, state, and local procurement law, including FCA claims and cost accounting and audit matters. Dominique Casimir complements strength in suspension and debarment proceedings with notable bid protests work. Luke Meier is adept in bid protests and government investigations, and specializes in contracts with the Department of Energy. Scott Arnold is a stalwart in both litigation and counseling, representing industry giants like Oshkosh Defense. Elizabeth Jochum is best known in the bid protests space, and also counsels the range of prime, sub, large, and small contractors on regulatory compliance, voluntary disclosures, and investigations. Stephanie Harden fields experience in audits and claims, mandatory disclosures, and FCA and Anti-Terrorism Act litigation. Robyn Burrows, who is developing a focus on emerging supply chain and cybersecurity issues, was promoted to partner in January 2024. Brian Gocial left the firm in February 2023.Practice head(s):
Justin Chiarodo
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Blank Rome Government Contracts practice group is uncommonly business-oriented.’
‘Elizabeth Jochum is my go-to partner on all government contracts matters. She has been an extended element of my legal team for years, and I trust her sensibility and practical advice more than any other outside counsel.’
‘Great people, great communication, creative approaches to legal arguments.’
‘Excellent communication, always available when you need them.’
‘The team is responsive and receptive to ideas from in-house counsel. At the same time, they are direct and clear when they recommend a specific course of action. ’
‘The individuals are very easy to work with. Luke Meier is smart and thoughtful. Dominique Casmir is a hard nosed litigator, who will not shy away from a battle when one is needed.’
‘We used them for an FCA matter. They were very knowledgeable and had experience with the government agency involved. They are collaborative and sensitive.’
‘Dominique Casimir and Luke Meier’s legal work was excellent and they were very practical. Dominque was very responsive and available, even with the difference in time zones. She pushed back on the government lawyers, in a nice but insistent way, as they were being unreasonable. I would highly recommend them for government contract litigation.’
Key clients
Trident Maritime Systems
Korn Ferry
Amentum
The Louis Berger Group/WSP USA Inc.
Washington River Protection Solutions
Oshkosh Defense
CDW
Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure LLC
Nuclear Waste Partnership
Sparksoft Corporation
Work highlights
- Represented Trident Maritime Systems in connection with the acquisition of the assets of Custom Alloy Corporation, a critical supplier to the U.S. Navy on key programs, including nuclear submarines and aircraft carriers.
- Assisted CDW with its acquisition of Enquizit, an experienced provider of AWS cloud services.
- Successfully represented KPMG in a bid protest before the Court of Federal Claims related to an award originally received by KPMG from the NRO but then awarded to Deloitte following a decision by the GAO.
Transport > Shipping: finance Tier 2
Acting for shipyards, owners, operators, cargo interests, lenders and investors, Blank Rome LLP‘s ship finance practice works across the firm’s DC, New York and Houston offices. The team is consistently sought out to advise on secured ship financing and vessel leasing deals, and has enviable expertise in the Jones Act (which regulates US maritime transportation). Other key areas include M&A-related maritime law advice, ship financing for vessels registered under the laws of Liberia and the Marshall Islands, and maritime restructuring and bankruptcy matters. The group also regularly acts on Title XI financings, which involve government guarantees of debt instruments (issued by shipowners or shipyards for the construction or modification of vessels or shipyards). With longstanding experience in domestic and international maritime financings, Anthony Salgado routinely negotiates and structures maritime deals, such as vessel-secured financings, vessel lease financings and maritime restructurings. Houston-based Douglas Shoemaker is also a maritime transactions specialist, while Natalie Radabaugh focuses on maritime transactions, corporate governance and ship finance. All practitioners listed are based in the firm’s DC office unless otherwise mentioned.Practice head(s):
Jeanne Grasso; Keith Letourneau; Thomas Belknap
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
AMSC ASA (f/k/a American Shipping Company ASA)
Blackstone Group
BHE GT&S, LLC
Dominion Energy
Harvey Gulf International Marine
J.F. Lehman & Company
JPMorgan Chase Bank
Philly Shipyard
PNC Bank, National Association
Signature Bank
Swire Shipping Pte. Ltd.
Work highlights
- Assisted Philly Shipyard with the negotiation of a vessel construction agreement with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation.
- Acted as maritime counsel to Dominion Energy, in connection with the $550m financing for the construction of a wind turbine installation vessel in the US.
- Represented an affiliate of Swire Shipping Pte in its acquisition of Westwood Shipping Lines (and four gantry vessels) from affiliates of Sumitomo Warehouse Co.
