King & Spalding LLP > Houston, United States > Firm Profile

King & Spalding LLP
1100 LOUISIANA STREET, SUITE 4000
HOUSTON, TX 77002
TEXAS
United States

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

King & Spalding LLP frequently represents multinational companies across a variety of industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services, among others. The team is particularly skilled at advising on investigations relating to corporate espionage, national security, and international corruption. Mark Jensen leads the practice group from Washington DC. Jensen is skilled at handling fraud litigation and regularly defends senior executives who are charged with various white-collar criminal offences. Patrick Montgomery and John Richter are also based in Washington DC. Richter stands out for his significant capabilities as a trial lawyer, while Montgomery has experience navigating clients through investigations conducted by the SEC and DOJ. Located in Chicago, Zachary Fardon has a broad range of expertise in the field, which includes advising on matters related to securities fraud, public corruption, and corporate misconduct. Randy Mastro is a seasoned trial lawyer in New York with a wealth of experience defending clients against enforcement actions brought by the SEC. Olivia Radin joined the New York office from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in January 2023, while the Washington DC office has been strengthened by the addition of Alicia O’Brien in February 2023. Wick Sollers has retired from the firm.

Practice head(s):

Mark Jensen

Other key lawyers:

Patrick Montgomery; John Richter; Zach Fardon; Olivia Radin; Alicia O’Brien; Sally Yates; Drew Hruska; Alec Koch; David Willingham; Jamie Lang; John Horn; Randy Mastro

Testimonials

‘They have a client-centered practice. They put in great effort to learn the underlying business of the client.’

‘John Horn has an excellent demeanor paired with great skills.’

‘First and foremost, King & Spalding stands out for its expertise and technical capabilities. They are extremely user-friendly and interactive. They keep the client updated on changes. Their collective relationships with the agencies involved and the mutual respect helps secure a more favorable result than would otherwise be expected.’

 

Key clients

Albemarle Corporation

Bittrex Global GmbH

CHC Holdings, Inc.

Carter Healthcare

Leprino Foods Company

Shire

Siguler Guff & Company

Stellantis

Summit Midstream Partners, Inc.

Volkswagen AG

Work highlights

  • Represented Albemarle in a multi-jurisdictional FCPA investigation.
  • Represented the former CEO of pharmaceutical company Indivior Inc., in a multi-year federal investigation involving alleged violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
  • Represented a defendant in a $200 million dispute with her ex-husband over alleged fraud in connection with the purchase and transfer shares in Celsius, an energy drink company.

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

‘Problem solver’ King & Spalding LLP leverages the bench strength of its national presence to advise household names in pharma, retail, tech, and automotive, including Toyota Motor North America, Inc., and Walmart, on multi-district litigation, regulatory investigation and crisis management. The team is led by an experienced group of partners based in Atlanta — Rose Jones, who counsels clients in e-discovery, and John Tucker, who focuses on both civil and criminal investigations. Atlanta-based Ronni Solomon carries longstanding experience in handling complex e-discovery matters before the Supreme Court and other lower courts. Atlanta lawyer Tanya Canup brings expertise on information governance, preservation, and collection issues. Michael Shortnacy left the firm in January 2024.

Practice head(s):

Rose Jones; John Tucker

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Excellent team and well-staffed. Good use of technology and extremely collaborative.’

‘I work with Rose J. Jones, who is excellent concerning eDiscovery. I trust her judgment and align with her when we work together. She is heavily respected in the field.’

‘This team is unique. It maintains a creative and proactive e-discovery practice within a large law firm. They have great leadership, are up to date on the law and technology, and boast an impressive staff that can handle anything from consulting to motion practice to document review.’

‘Rose J. Jones stands out on the K&S team as the e-discovery partner and group leader. She is well-versed in both e-discovery law and technology. She is committed to proactively finding solutions to e-discovery challenges that benefit her clients.’

‘The team has broad and deep experience in everything related to discovery. The responsiveness and attention to detail is appreciated. The team go above and beyond to provide holistic advice.’

‘The K&S discovery practice is everything a client needs to sleep at night knowing their discovery matters are being handled diligently and expertly.’

‘King & Spalding has a proven track record in handling complex e-discovery matters. They leverage advanced technologies by partnering with technology companies to develop custom solutions to my problems.’

‘The K&S e-discovery practice is unparalleled in its depth of expertise and its overall bench strength. They have vast in-house technical expertise and long-standing relationships with key vendors and thought leaders in the industry.’

Key clients

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Walmart Inc.

Work highlights

  • Handled discovery coordination in Toyota Motor North America, Inc.’s product liability litigation and responses to governmental investigations.
  • Advised Boehringer Ingelheim on discovery strategy across all federal and state matters in its Zantac litigation alleging the antacid is associated with an increased risk of cancer.
  • Assisted Walmart with nationwide state and federal product liability and consumer class actions, and state attorneys’ general actions and state attorneys’ general actions.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 1

A ‘market-leading international arbitration practice’, King & Spalding LLP impresses sources with its strong capability in both investor-state and commercial cases. Arguably best known for its dominant position in energy and natural resources disputes, it also demonstrates adept handling of matters in the manufacturing, construction, transport and telecoms spheres, among others. New York managing partner Edward Kehoe and Houston-based Doak Bishop are widely considered references in the market and they continue to represent Chevron in a high-profile investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador, seated in The Hague, arising out of a $9.5bn Ecuadorian court judgment against Chevron for alleged environmental harm caused by historical oilfield operations. Houston-based Wade Coriell and Atlanta-based Elizabeth Silbert—who were recently appointed global head and deputy head of international arbitration respectively—are also co-leading the Chevron file. Other senior names include New York-based Samaa Haridi, who is an experienced counsel and arbitrator; Harry Burnett, who sits in Miami and focuses on Latin America-related work; Craig Miles, who splits his time between Houston and Miami and specializes in energy and infrastructure disputes; and Chicago’s Javier Rubinstein, who offers experience in English and Spanish-domiciled work. Aloysius Llamzon, based in Washington DC, is a key up-and-coming name.

Practice head(s):

Wade Coriell; Elizabeth Silbert

Other key lawyers:

Edward Kehoe; Doak Bishop; Harry Burnett; Samaa Haridi; Craig Miles; Javier Rubinstein; Erica Franzetti; Reginald Smith; Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina; Aloysius Llamzon

Testimonials

‘A market-leading international arbitration practice (for both commercial and investor-state arbitration).’

‘We highlight Samaa Haridi, who is extremely hard-working and a team player, and Harry Burnett, who possesses strong knowledge of Latin America.’

‘A strong capacity for thinking outside of the box and finding creative solutions to legal issues, while maintaining precise attention to detail of the contractual provisions and applicable law.’

‘This team has a strong understanding of arbitration and litigation practice, fields teams fluent in multiple languages, and understands our industry very well. It also has a deep bench should it need to draw on expertise such as tax, white-collar, and the like. The King & Spalding team is a trusted advisor.’

‘Javier Rubinstein is a highly experienced partner. He is fluent in English and Spanish. Javier displays excellent judgment and provides practical, strategic advice.’

‘The best and most diverse international arbitration practice in the market. K&S has a unique combination of industry expertise, massive experience in all regions, lawyers qualified in key jurisdictions and fluent in local languages. The team is incredibly responsive, very flexible in fee agreements and super collaborative.’

‘Harry Burnett, Erica Franzetti, Craig Miles, Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina, and Samaa Haridi are absolute stars in the field.’

‘The entire KS team has the desire to understand the client and its business as well as possible in order to provide excellent advice. Moreover, the team’s experience and way of formulating the claims to resolve the situation during a dispute were outstanding.’

Key clients

Petersen Energía

Refinería de Cartagena

WeBuild

Republic of Turkey

Multiple renewable energy clients

Quanta Services

Chevron Corporation

Lima Expresa and VINCI

Sanitek

Westmoreland Coal Company

Odyssey Marine Exploration

The Williams Companies

FCL Ambiente

Amerra Capital Management

WOM

Work highlights

  • Represented Petersen Energia in a long-running breach-of-contract dispute against Argentina, which involves arbitration and litigation.
  • Secured a $1.9bn award for Refinería de Cartagena (Reficar) in an ICC arbitration against the contractor relating to delays and cost overruns involving a refinery in Colombia.
  • Represented Webuild in a long-running ICSID arbitration against Argentina concerning the construction and maintenance of a 60km toll road and bridge.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1

Randy Mastro at King & Spalding LLP, based in New York is an experienced trial lawyer and former federal prosecutor who has called upon this experience to appear in state and federal courts across the country on countless occasions. Since joining the firm from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in August 2022, Mastro remained active in the trial space and in 2023, he was hired by New Jersey Governer Phil Murphy in a case regarding New York City’s congestion pricing plan, demonstrating considerable public sector expertise alongside complex civil cases which include white collar crime cases. Mastro is often involved in groundbreaking cases and has a broad practice which encompasses work which ends up in the Supreme Court.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: automotive/transport Tier 1

Led from Atlanta by Susan Clare and fielding practitioners from other nationwide offices, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, King & Spalding LLP‘s automotive and transport litigation team has the expertise and resources to handle complex product liability and mass action cases for clients throughout the country. Appreciated for its deep knowledge, technical skills and outstanding litigation strategy and execution, the team regularly serves as strategic counsel for major automotive manufacturers facing potential reputational damage from litigation. The group’s comprehensive knowledge of the automotive subject matter and its evolving technology ensures that it is well-equipped to effectively handle all elements of trial work. Alongside Geoffrey Drake, who is also based in Atlanta, Clare continues to act as coordinating counsel for GM’s consumer litigation, consisting of a docket of approximately 6,000 plus breach of warranty and consumer fraud lawsuits. New York-based John Hooper is another key member of the team whose class action expertise encompasses work throughout the litigation life cycle, from pre-litigation and risk management expertise, through to trial and appeal. Hooper has longstanding ties with Toyota, which he continues to act as strategic counsel across a myriad of product liability and class action cases pending in various nationwide courts.

Practice head(s):

Susan Clare

Other key lawyers:

John Hooper; Jacquie Seidel; Alexander Calfo; Geoffrey Drake; Eric Gladbach; Livia Kiser; Susan Vargas; Madison Kitchens; Adam Reinke; Jessica Shook; Anneke Shepard

Key clients

American Honda Motor Co. Inc.

AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI AMERICA

Ford Motor Company

General Motors LLC

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Tesla, Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.

Volkswagen

Work highlights

  • Representing Toyota in product liability and class action litigation, including in most of the currently active class action cases pending in various courts nationwide, including actions alleging defective batteries, airbags, roof rail systems, HVAC systems, Denso fuel pumps and inverters, among others.
  • Representing General Motors as lead counsel in various high-profile, high-exposure class action litigation matters throughout the country.
  • Representing Volkswagen in high-profile multidistrict litigation involving allegations of defective driver and front passenger airbag inflators, several class actions involving emissions warranties and multiple product liability matters involving catastrophic injuries.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 1

With product liability litigators spread throughout the country, including many with first chair trial experience, King & Spalding LLP has developed a market-leading reputation for its effective representation of numerous leading brands facing high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation. Under the overarching guidance of Miami-based Ursula Henninger and Charlotte-based Cory Hohnbaum, the team continues to represent RJ Reynolds in tobacco litigation, securing a raft of favorable jury verdicts relating to 'Engle progeny' wrongful-death cases. Led out of Atlanta by Geoffrey Drake, the firm is also acting as national co-counsel to TikTok, one of the defendants, in connection with several hundred high-profile lawsuits that allege harm to underaged users of social media. Work within the food and beverages sector is also a key strength, particularly on the West Coast, with Los Angeles-based attorneys Keri Borders and Dale Giali regularly defending clients in consumer product false advertising matters. In New York, John Hooper employs ‘sound strategies to manage product liability and mass tort litigation’, including matters within the consumer product field. Bruce Hurley in Houston and Shaila Rahman Diwan in New York co-lead the overarching trial and global disputes team, alongside Henninger.

Practice head(s):

Ursula Henninger; Bruce Hurley; Shaila Rahman Diwan

Testimonials

‘They take a very strategic approach to the litigation entrusted to them. They are hands-on and make good use of local firms to supplement their capabilities and drive efficiency.’

‘John Hooper is very energetic, engaged and interested in employing sound strategies to manage product liability and mass tort litigation. John is a good negotiator, and I recommend him as a lead negotiator for mass tort resolutions.’

Key clients

AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI AMERICA

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company

Boehringer Ingelheim

Campbell Soup Company

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.

Foster Poultry Farm

General Motors LLC

GlaxoSmithKline LLC

Home Depot, U.S.A., Inc.

Kenvue (formerly known as Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.)

KIND

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

Mine Safety Appliances

Nestle USA, Inc.

Organon

The Procter & Gamble Company

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Snap, Inc.

TikTok

Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.

Viking Group, Inc.

Walmart, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Acting as national co-counsel to TikTok in connection with several hundred high-profile lawsuits that allege harm to underaged users of social media.
  • Representing leading baby food manufacturer Beech-Nut Nutrition Company in litigation alleging that its baby food products contain dangerous levels of heavy metals, causing autism and ADHD.
  • Obtained a complete victory in the Ninth Circuit for The Procter & Gamble Company in a published decision affirming the granting of a motion to dismiss in a putative class action bought on behalf of California consumers who purchased Pantene Pro-V Nature Fusion shampoo and conditioners alleging that P&G, by including the language ‘NatureFusion’ and a photo of an avocado, represented that the products are natural, when, in fact, they contain non-natural and synthetic ingredients.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 1

Combining in-depth industry expertise (including many in the team with science/medical backgrounds) with deep product liability litigation prowess in offices throughout the country, King & Spalding LLP remains a very popular choice among leading pharmaceuticals and medical device companies when faced with high-stakes litigation. Many of these matters are large-scale mass torts, where the firm regularly acts as national co-ordinating counsel, effectively mobilizing resources throughout the country, including in New York and Atlanta, to provide an all-encompassing representation throughout the litigation process. Although the firm has more than its fair share of accomplished trial lawyers within its ranks, much of the success it achieves for clients is predicated by its strong strategic sense and ability to dismiss or narrow claims at an early stage. A key part of this success is down to the firm’s ability to leverage science and medical expertise, ensuring that it is very effectively able to challenge plaintiff experts and to work with their own experts providing testimony in depositions. Andy Bayman has ‘great strategic sense’ and along with Robert Friedman  has been acting as national counsel for Boehringer Ingelheim as one of the defendants in the high-profile Zantac litigation. Notably the pair were recently part of the team that helped secure a major victory for defendants in the case with a recent very high-profile Daubert ruling which excluded all of the plaintiffs’ general causation experts and granted summary judgment for the client and co-defendants. Adam Spicer is also an integral member of the Zantac litigation team and as well as handling private litigation is also regularly involved in state Attorney General actions. Todd Davis  is a ‘very skilled trial attorney’, and has over the years been instrumental to many high-profile life sciences-related trial successes, in part due to his accomplished cross-examination skills of plaintiffs’ key causation and medical expert witnesses at trial and in deposition. In New York, both Morton Dubin and Kristen Fournier have excellent reputations at handling complex life sciences-related mass torts, with Dubin, in particular, noted for his expertise in the courtroom. Geoffrey Drake chairs the pharmaceutical/medical device litigation team and is skilled at representing clients throughout the litigation continuum, including in high-stakes trials. All named practitioners are based in Atlanta unless otherwise indicated. Kim Bueno joined the practice from Butler Snow LLP in September 2024.  

