Fourteen Sherman & Howard lawyers and six Sherman & Howard practice areas stand out among Colorado lawyers and law firms in the 2012 release of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, following a rigorous and independent law firm research and evaluation process that seeks to identify and rank the world’s best lawyers (i.e. those who perform best according to the criteria most valued by clients – such as technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery and value for money). Chambers, quoting their research, praised Sherman & Howard’s Labor & Employment, Employee Benefits, Real Estate, Construction, Corporate/M&A, Litigation and Environmental attorneys and practices. Here’s what they had to say*:
Labor & Employment:
“It’s the whole gamut – everything from policy consideration to reorganization to tax issues; anything to do with employment they have a high-quality attorney who can address it,” says one source, speaking about Sherman & Howard’s Band 1 ranked Labor & Employment Practice. Chambers adds:
This market-leading team represents employers in all manner of disputes with employees and unions, and also offers top-class advice and counseling in relation to workplace policies. The practice has recently been busy on trade secret and non compete matters, discrimination suits and union avoidance.
Raymond Deeny is an experienced litigator who was recently successful in defending a client against a disability harassment and hostile work environment claim brought by an employee. He is hailed as “smart, well informed and tireless,” and someone who “makes us feel like we are his only client – he is superb.”
John Doran is a significant arrival at Sherman & Howard’s Phoenix office, bringing expertise in wage and hour, discrimination and wrongful discharge cases. He is particularly noted for his substantial involvement in appellate matters, and was recently successful in one such case involving the complex interaction of Arizona and Maryland law.
Charles Newcom has extensive experience representing management in jury trials and before regulatory bodies. He also counsels clients in non-contentious matters, and recently successfully represented a client in a complex appeal involving a wrongful discharge claim.
Theodore Olsen earns great respect for his deep knowledge of labor and employment law. He handles everything from discrimination claims to management-union relations, and has played a key role in the Firm’s recent efforts to steer clients through reorganizations and reductions in force without provoking lawsuits.
Bernie Siebert is an experienced all-rounder who has focused recently on FLSA collective actions. In the last year, he has successfully defended a food processing company against more than 300 unfair labor practice charges.
Employee Benefits:
Giving the group its highest rating, Chambers noted:
Kathleen Odle is “responsive and extremely knowledgeable” in all matters relating to ERISA. She provides advice and counsel to clients developing HR policies, executive compensation contracts and other employment agreements.
Construction:
Including Michael Cook and Bret Gunnell among Colorado’s leading construction lawyers, and giving them its highest Band 1 ranking, Chambers notes:
Michael Cook is considered a “very capable, smart guy with a lot of experience” by market sources. He is known for his robust and incisive approach to conducting transactions.
Bret Gunnell is described as a “first-rate attorney” and highly regarded for his deep understanding of construction law. He earned particularly high recommendations for complex litigation matters.
Real Estate:
Sherman & Howard’s Real Estate Practice received a Band 2 ranking in the latest edition of the publication. Chambers adds:
“From its five offices in Colorado, Sherman & Howard’s 20-strong team of real estate attorneys effectively handles the full range of real estate issues. The practice has the advantage of being able to draw on expertise elsewhere in the firm to deal with every facet of complex transactions.”
Robert Brown is praised by interviewees for his “good business sense and logical and analytical brain.” He has a broad transactional real estate practice and is recognized as a “scholarly and deep-thinking attorney.”
Rebecca Fischer is best known for the acquisition and development of hotel, resort and leisure properties. She is regarded by sources as an “absolutely outstanding technical lawyers who is very loyal to her clients.” She also earns acclaim for her deal management skills.
Real estate department manager Diana Wendel is highly rated by clients who describe her as “extremely skilled, timely and very available and thorough.” They also note that she “understands risk and business decisions.”
Corporate:
Chambers praised Sherman & Howard for having a solid corporate practice with even quality throughout. They note:
“They are pound for pound every bit as good as leading New York firms.”
Steve Miller was recognized for his work advising clients on all aspects of corporate finance, including international offerings and project finance.
Litigation:
“Recommended for a wide range of commercial litigation, including matters involving antitrust, contract, securities and class action claims,” is how Chambers sources describe Sherman & Howard’s Litigation practice. Chambers adds:
Christopher Koenigs enjoys a strong reputation for commercial litigation and class action defense. He was lead counsel in the successful representation of Qwest in defense of an ERISA class action brought by retirees seeking additional life insurance benefits.
Environmental Law:
Chambers notes that Ron Eddy of Sherman & Howard L.L.C. is “fair-minded and a pleasure to work with.” He continues to win plaudits for his excellent work across a range of environmental matters and is known to be “very effective when negotiating with regulators.”