The law firm of McLane Middleton, Professional Association is pleased to announce that the firm has been recognized with five firm rankings and 18 distinct individual attorney rankings in Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers.
Conducted by Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA: A Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers recognizes America’s top business attorneys and leading law firms. Chambers USA selected McLane Middleton’s offices in New Hampshire (Manchester, Concord and Portsmouth) as top-ranked in the state for Corporate/Commercial, Environment, and Litigation: General Commercial. The firm was ranked second tier in Labor & Employment and Real Estate.
Among the outstanding McLane Middleton attorneys who were recognized individually in Chambers USA were: Steven M. Burke (Corporate/Commercial and Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Patrick C. Closson (Corporate/Commercial), Bruce W. Felmly (Litigation: General Commercial), Wilbur A. Glahn III (Litigation: General Commercial), John E. Hughes (Corporate/Commercial: Tax), Linda S. Johnson (Labor & Employment), Jack B. Middleton (Litigation: General Commercial), Barry Needleman (Environment), Daniel J. Norris (Corporate/Commercial), Jennifer L. Parent (Labor & Employment), Michael J. Quinn (Environment), Peter B. Rotch (Real Estate), Mark Rouvalis (Environment), Richard A. Samuels (Corporate/Commercial), Gregory H. Smith (Environment), Charla B. Stevens (Labor & Employment), David Wolowitz (Litigation: General Commercial), and William V.A. Zorn (Corporate/Commercial: Tax).
Now in its 15th edition, the list ranks top U.S. law firms and individual attorneys in various practice areas. The relative weight of client feedback in their rankings makes the Chambers guides among the most respected of all law firm reference publications available.
Corporate/Commercial
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Esteemed team of skilled attorneys with expertise spanning diverse areas of corporate law such as M&A, tax and business formation. Offers adept representation across numerous sectors, covering utilities, education, healthcare and manufacturing, among others. Draws on additional expertise in securities law, advising on public and private offerings, and regulatory compliance.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
One client enthuses: “They’re a world-class firm; they’d stand up to anyone in the world. We’re very happy with them.”
Interviewees also highlight the team’s “responsiveness and ability to find the right people to work on our issues quickly.”
Significant clients
SIG SAUER, ProAmpac, University System of New Hampshire, Merchants Automotive Group, Innovairre Communications.
Notable practitioners
Richard Samuels is a longstanding corporate expert who clients describe as “so technically competent in just about everything.” He has a wealth of experience in M&A, securities issues and banking law, and “can actually relate to what you’re trying to do and come up with creative solutions,” according to interviewees.
Steven Burke is an esteemed practitioner in corporate tax and draws particular praise for his expertise in ESOPs. Sources refer to him as “THE guy for accountants,” noting that “he has a huge client base and garners great respect from other practitioners and the accounting industry.”
Daniel Norris is a widely respected transactional and general business attorney whose practice includes advising manufacturers, insurance companies and renewable energy entities. He comes recommended as a “very high-quality lawyer.”
William Zorn is “the best estate planner, hands down,” according to one interviewee. He is recognized for his strong representation of clients such as business owners and high net worth individuals in a range of tax-related matters.
John Hughes is sought after for his expertise in business tax law, which includes notable strength in advising family-owned businesses. He draws on longstanding experience in estate planning.
According to market sources, Patrick Closson is “fantastic and has a great M&A practice.” His strong corporate practice is complemented by “great leadership qualities” that see him described as a “very well-liked attorney.”
Litigation: General Commercial
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Remains a leader in commercial litigation in New Hampshire. Offers litigation services in a wide range of areas, including intellectual property, insurance coverage and personal injury. Represents clients across a variety of industry sectors including education, energy and consumer product manufacturing.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
Interviewees consider the team’s attorneys to be “terrific people – smart and capable.”
Another client adds: “They are responsive to our needs and they understand our business.”
Value for money
Clients consider the firm to represent strong value for money, with one interviewee noting: “In Boston the hourly rates are significantly higher, but the quality of work we get from McLane in New Hampshire is equal and much more affordable.”
Work highlights
Represented North Atlantic Energy Service Corporation in a commercial arbitration regarding pension funding payments. The matter resulted in a $2 million award to the client.
Represented Cate Street Financial in a declaratory judgment action seeking to annul contracts with two independent power producers. The client claimed for damages in excess of $50 million as a result of the producers’ abuse of process.