Practice head(s):

Geoffrey Drake

Other key lawyers:

Andy Bayman; Morton Dubin; Kristen Fournier; Bobby Woo; Robert Friedman; Todd Davis; Adam Spicer;  Lana Varney; TaCara Harris; Gregory Ruehlmann; Julia Zousmer; Michael Vives; Kim Bueno

Testimonials

Andy Bayman has a great strategic sense.’

‘Todd Davis is a very skilled trial attorney.’

Kim Bueno is a very dynamic trial specialist.’

Key clients

Becton Dickinson

Boehringer Ingelheim

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Eli Lilly & Company

GlaxoSmithKline

Johnson & Johnson/Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Kenvue (formerly known as Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.)

Organon

Walmart, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Secured a landmark ruling on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) in litigation over allegations that the antacid Zantac is associated with an increased risk of cancer, excluding all of the plaintiffs’ general causation experts and winning summary judgment on behalf of BI and co-defendants, dooming about 50,000 federal claims still extant in an MDL in the Southern District of Florida.
  • Lead defense counsel for Janssen Pharmaceuticals over claims that a rare eye disorder, pigmentary maculopathy, is uniquely caused by long-term usage of Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium), which is the only prescription medication to treat symptoms of interstitial cystitis, a chronic medical condition that causes bladder pain.  
  • Represent Becton, Dickinson and Company (“BD”) as National Co-ordinating Counsel and Resolution Counsel in several complex product liability litigations including (i) matters relating to BD’s hernia mesh products that are filed in an MDL and a consolidated state court action (ii) litigation involving BD’s inferior vena cava (IVC) filters that were filed in an MDL venued in federal court and parallel state court proceedings and (iii) serving as settlement counsel in litigation involving BD’s pelvic mesh and implantable port devices as well as other products.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP is well-versed in handling high-stakes, complex multi-pronged toxic tort matters involving a range of contaminants. The firm’s Atlanta and Houston offices regularly act for energy and industrial clients in the aftermath of environmental incidents – where the firm is not only well-placed to advise on ensuing litigation but also to limit any negative press coverage and to manage the immediate incident response. In Houston, Tracie Renfroe  has a ‘great track record in the field’, winning praise for her ‘excellent trial skills’, which extend not only to local and national toxic tort matters but also matters with an international complexion. Also based in Houston, Elizabeth Taber is a popular choice among energy and oilfield companies as defendants in relation to toxic tort suits (including MDLs and class actions) in Texas and beyond, where she excels at all stages of the litigation process, including at trial. In New York, both Kristen Fournier and Morton Dubin have exceptional trial skills which they bring to bear across a range of toxic tort matters, including as it pertains to asbestos exposure. San Francisco-based Matthew Blaschke  co-heads the toxic and environmental team alongside Fournier and has experience of handling both private litigation alongside governmental investigations and enforcement actions. Robert Meadows has retired.

Practice head(s):

Matt Blaschke; Kristen Fournier

Other key lawyers:

Tracie Renfroe; Elizabeth Taber; Morton Dubin; Craig Stanfield; John Ewald; Douglas Henderson; Kevin Hynes; Nicholas Howell

Testimonials

Tracie Renfroe has a great track record in the field and excellent trial skills.’

Key clients

Chevron

Boehringer Ingelheim

Mine Safety Appliances

Renco Group

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company

Shell Oil Company

Viking Group, Inc.

Dow Chemical Company

Union Carbide Corporation

Phillips 66

Baker Hughes

Delta Air Lines

BASF Corporation

Work highlights

  • Secured a complete defense verdict for our client Union Carbide in a major asbestos case where the plaintiffs, the family of a Western Missouri man who died of mesothelioma, were seeking over $40m in compensatory damages plus punitive damages.
  • Advising Beech-Nut Nutrition Company in nationwide class actions, personal injury and Attorneys General lawsuits, and government investigations alleging the presence of toxic metals in baby food.
  • Representing The Renco Group and Doe Run Resources in mass tort litigation whereby plaintiffs allege that the defendants, acting from Missouri and New York, controlled Doe Run Peru’s smelting operations at the La Oroya smelting facility in a manner that resulted in approximately 3,000 Plaintiffs’ exposure to lead and other toxic substances, causing medical and developmental injuries.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP fields a robust team of experienced litigators regularly entrusted by leading energy companies and oil and gas operators, including Chevron and Shell, for advice on a range of high-value, complex litigation proceedings. These span litigation related to climate change, energy transition/carbon neutrality, and environmental justice. From the Houston office, managing partner Tracie Renfroe brings great experience in high-stakes environmental disputes and toxic tort litigation, an area in which San Francisco-based Charles Correll is also well-versed, representing domestic and international companies in complex commercial, mass tort and environmental disputes. Spanning catastrophic injuries, environmental contamination, and oil and gas–related disputes, Elizabeth Taber is another key contact, while Andrew Stakelum is noted for handling onshore and offshore litigation on behalf of energy companies operating on the Gulf Coast.

Practice head(s):

Tracie Renfroe; Elizabeth Taber

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Baker Hughes

Chevron Corporation

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company

ConocoPhillips

G2X Energy

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Refinería de Cartagena S.A. (Reficar)

Shell

Exterran

Petersen Energía and Eton Park

Work highlights

  • Represented Petersen Energía, S.A.U. and Eton Park in an international arbitration and related litigation worth over US$20 billion against Argentina and YPF S.A., Argentina’s State-owned oil company.
  • Represented Reficar de Cartagena S.A. in its high-profile dispute with U.S. contractor CB&I over the construction of a Cartagena oil refinery.
  • Represented Baker Hughes in litigation arising from chlorinated solvent contamination near Baker Hughes subsidiary Dresser, LLC’s former valve manufacturing and refurbishing facility in Pineville, Louisiana.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP is a robust choice for advice on high-value transactions in the US renewable energy market. The firm assists with some of the most valuable projects in the country and internationally, and also handles a notable share of first-of-their-kind projects in various respects. Clients include leading energy companies, corporates in the renewables sphere, private equity firms, tax equity and financial investors, and project developers. A trio of lawyers oversee the practice group: Jonathan Melmed in New York, an expert in the power sector and in private equity transactions; construction law expert Scott Greer, who heads the firm’s global energy and construction offering; and Stuart Zisman, counsel to a host of major project owners in the alternative energy space. Greer and Zisman are based in Houston, while at the Washington DC office, James Bowe is a senior name across energy matters. Alongside Melmed in New York, Brandon Dalling is a key contact for financing renewable energy projects, and transactional lawyer Adam Hankiss has particular experience in solar, wind, and hydrogen projects. Younger partner Tristan Pelham Webb is building a strong practice in project finance for renewable energy projects in the US.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Melmed; Stuart Zisman; Scott Greer

Key clients

Arevon Asset Management

Atlas Holdings

Axium Infrastructure

Brookfield Infrastructure Group

D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments

Global Clean Energy, Inc.

Instar Asset Management

Ridgewood Infrastructure, LLC

Starwood Energy Group

The Carlyle Group

UBS Infrastructure

Wabash Valley Resources

Avantus

Transmission Developers, Inc.

HIF

Work highlights

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 1

Government > Government relations

King & Spalding LLP augments an impressive reputation in the healthcare and life sciences space with a broad spectrum of policy advice, legislative reform advocacy, and federal and state grant support for a range of industries. A distinct congressional investigations team also guides individuals and corporations through the complex process of responding to inquiries on pressing and high-profile issues. Thomas Spulak chairs the practice, leveraging extensive experience in tax, healthcare, energy, defense, aerospace and appropriations policy. J.C. Boggs, who co-leads the firm’s state attorneys general practice, is active in assisting financial services and tech firms navigate the political and regulatory sphere. David Farber‘s focus on healthcare includes a notable focus on Medicare and Medicaid issues faced by life sciences companies, hospitals, and pharmacies, while Steven Kupka supports both large healthcare companies and energy providers. Daniel Donovan, Sally Yates, and Theodore Hester are the primary contacts for congressional investigations.

Practice head(s):

Thomas Spulak

Testimonials

‘Professional, responsive, and deeply knowledgeable team. Input from former market and government leaders is invaluable.’

‘Steve Kupka is a passionate, hard driving, consummate professional. His reputation and deep long-term relationships within the US government and private industry have been invaluable to our work.’

Key clients

Adventist HealthCare

Becton Dickinson

Flagler Health

Honduras Próspera

Makana Therapeutics

Padron Cigars

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)

Puerto Rico Fiscal Agency & Financial Advisory Authority

Seaboard Corporation

Silicon Power Corporation

SiCamore Semiconductor Corporation

USA Swimming

Work highlights

  • Assisted Adventist Healthcare with securing extra funding for a new hospital at Howard University in Fiscal Budget 2024.
  • Successfully assisted the MARC Coalition with pushing the White House by identifying a technical defect in the proposed new enforcement regime of the Medicare program CMS, necessitating the Final Rule being withdrawn with CMS needing to perform a new economic analysis.
  • Acted for Flagler Health in advocating for the introduction of H.R. 4859, the Patient Accessibility and Access to Community Healthcare Act, to ensure for 10 years the sole community hospital status of any hospitals that participated in the program as of the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration.

Healthcare > Service providers Tier 1

Praised by clients for its ‘practicality and deep knowledge’, King & Spalding LLP is noted for its extensive knowledge of commercial disputes between service providers and health insurers, in addition to cases regarding new HHS and CMS rules concerning allegations of underpayment for out-of-network services, and Medicare payment rates for home health services. Jim Boswell and Mark Polston jointly lead the team from Atlanta and Washington DC respectively; heading up the Medicare reimbursement litigation team, Polston regularly acts for health systems, hospitals and clinical laboratories in healthcare fraud investigations. Houston’s Adam Robison represents healthcare clients, including academic medical centers, in regulatory and transactional matters. In the Washington office,  Medicare reimbursement specialist Dan Hettich assists clients with Medicare-related claims arising under the False Claims Act (FCA); Chris Kenny is noted for his expertise in compliance and payment issues experienced by health systems and hospitals; and senior associate Alek Pivec regularly appears before the Provider Reimbursement Review Board on behalf of healthcare providers in cases involving government payors. Atlanta’s Jon Harris is a key name for corporate transactions involving providers and investors.

Practice head(s):

Jim Boswell; Mark Polston

Other key lawyers:

Dan Hettich; Adam Robison; Chris Kenny; Alek Pivec; Sara Brinkmann; Glenn Solomon; Jon Harris; Rick Zall

Testimonials

‘The practice provides us with comprehensive healthcare M&A counsel. They have a deep team that can supplement the lead attorneys, if needed.’

‘The team is very responsive and takes into consideration both business and legal issues impacting our health system. They answer the questions asked and spot issues others did not think of.’

‘The firm employs highly qualified individuals. They specialize in various areas and are extremely good at what they’ve specialized in.’

‘The K&S team’s strengths are their grasp of the subject matter, practicality and deep knowledge of the market. When I receive legal advice from them, I know that they’ve probably already explored the same issue for another client and have thought through the consequences of their advice.’

‘Adam Robison is incredibly responsive and helpful in a wide cross section of the healthcare space. For most issues, he is my point person, and I value his relationship with our institution. Sara Brinkmann is developing expertise in managed care practices, which seems like it will be a growing area.’

‘While many large law firms have skilled and knowledgeable lawyers, K&S does a very nice job of staying ahead of others when it comes to advising on opportunities available to health care organizations that not everyone sees. We look to our lawyers to be idea resources not just backwards looking problem solvers and research tools.’

Key clients

American Clinical Laboratory Association

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center

Atrium Health

Aveanna Healthcare

Baylor College of Medicine & Affiliated Medical Services

Bon Secours Health System

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center Health Care System

California Hospital Association

Care Hospice

Charleston Area Medical Center

CHRISTUS Health

Citizens Medical Center

Community Health Systems, Inc.

Cooper University Hospital

El Camino Hospital

Florida Hospital Association

Fresno Community Hospital and Medical Center

HCA

Health Services Los Angeles County

Hill Country Memorial Hospital

Houston Methodist Hospital

John Muir Health

LifeGift Organ Procurement Organization

Marion Hospital Corporation

Memorial Healthcare System

Methodist Fremont Health

Mount Sinai Health System NYC

Montefiore Medical Center

National Association for Home Care and Hospice

Nemours Children’s Health

New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System

New York University Langone Medical Center

Northwell Health

Ochsner Health System

OSF Healthcare System

Piedmont Healthcare

Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

Presbyterian Healthcare Services

ProCare Hospice of Nevada

Regional Medical Center of San Jose

San Antonio Regional Hospital

San Miguel Hospital Corporation Hospital

Southwestern Health Resources Clinically Integrated Network

Stanford Health Care

Sutter Health

Tampa General Hospital

Texas Council Risk Management Fund

Tiero, LLC

Trinity Health

UAB Medicine

University of California

University of Kansas Hospital

University of Utah Hospital

University of California Health

University of Tennessee Medical Center

University of Texas San Antonio

The University of Texas System

Vituity

Work highlights

  • Representing Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center of San Jose in a lawsuit that will set precedent over whether California laws and regulations establishing payment obligations on licensed health plans do not apply to county-owned health plans.
  • Advising The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center on a proposed joint arrangement with Children’s Health System of Texas to develop, construct, own, and operate a new 532-bed children’s hospital campus in Dallas.
  • Acting for Adventist HealthCare on strategies to secure federal funding for half of the $600m total cost of constructing a new Howard University Hospital.

Industry focus > Education Tier 1

Lauded by one client as a ‘truly first-rate team’, the practice at King & Spalding LLP assists healthcare and academic medical centers with litigation and arbitration, transactional and regulatory mandates, investigations, and corporate governance. The department, which is noted for its ‘responsiveness, ability to understand the issues, and practical advice’, is jointly directed by a trio of partners. Leading from Chicago, Zachary Fardon routinely represents major universities in sensitive white-collar criminal defense and investigations. In Atlanta, Andy Bayman has focused his practice on representing academic medical centers and medical schools in a range of regulatory and transactional matters. New York-based Todd Holleman completes the leadership group. Additional key names to note include Houston-based Adam Robison, who advises academic medical centers on transactional mandates; and Zachary Fardon, who works from the Chicago office and focuses on white-collar criminal defense.

Practice head(s):

Zach Fardon; Andy Bayman; Todd Holleman

Other key lawyers:

Kristin Roshelli; Mark Polston

Testimonials

‘The K&S team is unique in their ability to assist healthcare-focused higher education clients. Since they also serve many peer institutions, they bring practical market knowledge to the table.’

‘Responsiveness, ability to understand the issues, and practical advice. A truly first-rate team – Kristin Roshelli stands out.’

‘K&S does a great job, particularly in the area of health care reimbursement. They are responsive and creative. They are very knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the law.’

‘Mark Polston is a creative, practical lawyer. He understands the technical law but goes above and beyond to understand its practical application and gives real-time advice.’

