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Legal 500

— Legal 500 USA has recognized 13 Bracewell & Giuliani LLP practices and recommended 35 of the firm's attorneys in its 2011 rankings. The firm's financial services, construction litigation, corporate restructuring, tax, employee benefits and executive compensation, energy (both litigation and transaction/regulatory), environmental litigation, intellectual property (IP), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), project finance, structured finance, and technology practices were highlighted along with the following attorneys in those categories:

Financial Services: Regulation – Sanford Brown, Julian Rainero, William Luedke, and Charlotte Rasche

The firm's "top notch" practice offers clients a "knowledgeable, responsive and practical service" across a range of regulatory matters, including M&A, litigation and compliance. Sanford Brown is a "pivotal" team member who has "the unique ability to translate complex issues into actionable business language," while partner Julian Rainero is a "clear superstar" in this practice area.

Construction – Phillip Sampson

Clients noted the firm's ability to "always keep the clients' best interests foremost in its action" as it represents a range of participants in the construction industry. Phillip Sampson is recognized for his "great trial preparation and presentation."

Corporate Restructuring – Evan Flaschen (Leading Lawyer), Renèe Dailey, Samuel Stricklin, and Kurt Mayr

Evan Flaschen, the firm's financial restructuring group chair, leads this 13-partner team that provides a "strong service" to a broad of array of stakeholders, both in and out-of-court restructurings, particularly in the mid-market. Kurt Mayr is a "rising star" in the field, and Samuel Stricklin is recognized for his "excellent reputation for bankruptcy litigation."

Domestic Tax: Central – Gregory Bopp and Elizabeth McGinley

This geographically diverse practice (three partners in Texas, one in Seattle, and another in New York) were recommended for their "responsiveness and reasonable fees." New York-based Elizabeth McGinley, head of the firm's tax practice, is an "energetic and reliable" corporate tax expert, while Houston-based Gregory Bopp garners praise for "his substantive skills and easy-to-understand communications."

Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation – Bruce Jocz, Michael Tomberg and Scott Sanders

This Texas-based practice features "excellent, responsive service and very experienced and knowledgeable attorneys" with thorough "industry knowledge and business acumen." Practice chair Bruce Jocz and partner Michael Tomberg are "both highly competent attorneys," and Scott Sanders is "knowledgeable and practical – his work is thorough and well communicated."

Energy: Litigation – Glenn Ballard, Paul Fox, Deanna King, J. Clifford Gunter, Shelby Kelley, and Sandra Rizzo

Glenn Ballard, head of the firm's litigation practice, leads this team of "highly regarded" attorneys that are heavily oriented to the oil and gas space, as well as LNG. The firm's energy group "benefits strategically from the firm's locations in London and Dubai, in addition to its Washington, D.C. and Texas offices."

Energy: Transaction and Regulatory – G. Alan Rafte, Sandra Rizzo and Daniel Witschey

Regarded as "top notch and timely" by its clients, this team "blends its knowledge of the law with an understanding of the commercial transaction being considered." Houston-based practice head G. Alan Rafte "represents vigorously," D.C.-based Sandra Rizzo is "extremely effective," and Houston-based Daniel Witschey is a "big-picture thinker in terms of developing strategy."

Environment: Litigation – Timothy Wilkins

This "highly active and notable" practice focuses on climate change, energy policy, air quality, upstream energy development, and numerous other environmental areas. Austin-based Timothy Wilkins heads the firm's environmental and natural resources practice area.

Intellectual Property (IP) Patent Prosecution Utility and Design – Constance Gall Rhebergen, Jeffrey Whittle and Albert Kimball

Billed as a "world-class, top-notch" team, the firm's practice group offers "a consistent level of professionalism and commitment to excellence." Constance Gall Rhebergen, Jeffrey Whittle and Albert Kimball, are Houston-based and are highly recommended.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Middle Market ($500-$999 million) – Sanford Brown (Leading Lawyer) and Gregory Bopp

In addition to transactional attorneys with capital markets and M&A experience, the firm's tax, environmental, finance and energy regulation attorneys are recognized as "an integral part to its M&A team." Houston-based Gregory Bopp is recognized as a key contact, while Dallas-based Sanford Brown (a Leading Lawyer) is "good to have on your side."