Significant clients
Public Service Company of New Hampshire, Cardigan Mountain School, Endo Pharmaceuticals, State of New Hampshire, Osram Sylvania.
Notable practitioners
Bruce Felmly handles a wide range of commercial litigation including antitrust disputes, trade secrets claims and patent litigation. Clients say that he is “a wonderful strategist and extremely effective.”
Wilbur Glahn is widely recognized for his work in a range of matters including corporate litigation, contract disputes and trade secret litigation. He is “recognized throughout the state as one of the leading litigation attorneys,” reports one observer.
David Wolowitz is best known for his work providing legal advice to private schools on matters such as risk management and crisis response. Sources consider him “a great lawyer” who “does a great job for his clients.”
The hugely experienced Jack Middleton remains a highly respected figure at the New Hampshire Bar. He is recognized for his expertise in arbitration and mediation.
Labor and Employment
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Highly regarded for its expertise in a number of areas of employment law such as discrimination and harassment, retaliation, wage and hour issues, wrongful termination and internal investigations. Represents high-profile employers across the state in industries such as education, healthcare and manufacturing.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
One source affirms: “Customer relations and high-quality professionalism are their hallmarks.”
Another client praises the firm, stating: “I think they’re excellent. We trust their advice.”
Value for money
Pricing is considered very reasonable: “They’re the same quality as New York firms but half the price. Great value for money.”
Work highlights
Represented Jen-Coat, a packaging structures manufacturer, in a disability discrimination case.
Defended OSRAM SYLVANIA in a class action lawsuit over wage and hour violations.
Significant clients
Scholarship Storage, Sturm Ruger, Laars Heating, Yankee Spirits.
Notable practitioners
Charla Stevens handles employment disputes in the education, healthcare and manufacturing sectors, among others. Sources say: “She’s good. She always does a great job.”
Linda Johnson is particularly noted for her handling of labor and employment law matters pertaining to the education sector. One client reports: “What I like about Linda is that she explains the law and the risks, then she talks to me about what I want to do. If I go in a way that doesn’t completely align with counsel, she’s always supportive.”
Jennifer Parent chairs the firms litigation group and handles employment disputes as part of a broader business litigation practice. Market commentators agree that she is “a good-quality lawyer.”
Real Estate
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Maintains its strong reputation for high-quality real estate work on behalf of both lenders and borrowers. Particular expertise in complex financing matters and related tax issues. Also offers strength in ancillary areas such as bankruptcy and environmental law.
Significant clients
Verizon Wireless, SIG SAUER, College Bound Movers, Dartmouth College, Rialto Mortgage Finance.
Notable practitioners
Peter Rotch is a hugely experienced figure in the New Hampshire real estate market. His areas of expertise include real estate finance, workouts and foreclosures.
Environment
Chambers’ USA Assessment:
What the team is known for.
Market-leading environment team that acts on behalf of clients across numerous commercial and industrial sectors. Areas of expertise include Superfund matters, environmental permitting and insurance coverage litigation. Prominent New Hampshire presence, but active on work across the region.
Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
One source states: “They are my go-to firm in the State of New Hampshire. They’re very responsive and always provide me with the information I need. They always do a good job.”
Work highlights
Advised Northern Pass Transmission in connection with its proposed development of a transmission line from the Canadian border to Southern New Hampshire.
Acted for Atrium Wind Energy to obtain regulatory approvals for a new 29 MW commercial wind farm.
Significant clients
Eversource Energy, Monadnock Paper Mills, Hitchiner Manufacturing, National Grid, City of Portsmouth.
Notable practitioners
Barry Needleman is recognized for his handling of environmental matters on behalf of energy sector clients. He excels in matters such as permitting, litigation and compliance. One source notes: “Barry is probably the most competent environmental lawyer that I know. He’s got great experience, a wonderful demeanor, and is effective in a wide variety of forums.”
Gregory Smith chairs the firm’s administrative law and environmental practice groups. He handles a range of regulatory and litigation matters and is described by interviewees as “a very strong practitioner” with “an in-depth knowledge of how state agencies work.”
Michael Quinn is noted for his representation of companies, municipalities and individuals in environmental litigation and administrative proceedings. His areas of strength include wetlands and water quality issues, Superfund matters and hazardous waste permitting.
Mark Rouvalis is a respected trial lawyer who handles environmental disputes as part of a broader business litigation practice. Sources say: “He understands the game and issues, and he’s very good technically.”