Key clients

Adventist HealthCare

Baylor College of Medicine

Cornell University

Emory University

Fairfax County Public Schools

Medical University Hospital Authority

Natura Resources, LLC

Over 30 teaching hospitals across the country (including Cleveland Clinic, Duke University, University of Virginia, Montefiore Medical Center, and University of California)

The University of Texas System and its various health institutions

University of Georgia Athletic Association and The University of Georgia Foundation

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

Vanderbilt University

Work highlights

  • Represented The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in connection with a proposed multi-billion joint arrangement with Children’s Health System of Texas to develop, construct, own, and operate a new 532-bed children’s hospital campus in Dallas, Texas.
  • Acted for Adventist HealthCare to secure federal funding for half of the $600m total cost of constructing a new Howard University Hospital.
  • Represented Baylor College of Medicine in the defense of a qui tam False Claims Act litigation, Vaughn et al v. Harris County Hospital District et al, in the Southern District of Texas.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 1

The trial and global disputes group at King & Spalding LLP remains a dominant force in the practice area, representing such major household names in media and entertainment and tech as Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Zoom, Google, ByteDance and Warner Media in high-stakes copyright litigation. Kenneth Steinthal in San Francisco heads the team, bringing over 40 years of trial experience and expertise on intellectual property rights and licensing to advise multinationals engaged in audiovisual media content distribution. Arwen Johnson in Los Angeles brings expertise to key names in entertainment, advising on Netflix and Warner Bros. on such matters as idea theft, copyright infringement and contract disputes. David Mattern in Washington DC advises service providers and tech platforms on matters involving the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

Practice head(s):

Kenneth Steinthal

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Google/YouTube

National Public Radio (NPR), Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Zoom Video Communications, Inc.

Viacom/CBS

Netflix

ByteDance/TikTok

Peloton

The Orchard (Sony Music subsidiary)

Warner Media (including HBO, Turner, and Warner Bros.)

Mood Media/Muzak

Disney/ESPN

A&E Television Networks

AMC Networks

BBC

Bloomberg TV and Radio

Cumulus Media

Discovery Communications / Scripps Networks

DISH

Audacy (formerly known as Entercom and including CBS Radio)

Fox Cable

International trade and national security > Trade remedies and trade policy Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP’s trade remedy, trade compliance and trade policy unit forms a key part of the wider firm’s highly regarded global international trade practice. Enjoying close links with domestic industry clients, including US steel, semiconductors, paper and fuel companies, the Washington DC-based group handles a steady stream of significant trade remedy cases and critical trade policy matters. Department chair Stephen Orava brings to bear deep experience in dealing with high-stakes trade litigation. Orava recently paired up with trade policy specialist and former GC for the Office of the USTR, Stephen Vaughn, to represent Cleveland-Cliffs and United Steelworkers on their antidumping petitions to the Department of Commerce (DOT) and the USITC concerning certain tin mill products from eight countries—one of the largest US trade cases on steel in recent years. Elsewhere, Michael Taylor successfully advised the Coalition of Domestic Folder Manufacturers on petitioning for  antidumping and countervailing duty relief on subsidized paper file products from various countries. The group also includes the talented Jamieson Greer, who has recently advised several major US corporations on trade remedy and trade policy matters; and experienced senior counsel Neal Reynolds, who leverages extensive government-side experience from a previous stint as an international trade lawyer at the USITC.

Practice head(s):

Stephen Orava

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The team with Steve Orava and Jamieson Greer is composed of seasoned trade lawyers, who have seen a lot in the industry and understand its needs. It is not only good on the law but also on how the company works and thinks.’

‘Very capable on international trade, duties, antidumping, tariffs and trade law. Great general business knowledge and resources as well.’

‘Good people, strong ethics and hard workers. The team is always available when we need them and if they aren’t a subject matter expert on the item we need help on, they are always able to get us set up with an attorney who is.’

Key clients

Ad Hoc Coalition of American Super Absorbent Polymer Producers (coalition of BASF Corp., Evonik Superabsorber, and Nippon Shokubai America Industries)

Briggs & Stratton

CalCIMA (California Construction and Industrial Materials Association)

Cleveland-Cliffs

Coalition for Sustainable Cement Manufacturing and Environment (“CSCME”)

Coalition of Domestic Folder Manufacturers, including Smead Manufacturing Co and TOPS Products

Committee for Fair Trade in Ammonium Sulfate, including AdvanSix (formerly Honeywell Resins & Chemicals) and PCI Nitrogen

Cornerstone Chemical

Domtar Corporation

The Dow Chemical Company

J.R. Simplot Company

Novelis Corp., Hindalco Industries (and affiliates)

Novolex

Olin Corporation and affiliates

PURIS Protein

US Magnesium

U.S. Producers of Citric Acid (coalition of Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Primient)

Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company

Wincom

Washington Red Raspberry Commission

Work highlights

  • Represented Cleveland-Cliffs and United Steelworkers on their antidumping petitions to the DOC and the USITC concerning certain tin mill products from eight countries, and also on their countervailing duty petition on tin mill products from China.
  • Represented an ad hoc coalition of American SAP Producers (BASF, Evonik, and Nippon Shokubai) before the USITC and DOC, resulting in the imposition of antidumping duties on imports of a polymer used in hygienic products from South Korea.
  • Represented The Committee for Fair Trade in Ammonium Sulfate in securing an unanimous affirmative ITC determination in the sunset review of antidumping and countervailing duty orders on imports of ammonium sulfate from China.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

Specializing in all aspects of carve-out sales, multi-jurisdictional M&A, and strategic transactions, the King & Spalding LLP team is noted for its ‘outstanding’ work on behalf of companies in the infrastructure, asset management, and tech spaces and stands out in particular for its ability to guide clients through early-stage M&A opportunities and public transactions. New York-based lawyer Jonathan Melmed brings vast experience in the energy, finance, and media spheres to the table and co-heads the practice Atlanta-based lawyers Rahul Patel and Keith Townsend, who are experts in handling joint ventures and corporate governance matters. In Northern Virginia, Tom Knox is knowledgeable on securities offerings and divestitures, whilst Silicon Valley-based Laura Bushnell represents corporations and investors in capital raising transactions. Enrico Granata is located in New York, focusing on tender and exchange offers, and Cal Smith concentrates on corporate finance transactions from Atlanta. In August 2024, Joseph Halloum, who has strong expertise in IPOs and SPAC transactions, joined in New York from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Melmed; Rahul Patel; Keith Townsend

Testimonials

‘K&S’s corporate team is outstanding in this space. The commitment to client service exhibited by Rahul Patel and John Hyman is outstanding.’

‘I have not found a better firm for mid-market M&A than King & Spalding.’

‘Excellent quality talent on the team. Focused on the right issues and aligned with clients on what those are.’

‘Great skill set and breadth of experience. Enrico Granata and Jonathan Melmed are excellent.’

Key clients

Axium Infrastructure

Baker Hughes

Booz Allen Hamilton

Cox Enterprises

EVO Payments

Equifax

H.I.G. Capital / USALCO

Home Depot

Instar Asset Management

ManTech International

Roper Technologies

U.S. Express Enterprises

Work highlights

  • Advised Mativ Holdings, Inc. on its carveout sale of its Engineered Papers business to Evergreen Hill Enterprise Pte. Ltd. for $620m.
  • Advised SAIC on the sale of its logistics and supply chain management business to ASRC Federal Holding Company for $350m.
  • Advised U.S. Xpress Enterprises, Inc. on its sale to Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. for $808m.

Transport > Rail and road: finance Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP works with a wide client roster that encompasses transportation industry companies (such as General Motors, Genuine Parts Company and UPS) as well as major banks and private creditor providers that provide financing for transportation asset acquisitions and dispositions. The large group also advises on the leasing of transportation-related assets. The team has enviable experience in advising on financing structures for rolling stock, locomotives, chassis, containers, automobiles, tractors, and other equipment across North America. Its expertise covers operating, leveraged, capital and synthetic leases, along with syndicated and single-bank credit facilities. The practice additionally assists with the purchase and sale of rolling stock. Atlanta-based restructuring and bankruptcy expert Jeff Dutson is highly rated for workouts that include equipment and leasing structures. In New York, the team further features Peter Montoni, who advises on the financing of transportation assets; and Todd Holleman, a specialist in private credit and special situations investing. Former banking and institutional finance leader Ronald Lovelace left the firm in February 2023, while Christopher Buchanan departed in early 2025.

Practice head(s):

Todd Holleman

Other key lawyers:

Christopher Buchanan; Jeff Dutson; Peter Montoni

Key clients

Truist Bank (formerly SunTrust Bank)

Wells Fargo Rail Corporation

KKR Credit Advisors

General Motors

Genuine Parts Company

UPS

JPMorgan Chase Bank

Work highlights

  • Assisted General Motors Company with completion of the offering of $2.25bn of green bonds.
  • Advised a US energy company on its hydrogen fuel initiative and leasing program to provide fuel resources to customers.
  • Advised on an investment into a company that provides passenger and freight train operators across Europe with tailor-made leasing packages.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP is home to a deep bench of litigators who frequently act in complex, multi-jurisdictional mandates, many of which involve trials and appellate work. Government enforcement actions, regulatory and administrative proceedings, and shareholder litigation are among the specialisms of the team, which sees its attorneys appear in both trial and appellate courts as well as before government enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies and arbitral tribunals. Andy Bayman and Richard Marooney jointly chair the practice group out of Atlanta and New York, respectively. Pre-eminent trial lawyer Randy Mastro represents clients in complex civil cases, securities litigation and white collar criminal matters. Los Angeles-based practitioner Joe Akrotirianakis represents both plaintiffs and defendants across a broad range of industry sectors, including technology and life sciences as well as international shipping and transportation, among others. Mark Kirsch is a key name in the department for securities, white collar, commercial and antitrust litigation. Dallas partner Veronica Moyé joined the team from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in February 2024, while Jennifer Recine handles regulatory and real estate disputes as well as securities litigation and arrived from Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP in April 2024. Christopher Duffy joined from Vinson & Elkins LLP in June 2024. All attorneys named are based in New York, unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Andy Bayman; Richard Marooney

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Chris Duffy is a standout commercial litigator. He’s a first-class lawyer, a shrewd tactician and has the confidence of the court. Whenever I’m looking for a commercial litigator In NYC in an important or valuable matter, I turn to him.’

Key clients

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Americold

BASF

Barclays Bank PLC

Beech-Nut Nutrition Company

Benefytt Technologies Inc.

Capital One

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Deloitte Consulting

Ernst & Young

Global Payments Direct, Inc.

Hillrom

Home Depot

JP Morgan

Progressive Insurance

Ripple Labs

Senior Planning Services, LLC

Work highlights

  • Acted for a Petersen Energía, S.A.U., Petersen Energía Inversora, S.A.U., et al in a case against the Republic of Argentina, obtaining a summary judgement ruling imposing breach of contract liability on Argentina and winning $16bn in damages.
  • Represented JPMorgan in multiple matters arising from the February 2021 Winter Storm Uri, which resulted in a statewide energy crisis and brought national attention to Texas’ ERCOT energy system.
  • Represented Reficar in its high-profile dispute with U.S. Contractor CB&I over the construction of an oil refinery in Cartagena, including a $1.9bn award on behalf of Reficar.

Dispute resolution > International litigation Tier 2

The global litigation practice at King & Spalding LLP is adept at handling complex cases, often involving multiple jurisdictions and parallel proceedings, with expertise in bet-the-company stakes internationally. Blue-chip multinationals rely on the knowledge of the practice, with clients from the energy, banking and finance, pharma, automotive, and manufacturing sectors, among others. Motions to compel arbitration, anti-suit injunctions, asset recovery, and enforcement actions are all key strengths of the practice. Leadership of the practice is split between Andy Bayman in Atlanta and Reggie Smith in Houston. Smith covers international arbitration and litigation, with a particular focus on energy and extractive industries as well as enforcing arbitral awards against foreign states. Operating out of New York, Randy Mastro represents a vast array of clients in complex civil cases, with expertise in securities litigation and white-collar crime matters. Also in New York, Richard Marooney and Olivia Radin are key names, with Radin having joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in January 2023, often acting on internal and regulatory investigations, in addition to congressional inquiries.

Practice head(s):

Andy Bayman; Reggie Smith

Work highlights

  • Obtained a summary judgment ruling imposing breach of contract liability on behalf of the Republic of Argentina and won a$16.1 billion damages award for the client.
  • Representing and advising claimants (multiple renewable energy investors) in global enforcement proceedings against Spain and Italy under the Energy Charter Treaty for the withdrawal or modification of renewable energy incentives.
  • Secured a landmark victory for Reficar in its high-profile dispute with U.S. Contractor CB&I over the construction of an oil refinery in Colombia in June 2023.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP has a broad securities and shareholder litigation practice, with experienced practitioners across the US, though it is particularly dominant in the Southeast and Southwest. Atlanta-based Jessica Corley leads the firm’s trial and global disputes practice. Int the same office, Warren Pope and Michael Smith are the key securities litigators. Mark Kirsch, who is highly regarded for his successes in SEC-related matters and cases involving mortgage-backed securities, is a key name in New York, as are skilled trial lawyers Randy Mastro and Richard Marooney. Kirsch recently affirmed the dismissal of a class action against Rio Tinto, which was accused of defrauding investors following the $4bn impairment of a coal mining project in Mozambique. Paul Bessette in Austin is notable, while the firm also has a strong team in Miami, where Brian Miller is the main contact. New York-based Christopher Duffy joined the firm from Vinson & Elkins LLP in June 2024.

Practice head(s):

Jessica Corley

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

ACC Holdings, Inc.

Acadia Healthcare Company, Inc.

ADTRAN, Inc.

Capital One

CBL & Associates Properties, Inc.

Conduent Incorporated

Digital Turbine, Inc.

Evolent Health, Inc.

Exterran Corporation

FleetCor Technologies, Inc

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.

Global Brokerage, Inc. (formerly FXCM, Inc.)

Hanger, Inc.

HSBC

Medallion Financial Corp.

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

Neovasc, Inc.

Newell Brands, Inc.

Phunware, Inc.

PolarityTE

Rio Tinto Group

Ripple Labs

Shattuck Labs, Inc.

Shaun Thaxter

The GEO Group, Inc.

The RealReal, Inc.

Tivity Health, Inc.