Project Finance: Advise to Sponsors – G. Alan Rafte, Robin Miles, Thomas Tomlinson, David Domansky, Catherine Ozdogan, and Gary Orloff

This practice "provides excellent legal counsel" thanks to its "top-notch legal professionals." Led by practice head G. Alan Rafte, this group delivers "very high value for money" and is "very attentive to the needs of a complex project." Seattle-based David Domansky is a recommended lawyer, as are Houston-based Catherine Ozdogan and Gary Orloff.

Structured Finance – G. Alan Rafte, Robin Miles and Christopher Olive

G. Alan Rafte heads an energy group that "staffs appropriately and presents a very high value for money." This is a group "whose structured finance lawyers are recommended for the design of complex structured and secured financing and hedging facilities, not only in the demanding energy sector, but also for securitization of cash flows from hi-tech contracts such as software and cell tower leases."

Technology: Transactions – Edward Cavazos, Andrew Gajkowski, and Michael Samardzija

This "excellent" practice group was bolstered by the addition of 10 attorneys, including Austin-based Edward Cavazos and Andrew Gajkowski, the latter of which is recognized for his "strong practical business sense, excellent drafting skills, attention to detail and responsiveness." Michael Samardzija in the firm's Houston office has a "thriving life science and biotechnology practice."

Houston, TX (June 10, 2010) — Legal 500 USA has recognized eight Bracewell & Giuliani LLP practices and 27 attorneys in its 2010 rankings. The firm's restructuring, energy litigation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), real estate and construction, tax, project finance, structured finance, and employee benefits and compensation practices were highlighted along with the following attorneys in those categories:

Finance: Corporate Restructuring – Evan Flaschen (Leading Lawyer), Renée Dailey, Mark Joachim, Samuel Stricklin, and James Reardon

Within corporate restructuring, Evan Flaschen, the firm's financial restructuring group chair and a "Leading Lawyer" in his field, is described as "an extremely experienced, creative bankruptcy attorney who can be aggressive when appropriate." Additionally, partner Renée Dailey is recognized as a "an experienced young partner who always has a staggeringly impressive command of the facts."

Litigation: Energy – Paul Fox, Deanna King, J. Clifford Gunter, Shelby Kelley, and Sandra Rizzo

Bracewell's energy litigation attorneys are recognized for having a "strong depth of experience." "Austin-based Paul Fox and Deanna King are ' particularly good'" and King is recommended for her "significant experience before FERC."

Mergers, Acquisitions and Buyouts: M&A Middle-Market ($500M - $999M) – Sanford Brown (Leading Lawyer), Gregory Bopp, Edgar Marston, and Charlotte Rasche

Dallas managing partner Sanford Brown is noted as a "Leading Lawyer'" in M&A. The group is praised for its variety of work in advertising, computer services, commercial real estate, entertainment and sports, radio, telecommunications, and banking and finance, with a particular increase in distressed asset M&A work in New York.

Real Estate and Construction: Central – Clark Thompson

Bracewell's real estate practice is recognized for its "notable presence in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio" and for its "due diligence reviews of all aspects of real estate deals and legal obligations that affect cash flow and valuation."

Tax: Domestic Tax: Central – Gregory Bopp and Elizabeth McGinley

Partner Gregory Bopp is "an excellent business tax adviser," while Partner Elizabeth McGinley is noted for being "energetic and reliable" in her work in New York and Texas. Additionally, the firm's Kazakhstan and Dubai offices are credited with bringing "a strong international component to its energy tax advice."

Project Finance: Advice to Sponsors – Richard Rice, Thomas Tomlinson, Gary Orloff, Catherine Ozdogan, Mark Lewis, Kirk Morgan, and G. Alan Rafte

Bracewell is "'one of the top firms' in the U.S. that shows 'no weakness'" in its project finance practice which "handles some notable energy infrastructure work, acting for prominent clients."