M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 3
Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 4
Blank Rome LLP fields a leading SALT team that routinely acts in audits, appeals, and litigation, with expertise in all 50 states. The group is active on behalf of prominent multinationals in addition to advising high net worth individuals and SMEs. Craig Fields, who leads the team from New York, advises on both contentious and non-contentious SALT matters and is recognized as a thought leader in the area. Other key names in New York include experienced litigator Mitchell Newmark, as well as Nicole Johnson, whose practice covers the audit, administrative, and judicial levels, and Eugene Gibilaro, who has a growing reputation for advising clients in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors.Practice head(s):
Craig Fields
Other key lawyers:
Nicole Johnson; Mitchell Newmark; Irwin Slomka; Eugene Gibilaro
Key clients
Jefferies Group LLC & Subsidiaries
Lorillard Tobacco Company
Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advised Jefferies, a securities broker-dealer, on multiple issues of first impression under the New York State corporate tax.
- Represented Lorillard Tobacco Company in appealing denied refund claims that the client filed back to 2002 and up to 2010.
Real estate Tier 5
Headed out of New York, Blank Rome LLP‘s national practice handles single and multi-property portfolio transactions, investments, joint ventures and restructuring, together with commercial leasing where co-head Sam Walker is prominent on retail chain rollouts. The team is also known for its regular representation of institutional lenders and REITs, assisting them on a range of multifamily, retail, and industrial matters. Walker is joined by fellow co-heads Samantha Wallack and Martin Luskin, with the latter being noted for his experience on mergers and leveraged buyouts of publicly traded real estate investment trusts, among other areas. Outside of New York, key offices include Washington DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Houston.Practice head(s):
Samantha Wallack; Sam Walker; Martin Luskin
Key clients
Abacus Capital Group
DRA Advisors
George Comfort and Sons
L+M Development Partners, Inc.
Peloton
Nelson Management
Ginsburg Development Companies, LLC
TF Cornerstone, Inc.
Camber Property Group
Macys
Peapack-Gladstone
HIG Realty Advisors
International trade and national security > Trade remedies and trade policy
.International trade and national security > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions
Finance > Commercial lending
Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas
Blank Rome LLP > Firm Profile
Blank Rome is an Am Law 100 firm with 16 offices and more than 700 attorneys and principals who provide comprehensive legal and advocacy services to clients operating in the United States and around the world. Our professionals have built a reputation for their leading knowledge and experience across a spectrum of industries and are recognized for their commitment to pro bono work in their communities. Since our inception in 1946, Blank Rome’s culture has been dedicated to providing top-level service to all of our clients and has been rooted in the strength of our diversity and inclusion initiatives. For more information, please visit blankrome.com.
Main areas of practice
Consumer finance: The practice’s business, regulatory and litigation lawyers have experience in regulatory compliance, financial services, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, white-collar criminal defense and government investigations.
Corporate, M&A and securities: The practice represents clients in capital-raising, M&A and corporate transactions including fund formation and management, debt and equity financings, securities offerings, federal/state regulatory compliance, joint ventures and corporate governance strategies.
Cybersecurity and data privacy: The team assists clients in regulatory compliance, preparing for and responding to cyberattacks, audits and meeting data security requirements of business partners.
Energy, environment and mass Torts: The practice offers regulatory, transactional, litigation, real estate, leasing, project finance, federal and state taxation and government/Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relations, intellectual property and strategic public policy services, to clients in businesses including: manufacturing, real estate, commercial development, public and private finance and investment, healthcare, transportation and municipal and county governments and redevelopment authorities. The practice also defends companies and individuals against product liability and mass tort suits, including toxic tort and environmental disputes, aviation disasters, and alleged defects in equipment and vehicles.
Equipment leasing: The practice structures, negotiates and documents complex financing transactions, and represents captive and independent leasing companies, funding sources and the debt and equity sides of leveraged-lease transactions.
Finance, restructuring and bankruptcy: The group represents creditors and debtors in bankruptcy, reorganization and workout matters, including litigation, credit and business transactions and high-profile insolvency cases. The practice also represents senior and subordinate lenders, including mezzanine and second lien lenders, combining commercial finance and lending experience with knowledge of tax, real estate and securities law.
Government contracts: The practice represents contractors in federal, state, and local government contract matters, including bid protests, claims, dispute resolution, audits and investigations, False Claims Act cases, mandatory disclosure issues, suspension and debarment, small business programs, and compliance matters.
Insurance recovery: For policyholders, the firm handles policy audits; risk assessments; disputes; and reimbursements, settlements, or judgments relating to D&O claims; and helps insureds resolve disputes under errors and omissions policies. Its deep-bench trial abilities and novel settlement strategies have led to landmark rulings, new coverage types and industry advances.
Intellectual property and technology: The group covers all aspects of patent, trademark and copyright law. Attorneys have experience in asset management; investigating, procuring, enforcing and maximizing the value of intellectual property rights, including in litigation; licensing; and patent and trademark procurement, licensing, and counseling.
International trade: Blank Rome’s International Trade team provides practical and innovative solutions to a wide variety of issues arising in the cross-border context. With extensive experience in trade remedies, trade negotiations, economic sanctions, export controls, foreign investment review, and related areas, our experienced team is well-positioned to assist domestic and overseas clients with all their global trade needs. The team is recognized in Trade Remedies, Trade Litigation & Trade Negotiations and Economic Sanctions, Export Controls, CFIUS & Geopolitical Risk.
