June 7, 2023
–Press Release
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Boston, MA – Sullivan is pleased to announce that its practice groups and attorneys have been highly ranked and recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2023. Peers and more than 300,000 corporate counsel have been surveyed and interviewed globally in the past 12 months to assess law firms’ overall visibility and reputation, culminating in detailed rankings and editorial. The Legal 500 is an independent guide, and firms and individuals are recommended purely on merit.
Sullivan's lawyers received the following rankings in The Legal 500 United States 2023:
Ameek Ashok Ponda - Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Joel Telpner - Fintech
Nicole Crum - Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds
Corporate Governance
Public companies, private companies, trusts and not-for-profit organizations are among the diverse array of clients at Sullivan & Worcester. Capital markets practice group head Howard Berkenblit in Boston, heads up the team alongside Washington DC-based Nicole Crum, David Mahaffey and David Leahy, who are regularly advised by investment advisers. Matters such as ongoing legal counsel to investment funds, and general ongoing board counselling are standout drivers of activity for the practice. Other key lawyers include Domenick Pugliese. Testimonials from clients include:
"Howard Berkenblit is a very qualified corporate and securities practitioner with many years of experience. He has a deep knowledge of securities laws and practices."
Dispute Resolution/General Commercial Disputes
Sullivan & Worcester's expertise in litigation extends to insurance coverage, trade finance, technology, and tax disputes. The firm is jointly led by New York’s Gerry Silver and Patrick Dinardo in Boston, with Dinardo having vast experience in trust, real estate, and insolvency-related matters before state and federal courts, and Silver focusing his practice on software, privacy, licensing, internet and IT disputes. In Boston, Laura Steinberg offers her knowledge on regulatory and fiduciary matters in federal and state commercial litigation and arbitration to her domestic and international clients.
Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation and Retirement Plans: Design
The firm advises on a range of retirement, welfare, equity and deferred compensation plans. The team has a strong track record of providing "practical solutions" to a client list that includes non-profits, investment managers, financial advisory firms and multinational corporations. David Guadagnoli focuses on the design and implementation of nonqualified deferred compensation and equity compensation arrangements, as well as helping clients navigate IRS and DOL audits. Amy Sheridan possesses a strong understanding of Internal Revenue Code, and aids clients in compliance issues. Clients commented:
"The dedicated specialists have a knowledge and expertise that’s unmatched. David and Amy always provide a technical, yet understandable approach to solving or preventing retirement plan issues."
"Whenever I call David or Amy, they answer the phone and make time to talk through questions or let me bounce ideas off them. They have so much technical knowledge and know the practical answer based on regulatory requirements and the associated risks."
"Sullivan & Worcester always have someone who is a technical expert in the field and can explain the issues and provide options."
Environment: Transactional
Sullivan & Worcester offers clients considerable expertise in deals in the real estate sector, with a strong track record in real estate investment trust (REIT) transactions. It also handles due diligence on transactions, regulatory matters, land use, zoning and environmental permitting work. In Boston, Victor Baltera handles regulatory compliance and permitting matters.
Fintech/Crypto
Sullivan & Worcester has developed a good reputation for its advice to the blockchain and cryptocurrency industry, within which it represents an extremely broad range of clients including government entities, cryptocurrencies and start-ups. The firm marries a strong offering in technology, finance and regulation to help with product launches, acquisitions and financings. Corporate partner Natalie Lederman co-chairs the team with Joel Telpner. Other key individuals include emerging companies and venture capital head, Scott Kaufman, and Boston-based M&A head Benjamin Armour. Boston partner Douglas Stransky has good credentials for related tax matters. All lawyers based in New York unless otherwise stated. Testimonials from clients include:
"Joel Telpner is an expert in digital assets and blockchain technology. Joel has been a legal resource to me for many years. He has earned a reputation in the industry as a thought leader in this area of law."
"Joel Telpner has deep expertise in an area of law (digital assets) that is largely not well understood or developed. Typically, when I ask him a question, he already knows the answer and does not have to research — saving my firm time and money. He has been operating in this industry for many years and has experience that very few lawyers have today. This is due to his foresight to learn about this space early when many discredited it."
Land Use/Zoning
Life science and laboratory, office, mixed-use, market rate housing, student housing and affordable housing projects, among others, comprise much of the deal flow seen by the rapidly expanding practice group at Sullivan & Worcester. The group represents a client portfolio that includes some of the most active developers in the greater Boston area on complex permitting, land-use, and environmental law mandates. Ashley Brooks serves as practice co-leader, whilst Victor Baltera counsels clients on regulatory compliance and permitting matters.
M&A: Middle-Market (sub-$500m)
Recognized for its "breadth of knowledge," the firm stands out for its experience in M&A involving REITs, fintech and opportunity zones. Blue-chip public companies and emerging technology players regularly retain the team on middle-market deals, including those that involve multiple jurisdictions. Boston-based Benjamin Armour spearheads the M&A group, and plays an active role in the firm’s blockchain initiative. In the same office, Lewis Segall steers the corporate department on a number of transactional matters, ranging from joint ventures to acquisitions and divestitures in the renewable energy, advertising, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Other key lawyers include Avinash Rao. Testimonials from clients include:
"The firm has a breadth of knowledge and resources to tap into to assist us in a variety of matters. They are skilled at simplifying complex situations and presenting the pros and cons of each so that we can make informed decisions."
"Lewis Segall demonstrates a strong understanding of the matters we have presented to him. He helps us to think through the complexities of each situation in the context of the other aspects of our business."
Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds
Sullivan & Worcester provides comprehensive legal services to fund clients, with experience in establishing and registering new funds, providing compliance advice, and handling board governance and shareholder matters. Additionally, the group regularly serves as counsel to prominent investment management firms, advising on securities law compliance, tax planning, and corporate transactions. David Leahy co-leads the team from Washington DC alongside David Mahaffey, who is managing partner of the office. Other core names in the DC group include Nicole Crum, an expert in the representation of boards and board committees, and John Chilton, whose focus is the representation of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and BDCs. John Hunt, in Boston, and Domenick Pugliese, who is based in New York, are also key. Other key lawyers include Matthew Van Wormer. Testimonials from clients include:
"Knowledgeable; practical advice; responds quickly, listens carefully; focuses on point; does not waste client money."
"David Mahaffey – excellent business lawyer; works hard to understand client and client needs; give practical advice."
Private Equity Funds (including Venture Capital)
The Boston-based team at Sullivan & Worcester covers both the sponsor and investor side, with a notable strength in real estate funds. John Hunt co-leads the department with Nicole Rives, who draws on deep experience advising in the private equity space, and Lewis Segall, the director of the firm’s broader corporate law department. William Hanson heads the secondaries practice and has broad experience advising investment managers in alternative asset classes, with an emphasis on agricultural investing. Other key lawyers include Susan Barnard and Emily Goldschmidt. Testimonials from clients include:
"Sullivan has a great depth of team in the practice areas that we utilize and the cross reference between the various practice areas (i.e. private equity, real estate, tax, compliance) is great."
"John Hunt is our primary partner contact within the private equity space. He is incredibly responsive, knowledgeable about market terms and a good negotiator."
"Extremely client focused in a way that distinguishes Sullivan & Worcester from other law firms. The whole team is very responsive and focused on finding practical solutions to issues."
Real Estate
Sullivan & Worcester's real estate group led by Ashley Brooks represents developers across the United States with a concentration in greater Boston and across the New England region, on all aspects of development from acquisition, land-use issues, permitting at the state and federal level, debt and equity negotiation, leasing and disposition. Key sectors include life science, office, mixed-use, market rate housing, student housing, affordable housing and industrial properties. Karen Kepler routinely acts for for-profit and non-profit organizations. Testimonials from clients include:
"Sullivan has a great depth of bench within practice areas and the cross reference across practice areas (real estate, private equity, tax, compliance, REIT matters) is second to none."
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
High-value transactional work is the key focus for Sullivan & Worcester LLP, with the team vastly experienced in representing a full-range of industry clients, including both public and private REITs, on matters ranging from equity and debt offerings, to financings, joint ventures and corporate M&A. The group draws on its deep bench of attorneys – which is led by Angela Gomes – to frequently act on behalf of industry participants across the property, real estate and mortgage sectors, among others. Ameek Ponda is the key name for tax issues – as director of the firm’s tax department he specializes in designing REIT transactions and financial instruments, alongside cross-border financings and M&A. John Steiner is also a key name in the team. All lawyers mentioned are in Boston.
Tax - International Tax
The Boston-based team has a wide range of expertise in tax matters including licensing arrangements, cross-border REITs, financings and joint ventures. The practice is also well-versed in global tax controversy, litigation and voluntary disclosures related to offshore activities. The team is led by Douglas Stransky who focuses on international tax planning for clients in foreign jurisdictions. Other key lawyers include Marc Stern. Client testimonials include:
"The team has excellent work ethics and are very knowledgeable."
"Douglas Stransky and Marc Stern are both excellent lawyers, with an admirable disposition and devotion to the legal practice."
"I had vast experience working with Doug Stransky and his team in the International Tax practice of Sullivan & Worcester. It is always a pleasure working together with Doug and the rest of the team. They are attuned to the client’s needs, understand the tax considerations both in the US and a very good understanding of the local tax laws, so that the overall solution provided to the clients does not cause any un-necessary tax risks in any jurisdiction. The team is very quick to respond and provide answers to tough situations."
Tax - U.S. Taxes (contentious)
Sullivan manages tax controversies at all stages, including audits, administrative appeals, and trial and appellate litigation. The group acts for businesses and individuals in disputes with the IRS and state and local tax authorities, in particular the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Richard Jones leads the tax group within the firm, and has expertise in SALT litigation. David Nagle, co-managing partner and head of tax controversies and litigation, is active in a broad range of SALT controversy, while Daniel Ryan covers federal and state disputes. Associate Caroline Kupiec is a key name. Clients commented:
"This team is the best in the business for Massachusetts tax controversies."
"Richard Jones is an excellent litigator. He is our 'go to' for Massachusetts litigation."
Tax - U.S. Taxes (non-contentious)
Sullivan maintains a robust presence in the REIT space, having handled a significant volume of M&A, spin-offs, and C-corporation conversions, an area in which practice co-head Ameek Ponda is a notable figure. Elsewhere, the team combines with the firm’s real estate, affordable housing, and corporate practices to provide advice in relation to opportunity zones. Fellow co-head Richard Jones concentrates on SALT litigation, while international tax head Douglas Stransky is regarded for his capabilities in US-based foreign investments and fintech-related ventures. All named individuals are based in Boston. Other key lawyers include Christopher Curtis, David Nagle and Marc Stern. Clients commented:
"Highly knowledgeable with an incredible work ethic."
"Douglas Stransky and Marc Stern are both excellent tax lawyers, with an admirable devotion to the legal practice."
‘"Knowledgeable, theoretical and practical group with especially strong REIT tax advice."
About Sullivan
Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a leading global law firm with approximately 200 attorneys in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, DC. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s strategic vision, comfort with complexity and intense focus on results. As a global law firm, Sullivan’s reach extends beyond the United States. Sullivan has represented clients around the world and has a deep bench for working on a variety of matters and issues affecting clients globally.
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