Boston, MA – Sullivan is pleased to announce that its practice groups and attorneys have been ranked and recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2025. 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:

Leading Partners: The Legal 500’s Guide to Outstanding Lawyers Nationwide

Benjamin Armour - M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m)
Ameek Ashok Ponda - Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) 
Lewis Segall - M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m)
Douglas Stransky - International Tax
Joel Telpner - Fintech

Next Generation Partners: The Legal 500’s Guide to Up-and-Coming Lawyers Nationwide

Nicole Crum - Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds
Sarah Wellings - Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Practice Areas Ranked and Attorneys Recognized

Corporate Governance
The growing corporate governance practice at Sullivan & Worcester LLP does a lot of work with funds but also is active in the healthcare, energy and biotechnology sectors. The practice is heavily involved in the governance matters brought forward by John Hancock Insurance funds, assisting independent directors and the board with risk management, beneficial cybersecurity protocols and the satisfaction of fiduciary duties. Department head Nicole Crum has a wealth of investment management experience and handles the full spectrum of governance matters from the Washington, DC office. Boston’s Howard Berkenblit is a capital markets specialist and frequently acts during IPOs and private placements to ensure that clients remain SEC and Sarbanes-Oxley compliant. In DC, David Leahy works predominantly with various investment and insurance funds, focusing on matters relating to the 1933 Securities Act and 1934 Securities Exchange Act. New York’s Domenick Pugliese and DC's David Mahaffey and John Chilton round out the leadership group.

Dispute Resolution/General Commercial Disputes
Sullivan & Worcester LLP handles securities, insurance, employment, tax and trade finance disputes. The team demonstrates prowess across the real estate, art, tech and cryptocurrency sectors, as well as in government investigations and white-collar defense. Gerry Silver leads the team from New York and is experienced in software, licensing and IT disputes. Practice head Patrick Dinardo in Boston represents clients in contract, trust, real estate and insolvency disputes, at both state and federal court. Also in Boston, Laura Steinberg focuses her practice on regulatory and fiduciary issues and Nicholas O’Donnell represents a diverse roster of corporations, employers, investment advisers and banks. Erika Todd, also in Boston, specialises in employment matters. In New York, Anna Lea (Setz) McNerney is another name to note, along with Boston-based Ryan Rosenblatt.

Employee Benefits, Executive Compensation and Retirement Plans: Design
Known by clients for its “wealth of experience and knowledge” and “ability to explain confusing issues in detail,” Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s employment and benefits practice is particularly renowned for its knowledge and experience in all areas of tax law pertaining to benefit, retirement and compensation plan design, redesign and implementation. The department is led by Boston’s David Guadagnoli, experienced in benefit, compensation and retirement plan design and compliance alike, with extensive practical experience in negotiation, and he is joined by Amy Sheridan, who specializes in documentation and compliance issues regarding benefits issues, as well as having been recognized for her skill in designing compensation agreements and analyzing ERISA and fiduciary issues. Client testimonials include:

“Our Sullivan and Worcester team brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to drive positive results towards strategic initiatives while maintaining compliance in a highly complex and ever-changing regulatory environment. The team collaborates effectively to ensure that we have the right expertise and insights when faced with challenging situations.”

“David Guadagnoli has been a trusted partner of our organization for a significant amount of time. This historical knowledge has provided continuity and invaluable perspective as team members change or when initiatives are revisited. David and his team are responsive when situations arise that need swift action or when guidance is needed to make key decisions.”

“David Guadagnoli thinks creatively and often brings forth solutions that positively impact our organization and employees. David can be counted on to guide key leaders through complex regulatory topics in an easily understandable way to ensure details are carefully considered and the best possible decisions can be made.”

“I have been able to rely on the incredible depth of knowledge within their practice, which has enabled us to rectify numerous issues faced by our clients. Their ability to explain confusing issues in detail and be understood by clients has been critical given the highly technical nature of ERISA.”