Tractor Supply Company

U.S. Xpress, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Obtained a spectacular summary judgement ruling imposing breach of contract liability on the Republic of Argentina and won $16 billion damages ruling on behalf ofplaintiffs Petersen Energía, S.A.U., Petersen Energía Inversora, S.A.U., et al. lawsuits against the Argentine Republic and YPF, S.A. stemming fromArgentina’s expropriation of YPF, which destroyed tens of billions of dollars of shareholder value and displaced the Petersen plaintiffs as YPF’s controlling shareholders.
  • Secured victory for Rio Tinto by obtaining an affirmance in the Second Circuit of a district court decision that declined to reopen a class action seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages. The claims arise in connection with a $4 billion write-down Rio Tinto took relating to a massive mining project in Mozambique.
  • Secured a long-awaited victory for HSBC in a lawsuit, originally filed in 2014, accusing HSBC of conspiring to manipulate the price of silver. The case was dismissedwith prejudice, noting that the plaintiffs did not present sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the alleged price manipulations harmed or affected plaintiffs’ trades.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Trusted by some of the market’s premium oil and gas operators and producers, King & Spalding LLP regularly acts on large-scale project financings and developments, advising on mandates not only in the domestic space but in wider jurisdictions such as South America, Asia and the Middle East. The team is well versed advising on EPC agreements, construction contracts, and transportation, supply and product offtake arrangements – amongst others – while counting joint ventures and debt and equity restructurings as part of a diverse array of workstreams that also includes entrenched M&A capabilities. Recent key matters have involved carbon capture and storage, blue hydrogen and ammonia production facilities, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel facilities, as well as floating LNG projects. Spearheading the group is Stuart Zisman who offers a wide range of corporate transaction and advisory support, particularly in regard to midstream and downstream. Peter Hays is noted for ‘his eye for detail’ and ‘ability to efficiently simplify and capture complex commercial terms’, and is often sought out for hydrocarbon transactions across the entire value chain. David Lang is another name of note, offering highly valued LNG expertise. Mitchell Tiras joined the team in August 2023 from Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, offering deep experience in the energy and renewables transactions and funds space. All individuals are based in Houston.

Practice head(s):

Stuart Zisman

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Peter Hays is one of the best transactional attorneys in the business. His eye for detail and ability to efficiently simplify and capture complex commercial terms in contracts is extremely unique.’

 

Key clients

Equistar Chemicals, LP. / LyondellBasell

JERA & Co., Ltd

Kinder Morgan

Next Wave Energy Partners

NextDecade (Rio Grande LNG)

Occidental Petroleum

Shell Oil Company

Sun Coast Resources, Inc.

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP

Weatherford International PLC

Mexico Pacific Limited LLC

Western LNG

Pembina Pipeline

Work highlights

  • Advised Rio Grande LNG, a subsidiary of NextDecade, on the US$18.4 billion on the Rio Grande Project.
  • Represented Tallgrass, as one of the first midstream majors to take affirmative FID on a large carbon capture transportation sequestration project, on the acquisition and development of a CO2 capture, transportation and sequestration system and CO2 offtake project with an Archer-Daniels Midland (ADM) ethanol plant located in Columbus, Nebraska.
  • Representing Woodside in the development of the Trion Field offshore Mexico in a deal that will make Woodside the first-ever company to partner with PEMEX (Petróleos Mexicanos) for deep water oil exploration and production, made possible under Mexico’s recent energy reform.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP is a name to note for environmental and climate change litigation for its special focus on matters related to air pollution, toxic chemicals and industrial disasters. The team is co-headed by Washington DC’s Granta Nakayama, who handles a spread of environmental health and safety matters, in addition to New York’s Kristen Fournier and San Francisco's Matt Blaschke, who jointly lead the firm’s toxic and environmental torts team, and are recommended for their product liability work. Tracie Renfroe , of the Houston office, attracts clients from across the energy and industrial sector for her national and international arbitration expertise, especially those relating to contamination, toxic tort and product liability, while Atlanta’s Douglas Henderson is well versed in dealing with property rights disputes to do with chemical exposure, groundwater contamination and the Clean Water Act. Over in Los Angeles, Peter Hsiao heads the West Coast environmental, health & safety practice, his wide experience covers natural resources and climate change litigation, in addition to toxic tort work.

Practice head(s):

Granta Nakayama; Kristen Fournier; Matt Blaschke

Other key lawyers:

Tracie Renfroe; Douglas Henderson; Peter Hsiao; Elizabeth Taber

Key clients

New Jersey Governor’s Office

Volkswagen AG

Chevron

Phillips 66

Baker Hughes

Dow Chemical Company

BASF Corporation

Stellantis (Formerly FCA US LLC and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV) and various subsidiaries

International Paper Co.

The Renco Group

Work highlights

  • Representing the Office of Governor Phil Murphy in considering all legal options concerning the NY Congestion Pricing Plan. The Environmental, Health and Safety team is crucially involved in the recently-filed challenge to the Federal Highway Administration’s review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • Advising Stellantis regarding allegations that FCA US LLC equipped its 3.0L diesel vehicles with defeat devices and undisclosed alternative emissions control strategies.
  • Advising the Renco Group and Doe Run Resources as lead counsel in mass tort litigation pending in two federal district court cases in the Eastern District of Missouri in which plaintiffs allege that defendants, acting from Missouri and New York, controlled Doe Run Peru’s smelting operations at the La Oroya smelting facility in Peru in a manner that resulted in approximately 3,000 Plaintiffs’ exposure to lead and other toxic substances, causing medical and developmental injuries.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

Fielding a team of experts backed by agency experience, King & Spalding LLP is well equipped to handle a spread of environmental matters, relating to materials compliance, renewables, emissions and toxic substances. The team is led by Granta Nakayama, based in Washington DC, whose wide practice spans the breadth of air, water, waste, toxic chemicals and pesticides enforcement and compliance work. Peter Hsiao, of the Los Angeles office heads the West Coast environmental health and safety practice, leveraging his experience in environment, climate change and natural resources legislation, while the Chicago-based Karl Heisler handles a spread of enforcement and incident response matters, which ranges from fires and explosions, right through to pipeline releases and the abandonment of hazardous waste. Ilana Saltzbart specializes in renewables and biofuels, while Cynthia Stroman is a name to note in energy and chemicals regulation. Both practitioners are based in Washington DC.

Practice head(s):

Granta Nakayama

Other key lawyers:

Peter Hsiao; Ilana Saltzbart; Patrick Runge; Karl Heisler; Cynthia Stroman

Key clients

Chevron

Phillips 66

Dow Chemical Company

ConocoPhillips  (NYSE: COP)

Garrison Investment Group

Shell Oil Co.

Work highlights

  • Advising ConocoPhillips on the safe decommissioning of two offshore oil platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel, the most significant decommissioning project in California.
  • Representing Garrison, a real estate investment firm, regarding one of the largest electronic waste (“e-waste”) abandonments in U.S. history.
  • Advising a renewable fuel producer regarding compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and its newly promulgated Set Rule.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP advises issuers, underwriters and investors on matters across the securitization market, with particular strength in digital infrastructure securitizations, including data center, fiber and telecommunications. The firm also maintains a strong practice across the ABS and receivables securitization spaces. The ‘unflappable’ Jonathan Arkins, based in Miami, advises on a range of asset types, from the traditional to the esoteric, including data centers, IP license streams, ground lease pools and equipment rental receivables. Jeff Misher is well-versed in ABS and CLO transactions for lenders sponsors and issuers. Working out of Washington DC, David Ridenour expertise covers the gambit of asset-backed securitizations; he is experienced in mortgage servicing rights, tax liens, solar loans, equipment loans, small business loans and SFR securitizations. Arkins, Misher and Ridenour jointly lead the firm’s practice. Within the team, Katy Berger and Nika Silva are noted members of the practice for their work on securitizations and other specialty finance transactions. In April 2023, Michael Urschel and Ryan McNaughton left the firm. Unless stated otherwise, lawyers are in New York.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Arkins; Jeff Misher; David Ridenour

Other key lawyers:

Katy Berger; Nika Silva; Martin Eid; Kathryn Weiss

Testimonials

‘Jonathan Arkins has built a team of attorneys that is able to handle everything from the simple to the most complex transactions.’

‘Jonathan Arkins is one of the best attorneys I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. His technical knowledge is second to none. He is unflappable in negotiations and conducts himself with poise and grace.’

Key clients

Aligned Energy

Cerberus Capital Management

Compass Datacenters

CyrusOne

Enova International

Landmark Dividend

MUFG

Nuveen

TIAA

Sabey Data Centers

Stack Infrastructure USA, LLC

Work highlights

  • Represented Compass Data Centers in connection with the first ever data center ABS backed by collateral located in Israel.
  • Represented an affiliate of Blackstone Asset Based Finance Advisors LP and GoodLeap, LLC in connection with the purchase of certain sustainable home improvement loans from GoodLeap.
  • Represented MUFG Bank, Ltd. in connection with a Loan and Management Agreement consisting of a $300 million loan asset warehouse facility for GCP Finance 11 L.P. as borrower.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP represents clients in a range of complex disputes, including drug pricing issues under the federal 340B program, and is also a name to note for advice concerning the FDA’s regulatory procedures governing biologics and biosimilars. A number of investors in life sciences entities also regularly come to the firm for assistance in transactional matters. Leading the team is a three-person group of FDA regulatory specialists, with Mark Brown advising on both compliance and enforcement action, Nikki Reeves handling Form 483s and product recalls, and Seth Lundy, who assists medical device manufacturers design compliance programs and handle government investigations. Brian Bohnenkamp is also noted for his expertise in creating compliance programs, which he handles for both emerging and established players in the sector, while Lisa Dwyer specializes in the burgeoning digital health space, in addition to pre-market strategies. John Shakow is the name to note for issues of drug pricing, where he offers significant litigious experience. The practice was strengthened in August 2023 by the arrival from Hyman Phelps & McNamara, P.C. of Jeffrey Shapiro, an expert on the FDA’s approach to medical device regulation.

Practice head(s):

Mark Brown; Nikki Reeves; Seth Lundy

Testimonials

‘The life sciences practice at King & Spalding is a highly experienced, business-savvy team of delightfully genuine and personable attorneys.’

‘Seth Lundy is a consummate all-around life sciences commercialization and compliance leader and partner.’

‘This team is very strong and plays off each other to advise its clients for solutions that work for the business. They clearly lay out risks and levels of risk so that you can make well-advised decisions as a business.’

‘Brian Bohnenkamp is very knowledgeable in and practical for the pharmaceutical space, including rare diseases, pricing, patient support, and other intricate areas. He lays out risk levels well while getting right to the point.’

‘Nikki Reeves is very knowledgeable in the pharmaceutical space. She provides information that helps you to make informed decisions for the business. She brings in the appropriate people, as necessary, to move decision-making along quickly.’

Key clients

AbbVie

Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Allergan, Inc.

Amarin Corporation

Amgen

Baxter International

BioMarin

Boehringer Ingelheim

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Coloplast Corporation

Daiichi Pharmaceuticals

Eli Lilly

EMD Serono

Exact Sciences

Garmin International, Inc.

GSK

HeartFlow, Inc.

Henry Schein

Hope Medical Enterprises, Inc. (Hope Pharmaceuticals)

Imperative Care

Integra LifeSciences

Invacare Corporation

Kiyatec

LEO Pharma, Inc.

LivePerson

Medtronic

Novo Nordisk

PhRMA

Takeda Pharmaceuticals

Teleflex, Inc.

Urogen

Zimmer Biomet

Work highlights

  • Advised HeartFlow Holding, Inc. on its $215m Series F and Series F-1 preferred stock financing, which was led by Bain Capital Life Sciences.
  • Represented Eisai in connection with a restructuring of its collaboration with US-based Biogen.
  • Represented Novo Nordisk before the Third Circuit concerning manufacturers’ obligations to sell drugs to hospitals at a discount under the federal 340B pricing program.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP has extensive experience handling Section 337 investigations and litigating before the International Trade Commission. The group has is well-versed in tech matters and is increasingly expanding its life sciences practice, with newly acquired clients including Eli Lilly. Practice head Jeffrey Telep in Washington DC is praised by clients as ‘probably the most capable and knowledgeable ITC lawyer in the United States‘. The team also includes trial lawyers Chris Campbell in DC and Britton Davis in Denver, who both represent clients in patent infringement cases involving a wide array of technologies. Also a key practitioner in DC, the ‘highly qualified attorneyBrian Hill regularly represents tech companies in ITC investigations.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Telep

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Jeff Telep is probably the most capable and knowledgeable ITC lawyer in the United States. Jeff’s advice on our ITC case has been correct, his interpretation of the results have been correct and he has provided great recommendations.’

‘I would add Brian Hill to the list of highly qualified attorneys.’

‘I continue to hold the King & Spalding ITC team in high regard. ’

Key clients

Composite Resources Inc.

North American Rescue LLC

Eli Lilly

Causam Enterprises, Inc.

Advanced Silicon Group Technologies LLC

iApartments, Inc.

EMD Serono

Work highlights

  • Advised Composite Resources, Inc. and North American Rescue, the manufacturer and distributor, respectively, of combat application tourniquets, on filing a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting an investigation under Section 337 into the importation and sale of tourniquets after learning that that imported knock-off tourniquets infringed the clients’ patents, trademarks, and trade dress.
  • Represented Eli Lilly in a case at the International Trade Commission to prevent counterfeit versions of Lilly’s blockbuster drug Mounjaro ® from being imported into the United States.
  • Represented Causam on a Section 337 case and parallel district court patent infringement actions against a number of importers and foreign producers of smart thermostats and meters, specifically Itron, Resideo, Alarm.com, and ecobee.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: non-contentious (including prosecution, portfolio management and licensing) Tier 2

International trade and national security > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP impresses clients with its ‘exceptional expertise in US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) import regulations’. The group routinely handles highly sensitive customs investigations and contentious matters, with its wider strength in trade litigation standing as a complementary asset in this field. Customs head Michael Taylor specializes in the full range of customs compliance and Homeland Security matters, with his comprehensive sector experience spanning the life sciences, chemicals, textiles, agribusiness, energy and aerospace industries, among others. His team also draws on Jeffrey Telep, who spearheads the firm’s Section 337 practice at the US International Trade Commission (USITC); up-and-coming customs specialist Patrick Togni; and International trade chair Stephen Orava, who has a significant customs dimension to his practice. The overarching international trade department also houses an increasingly prominent export controls and economic sanctions offering. National security specialist Christine Savage leads the CFIUS, export controls and sanctions unit and is sought after for her extensive experience both in government and private practice in compliance and enforcement proceedings. Other contacts on the export controls and sanctions side include Alexis Early and counsels Danielle Pressler and Shaswat Das. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Practice head(s):

Michael Taylor; Christine Savage; Stephen Orava

Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Telep; Patrick Togni; Alexis Early; Danielle Pressler; Shaswat Das; Jamieson Greer; Christopher Hyner

Testimonials

‘The primary K&S trade customs partners on our account are simply OUTSTANDING in terms of responsiveness and solutions proactivity. The individuals have collaborated on some significant initiatives for the company whilst; always maintaining a practical and reasonable approach.’

‘Stand-out partners: Michael Taylor & Patrick Togni. Michael is very engaging as the lead engagement partner and very practical in providing context to the situation and opportunities therein. Patrick provides a technician scalpel approach in digesting possible alternatives being considered by the Group.’

‘The team’s strengths lie in its remarkable responsiveness, always readily available to provide in-depth guidance promptly. The partnership approach it adopts is commendable. Lawyers go beyond merely providing legal advice to immerse themselves in understanding the specific needs of our business.’

‘Its has exceptional expertise in CBP import regulations. It possesses deep understanding of these complex regulations and handles them with remarkable proficiency, ensuring our business remains compliant and efficient, particularly Patrick Tongi, Jamieson Greer and associate Christopher Hyner.’

‘Its responsiveness is unparalleled, always available to answer queries and provide guidance, no matter how complex the situation. What stands out most is its deep-seated partnership approach. They don’t just offer legal advice; they invest time in understanding our business needs.’

‘Its domain knowledge, especially regarding CBP import regulations, is impressive. Lawyers navigate these intricate regulations with ease, ensuring compliance and efficiency for our business.’

Key clients

Access USA Shipping LLC

Aegis Security Insurance Company

Atlas Holdings LLC

American Furniture Manufacturers Committee for Legal Trade

Chr. Hansen

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc

Embraer

Encore Wire Corporation

Energizer Holdings

Hexcel Corporation

Hunter Douglas

Illinois Tool Works

Mueller Water Products

Novelis

Novolex

Porsche Cars North America

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company

Terphane

Work highlights

  • Represented Aegis Security Insurance Company in two collection matters brought by CPB in the CIT to recover antidumping duties on entries for which Aegis acted as surety.
  • Represented ASC Engineered Services in a ‘reverse’ False Claims Act case, alleging improper filings and misrepresentations by the company to avoid the payment of duties on certain butt-weld fittings from China.
  • Conducted due diligence work for large, global financial institutions on export control and economic sanctions issues related to cross-border financing and investment.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: middle-market (Up to $500m) Tier 2

Energy and infrastructure transactions form a standout area of focus for the team at King & Spalding LLP, which is active in transactions that span the middle- and upper-market and encompass portfolio company mergers, joint ventures, platform and add-on acquisitions, and exits for private equity funds seeking to dispose of oil and gas assets and invest in renewable assets. Practice co-head Jonathan Melmed acts as a key contact for energy-related matters and is a key contact for SPAC mergers and strategic investments, while Atlanta-based co-head Rahul Patel extends the team’s area of expertise to encompass deals in the tech and logistics sectors. Enrico Granata is a key contact for cross-border public and private M&A as well as for joint ventures and restructuring matters, while Adam Hankiss handles growth investments and buyouts in the infrastructure space. Unless otherwise stated, all lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Melmed; Rahul Patel

Other key lawyers:

Enrico Granata; Adam Hankiss; Aaron Hullman

Key clients

ACON

Axium Infrastructure

Brookfield Renewable

Carlyle Power Partners

D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments

Lotus Infrastructure Partners

Macquarie Capital

Morguard Corporation

Vida Capital Inc.

WM Partners

Work highlights

  • Advised D.E. Shaw & Co., L.P. and various affiliates on the sale of a 75% indirect equity interest in the 149 MW Big River solar project.
  • Advised Instar Asset Management and its portfolio companies on several strategic transactions.
  • Advised Lotus Infrastructure Partners on multiple strategic transactions to liquidate previous investments in natural gas assets and deploy capital into renewable natural gas assets.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 2

With extensive experience across the full range of energy projects, the construction team at King & Spalding LLP have a ‘well-deserved reputation’, advising and representing major international companies and corporations in high-stakes litigation, arbitration, and mediation cases. Noted for his expertise in the international energy construction industry, Mike Stenglein jointly leads the team alongside Scott Greer, who spearheads the firm’s global energy and construction transactional practice, representing clients high-profile LNG projects. Elsewhere in the practice, San Francisco-based Stephen O’Neal showcases considerable experience in construction and engineering disputes and international arbitration. Also in San Francisco, Benjamin Jones focuses on international refinery projects, while Houston-based Jonathan Katz represents owners and developers in the oil and gas and petrochemical sectors. Peter Berg left the firm in June 2024.

Practice head(s):

Mike Stenglein; Scott Greer

Testimonials

‘King & Spalding has a well-deserved reputation for its expertise, specific experience, advocacy on behalf of its clients, ability to handle complexity, attention to detail, and, importantly, business perspective.’

‘When it comes to major project development and construction, particularly in the LNG industry, King & Spalding is the gold standard. The breadth and depth of knowledge and experience in unparalleled, both in transactional work and litigation.’

‘The lawyers we have worked with bring deep industry understanding and technical, as well as legal skills, so the advice and guidance is very specific to industry practice. They really are in a class by themselves, in terms of creativity and being on top of latest innovations and risk mitigation strategies.’

‘When it comes to market positions and negotiations, Scott Greer’s depth of knowledge and decades of experience make him the best in the business. He knows every side of the issues before they arise, resulting in exceptional efficiency and excellent results for his clients.

‘Jonathan Katz knows project development transactions, and the law behind them, inside and out. His ability to articulate arguments and positions with both his clients and counterparties makes him an outstanding advocate. Jonathan is consistently responsive, listens to his clients to understand their needs, and executes with precision. He has been a genuine pleasure to work with over the years.’

Key clients

Avantus

Bayport Polymers, LLC

Champlain Hudson Power Express Project

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

Commonwealth LNG

Dow

EnergySource Minerals

Freeport LNG

G2X Energy

Global Clean Energy Holdings

HIF Global

Hy Stor Energy LP

Iron Mountain

MATEP, LLC and MATEP, LP

Mexico Pacific Limited LLC

Mitsui Fudosan Americas, Inc.

Motiva Enterprises LLC

Mountain View Clean Energy

MTU Maintenance Berlin-Brandenburg GmbH

NET Power, LLC

Next Wave Energy Partners

NextDecade Corporation

Occidental Petroleum

Pembina Pipeline Corporation

Refinería de Cartagena S.A.

Sempra

TOTAL Specialties

Total Petrochemical and Refining, Inc.

Vista Ridge LLC

Work highlights

  • Won a$1.9bn award for Reficar in an ICC arbitration against the contractor relating to delays and cost overruns involving an oil refinery in Colombia.
  • Representing a subsidiary of NextDecade Corporation in the first phase of the US$18.4 billion Rio Grande Project, the largest privately funded infrastructure project in the State of Texas and the largest greenfield LNG project built in one phase.
  • Representing Champlain Hudson Power Express project on the development of a multi-billion-dollar, 339-mile-long HVDC transmission line, which will deliver 1,250 MW of renewable hydro power to New York City.

Transport > Rail and road: litigation and regulation Tier 2

Representing automotive and transportation companies and suppliers, King & Spalding LLP‘s recent experience encompasses the the automotive industry’s diesel-related issues. In addition to the firm’s regulatory, enforcement and policy work, the group assists automakers with litigation, government investigations, international trade, and data privacy and security issues. Representing automotive manufacturers and transportation companies in product liability, class action and mass tort actions, Susan Clare chairs the automotive and transportation litigation team from Atlanta, where Geoffrey Drake assists vehicle manufacturers in disputes; Madison Kitchens defends automotive sector-related product manufacturers; and Adam Reinke assists automotive clients with defense-side class actions. In New York, John Hooper‘s track record includes automotive industry-related mass tort litigation settlements, while Jacquie Seidel is a class and mass action litigation specialist. Over in Washington DC, Granta Nakayama‘s experience includes assisting automakers with diesel-related issues, and Ilana Saltzbart advises on battery storage, recycling, transportation, and marketing regulations. The practice further includes Chicago-based Livia Kiser, an adviser to automotive manufacturers, automotive technology companies, distributors and suppliers on vehicle components; and Los Angeles’ product liability expert Susan Vargas.

Practice head(s):

Granta Nakayama; Susan Clare

Key clients

AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI AMERICA

Bentley Motors Limited

Daimler AG

Mercedes-Benz USA

Trucks North America

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group companies

Ford Motor Company

General Motors LLC

Kia Motors America, Inc

Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America, Inc

Tesla

Toyota Motor Sales and Toyota Motor Company

Volkswagen AG

Work highlights

  • Representing Toyota in product liability and class action litigation, involving actions alleging defective batteries, airbags, roof rail systems, HVAC systems, Denso fuel pumps, and inverters.
  • Representing General Motors in various high-profile, high-exposure class action litigation matters throughout the country.
  • Representing Volkswagen in high-profile multi-district litigation involving allegations of defective driver and front passenger airbag inflators, several class actions involving emissions warranties, and multiple product liability matters involving catastrophic injuries.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

Among King & Spalding LLP’s sector strong suits, the appellate practice stands out for its expertise in life sciences and healthcare-related cases, where it can act hand-in-hand with the wider firm’s dominant life sciences group. Other key areas of activity include energy, environmental and IP-related matters, while geographically it is particularly noted for its presence in Florida appeals. In a highlight example of its strength in the pharmaceutical sphere, Washington DC-based department co-head Ashley Parrish successfully represented Novo Nordisk in a Third Circuit appeal challenging efforts to expand the scope of manufacturers’ obligations under the federal 340B drug pricing program. The group also draws on fellow department co-lead Jeffrey Bucholtz, based in Washington DC, and California appellate specialist Anne Voigts, who splits her time between Silicon Valley and San Francisco.

Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Bucholtz; Ashley Parrish

Other key lawyers:

Anne Voigts; Paul Mezzina

Key clients

A coalition of furniture industry clients

ABB

Abbvie

American Clinical Laboratory Association

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Chevron Corporation

Delta

Eli Lilly

Empire Health Foundation

Equifax

Everport Terminals

Federal Reserve Banks

Guardian Pharmacy

Halliburton

Hope Medical Enterprises, Inc. dba Hope Pharmaceuticals

Huntington Ingalls Industries

JW Aluminum

Molina Healthcare

Novo Nordisk

ORIX

Procter & Gamble

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co.

Silicon Valley Corporation

Snap

Tivity Health

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Volkswagen

Walmart

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented JW Aluminum before the Eleventh Circuit in a case concerning the application of the Bankruptcy Code to pension labilities under the Coal Act.
  • Secured a victory for Novo Nordisk in a Third Circuit appeal challenging efforts to expand the scope of manufacturers’ obligations under the federal 340B drug pricing program.
  • Successfully defeated a petition for certiorari filed by South Carolina seeking judicial review of a decision issued by the Fourth Circuit granting habeas corpus relief in favor of a death penalty client.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP‘s trial and global disputes practice has a deep bench of versatile litigators, many of whom have experience in M&A-related matters. Chief among them are Richard Marooney in New York, who frequently handles cases in the financial services, accounting and energy industries, and Jessica Corley in Atlanta, whose broad practice encompasses securities class actions, derivative suits, and M&A litigation. She recently assisted Tivity Health, Inc., in a case in which plaintiffs sought $200m in damages following the company’s $1.3bn acquisition of Nutrisystem, Inc. in 2019. Also based in Atlanta, Warren Pope frequently appears as lead or co-lead counsel in federal and state courts across the country. He assisted Newell Brands Inc. with matters arising out of its $16bn acquisition of Jarden Corporation. Emerging partner talent Peter Isajiw in New York handles regulatory enforcement matters and government investigations, as well as complex M&A litigation. Christopher Duffy joined the firm from Vinson & Elkins LLP in June 2024, based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Richard Marooney; Jessica Corley

Key clients

Evolent Health, Inc.

FanDuel

Newell Brands, Inc.

Phunware, Inc. and Former Officers & Directors

Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc.

Sharecare, Inc.

Turbonomic, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Successfully represented FanDuel and its directors after its founders and 134 other former officers and employees brought lawsuits seeking $1bn in damages, accusing them of cheating them out the proceeds of a merger with Paddy Power Betfair.
  • Represented EVO Payments in shareholder litigation challenging certain public disclosures relating to EVO’s pending acquisition by Global Payments, Inc. in a transaction valued at $4 billion.
  • Represented U.S. Xpress, Inc. in shareholder litigation challenging certain public disclosures relating to U.S. Xpress’s acquisition by Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings Inc. in a transaction valued at $808m.

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP is well-regarded for its ability to represent oil and gas clients before FERC, the DOE, and other federal agencies, though the team is also capable of advising on issues relating to transitions to hydrogen, and carbon capture projects. The team is co-led by James Bowe and Nikesh Jindal, who are both based in Washington DC. Bowe has notable experience advising on the regulation of energy pipelines, oil and gas import and export facilities, storage facilities, and LNG projects, while Jindal’s advisory portfolio includes onshore and offshore exploration and decommissioning work. Tyler Brown, who is based in Atlanta, routinely represents natural gas pipelines clients, storage operators and local distribution companies before FERC.

Practice head(s):

James Bowe; Nikesh Jindal

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Deep subject matter expertise in niche areas, with a real appreciation for the business imperatives their clients are working to achieve.’

Key clients

Caliche Development Partners II LLC

Golden Triangle Storage, LLC

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

Chevron Corporation

Competitive Power Ventures

ConocoPhillips

Eagle LNG Partners Jacksonville, LP

EQT Corporation

Freepoint Commodities

Genera PR LLC

Hy Stor Energy LP

J.P. Morgan

Lotus Infrastructure Partners

Mexico Pacific Limited LLC

Mitsui & Co. Energy Marketing and Services

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority

The Narragansett Electric Company

Targa Resources Partners

Trafigura

Work highlights

  • Advised Golden Triangle Storage, LLC on all FERC-related matters, including preparation of an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity filed with FERC to authorize Golden Triangle Storage, LLC to build two new salt dome natural gas storage caverns in Beaumont, Texas.
  • Advised Mexico Pacific Limited, LLC, a developer of a multi-billion dollar LNG export facility in Mexico, on DOE natural gas export authorization, commercial contracting matters relating to gas transportation to the export facility, the negotiation and execution of agreements for the construction of the MPL export facility, and on international trade and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act compliance matters.
  • Advised Chevron on the full life cycle of its oil and gas activities, which includes regulatory and litigation advocacy over new offshore leases to support expanded energy production, litigation over challenges to environmental approvals authorizing drilling and exploration work, counselling on proposed changes to the regulatory framework governing oil and gas development, and assistance with decommissioning work related to the retirement of legacy assets.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 3

Alongside its expertise in mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, projects, and financing in the environmental sector, King & Spalding LLP‘s environmental team is known for advising private equity and energy companies on the full spectrum of their green transition objectives. Practice head Granta Nakayama has considerable knowledge of the energy sector, regularly advising companies on a range of regulatory and enforcement issues. The team also includes Cynthia Stroman, a specialist in the energy, renewables and environmental sectors, Joseph Eisert, an expert in transactional, enforcement and incident response matters, and Chicago-based Karl Heisler, who chairs the firm’s environmental, health and safety’s practice in the Midwest. Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Granta Nakayama

Key clients

Mubadala Investment Company

Atlas Holdings

Axium Infrastructure

Instar Asset Management

Sun Coast Resources, Inc.

Mesquite Generation Holdings LLC

Baker Hughes Incorporated

Lotus Infrastructrue Partners

Shell

Antares Holdings, LP and Antares Capital

JPMorgan Chase Bank

Science Applications International Corp. (NYSE: SAIC)

Home Depot

Hahn & Co.

SK Capital Partners

Work highlights

  • Advised Instar Asset Management in its business combination of Oilfield Water Logistics.
  • Advised The Home Depot, Inc., through its subsidiary, HD Supply, Inc, on entering into a definitive agreement to acquire Redi-Carpet, Inc. and 23 of its affiliated entities from the Caress family.
  • Advised the shareholders of Sun Coast Resources, Inc. on EHS issues in their agreement to sell Sun Coast to RelaDyne LLC, a portfolio company of American Industrial Partners. Key EHS issues included Toxics Release Inventory issues and FIFRA compliance.

Finance > Commercial lending

King & Spalding LLP handles both private credit lending, along with traditional bank lending, as well as borrower-side financing. At practice head level, the team is jointly led by New York-based Todd Holleman who is the name for private credit lending and special situation investing; Amy Peters who is experienced at handling credit facilities related to leveraged acquisitions, recapitalizations and loan workouts from the Chicago office; Carolyn Alford who forms part of the Atlanta offering, regularly handling large term loans and revolving facilities; and Jennifer Daly in New York acts a lead counsel for private credit lenders, especially in the context of rescue financing and distressed lending.  

Practice head(s):

Todd T. Holleman; Amy Peters; Carolyn Z. Alford; Jennifer E. Daly

 

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Evolent Health LLC

Mammoth Holdings, LLC

Tenex Capital Management

Trive Capital Management

Vericel Corporation

Barclays Bank PLC

Blackstone Credit

Blue Torch Capital

Capital One

Cerberus

Churchill Asset Management

Citizens Bank

Crescent Capital Group LP

Golub Capital Markets LLC

GSO Capital Partners, LP

HPS Investment Partners, LLC

KKR Credit Advisors

J.P. Morgan Chase Bank

M&T Bank

Mizuho Bank

Monroe Capital Management Advisors, LLC

New Mountain Capital

One Investment Management

Paceline Equity Partners

Platte River Equity

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

Regions Bank

Sound Point Capital

Tree Line Capital Partners

Truist Bank

Varagon Capital Partners Agent, LLC

Webster Bank, National Association

Wells Fargo

Whitehorse Capital Management, LLC

Wilmington Trust

Work highlights

  • Represented Vericel Corporation as borrower of an up to $150m senior secured revolving credit facility from JPMorgan Chase Bank and others.
  • Advised Tenex Capital Management and one of its portfolio companies, Hub Pen Company, LLC, on obtaining (i) a first lien secured credit facility consisting of a $165m term loan and a $20m revolver facility.
  • Assisted Mammoth Holdings, LLC, a portfolio company of Red Dog Equity, with obtaining a $550m senior secured credit facility agented by Bank of Montreal.

Finance > Project finance Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP‘s ‘pulse on the market’ allows it to advise on a multitude of complex, multi-faceted energy projects, acting for leading energy players, lenders and financial sponsors. Brownfield investments and acquisitions form a key component of the group’s work, yet wider mandates include refinancing instructions, bankruptcy issues, and acquisition financing. The team has taken steps to concentrate its strong position in the market with a growing body of tax equity financing activity, including overseeing novel tax equity bridge debt transactions. Sitting at the helm of the group is Brandon Dalling who possesses a multifarious practice and whose recent highlights include big-ticket acquisition financings, revolving credit and term loan facilities, and debt and tax equity financings. Brandon regularly works alongside Tristan Pelham Webb who continues to be a highly active presence in the group and demonstrates proficiency advising on both conventional and renewable asset types and across a broad range of financing structures. Other key lawyers include Ayesha Chatterjee, who is often instructed by private credit funds and private equity sponsors, as well as Daniel Tsarevsky, who is particularly skilled in acquisition financing. All practitioners operate out of New York.  

Practice head(s):

Brandon Dalling

Testimonials

‘I think what makes K&S’ practice unique is their attention to detail and ability to think ahead when providing solutions to their clients. The firm also has a very good pulse on the market, which is important when trying to understand what in the realm is possible and helps frame what we should be asking for.’

 

 

Key clients

Axium Infrastructure

EverWind Fuels

Ad hoc secured group in connection with the Talen Restructuring

DESRI

Nikola

Carolina Power Partners

NextDecade

Ohio Power Partners

Macquarie

PureSky Energy, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented Axium Infrastructurein its acquisition, financing and interest rate hedging in connection with its entry into two joint venture partnerships to acquire portions of interests in the largest combined battery storage and solar PV power plant in North America, with a $1.2 billionenterprise value.
  • Representing EverWind Fuels in connection with its development of America’s first green hydrogen ammonia production facility on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador, which is expected to produce approximately 240,000 tonnes per annum of green ammonia starting in 2025, and 1.5m tonnes per annum by 2026.
  • Representing an ad hoc group of senior secured noteholders and term loan lenders holding in excess of $1 billion of pre- and post-petition debt of Talen Energy Supply, LLC,a leading energy producerwith various renewable, nuclear, gas and coal-fired facilities across the country, which sought chapter 11 protection in May 2022.

Government > State attorneys general Tier 3

Representing both corporate clients and state governments, King & Spalding LLP offers great experience in managing and defending complex state attorneys general investigations and related enforcement actions. With industry expertise spanning tech, environment, financial services, healthcare, and sport, the team has been engaged in multistate litigation relating to issues as diverse as dialysis services, litigation funding, and environmental pollution. Washington DC-based J.C. Boggs, who assists major companies and trade associations with public policy and enforcement matters, co-chairs the practice alongside former White House special counsel Alicia O’Brien, who joined the firm in February 2023, bringing with her two decades of crisis management and investigations experience. In LA, Peter Hsiao heads the West Coast environmental, health and safety practice, and supports on defending investigations into violations of environmental law provisions, while Sacramento’s Greg Scott specializes in the healthcare, retail, and construction sectors. The group’s AG offering has also recently expanded through the additions of financial services, healthcare, and life sciences expert Adam Baker from the New Jersey district attorney’s office in March 2023, and tech, financial services, and consumer protection specialist Olivia Radin from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in January 2023, both based in New York, while DC-based former FBI and DOJ official Amelia Medina advises on the potential impacts of evolving regulatory and law enforcement priorities.

Practice head(s):

J.C. Boggs; Alicia O’Brien

Key clients

American Kidney Fund

Dialysis Patient Citizens Inc.

RD Legal Funding LLC

Egon Zehnder International RD

The State of Utah

The State of New Jersey

Work highlights

  • Acted for American Kidney Fund, Dialysis Patient Citizens, and others in successfully opposing the institution of California statute AB 290, thus overturning legislation that would have made dialysis services unaffordable to many in the state.
  • Represented RD Legal Funding in defending against litigation brought by the NYAG and the CFPB alleging fraudulent and usurious litigation funding deals related to the 9/11 Zadroga fund and the NFL concussion cases.
  • Acted for the State of Utah in the $200m Gold King Mine Blowout litigation in southern Colorado, arising from one of the largest inland pollution events in American history, in which the EPA is one of those being sued for liability.

Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP combines transactional and regulatory expertise, handling complex, interdisciplinary domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, reinsurance, and other transactions, bolstered by the team’s close collaboration with the firm’s international corporate and private equity practices. Bernhardt Nadell, based in New York, leads the practice, focusing on insurance industry mergers and acquisitions, insurance-linked securities transactions, reinsurance, insurance law and regulation, and general corporate matters. He also represents insurers and reinsurers in corporate and regulatory affairs. Gary Ho has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Bernhardt Nadell

Key clients

T&D Holdings, Inc./T&D United Capital North America Inc.

Atlas Merchant Capital

Obra Capital Inc.

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

Capital One

MAG Mutual Insurance Company

Nomura Holdings, Inc.

Catalina Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd

Arrowpoint Capital Corp.

Munich RE

ACON Investments

Trive Capital

CURO Group Holdings Corp.

Taiyo Life Insurance Company

T&D Financial Life Insurance Company

Afiniti, Inc.

Paceline Equity Partners

Highbridge Capital Management

Blackstone Securities

Leadenhall Capital

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP offers expertise in ERISA class actions, director and executive compensation litigation and employee benefits litigation in Georgia and wider Southeast region. Working closely with its employee benefits, tax and healthcare teams, the group provides comprehensive advice to clients in California and other locations. Key strengths include 401(k) class actions, multiemployer withdrawal liability claims, health and welfare disputes and DOL investigations. In addition, the team are notable for defending AIG insured companies in class action litigation. The team is based in Atlanta and led by David Tetrick, who represents major clients such as Chevron, Home Dept on ERISA litigation, employee benefits disputes and internal investigations. He is supported by Darren Shuler, who focuses on complex class action litigation and is serving as lead trial counsel for Home Depot in their class action lawsuit along with experienced litigator Danielle Chattin.

Practice head(s):

David Tetrick

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Archegos Capital Management

Cumulus Media Inc.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.

The Home Depot

Molina Healthcare

Peabody Energy

Spotted Hawk Development

Work highlights

  • Represented The Home Depot in a certified ERISA class action that was defeated on summary judgment.
  • Representing Molina Healthcare in a putative class action regarding its investment options.
  • Representing Archegos Capital Management, LP and Archegos Fund, LP (collectively, ACM) regarding ACM’s deferred bonus program.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP guides early-stage companies in the life sciences, healthcare, and tech sectors, and offers strategic advice to public and multinational corporations on their corporate venture capital tech investments. The team is led by Laura Bushnell from Silicon Valley, known for her expertise in capital raising, strategic transactions, and corporate governance. Tom Knox, based in Washington DC and Northern Virginia, focuses on assisting venture capital-backed companies and their investors with corporate, financing, and technology-related matters. Daniel Kahan, operating from Miami, is actively involved in venture capital and private equity investments within the fintech, blockchain, and cryptocurrency industries, while Charles Katz in Northern Virginia is noted for his ‘deep understanding of the needs of emerging start-up technology companies’. Silicon Valley-based Linda Lorenat advises on the acquisition of emerging companies across all stages of growth.

Practice head(s):

Tom Knox; Laura Bushnell; Daniel Kahan

Other key lawyers:

Charles KatzLinda Lorenat; Lucas Barta

Testimonials

‘The people care about us and our business.’

‘They really understand our needs. They work very hard on our behalf. ’

‘The practice has a deep understanding of the needs of an early stage start-up.’

‘Charles Katz is an exceptional emerging company lawyer, with a deep understanding of the needs of emerging start-up technology companies.’

‘Lucas Barta is a highly responsive and knowledgeable associate who is able to deliver on our corporate legal requirements.’

Key clients

Applied Cognition

Bessemer Venture Partners

Capital One Ventures

Caresave Technologies (Homecare.com)

Collective Hotels and Resorts

Cox Enterprises

Eleanor Health Holdings

HeartFlow Holding, Inc.

Horizon Ventures

Kiyatec Inc.

Netography

Onera Health

Sozo Ventures

Steadfast Financial

Virtru

Dura Software

Work highlights

  • Advised Caresave Technologies, Inc. in its Series E and E-1 Preferred Stock financing, led by Panoramic Venture Fund, L.P. and its affiliates.
  • Advised Dura Software, Inc. in its Series B Preferred Stock financing.
  • Advised HeartFlow Holding, Inc. in its $215m Series F and Series F-1 Preferred Stock financing, which was led by Bain Capital Life Sciences.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 3

Characterised by its ‘solid technical background‘, the data, privacy and security team at King & Spalding LLP is noted for its threat mitigation work, alongside incident response matters, regulatory investigation defense, and large-scale data breach class action defense. Phyllis Sumner co-heads the team from Atlanta, the firm’s chief privacy officer and a go-to for high-profile data security and privacy incidents. Alongside Sumner are co-heads David Balser, Atlanta-based and recommended for data breach litigation, and government matters group head Zachary Fardon, turned to by clients for government investigation matters and white-collar litigation. Washington DC-based partner Robert Hudock, praised by clients for his ‘straight-forward, practical advice‘, advises clients experiencing and preparing for cyber-based attacks, also an area of strength for Elizabeth Adler in Atlanta.

Practice head(s):

Phyllis Sumner; David Balser; Zachary Fardon

Testimonials

‘What sets this team apart from most other firms is the solid technical background that is hard to find in the legal community. The cyber attorneys are able to provide tactical advice in investigating an incident or conducting due diligence because they are able to ask the right questions to the technical business teams. ’

‘Robert Hudock has become a go-to because of his approach in providing straight-forward, practical advice. This advice is complemented by his ability to speak the tech lingo that gives him credibility with technical teams. ’

‘High level of expertise and a strong bench of associate talent to support this key area.’

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP’s San Francisco-based team is home to a growing media and entertainment litigation practice. Team head Kenneth Steinthal, who is ‘widely recognized as the leader in his field’, has been pivotal in establishing the firm’s reputation regarding music copyright and digital content, granting them many high-profile clients. Arwen Johnson has grown the firm’s client base by attracting studio clients and handling visual IP matters. David Mattern has carved out a niche within the firm, attending to cutting-edge matters relating to the copyright implications of AI, as well as being a key figure in bourgeoning social media addiction personal injury claims. Lena Colin is capable of assisting with the full spectrum of trademark law at any stage of the disputed claim lifecycle.

Practice head(s):

Kenneth L. Steinthal

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘K&S has has obtained creative and successful resolutions in matters for our company across the nexus of technology, IP, and media.’

‘Partners Kenny Steinthal and David Mattern provide best-in-class experience and advice.’

‘Kenny Steinthal is widely recognized as the leader in his field, and provides us with ongoing valued advice and representation defending and litigating cutting edge matters in the music copyright infringement sector.’

‘The team, including David Mattern, are thoughtful, thorough, and solution-based.’

Key clients

A&E Television Networks

AMC Networks

BBC

Bloomberg TV and Radio

TikTok

NBCUniversal

Disney/ESPN

ESPN

Fox Cable

Google/YouTube

Madison Square Garden

Netflix

New Line Productions

Paramount Global

Peloton

Work highlights

  • Represented Google and its music streaming offerings on an appeal of the Web V Copyright Royalty Board’s (CRB’s) decision in proceedings against the labels/recording industry.
  • Represented TikTok in connection with several hundred high-profile lawsuits that allege harm to underaged users of “social media,” including claims related to addiction and personal injury.
  • Represented Warner Bros Entertainment in a matter in which the plaintiff claimed that the ‘The Accountant’ was based on his idea, winning in California Superior Court, with the California Court of Appeal affirming.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

King & Spalding is noted for its comprehensive corporate, finance, and investment practice which regularly assists REITs in public offerings, fund formation, and finance transactions. The practice has largely been assisting private REITs but also handles public REITs, assisting with cross-border transactions including M&A and equity and debt financings. The practice is led in part by Spencer Johnson from Atlanta, who assists REIT clients with fund formation, equity capital market matters and corporate governance. Kathryn Furman is key to the Atlanta practice, taking the lead on capital raising activities, while fellow Atlanta-based partner Keith Townsend handles IPOs. Over in New York, Tony Rothermel leads the other half of the practice, focusing on M&A.

Practice head(s):

Spencer Johnson; Tony Rothermel

Other key lawyers:

Kathryn Furman; Wayne Pressgrove; Keith Townsend

Key clients

Americold Realty Trust

Prologis

Columbia Property Trust

Cousins Properties

Jamestown

Raymond James Real Estate Investment Banking

Asana Partners

Transwestern Investment Group

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

Clarion Partners

CyrusOne

Edens Investment Trust

Greystar Real Estate Partners

Piedmont Office Realty Trust

Whitestone REIT

Barclays Bank PLC

Cortland Partners, LLC

Terawatt

VineBrook Homes

Ventas, Inc.

Preferred Apartment Communities

CatchMark Timber Trust

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 3

King & Spalding LLP‘s cross-practice aviation group combines its transactional aviation practice with the firm’s aviation litigation and arbitration expertise. The team is increasingly active in the commercial aviation space, as well as aircraft seizure and remedies work involving defaulting lease and loan transactions. The practice additionally advises on the firm’s private credit and private equity clients’ financing of aviation assets. The department features Washington DC’s Stephen Baskin, who represents airlines on IP issues, along with related contracts and disputes. Key to the group, Atlanta’s Carolyn Alford acts for financial institutions, funds, private equity sponsors, issuers and corporate borrowers on a range of complex finance transactions. Former practice head Christopher Buchanan left the firm in early 2025.

Practice head(s):

Carolyn Alford

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

G2 Secure Staff L.L.C.

Unifi (DAL Global Services LLC)

Embraer Executive Aircraft, Inc.

AAW Holdings, LLC

Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors LP

OCP Credit Asia

iAero Thrust LLC

TransMedics Group, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented OCP Credit Asia in the successful financial closing of a $100m secured term loan facility for Asia Digital Engineering Sdn Bhd.
  • Represented iAero Thrust LLC in the sale of substantially all its assets to FTAI Aviation Ltd.
  • Represented AAR Corp in a series of aircraft purchases from American Airlines, Inc.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

With a successful track record in antitrust civil litigation and class action cases across various industries, from the financial services to education sectors, King & Spalding LLP‘s extensive clientele includes HSBC, NatWest and DASF Corporation. Although primarily based in Washington DC, the antitrust practice also draws on expertise across Georgia, New York, Texas, Illinois and California, many of whom bring experience at antitrust enforcement agencies to the team. The team is led by Jeff Spigel, who advises senior management and their boards on merger filings and civil and criminal antitrust investigations and disputes. Chris Yook represents clients in government enforcement actions and civil litigation. The team demonstrates continued growth, with the addition of Sean Royall from Sidley Austin LLP in August 2023. Norman Armstrong left the firm in late 2023.

Practice head(s):

Jeff Spigel

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Aaron’s

ACON Investments

ASHRAE

Axium

Barclays Bank PLC

BASF Corporation

Cal-Maine Foods Inc.

Cantor Fitzgerald

The Coca-Cola Company

Cornell University

Cox

Deutsche Bank

EarthLink, LLC

Emory Healthcare

Energizer

Equifax

Evangelical Community Hospital

Fairfax County Public Schools

Genuine Parts Company

Google

H.I.G. Capital

Hanesbrands

HSBC

Hunter Douglas

InterContinental Hotels Group

J.R. Simplot Company

Kemira Chemicals Inc.

ManTech International Corporation

NatWest Markets plc

Ochsner Health System

Peloton Interactive, Inc.

Piedmont Healthcare

Progressive Casualty Insurance Company

Queen’s Health System

Quikrete Holdings, Inc.

Rice University

SmileDirectClub

Sutter Health System

The Home Depot

The RealReal

Trafigura Trading LLC

Tundra

United Parcel Service

Viserion Grain, LLC

Westrock Company

Work highlights

  • Achieved a victory for HSBC in a lawsuit accusing HSBC and Scotiabank of conspiring to manipulate the price of silver
  • RepresentingNatWest in all US civil litigation concerning alleged manipulation of LIBOR, a financial benchmark referred to as “the world’s most important number,” and other similar benchmarks in a range of currencies.
  • Defending BASF in an appeal against its trial victory in the antitrust litigation with Ingevity Corp.

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP's financial services group represents some of the largest banks and financial institutions in cases pertaining to commercial litigation and arbitration, securities and shareholder suits, multijurisdictional investigations, and enforcement actions. A core member of the team is former federal prosecutor Matthew Biben, who concentrates on commercial litigation, ranging from bankruptcy litigation to civil disputes. Craig Carpenito is another notable name, with extensive governmental and regulatory expertise due to his previous positions as a US Attorney and as an SEC enforcement attorney. Jamie Dycus focuses on internal investigations and enforcement matters brought forward by the SEC, while David Lesser is noted for working on cases alleging LIBOR manipulation as well as antitrust and commodities manipulation. Laura Harris is an active member of the practice and is well-regarded for her work on white-collar investigations. All individuals mentioned are based in New York.

Key clients

Bank of Nova Scotia

Barclays Bank

Blackrock

Capital One Bank

Deutsche Bank

Equifax Inc.

EVO Payments

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City

Global Payments

HSBC

JP Morgan Chase

Kroll Bond Rating Agency

Mashreqbank

Medallion Financial Corporation

NatWest Markets

Ripple Labs

Royal Bank of Canada

TD Bank

UBS AG

Work highlights

  • Secured a victory for HSBC in a lawsuit accusing the company of conspiring to manipulate the price of silver.
  • Secured a victory for JPMorgan in an action alleging that force majeure excused the performance of a third party.
  • Representing NatWest in all US civil litigation concerning alleged manipulation of LIBOR and other similar benchmarks in a range of currencies.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP has strong connections to a range of big-name corporate issuers, such as ConocoPhillips and United Parcel Service (UPS). The capital markets team has a solid record in the energy, financial institutions and life sciences and healthcare sectors, among others. It has an established record in medium-term note (MTN) programmes, equity-linked transactions including convertible debt offerings, high-yield debt, and green bonds and sustainability-linked debt offerings. Keith Townsend is an active adviser on debt offerings, along with Cal Smith and Zachary Cochran . All are based in Atlanta.

Practice head(s):

Keith Townsend

Other key lawyers:

Cal Smith; Zachary Cochran

Key clients

ConocoPhillips

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.

Evolent Health

Trane Technologies

United Parcel Service

Piedmont Office Realty Trust

Genuine Parts Company

Work highlights

  • Advised ConocoPhillips on notes offerings totalling $3.8bn and a $1.1bn cash tender offer.
  • Advised Trane Technologies on registered notes offerings totaling $3bn.
  • Advised Genuine Parts Company on registered notes offering totalling $800m.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP has a major focus on the energy, financial institutions, life sciences and healthcare, industrials, real estate and telecommunications industries. It has a solid record in IPOs, follow-on offerings and private placements. It has worked on a series of recent at-the-market transactions and has also made an impression in de-SPAC deals. Atlanta partner Keith Townsend has a strong record in mid-cap and large capital markets transactions, including de-SPAC deals.

Practice head(s):

Keith Townsend

Other key lawyers:

Spencer Johnson; Elizabeth Morgan; Laura Bushnell; Kevin Many; Zachary Davis

Key clients

Rayonier Inc.

BOA Acquisition Corp.

Riverview Acquisition Corp

Evolent Health, Inc.

Skyline Champion Corporation

Cantor Fitzgerald & Co

Shimmick Corporation

Work highlights

  • Advised Evolent Health on its acquisition of NIA (also known as Magellan Specialty Health) for approximately $650m.
  • Advised Riverview Acquisition Corp on its $1.2bn de-SPAC business combination transaction with Westrock Coffee.
  • Advised Shimmick Corporation on its $25m IPO on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

International trade and national security > CFIUS Tier 4

King & Spalding LLP’s CFIUS practice sits within its overarching international trade offering, providing clients with a holistic view of trade and national security issues. Experienced across the full chain of CFIUS matters, the Washington DC-based group is equipped to advise on compliance and risk minimization, mandatory and voluntary filings, and mitigation and divestment agreements. An increasingly prominent specialist in CFIUS matters, Alexis Early specializes in compliance and enforcement proceedings before all key state agencies. The group also benefits from the formidable government-side CFIUS expertise of Philip Ludvigson, who is a former Director for Monitoring and Enforcement at the USDT. National security head Christine Savage is also noted for CFIUS work.

Practice head(s):

Christine Savage

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘The K&S CFIUS practice was very helpful in providing overall context for the process, as this was the first time I had worked through this. It assisted not only in how to structure the transaction to best mitigate the CFIUS timeline, but also helped every step along the way as we received follow-up questions.’

‘Alexis Early and Philip Ludvigson have done a great job building a CFIUS team.’

Key clients

T&D Holdings

Axium Infrastructure

InstarAGF Asset Management

Work highlights

  • Acting as CFIUS counsel to Japan-based T&D Holdings on various transactions.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

The ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ team at King & Spalding LLP advises clients across the tech, chemicals, and education sectors on DOJ and FTC clearance proceedings, investigations and litigation. The practice led by Jeff Spigel, who is described as an ‘exceptional attorney’, frequently represents clients before the DOJ and FTC. Former practice head Norman Armstrong left the firm in January 2024.

Practice head(s):

Jeff Spigel

Other key lawyers:

Sean Royall

Testimonials

‘The team at King & Spalding is incredibly knowledgeable as to all aspects of the merger control and HSR review process and has successfully devised strategies for our organization to achieve its objective in a practical and cost efficient manner. We have been very pleased with the work and service levels.’

‘The folks on the K&S team are incredibly responsive and strategic in the way they support our transactions and have been able to inspire trust and confidence amongst our business executives in a manner that exceeds that of any other firm we have worked with in this area.’

‘Jeff Spigel, who leads the antitrust department is an exceptional attorney. He is an expert in health care realted antitrust matters. He provides excellent, practical and timely advice. He is extremely responsive to deadlines and requests for meetings or calls. His experience working the FTC has been very helpful in our dealing with the agency.’

‘Jeff Spigel is solid.’

Key clients

Aaron’s

ACON Investments

ASHRAE

Axium

Barclays Bank PLC

BASF Corporation

Cantor Fitzgerald

The Coca-Cola Company

Cornell University

Cox Enterprises

Deutsche Bank

EarthLink, LLC

Emory Healthcare

Energizer

Equifax

Evangelical Community Hospital

Genuine Parts Company

Google

H.I.G. Capital

Hanesbrands

HSBC

Hunter Douglas

InterContinental Hotels Group

J.R. Simplot Company

Kemira Chemicals Inc.

ManTech International Corporation

NatWest Markets plc

Ochsner Health System

Peloton Interactive, Inc.

Piedmont Healthcare

Progressive Casualty Insurance Company

Queen’s Health System

Quikrete Holdings, Inc.

Rice University

Shell Oil Company

SmileDirectClub

Sutter Health System

The Home Depot

The RealReal

Trafigura Trading LLC

Tundra

United Parcel Service (UPS)

U.S. Xpress

Viserion Grain, LLC

Westrock Company

Work highlights

  • Representing WestRock Company in competition review of its $11.2 billion acquisition by Smurfit Kappa.
  • Representing EVO Payments, Inc. in a DOJ Antitrust Division investigation of EVO’s proposed $4 billion acquisition by Global Payments.
  • Acting for UPS in antitrust review of its $800 million acquisition of MNX Global Logistics from Quad-C.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

King & Spalding LLP handle a range of domestic and cross-border restructuring mandates, with Arthur Steinberg in New York representing a full range of clients in restructuring workouts and bankruptcy proceedings, including debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, as well as official and ad-hoc committees. Austin Jowers in Atlanta is experienced in multi-jurisdictional matters spanning a variety of industries, while Jeff Dutson, also in Atlanta, represents banks and secured lenders in workouts and bankruptcy matters. Lindsey Henrikson has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Todd Holleman; Jennifer Daly

Key clients

Antares Capital

Apollo Capital Management, L.P.

Arbour Lane Capital Management

Archegos Capital Management

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc.

Assured Investment Management (f/k/a BlueMountain Capital)

Capital One, NA

Cerberus Capital Management

Citibank

Citizens Bank

First Eagle Investment Management

Fortress Investments Group

GDB Debt Recovery Authority

General Motors LLC

Highbridge Capital

JP Morgan

KKR Credit Advisors

Shiloh Industries

Truist

Work highlights

  • Represented an ad hoc group of prepetition Term Loan and Secured Notes holders with over $1 billion of secured debt claims against Talen Energy Corporation and certain of their subsidiaries and affiliates  in connection with the confirmation and effectiveness of Talen’s plan of reorganization after filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court on May 9, 2022.
  • Representing Refinería de Cartagena S.A.S. in connection with pre-insolvency proceedings filed by McDermott International’s subisdiaries in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands and a related Chapter 15 filing for recognition of the foreign proceedings in the Southern District of Texas.
  • Representing certain lenders to Boardriders as plaintiffs in connection with causes of action brought against Boardriders and certain of its other lenders in connection with a purported priming loan transaction entered into by Boardriders and such lender-defendants.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 5

Real estate Tier 5

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 6

Latin America: International firms > City Focus - Houston Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP's commitment to Latin America has grown enormously in recent years and is evident in the number of Houston-based practitioners that have a focus on the region. From construction and project development to white-collar crime and investigations, and international arbitration, Latin America is very much central to the Houston office’s practice. Indeed, the firm’s Latin America international arbitration work stands far ahead of all competitors in Houston, operating at the forefront of commercial and investment treaty arbitration; the team features a number of Latin American natives and senior practitioners who are fluent in Spanish and/or Portuguese. Partners Doak Bishop, who is co-head of the international arbitration practice group, along with Roberto Aguirre Luzi and Craig Miles, the co-heads of Latin America international arbitration, are all seasoned practitioners that have specialised in the region for years; Miles now splits his time between Houston and the firm’s nascent Miami office. Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina is an emerging talent in international arbitration, especially in Mexico cases, and has also been active on other recent matters involving Colombia, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Scott Greer leads the global construction and energy transactional practice; he has an established record in Latin America matters, especially in oil and gas, LNG, petrochemicals, power and mining. David Lang is another key figure in LNG projects, while Brandt Liebe provides further senior expertise in white-collar defence, investigations and compliance matters.

Practice head(s):

Roberto Aguirre Luzi; Scott Greer; Craig Miles

Key clients

Air Canada

AMERRA Capital Management

Arroyo Energy Investment Partners

Chevron

Corporación América

Cosan

Desarrollo Vial de los Andes

Gente Oil Ecuador

HIF Global

Mexico Pacific Limited

MODEC, Mitsui & Co

Marubeni Corporation and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines

NIC Holding Corporation

Odyssey Marine Exploration

Pemcorp

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)

Quanta Services

Sempra Energy

Work highlights

  • Acted for Refinería de Cartagena (Reficar) in its dispute with US contractor CB&I over the construction of an oil refinery in Colombia.
  • Represented Petersen Energía in an international arbitration and related litigation against Argentina and YPF, Argentina’s state-owned oil company.
  • Represented eFuels company HIF on the development of its Chilean megaproject Haru Oni, a green hydrogen project that produces carbon-neutral gasoline.

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 1

King & Spalding LLP has a tremendous international arbitration heritage and it has continued to develop its emphasis on Latin America, landing many of the big engagements that are connected to the region. As part of this concerted focus, the firm has expanded its nascent office in Miami and grown its contingent of Spanish and Portuguese speakers, including practitioners from Argentina, Brazil and Peru, among other jurisdictions. The practice remains noted for its expertise in investor-state cases, especially in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors; and has acted in numerous cases involving Mexico, Peru, Chile, Venezuela and other key economies, including leading a high proportion of investor-state cases against Peru in recent years. The group has also developed a strong record in M&A-related disputes, particularly in Brazil, and is experiencing particular growth in commercial arbitration. Among its heralded group of international arbitration specialists, Doak Bishop is a pre-eminent practitioner, with more than 40 years' experience, including headline and bulge-bracket cases in Latin America such as Chevron’s landmark investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador. Miami based Harry Burnett is co-head of the Latin America arbitration practice and is similarly highly reputed in investment treaty and commercial arbitrations. Roberto Aguirre Luzi also co-heads the team and remains at the forefront of energy and infrastructure disputes. Craig Miles is the final co-head of the group; he divides his time between Houston and Miami and has an outstanding record in bilateral investment treaty (BIT) disputes in the oil and gas, mining and infrastructure sectors. Fernando Rodriguez-Cortina is a Mexican national with experience of cases across the region, including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. All named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Harry Burnett; Roberto Aguirre Luzi; Craig Miles

Testimonials

‘The key attraction is Harry Burnett’s experience and knowledge of international arbitration and also many of the jurisdictions within Latin America. Harry brings a unique perspective and experience to how we should think about and strategise for arbitrations that could end up in a local court in Latin America. ’

Marcio Vasconcellos is also a rising star for Latin American arbitrations (especially Brazil).

