Pierce Atwood Continues to Receive High Rankings from 2014 Chambers and Partners

Chambers and Partners, a prominent London-based publisher of law firm rankings, continues to award its highest rankings to Pierce Atwood LLP and its attorneys in the 2014 guide, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

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

A total of 40 attorneys across five of Pierce Atwood offices have been recognized, including a litigation attorney and a bankruptcy/restructuring attorney in the firm’s Boston office, and a Washington, D.C.-based attorney who received national recognition for his regulatory and litigation work in the field of Energy: Oil and Gas.

In addition to the continued high rankings for our Portland, Maine office, and the recognition of our Boston and DC attorneys, Chambers has also recognized our Rhode Island and New Hampshire offices, further evidence of the firm’s strong, regional presence. Here is what Chambers – and firm clients and contacts – had to say about some of our highest ranked practice areas:

Litigation: General Commercial – Rhode Island: “Strong regional presence. Boasts a broad client base representative of its ability to handle disputes across a range of areas, including commercial, ERISA, and insurance coverage litigation.” A recent firm highlight includes representing a large insurer and financial services firm in seven separate actions concerning the terms of annuity contracts. These cases raised novel questions related to death benefit provisions. Chambers sources say, “They are a great firm, and the added value is that they can handle cases across the East coast so you get the big firm respect.”

Corporate/Commercial – New Hampshire: The team “continues to undertake considerable work in M&A and business restructuring and is also active in consulting startup companies on financing, governance, and taxation matters.” Chambers sources say, “Their strengths are their responsiveness and ability to do things with financial efficiency; they are not tied into a high fee structure.”

Corporate/M&A – Maine: The team “earns strong market endorsement for its expertise on a range of corporate matters including M&A and corporate governance. Also advises clients on public securities offerings, secured loans and venture capital transactions. A good profile for its representation of clients in distressed situations.” In a recent firm highlight, Pierce Atwood advised Extreme Reach on the spinoff and cash merger of Digital General International's television advertising distribution business for $485 million. Chambers sources say: "They have a good depth and breadth of expertise." They are responsive; when we need them to work all night they do."

Energy & Natural Resources – Maine: “This group provides highly respected expertise in all matters pertaining to energy regulation, power plant transactions, and energy project development for regulated utilities, financial institutions, and entities in the renewable energy space.” Chambers sources praise the group, noting that one partner is “a very good trial lawyer,” and another “represents his client very well but is also capable of working in a team to ensure that the transaction gets done.”

Environment-Maine: The team is known for its “expertise in a wide range of environmental legal issues, ranging from land use matters to licensing and renewable energy projects. Respected representation of private and public clients before state and federal agencies.” A recent firm highlight includes assisting an international paper manufacturer obtain the regulatory permits required for a switch from oil to natural gas in its Maine kraft mill. Chambers sources state that the group is "very responsive, very thorough and detail-oriented." Team members were recognized for their work in matters related to water quality issues, regulatory, compliance, and enforcement, and for their “passion and interest” in matters related to environmental law and for their “strong background and experience.”

Labor & Employment – Maine: The group is known for its “wide labor and employment focus including discrimination litigation, traditional labor law, and executive compensation.” The firm continues to advise the largest bottled water company in the U.S. in connection with all employment and workers' compensation matters, and has represented a large paper mill in relation to labor law matters on a national basis. Issues include arbitrations, contract negotiations and unfair labor practice charges. Chambers sources recognized group members as “extremely creative,” “very competent and connected,” and “first-class in legal work and practical advice.”

Litigation: General Commercial - Maine: Pierce Atwood has a “hugely impressive reputation for complex commercial litigation in Maine. Broad experience in a range of matters including commercial disputes, ERISA class actions and white-collar criminal cases.” Recent firm highlights include representation of an international financial services company in defense of a $15 million putative class action in federal district court in Massachusetts. The class action alleged the breach of ERISA fiduciary duty by the client. The firm also represented a large electric utility in a significant construction dispute. Sources say: "I do not say this about many firms but they have performed very well. The reason why I would say that is because of their client service. They reach out to eliminate any big surprises with respect to the litigation."

Real Estate – Maine: The team has been recognized as “a significant player in the real estate market, most notably with respect to development and transactional work including purchase and sale transactions and commercial leasing. Offers industry-specific expertise in a number of sectors, including healthcare and power.” Recent highlights include representation of Mercy Hospital in its affiliation with Eastern Maine Healthcare, valued in excess of $200 million. Also advised CPB2 on the financing and acquisition of land and an adjoining marina in Portland. Sources say, "They're a top notch-firm and they have a top-quality group of lawyers."

Pierce Atwood LLP, a leading New England law firm, has 140 attorneys who serve regional, national, and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; Stockholm, Sweden; and Washington, D.C. For more news, follow us on Twitter @PierceAtwoodLLP.

The Chambers Guides have been ranking the best law firms and lawyers since 1990, and now cover 185 jurisdictions throughout the world. Lawyers and law firms are ranked on a variety of factors and considerations, all of which are investigated by more than 140 researchers that work full-time in their London headquarters. Individual lawyers are ranked (in their practice-area(s)) on the basis of their legal knowledge and experience, their ability, their effectiveness, and their client-service.