Structured Finance – Robin Miles and Christopher Olive

Bracewell's structured finance attorneys are "recommended for the design of complex structured and secured financing and hedging facilities in the demanding gas, oil and power sector."

Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation – Bruce Jocz and Michael Tomberg

The firm's compensation and benefits group has "very good attorneys, they're responsive, bright and understand [the client's] business." Partners Bruce Jocz and Michael Tomberg "do a very good job of explaining, or rather, translating, complex issues in the realm of employee benefits that assist [clients] in structuring transactions."

For over 20 years, the Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 100 countries/jurisdictions. Its rankings are based on thousands of interviews with leading practitioners and clients. For more information on the rankings, visit www.legal500.com.

Houston, TX (June 3, 2009) – The Legal 500 US 2009 ranked Bracewell & Giuliani LLP among the top firms nationally for bank lending, corporate restructuring, energy litigation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), real estate, and tax.

The following individual attorneys were singled out as leaders in their respective fields:

According to clients in bank lending, managing partner Mark Evans "is one of the best client managers." Other bank lending partners praised include Catherine Ozdogan, Dewey Gonsoulin and G. Alan Rafte. One client said they "are some of the smartest legal minds that I have come across in 25 years of banking."

Within corporate restructuring, Evan Flaschen, the firm's financial restructuring group chair, is described as "one of the most impressive restructuring lawyers out there." He is singled out as a 'Leading Lawyer' in this field. Additionally, partner Kurt Mayr is recognized as a "rising star in the distressed community," while partner Trey Wood impresses clients with his "excellent and assured advice."

Charles Shoneman, co-head of the energy regulatory group, is noted as "dependable, intelligent and has access to a great reservoir of knowledge" in energy litigation. Clients say that partner J. Clifford Gunter "has a great way about him" and partner Sandra Rizzo is described by clients as "the complete package."

Dallas managing partner Sanford Brown, noted as a 'Leading Lawyer' in M&A, is highly praised for "his ability to answer complex legal questions succinctly and directly." Partner Charlotte Rasche's clients are "very pleased" with her knowledge and partner Edgar Marston "understands the in-house perspective, is responsive, very seasoned, and creative."

In real estate, partner Clark Thompson is regarded as "very talented and intuitive" by clients. Additionally, partner Aaron Roffwarg is described as "a benefit to anything he works on."

Lastly, partner Gregory Bopp is "highly recommended for his corporate tax expertise" and partner Joe Hull is featured for "quality tax work" in federal, state and local taxation. Partner Elizabeth McGinley is regarded by clients as an "energetic and reliable" corporate tax authority.

For over 20 years, the Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 100 countries/jurisdictions. Its rankings are based on thousands of interviews with leading practitioners and clients. For more information on the rankings, visit www.legal500.com.

HOUSTON (June 17, 2008) - The Legal 500 US 2008 ranked Bracewell & Giuliani LLP among the top nationally in mergers & acquisitions, corporate restructuring, bank lending, energy litigation, real estate transactions and domestic tax. Mergers & acquisitions received the highest honors, ranking best in the nation.

The following individual attorneys were recognized as leaders in their respective fields:

Gregory Bopp, the co-chair of the corporate practice, is described by clients in the mergers & acquisitions as ‘very efficient’, ‘very pragmatic’ and ‘a master of his field’. Other praised partners for M&A include Gary W. Orloff, Daniel R. Witschey, Edgar J. Marston and Mark E. Palmer.

In corporate restructuring, Evan D. Flaschen, the firm’s financial restructuring and bankruptcy group chair out of Connecticut, is praised by clients for his ‘engaging bedside manner’.  He is described as ‘savvy, smart and solutions-oriented’.

In bank lending, partner Robin J. Miles is commended by clients for his ‘tremendous knowledge of the market’.

Charles Shoneman, co-head of the energy regulatory practice, is known to clients as ‘practical, truthful and intelligent’ in energy litigation. Partners Sandra Rizzo is noted by clients as ‘personable but hard-edged at the same time, which is a great combination,’ and J. Clifford Gunter stands out for his ‘stunning courtroom skills’.

In real estate, Clark Thompson, Jr. is known as ‘the mastermind behind the practice, and a massive boon for anyone that works with the group,' while Aaron Roffwarg draws attention for his contributions concerning real estate matters for industrial and energy clients.

Lastly, partner R. Joe Hull is acknowledged for his vast experience and receives recommendations for his ‘quality tax work’ in federal, state and local taxation.

For nearly 20 years, The Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 80 different countries/jurisdictions. Its rankings are based on thousands of interviews with leading practitioners and clients from coast to coast. For more information, visit www.legal500.com.

HOUSTON (September 24, 2007) - The Legal 500 US-Volume IV (Real Estate, Labor & Employment, and Tax) ranked Bracewell & Giuliani LLP among the top in Texas for real estate transactions and finance, while the tax practice was praised for its expertise in domestic tax matters, especially in the energy industry.

Several lawyers in the firm's Houston office were individually recognized. Real estate partners Clark G. Thompson, Jr. and Aaron P. Roffwarg were credited for their work in real estate.  Mr. Thompson comes "whole-heartedly recommended to others," says one client interviewed by The Legal 500, while another client reports Mr. Roffwarg as "one of the best real estate lawyers I have ever met." Tax partner Joe Hull was distinguished for his "quality tax work," as noted by another client.

For nearly 20 years, The Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 80 different countries/jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.legal500.com.

HOUSTON (May 29, 2007) — The Legal 500 US has ranked Bracewell & Giuliani LLP among the nation's leading law firms for energy litigation in its Volume III (Litigation) edition. The volume identifies the firm’s trial lawyers as boasting “impressive records in energy cases.”

Specifically, partner Charles H. Shoneman, who co-heads the energy regulatory practice out of Washington, DC is described in The Legal 500 by clients as “an all-round great lawyer—not to be underestimated.”

Austin-based partner Paul W. Fox, who has been litigating complex proceedings before the FERC since 1975, is noted for bringing a “pure regulatory litigation element to the practice,” that is “a valuable and highly-effective asset,” according to interviewees of The Legal 500.

J. Clifford Gunter III, who is head of the firm’s trial section and based in Houston, is characterized by The Legal 500 as having “a formidable reputation in litigating high-stakes energy matters, in both the natural gas and electricity markets, which serves as a vital facet to the practice.”

Major clients of Bracewell’s litigation practice include: BC Hydro, El Paso Corp, Hydro Electric Projects, Shell and Tampa Gas Utility.

For nearly 20 years, The Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 80 different countries/jurisdictions.  For more information, visit www.legal500.com.

HOUSTON (March 27, 2007) - The Legal 500 US-Volume II (Intellectual Property, Media, Technology and Telecoms) ranked Bracewell & Giuliani LLP among the leading law firms for its intellectual property work in complex corporate transactions.

"Houston-based partner Albert Kimball is the best-known name in Bracewell & Giuliani's intellectual property transactional practice, and often takes the lead when the firm is called in to advise on the IP issues arising in complex corporate deals," according to The Legal 500.

For nearly 20 years, The Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 80 different countries/jurisdictions.  For more information, visit www.legal500.com.

HOUSTON (Nov. 29, 2006) - The Legal 500 US-Volume I (Corporate and Finance) ranked Bracewell & Giuliani LLP in the top tier for its mergers and acquisitions expertise and among the leading law firms for its work in credit and syndicated transactions.  Eleven lawyers in the firm's New York and Houston offices were also individually recognized in each of those two practice areas.

The Corporate and Finance, the first of four guides covering the U.S. legal market, is The Legal 500's premiere volume in America. For nearly 20 years, The Legal 500 has been providing independent commentary on law firms in more than 80 different countries/jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.legal500.com.

The following Bracewell lawyers were recommended in The Legal 500 US-Volume I (Corporate and Finance) guide: John R. Brantley, Mark C. Evans, Jonathan P. Gill, William J. Hayes, William T. Luedke, Edgar J. Marston, Gary W. Orloff, Mary Catherine Ozdogan, Mark E. Palmer, G. Alan Rafte and Robb L. Tretter.