Labor and employment: The group provides advice, counseling, litigation representation and training on matters confronting in-house counsel and management, such as whistleblower claims, trade secrets, wage and hour issues, internal investigations, management training, union relations, and immigration.
Litigation: The practice is experienced in handling civil, criminal and administrative trial and appellate matters in state and federal courts, spanning a range of issues, including class action defense and transactional disputes.
Maritime and international trade: As the largest US maritime practice, the firm provides clients worldwide with response capabilities and experience in regulatory and legislative issues; litigation; arbitration; defense of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions; commercial/ transactional matters, including vessel and corporate finance and structuring strategic alliances; and all casualty matters, including collisions, allisions and pollution response.
Matrimonial and family law: The group counsels individuals and couples in legal aspects of marriage, from planning and negotiating pre- and post-nuptial agreements, separation agreements, mediation, divorce and custody arrangements.
Real estate: The group’s deep bench strength can handle all aspects of real estate law, providing practical advice, analyzing risks and developing innovative strategies informed by the team’s broad base of transactional experience.
Tax, benefits and private clients: The practice, combining governmental, financial and legal experience, handles planning for sophisticated transactions and other matters with local, state, federal, and foreign tax implications, and represents clients in all aspects of estate and business planning, estate and trust administration and estate and tax litigation.
White-collar defense and investigations: The group assists companies and individuals facing criminal and regulatory investigations, congressional inquiries, whistleblower accusations, or self-discovered misconduct. It helps clients defend against allegations, while mitigating damage to individual or corporate reputations.
The firm also has industry teams providing targeted representation to clients in various industries.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business restructuring and bankruptcy | Kevin Baum | ||
| Business restructuring and bankruptcy | Grant Buerstetta | ||
| Consumer finance | Wayne Streibich | ||
| Corporate, M&A and securities | Peter Schnur | ||
| Corporate, M&A and securities | Louis M Rappaport | ||
| Energy, environment and mass torts | Deborah Greenspan | ||
| Energy, environment and mass torts | Kevin J Bruno | ||
| Financial services | Lawrence F Flick II | ||
| Government Contracts | Justin A. Chiarodo | ||
| Insurance recovery | John A. Gibbons | ||
| Insurance recovery | Linda Kornfeld | ||
| Insurance recovery | James R Murray | ||
| Intellectual property and technology | Dipu A Doshi | ||
| Intellectual property and technology | David Perry | ||
| Intellectual property and technology | Lisa Casey Spaniel | ||
| Intellectual property and technology | Russell Wong | ||
| International Trade | Anthony Rapa | ||
| International Trade | Joanne Osendarp | ||
| Labor and employment | Jason E. Reisman | ||
| Labor and employment | Brooke T Iley | ||
| Litigation department | Daniel Rhynhart | ||
| Litigation department | Greg Bordo | ||
| Maritime | William R. Bennett III | ||
| Maritime | Jeanne Grasso | ||
| Maritime | Keith Letourneau | ||
| Matrimonial and family | Brett Ward | ||
| Matrimonial and family | Kristina Royce | ||
| Private client and tax | Craig Fields | ||
| Private client and tax | Lawrence S Chane | ||
| Private client and tax | Cory G Jacobs | ||
| Real estate | Pelayo Coll | ||
| Real estate | Samantha Wallack | ||
| White-collar defense and investigations | Gregory F. Linsin | ||
| White-collar defense and investigations | Jerry D. Bernstein | ||
| Business department | Gary Goldenberg | ||
| Business department | Joseph Gulant | ||
| Commercial litigation | Jason Snyderman | ||
| Commercial litigation | Jayme Butcher | ||
| Corporate litigation | Jon Loeb | ||
| Corporate litigation | Deborah Skakel | ||
| General litigation | Leigh Ann Buziak | ||
| Corporate litigation | Alan Freeman | ||
| Corporate litigation | Michael Iannucci | ||
| Corporate litigation | Anthony Mingione |
Other
Managing Partner and CEO : Grant S Palmer Firmwide Chair : Alan J Hoffman Other Offices : Cincinnati Other Offices : Fort Lauderdale Other Offices : Houston Other Offices : Los Angeles Other Offices : Pittsburgh Other Offices : Princeton Other Offices : Tampa Other Offices : Wilmington Other Offices : Shanghai Other Offices : Chicago Other Offices : Boston Other Offices : Dallas Other Offices : New York Other Offices : Washington, DC Other Offices : Orange County, CA- Insurance > Advice to policyholders
- Transport > Shipping: litigation and regulation
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- International trade and national security > Trade remedies and trade policy
- International trade and national security > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions
- Finance > Commercial lending
- Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas