Duane Morris practices and industry teams have been ranked in the following areas in The Legal 500 US 2025 guide.
Michael Schwamm is ranked in the "Leading Lawyer" category.
Duane Morris LLP's "fantastic commercial disputes practice" ranges from complex litigation, class actions, franchise, construction and software disputes to product liability and patent litigation. Sharon Caffrey in Philadelphia co-chairs the Trial Practice Group and is a products liability trial lawyer who is sought after to try large exposure cases in the most difficult jurisdictions alongside San Francisco-based Stephen Sutro, who is regularly called upon to handle sensitive litigation and investigations. Also in Philadelphia, James Steigerwald is co-head of the commercial litigation team and, alongside San Diego-based Courtney Baird and Sean Zabaneh, co-leads the healthcare litigation team along with John Polzer. Dana Ash, Sean Burke, Michael Fox and Robert Kum lead the product liability and toxic tort division and Shannon Hampton Sutherland and Larry Pockers in Philadelphia co-chair the trade secrets and non-compete division of the trial group. In Austin, Brad Thompson boasts niche expertise in megaproject EPC construction disputes, and Craig Warner's clientele ranges from middle market companies to Fortune 500 companies. Firm Chairman and CEO Matthew Taylor in Philadelphia regularly represents clients in state and federal courts, while Jonathan Swichar represents thousands of independent pharmacies and healthcare providers in regulatory and civil criminal proceedings. In Los Angeles, Cyndie Chang represents insurance companies and public and private companies in commercial and corporate litigation.
Practice Heads: Sharon Caffrey and Stephen Sutro
Other key lawyers: James Steigerwald, Courtney Baird, Sean Zabaneh, John Polzer, Dana Ash, Sean Burke, Michael Fox, Robert Kum, Shannon Hampton Sutherland, Larry Pockers, Brad Thompson, Craig Warner, Matthew Taylor, Jonathan Swichar and Cyndie Chang
Testimonials
- “Duane Morris has a fantastic commercial disputes practice, and their collaboration was impressive. Craig Warner did a fantastic job handling a critically important injunctive case with high visibility to our C-suite.”
- “Capability is unquestionable. They were great communicators as well. I appreciate being kept in the loop, and they are always available to answer questions. Everyone is easy to communicate with and work with. They work well together, which is hard to find.”
Duane Morris LLP's education group has a varied client roster, including universities, vocational schools and higher education associations, accreditors and investors. Accreditation is a key concentration for the firm alongside its focus on student litigation, transactional matters and regulatory reviews. Leadership is split between five partners. In San Diego, co-lead Anthony Guida has experience in licensing and accreditation, focusing his practice on preK-12, postsecondary and edtech, while Edward Cramp has a broad practice covering accreditation as well as regulatory compliance, litigation and transactions. Katherine Brodie in Washington, D.C., handles Title IV and Title IX compliance, while Chicago-based litigator Lisa Scruggs and Philadelphia-based Daniel Walworth, who specializes in internal investigations and enforcement actions, round out the leadership.
Practice Heads: Anthony Guida, Edward Cramp, Katherine Brodie, Lisa Scruggs and Daniel Walworth
Duane Morris LLP's broad offering is known for its vast experience in contentious healthcare work, including reimbursement disputes, in addition to its handling of patient safety plans and corporate transactions within the healthcare space. The "practical and knowledgeable" Erin Duffy heads the team from Philadelphia, often assisting clients with the regulatory aspects of HIPAA and fraud and abuse mandates, while "seasoned healthcare litigator" Sean Zabaneh handles both state and federal level administrative proceedings, government investigations and represents clients in high-stakes reimbursement, antitrust and competition, corporate governance and breach of contract litigation, including complex class action litigation. Chicago-based Neville Bilimoria represents a diverse client list of health systems, hospitals and assisted living facilities with corporate transactional mandates, in addition to licensing issues. Jonathan Swichar is a key contact for pharmacies and pharmacy associations seeking advice on disputes with pharmacy benefit managers involving reimbursement issues and network terminations. Praised by clients for his "excellent deal mediation skills," Kirk Domescik works out of the Atlanta office and regularly advises on multistate acquisitions within the long-term care space.
Practice Head: Erin Duffy
Other key lawyers: Sean Zabaneh, Neville Bilimoria, Jonathan Swichar and Kirk Domescik
Testimonials
- "Kirk Domescik is a trusted and valued partner. His communication style and ability to discuss difficult deal terms with clients is very special. He is able to handle stressful situations with respect and calmness while offering excellent legal advice."