“I have worked with multiple team members and am impressed by their ability to communicate what sometimes could be confusing and very technical in nature issues in a manner that can be understood by the client (non-expert).”

Environment: Transactional
 

Fintech
Sullivan & Worcester LLP fields an ‘extremely sophisticated’ New York-based team with a broad blockchain offering. The practice is led by a duo of partners lauded for their ’deep expertise’: Joel Telpner advises on digital sovereign currencies, stablecoins, and tokenized investment products, while Natalie Lederman focuses on the formation, development and sale of digital assets. Scott Kaufman leads the firm’s emerging companies and venture capital group, and in Boston, Benjamin Armour handles a range of corporate matters, with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, private equity and capital-raising transactions. Client testimonials include:

“‘The team is extremely sophisticated, has a good sense of the business aspects of the legal subject matter, and is very responsive.”

“All of the individuals with whom we worked are excellent lawyers who provide the highest quality of service.”

“We engage with the Digital or Crypto Asset team at Sullivan. Their knowledge and experience are unparalleled in the sector as they have been established in the space before anyone else. They are always available at short notice, and I have yet to present a problem or an issue that they couldn't deal with in a pragmatic way with a successful outcome. Their experience spans the globe, which is critical when structuring or advising in our industry.”

“Joel Telpner and Natalie Lederman have deep experience, a global outlook, and a fast and effective service. Mike Sullivan is a great negotiator and a pragmatic problem solver when conflict arises. Greatly value his level-headed approach.”

Land Use/Zoning
The permitting and real estate group at Sullivan & Worcester LLP is effective in gaining the necessary approvals for project development as well as representing clients in enforcement matters and land use litigation. The Boston-based team is led by Gregory Sampson, who is well-versed in the planning, permitting and development of contaminated properties, and Ashley Brooks, who heads the wider real estate group. Victor Baltera is knowledgeable in environmental due diligence and compliance issues and has advised on projects in the commercial and industrial sectors. Real estate specialists Karen Kepler and associate Ashley Tan advise on air rights, title and permitting issues affecting acquisitions and financings.

M&A: Corporate and Commercial: Venture Capital and Emerging Companies
Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s U.S. venture capital and emerging companies practice forms a key part of its international offering, with the team distinguished by its ability to lean on platforms in global start-up hubs such as London and Tel Aviv. From the U.S., it also maintains longstanding relationships with start-ups and funds in the Nordic region. From New York, Scott Kaufman co-heads the group and brings to bear niche expertise in representing Israeli and other international high-tech entities in U.S.-based work. Lewis Segall leads the corporate department in Boston, where he is engaged by high-growth companies and investors to handle financings, M&A and securities-related matters.

M&A: Middle-Market (Sub-$500m)
Among Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s key assets, the M&A team stands out for its ability to act alongside the firm’s premier fintech practice to pack a punch in cutting-edge transactions in the online payments and cryptocurrency fields. The group’s international network, which spans offices in the UK and Israel, is also a significant draw for multinational clients. From Boston, Lewis Segall steers the corporate department, where he leverages experience in representing companies and private equity clients in deals across the energy, life sciences, TMT and manufacturing sectors. Boston-based Benjamin Armour spearheads the standalone M&A group and has an emphasis on cross-border matters. Corporate finance partner Avinash Rao and fintech and blockchain group chair Natalie Lederman are also recommended in Boston and New York, respectively.

“The partners I work with are practical and experienced at business transactions. They work with us to develop a strategy and then bring in the experts to vet the strategy and help execute it.”

Mutual/Registered/Exchange-Traded Funds
Building upon its long history of representing independent boards of directors, Sullivan & Worcester LLP is heavily involved in day-to-day operational and shareholder matters and board advice. Clients include groups of retail and variable insurance open-end funds and closed-end funds. Nicole Crum in Washington DC leads the team, who in 2024 has handled a significant amount of artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity mandates for the group, an increasing area of work. Client testimonial:

“They have good knowledge and availability, which are all the things one wants out of fund and independent director counsel.”