Key clients

Refinería de Cartagena

Petersen Energía

WeBuild

The Agarwal Family

Quanta Services

Deviandes

Chevron Corporation

Lima Expresa and VINCI

Odyssey Marine Exploration

The Williams Companies

Amerra Capital Management

WOM

Work highlights

  • Represented Petersen Energia in a long-running breach of contract dispute against Argentina involving arbitration and litigation.
  • Secured a $1.9bn award for Reficar in an ICC arbitration against the contractor relating to delays and cost overruns involving a refinery in Colombia – the largest construction project in Latin America.
  • Represented Webuild in a long-running ICSID arbitration against Argentina concerning the construction and maintenance of a 60km toll road and bridge.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 2

King & Spalding LLP combines an outstanding record in construction and project development with a flourishing project finance practice. The firm is at the forefront of energy transition, including hydrogen and LNG deals. It has an extensive record in Mexico, along with Brazil, Chile and Central America. The Latin America team has a substantial market share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in the Latin America region, including in Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Brazil. It acted as development counsel for Uruguay’s first LNG import terminal and Colombia’s first LNG facility of any kind (the world’s first floating LNG export production facility). David Lang is a leading name in LNG projects, while Scott Greer leads the firm’s energy and construction transaction practice; both have a major focus on Latin America. Miami’s Fradyn Suárez is a prominent figure in Latin America project finance and Washington DC-based James Bowe provides further expertise in LNG, renewable generation and energy storage; he has advised Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) on a substantial project, which includes a large-scale LNG facility. Abu Dhabi’s Dan Feldman is a leading name in hydrogen and is bringing this expertise to the Latin America region. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Scott Greer; Fradyn Suarez

Key clients

HIF

Saavi Energía

Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA)

Mexico Pacific Limited

Modec, Mitsui & Co and Mitsui OSK

Sacyr

San Martin Contratistas Generales

Work highlights

  • Advised Sacyr Concesiones on the approximately $708m project refinancing of the 4G Pamplona-Cúcuta toll road project in Colombia.
  • Represented HIF on the development of its Chilean megaproject Haru Oni, a green hydrogen project that produces carbon-neutral gasoline.
  • Advised Saavi, owner and operator of independent electric generating facilities in Mexico, concerning Presidentially-mandated changes to Mexico’s Electricity Law (the LIE).

Latin America: International firms > City Focus - Miami

King & Spalding‘s nascent Miami office has a primary focus on international arbitration and project finance. It has transferred senior practitioners to the city, hired senior practitioners and is building out its more junior ranks. As a global leader in international arbitration the firm has recognised the strategic importance of being present in Miami, with leading practitioner Harry Burnett now being based there, along with Craig Miles, who splits his time between Miami and Houston; both have represented Quanta Resources in a series of commercial, insurance and investment arbitrations, including a sizeable ICSID arbitration against the Republic of Peru under the Netherlands–Peru bilateral investment treaty. Admitted to practice in Brazil, New York and Washington DC, Érica Franzetti provides further senior firepower to the office’s standing in investor-state and commercial arbitration. The Miami team has played a key role in developing the firm’s record in M&A-related disputes, especially in Brazil, along with further growth in commercial arbitrations; the group is also at the forefront of investor-state arbitrations. On the project finance front, Fradyn Suárez and counsel Jessica Mendoza have lifted the firm’s position in the market; often working alongside colleagues in New York and Houston (among other offices), the two are established figures in transportation infrastructure and renewable energy financings, along with mining and resources, energy transition, LNG and telecoms infrastructure.

Practice head(s):

Harry Burnett; Craig Miles; Fradyn Suárez

Testimonials

‘The knowledge, experience and leadership of Harry Burnett is the key asset and attraction. Harry is a superb lawyer with great experience in litigation and arbitration. Beyond that, he works tirelessly and is a pleasure to work with. Harry is also supported by a very strong team.’

Key clients

Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes

Sacyr

Quanta Services

Desarrollo Vial de los Andes

The Williams Companies

WeBuild

Odyssey Marine Exploration

San Martin Contratistas Generales

AMERRA Capital Management

Chevron

WOM

Sociedad Aeroportuaria Kuntur Wasi

Marriott International

Blue Water Worldwide

CA Investment

Royal Dutch Shell

Work highlights

  • Represented Quanta Services in several separate commercial, insurance and investment arbitrations, including ICC and ICSID arbitrations, and related enforcement action in the United States, against the Republic of Peru and its agencies.
  • Advised Sacyr Concesiones the $708m project refinancing in connection with the Pamplona-Cúcuta 4G highway in Colombia.
  • Represented Webuild in a long-running ICSID arbitration against Argentina concerning the construction and maintenance of a 60km toll road and bridge.

Singapore > International arbitration

The international arbitration team at King & Spalding LLP is ‘distinguished by its deep expertise and extensive experience in handling complex disputes’. The practice is co-headed by Nils Eliasson, whose widespread capabilities extends to disputes involving M&A, joint ventures, and construction projects. Leading the team alongside him, Wade Coriell splits his time between the offices in Singapore and Houston. Elodie Dulac is recommended for her skill with handling investment treaty arbitrations, while Anisha Sud specialises in complex commercial disputes in the energy sector. Jia Lin Hoe and Jun Bautista are also notable members of the team with experience navigating high-value disputes involving various jurisdictions across Asia.

Practice head(s):

Wade Coriell; Nils Eliasson

Testimonials

‘They have an extremely experienced and knowledgeable international arbitration team.’

‘The team is impressively strong in terms of its overall performance. They have a profound understanding of law, they have a group of talented people across different offices, and they work as a team seamlessly. Their advocacy is exceptionally persuasive.’

‘King & Spalding’s international arbitration team is distinguished by its deep expertise and extensive experience in handling complex disputes.’

‘King & Spalding provides excellent legal representation and strategic advice in international arbitration.’

‘K&S is a consistently top-ranked law firm. They simply do the basics very well – providing robust legal analysis, giving prompt responses, and having sheer determination to achieve the client’s desired outcome.’

‘They have a powerhouse team, which provides a comprehensive line up to effectively respond to the needs of the case. The pleading writing is excellent and comprehensive ‘

‘They have an extensive global network, and lawyers with deep expertise in cross-border arbitration.’

‘Nils Eliasson is an extremely effective advocate with comprehensive experience. Jia Lin Hoe an excellent associate, who is knowledgeable and extremely capable in her own right.’

Key clients

Chevron Corporation

Texaco Petroleum Corporation

Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd.

Min Fengzhen

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines

Prime Energy Resources Development B.V.

Work highlights

  • Acted for Chevron and Texaco in an investment treaty arbitration against the Republic of Ecuador seated in the Hague.
  • Acted for Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of the Philippines under the Philippines – Netherlands BIT.
  • Acted for Chevron’s Thai subsidiary, CTEP, in a US$ 2 billion dispute against the Kingdom of Thailand and its Ministry of Energy.

Philippines > Foreign firms

Handling ‘complicated disputes across a wide range of fields’, the team at King & Spalding LLP advises clients across the energy, infrastructure, and tech sectors, with particular strength in projects, M&A, financing, and investments in the Philippines. The firm also has a well-established arbitration practice in the Philippines, which handles both domestic and cross-border matters. Leading the practice, Wade Coriell spearheads the international arbitration practice and notably represented the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in a concession contract dispute. Working alongside Coriell is Nils Eliasson who is recommended for his expertise in M&A, private equity investments, and joint ventures. Elodie Dulac is noted  for her expertise within the region in energy, mining, and investor-state disputes.  

Practice head(s):

Wade Coriell

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘They have the ability to connect with relevant individuals, including experts, in complicated disputes involving a wide range of fields.’

‘Wade Coriell – the worldwide head of its arbitration practice is a top-notch litigator.

‘The King and Spalding team is a powerhouse team that provides a comprehensive lineup to effectively respond to the needs of the case. The pleading writing is excellent and comprehensive and they can closely coordinate with our in-house team.’

‘Wade Coriell is an exceptional oral advicate. I have witnessed Mr. Coriell in at least 3 full hearings and he can effectively present the case of the client, concisely, with the ability to respond to on-the-spot questions. ’

‘Very good practice, with extensive experience of the region and very good contacts with local law firms. They understand how the country works.’

‘The essential point is that the K&S team stands out by being extremely pleasant and collegiate to work with. They are very respectful of our work.’

Key clients

National Grid Corporation of the Philippines

Prime Energy Resources Development B.V.

San Miguel Holdings Corporation

Argonbay Construction Company, Inc.

San Miguel Mass Rail Transit 7 Inc.

GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co.

Work highlights

  • Represented NGCP in a UNCITRAL arbitration against two Philippine State-owned and controlled parties, the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation and the National Transmission Corporation.
  • King & Spalding represents Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. in an ICSID arbitration against the Republic of the Philippines under the Philippines – Netherlands BIT.  
  • Advising Solar Philippines on various investments and joint ventures, including for the proposed Terra Solar project, a 3,500MW solar project with 4,500MWh of associated battery energy storage

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations

King & Spalding LLP has an increasingly prominent compliance and investigations practice in Latin America. Closely linked to its formidable energy practice, the special matters and government investigations team has a raft of engagements in Mexico oil and gas projects and transactions. The group is also active in connection with investments by private equity funds and in relation to investigations by global accounting firms into their operations in the region, including internal compliance and investigations to ascertain potential violations. Brandt Liebe is a key partner in Houston; while New York’s Gary Adamson, a fluent Spanish speaker, has a major focus on Latin America regulatory and internal investigations matters.

Practice head(s):

Mark Jensen

King & Spalding helps leading companies advance complex business interests in more than 160 countries. Working across a highly integrated platform of more than 1,300 lawyers in 23 offices globally, King & Spalding delivers tailored commercial solutions through world-class offerings and an uncompromising approach to quality and service.

Main areas of practice
Antitrust: tries cases to verdict and defends clients against criminal investigations, opt-out group actions, class actions, appellate matters and other antitrust litigation.

Business litigation: experienced in issues of antitrust, product liability, mass tort, patents and trade marks, class action certification, securities law, franchise law, white-collar defense, and consumer fraud.

Finance: located in offices across the US, Europe, Asia and Middle East represent lenders, investors, funds and borrowers in finance and other commercial transactions.

Employee benefits and executive compensation: advises on employee benefit plans and executive compensation programs and the related funding vehicles.

E-discovery: serves as lead national discovery counsel for Fortune 50 companies in the banking, energy, pharmaceutical, medical device, telecommunications, chemical, manufacturing and tobacco industries.

Energy: informs clients on a spectrum of transactional, regulatory, litigation and arbitration matters in the oil and gas, power and mining industries.

Environmental: assists clients with virtually every type of environmental issue – including regulatory and compliance advice, permit appeals, enforcement actions, and property damage claims.

FDA and life sciences: represents pharmaceutical, medical device, biotechnology, healthcare technology companies and food manufacturers in a range of regulatory, compliance, policy and litigation matters.

Financial restructuring: directs on reorganizations, including in-court and out-of-court debt restructurings, bankruptcy and insolvency litigation, and distressed asset mergers and acquisitions.

Global transactions: counsels clients through the entire project development process, from concept to ribbon-cutting, with particular emphasis on the energy and transportation sectors.

Government advocacy and public policy: supports clients in managing their interactions with the federal government including congressional investigations, international, and ethics and election law.

Healthcare: as one of the largest practices in the country, the firm is praised for its excellence in transactional, litigation and regulatory representation of clients across the spectrum of healthcare.

Intellectual property: aids clients with the development and strategic planning needed to handle patent and trade mark prosecution and intellectual property litigation matters that stretch across borders.

International arbitration: highly experienced in handling cases before major arbitral institutions such as the ICSID, ICC, LCIA and AAA, as well as under UNCITRAL and other ad hoc rules.

International trade and WTO: the team handles a wide range of international trade and customs matters for US and non-US clients.

Labor and employment: provides labor and employment services to employers ranging from preventive advice and training to litigation and representation under federal and state labor and employment laws.

Mergers and acquisitions: covers acquisitions of public and private companies, tender offers, joint ventures and partnering arrangements, purchases and sales of divisions, and takeover preparation and defense.

Pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical devices: a large team of the firm’s lawyers and professionals devote all or a substantial portion of their practices to clients in these industries, with specialized experience at every stage of the product life cycle.

Private equity and investment funds: draws on the lawyers’ extensive experience in fund formation, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged finance, Islamic finance, securities offerings, tax and restructuring.

Real estate: provides advice on a complete range of commercial real estate transactions. The real estate capital markets practice is known for creative structuring of mergers and acquisitions and complex equity and debt financing transactions.

White-collar: represents corporations and individuals in complex federal and state criminal investigations, internal investigations and congressional investigations.

Tax: covers range of federal income tax issues, with particularly extensive experience in the corporate, partnership and international practice areas.

Tort litigation: offers large-firm litigation resources and lawyers who have tried high-exposure tort cases, including in some of the most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions in the US.

International practice: The firm’s international practices advise clients in cross-border mergers and acquisitions, trade and customs, e-commerce, energy, Islamic finance and investment, intellectual property, international trade marks, structured finance, and international arbitration and mediation. The firm has undertaken extensive work in Latin America, East Asia and in the Middle East, as well as for foreign companies investing in the United States.

Department Name Email Telephone
Atlanta Josh Kamin jkamin@kslaw.com
Austin Mike Stenglien mstenglien@kslaw.com
Charlotte Mark Thigpen mthigpen@kslaw.com
Chicago Zachary Fardon zfardon@kslaw.com
Houston Tracie J Renfroe trenfroe@kslaw.com
Los Angeles Peter Strotz pstrotz@kslaw.com
New York Edward G Kehoe ekehoe@kslaw.com
San Francisco Charles Correll ccorrell@kslaw.com
Silicon Valley Timothy T Scott tscott@kslaw.com
Washington, DC Mark Jensen mjensen@kslaw.com
Photo Name Position Profile
Doak Bishop photo Doak Bishop Doak Bishop specializes in international arbitration, with a focus on Latin America.…
Tracie Renfroe photo Tracie Renfroe Tracie Renfroe has a national trial practice focusing on toxic tort, environmental,…
Lawyers : 1300+
Chairman : Robert D Hays
Other Offices : Abu Dhabi
Other Offices : Dubai
Other Offices : Frankfurt
Other Offices : Geneva
Other Offices : London
Other Offices : Moscow
Other Offices : Paris
Other Offices : Riyadh
Other Offices : Singapore
Other Offices : Tokyo