- "Kirk Domescik is highly knowledgeable of the area of expertise pertaining to private equity healthcare deals and the overall healthcare industry and compliance. Kirk shows a sense of urgency and delivers excellent advice in a timely manner. He has excellent deal mediation skills and is highly respected."
With a particularly strong presence in California, Duane Morris LLP's nationwide insurance practice represents direct-side carriers and reinsurers in disputes stemming from environmental liabilities and toxic torts such as asbestos, COVID-19 business interruption, receiverships and more. New York-based trial lawyer Damon Vocke handles high-exposure matters; San Francisco-based Jessica La Londe counsels insurers on contentious matters related to an array of insurance lines. Also in San Francisco, experienced litigator Brian Kelly is also well-versed in arbitration and mediation, Max Stern is routinely tapped to handle coverage and bad faith litigation at the trial and appellate level, and veteran insurer advocate Philip Matthews' experience includes asbestos bankruptcies and high-stakes coverage trials and appeals. Gina Foran's broad practice includes advice on receivership matters.
Phil Matthews is ranked in the "Hall of Fame" category.
Practice Head: Jessica La Londe
Other key lawyers: Damon Vocke, Brian Kelly, Max Stern, Philip Matthews and Gina Foran
Clients praise Duane Morris LLP's patent litigation practice comprised of “sophisticated and competent” attorneys. Working before the PTAB and the Federal Circuit, the team’s varied caseload spans the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and high technology sectors. The patent litigation division is chaired by Boston's Anthony Fitzpatrick, who specializes in biologics, medical devices and diagnostics, and Thomas Sankey, a seasoned trial lawyer who splits his time between Houston and Austin. The team further benefits from the expertise of the firm's IP practice chairs: Atlanta’s Woody Jameson, who brings deep expertise in complex high-tech patents; Matthew Gaudet, also based in Atlanta, who handles all stages of patent litigation and has represented major technology companies like Cisco Systems and Verizon; and Christiane Schuman Campbell, who is based in Philadelphia. Patrick McPherson in Washington, D.C., is the head of PTAB and IPR division and has experience representing U.S. and foreign clients on their patent rights. Alice Snedeker in Atlanta offers further expertise in fiber optics and wireless tech.
Practice Heads: Woody Jameson, Christiane Schuman Campbell, Matthew Gaudet and Anthony Fitzpatrick
Other key lawyers: Thomas Sankey, Patrick McPherson, Alice Snedeker, Matt Yungwirth and John Gibson
Testimonials
- "This firm is great to work with for a variety of reasons. They provide good legal services at a great value. Their work is typically comprehensive and well-reasoned, and their attorneys are both sophisticated and competent. They consistently meet deadlines, produce good quality work, employ innovative legal strategies and foster a collaborative team environment."
- "The attorneys at this firm have analytical skills and work ethic that are top notch. When confronted with a problem or challenging task, they fully think through the issues before presenting a recommendation. I’ve never known them to raise an issue without also presenting a well-thought-out solution. Attorneys that I’ve worked with and would like to note are: Matt Yungwirth, John Gibson, Matthew Gaudet and Alice Snedeker."
Respectively situated in Philadelphia and New York, Nicole McLaughlin and Mark Lerner co-lead Duane Morris LLP's trademark practice; the former is well-positioned to advise on domestic and international trademark enforcement, and the latter employs his expertise in clearance, maintenance and enforcement to assist a litany of publishing and consumer products clients. The team more broadly is noted for its involvement in consumer products, tech, financial services and education sectors. Other names to note include Boca Raton's Karen Chuang Kline and Philadelphia’s Christiane Schuman Campbell, who is a strong presence on the fashion and retail side.
Practice Heads: Nicole McLaughlin and Mark Lerner
Other key lawyers: Karen Chuang Kline and Christiane Schuman Campbell
Lauded for being "among the best in the business," Duane Morris LLP advises on work authorization and visa services, as well as helping clients develop foreign national workforce policies, training programs and corporate compliance strategies, such as I-9 compliance and right-to-work programs. The group is also experienced in employment-based transactions. Ted Chiappari leads the practice from the New York office and regularly represents companies seeking to acquire temporary work permits or permanent resident status for foreign employees. Chiappari is supported in New York by Pierre Bonnefil, who is particularly active in the online commerce, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and fashion industries. In Washington, D.C., Denyse Sabagh assists corporate clients with inbound and outbound migration matters. Maxine Bayley and Lisa Spiegel are both key names in San Francisco, with Bayley specializing in individual matters and family-based permanent residence and Spiegel focusing her practice on issues related to the employment of foreign nationals.