Real Estate
The real estate team at Sullivan & Worcester LLP is engaged across the market, acting in a range of deals including developments, acquisitions, dispositions, financial structurings and private equity aspects. The practice is recognized for representing public and private REITs, successfully guiding its clients in a wide range of transactions, including REIT formations and conversions, equity offerings, as well as secured and unsecured financings. The team is led by John Steiner, as director of the real estate department; based in Boston, Steiner is experienced in all aspects of real estate law but focuses his practice on acquisitions, financings and development work. Working alongside Steiner in Boston is Ashley Brooks, who has extensive experience in real estate development and finance work.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
Core to Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s practice is its REIT tax capabilities, which Ameek Ashok Ponda is at the helm of. Director of the firm’s tax department, Ponda concentrates largely on representing public and private REITs in structuring corporate mergers and acquisitions. Co-leading the REIT team are Angela Gomes and Louis Monti. Monti has a broad practice, representing clients in acquisitions and restructurings across a range of real estate asset classes and in multi-state portfolio transactions. Sarah Wellings is experienced in counseling on REIT-compliant structuring and federal and state tax aspects of REIT formation, conversion and liquidation matters. Shu Wei handles equity and debt financings. All aforementioned lawyers are located in Boston. Client testimonial:

“Vast expertise on REIT structuring.”

Tax - International Tax
Based in Boston, Sullivan & Worcester LLP’s broad practice encompasses assisting clients with matters concerning U.S. and non-U.S. tax rules, double-taxation treaties, and developing tax-risk mitigation strategies for businesses engaging in cross-border transactions. The firm handles cross-border M&A transactions, financings and joint ventures and advises on international tax initiatives. Practice head Douglas Stransky assists U.S.-based clients investing in foreign jurisdictions and possesses capabilities in handling tax implications of multijurisdictional cryptocurrency and fintech-related matters. Lewis Greenwald advises on U.S. and international tax planning, tax compliance and controversy and transfer pricing issues, while Eric Rietveld concentrates his practice on the tax planning of REITs and real estate funds. Client testimonials include:

“This practice is distinguished by its solid expertise in international tax law and practical approach to addressing complex issues. The team is efficient, responsive, and approachable, offering tailored solutions that address clients' needs effectively.”

“The individuals I’ve worked with, particularly Douglas Stransky, stand out for their cordiality and extensive expertise in the field. He consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of international tax matters and always strives to achieve optimal outcomes for clients.”

“They are highly knowledgeable. A pleasure to work with and make themselves readily available for myself and the client.”

“Doug Stransky - top-level professional in knowledge and expertise. He makes himself available for clients. He also is a top-level person.”

Tax - U.S. Taxes (Contentious)
The Boston office of Sullivan & Worcester LLP is best known for its work in contentious matters at the local state level, with work for premier clients such as Lumen Technologies and Medtronic that encompasses a growing stream of matters at the federal level. Richard Jones is the standout partner and a key adviser on SALT litigation and transactional planning. Vastly experienced tax specialist David Nagle handles disputes with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and the IRS, while Daniel Ryan handles federal and state tax litigation as part of a broader tax advisory practice. Caroline Kupiec is active at all levels of the audit, controversy and litigation process.

Tax - U.S. Taxes (Non-Contentious)
Sullivan & Worcester LLP is praised for its REIT work but is equipped to handle the full spectrum of tax matters, led by Ameek Ashok Ponda and Richard Jones in Boston. Ponda focuses on public and private REITS in the commercial and residential sector whilst Jones is knowledgeable of state and local tax matters in Massachusetts. The practice remains active in a number of sectors; they have been advising the Broadstone Group on the international tax considerations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Other noteworthy figures in the team include Douglas Stransky and Sarah Wellings.

About Sullivan
Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) is a global, mid-sized law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes, the impeccable judgment of its lawyers, and its commitment to best-in-class client service.