Highly ranked for Technology Transactions and Outsourcing, and REITs; William Russell and Charles Morton named Leading Lawyers
Washington, DC – August 26, 2014 – Legal 500, considered one of the most comprehensive worldwide qualitative guides available on legal services providers, recently announced its 2014 rankings. Venable’s national Corporate Group continued to earn high marks in the latest edition leading the way with a Tier 1 ranking in the M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m) category. The group also received high marks in the Technology: Outsourcing, Technology: Transactions and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) categories.
Corporate Practice Co-Chair Charles J. Morton, Jr. and partner William T. Russell received special recognition as Leading Lawyers for M&A: Middle Market (Sub $500m) Technology: Transactions respectively. Leading Lawyers are selected from all the nationally recommended attorneys in a particular category and represent those few individuals, who, in the view of their peers, represent the highest standards of their practice. This is Mr. Morton’s third year as a Leading Lawyer and Mr. Russell’s fourth. Mr. Morton was one of 23 attorneys nationwide named a Leading Lawyer in M&A: Middle Market (Sub $500m). Mr. Russell was one of only 12 attorneys nationwide named a Leading Lawyer in Technology: Transactions.
For M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m), Legal 500 noted that the group “is particularly focused on advising government contractors and financial institutions, and represents some of the most familiar names in aerospace, defense and federal IT.” In addition to Mr. Morton, who was recommended for his “national practice advising on equity investments and M&A… on behalf of private equity groups and banks,” Legal 500 also recommended partners Sharon A. Kroupa and Michael R. Manley.
Mr. Russell was also recommended for Technology: Outsourcing along with partners James E. Nelson, Nora E. Garrote, Po Yi and A.J. Zottola. Ms. Garrote was singled out for her ability to “identify potential problems and provide thorough, insightful, practical advice.” Legal 500 praised the group for their “particular strength in highly regulated sectors such as healthcare, energy and real estate.”
In the Technology: Transactions category, Legal 500 sources praised Venable, saying its “advice is thoughtful and practical, taking into account legal and business factors.” In addition to Mr. Russell’s Leading Lawyer honor, Legal 500 also recognized Ms. Garrote and Mr. Zottola. Legal 500 sources again singled out Ms. Garrote for her “in-depth understanding of the key issues involved in technology transactions and extensive knowledge of technology contracts.”
Venable’s Baltimore-based REITs group called “the leading firm for REITs in Maryland, where the bulk of REITs are incorporated.” In addition to Ms. Kroupa, Legal 500 recommended partners James J. Hanks, Jr., Michael A. Leber and Michael D. Schiffer. Legal 500 sources called Mr. Hanks “the dean of the Maryland REIT Bar, and the go-to person at Venable for all REIT projects.”
Firmwide, Legal 500 recognized 55 Venable attorneys and 13 practice groups in its latest edition including six attorneys who were named Leading Lawyers.
Published for over twenty-five years, the Legal 500 has been analyzing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research program revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. Rankings are based on a series of criteria including feedback from 250,000 clients worldwide, submissions and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.
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Note: Venable is an American Lawyer Global 100 law firm serving clients globally. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in California, Delaware, Maryland, New York and Virginia, Venable LLP lawyers and legislative advisors serve the needs of our domestic and global clients in all areas of corporate and business law, complex litigation, intellectual property, regulatory, and government affairs around the globe.