Denyse Sabagh is ranked in the "Hall of Fame" category.
Practice Head: Ted Chiappari
Other key lawyers: Pierre Bonnefil, Denyse Sabagh, Maxine Bayley and Lisa Spiegel
Testimonials
- "The Duane Morris immigration team is among the best in the business. They are highly knowledgeable in the law and their connections in the industry ensure that we are receiving up-to-date news and information."
- "Maxine Bayley is an incredible leader; she is knowledgeable, congenial and deeply compassionate with our employees. Lisa Spiegel is incredibly wise, especially when it comes to difficult cases, and she is extremely kind. Pierre Bonnefil handles the entire green card process with ease and is flawless in execution."
Duane Morris LLP advises a wide range of life sciences clients, including pharma, biotech, medical device, diagnostics and digital health companies. Its strong IP practice covers strategy, prosecution, due diligence and litigation. On the transactional side, it handles capital markets, financing, venture investments and collaboration agreements. The practice is led by six lawyers. In Philadelphia, Dana Ash specializes in product liability and litigation, Michael Harrington focuses on corporate transactions, and Shannon Hampton Sutherland handles disputes, unfair competition and trade secrets litigation. Boston’s Frederick Ball handles regulatory compliance, deal diligence and litigation, while Driscoll Ugarte in Boca Raton focuses on transactions, including M&A, securities and private equity. IP lawyer Vicki Norton is based in San Diego.
Practice Heads: Dana Ash, Michael Harrington, Shannon Hampton Sutherland, Frederick Ball, Driscoll Ugarte and Vicki Norton
Housing a full-spectrum corporate offering, Duane Morris LLP acts for entrepreneurs, small-to-large businesses and private equity funds on mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and associated corporate compliance matters. Chicago-based corporate finance specialist Brian Kerwin chairs the national department and his practice intersects M&A, finance, private equity and venture capital transactions. In Los Angeles, Justin Santarosa is sought after by acquirers and sellers to support on deals in the consumer products, energy, financial services, life sciences and transport areas. Michael Schwamm is a key contact in New York, where he specializes in M&A, securities and technology law. Houston-based Shelton Vaughan, who fronts the Energy Industry Group, is also noted for M&A deals.
Practice Head: Brian Kerwin
Other key lawyers: Justin Santarosa, Michael Schwamm and Shelton Vaughan
Duane Morris LLP's construction and engineering group works on mandates from general contractors, real estate companies and institutions such as the Delaware River Port Authority, Tutor Perini and the Hudson Companies Inc. The practice is headed by New York's Jessica Singh and Brian Shue, Philadelphia's Patrick Kearney and Miami's Richard Shane, who have been involved in large multicity projects involving the development of stadiums, casinos and skyscrapers. In New York, Mark Canizio and Kenneth Lazaruk are on board handling large-scale construction trials and arbitrations, while in Austin, Benton Wheatley handles claims concerning defects, delays and payment issues. Chicago-based Jeffrey Hamera is recognized for his contract drafting and negotiation proficiency, particularly regarding design-build and EPC agreements.
Brian Shue is ranked in the "Next Generation Partner" category.
Practice Heads: Jessica Singh, Brian Shue, Patrick Kearney
Other key lawyers: Richard Shane, Mark Canizio, Kenneth Lazaruk, Benton Wheatley and Jeffrey Hamera
The tax practice at Duane Morris LLP possesses "an excellent mix of skill, client focus and commercial acumen" jointly led by Stephen DiBonaventura in Philadelphia and Chicago's Brian Kerwin. The practice advises a broad range of companies with tax work related to sale and leaseback transactions, REIT issues, fund structuring and secondary shelf registrations. DiBonaventura focuses on M&A work as well as corporate restructurings while Anastasios Kastrinakis in New York has a strong track record in multijurisdictional tax matters. Hope Krebs is co-chair of the firm's International Practice Group and a member of the Corporate Transparency Act Strategy Team.
Practice Head: Stephen DiBonaventura
Other key lawyers: Brian Kerwin, Anastasios Kastrinakis and Hope Krebs
Testimonials
- "Duane Morris has an excellent mix of skill, client focus and commercial acumen."
- "Extremely responsive, practical, but they also have a deep legal knowledge and experience."
Duane Morris LLP is adept at representing plaintiff and defendants in securities-related matters in state and federal courts, including in cases arising from IPOs and securities class actions.