Baker & McKenzie - The Who's Who Legal 100 2013

What is the Who's Who Legal 100?

The firm is particularly strong in the area of internet, e-commerce and data protection law, with 12 lawyers listed in this chapter. In London, Harry Small is head of Baker & McKenzie’s global technology practice group and provides advice on a range of technology products and systems as well as acting in software and IT disputes. Alongside him is Robbie Downing, who is rated as “absolutely excellent” for his advice on technology regulations and telecommunications privacy matters, and also features in our regulatory communications chapter. The Chicago office fields a strong team, including the “extremely well-informed” privacy specialist Brian Hengesbaugh. Michael Mensik and Samuel Kramer focus mainly on outsourcing agreements, with the latter also considered a “valued source of advice” on software licencing. Lothar Determann is “recommended” in Palo Alto. Three European experts are included – Brussels-based Daniel Fesler impresses clients with his “sound and seasoned advice” on licence contracts and negotiations, and Matthias Scholz is the “go-to guy in Germany” for a full range of IT matters. An outsourcing specialist, he is chair of the advisory board to the German association of law and informatics. In Stockholm, Johan Nylén concentrates on M&A for technology companies, and is “highly sought after” for cross-border work. Baker & McKenzie’s presence in Asia is demonstrated by Ken Chia, who benefits from more than 20 years’ experience in the field and is recommended both for his internet work and in our regulatory communications chapter. Sydney lawyers Adrian Lawrence and Patrick Fair are noted for their expertise.

Intellectual property is a key practice area for Baker & McKenzie – the IP practice group advises and represents a wide range of high profile clients from the chemical, energy, technology and media industries. The firm’s trademark lawyers are particularly strong, with 11 selected for inclusion. Moscow-based Eugene Arievich leads the CIS intellectual property practice group and features in both our trademarks and patents chapters. He has particular expertise in trademark protection, and is considered “knowledgeable and reliable” in this area. Also highlighted for both patents and trademarks expertise is the “excellent” Say Sujintaya in Bangkok. A member of the pharmaceuticals and health-care practice group, she represents a broad range of clients from the cosmetics, fashion and sporting goods industries. Alvaro Correa Ordóñez heads up the “formidable” IP team in Bogota and specialises in managing IP portfolios for high-profile clients including Sony Corporation, Esprit and Procter & Gamble.

On the life sciences side, Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik leads the pharmaceuticals team in Warsaw and is considered “absolutely first-class” for her expertise in both IP and regulatory work for pharmaceuticals clients. Alongside her, Ewa Rutkowska comes “highly recommended” for her product liability defence work.

Baker & McKenzie prides itself on the strength of its finance practice and this is demonstrated in our research, with a total of 19 inclusions across our corporate tax, banking and capital markets chapters. The firm is particularly well represented in the US. In Chicago, both Richard Lipton and John McLees are selected as “top” attorneys and recommended as “trusted advisers” on international tax issues. Palo Alto-based John Peterson chairs the firm’s global tax practice group and is an “expert” on the planning and structuring of complex tax issues. Colleague Gary Sprague is a “veteran” in his field, enjoying almost 25 years’ experience in corporate tax planning. The firm’s tax lawyers occupy an enviable position in Europe, with practitioners selected for inclusion in Amsterdam and Madrid, as well as Alain Huyghe in Brussels who has built up a “stellar” practice advising multinationals on the tax implications of transactions and restructurings.

Five lawyers from across the firm’s international network of offices feature in our banking chapter, demonstrating the geographical extent of Baker & McKenzie’s finance expertise. In Singapore, James Huang heads up the finance and projects team and is considered “extremely able” in his advice to banks and financial operators, including the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Willem du Plessis stands out in banking and capital markets, noted as “the go-to guy in South Africa” for all financing matters. In Zurich, banking expert Markus Affentranger is “renowned and respected” for his work on domestic and international finance matters, drawing on over 20 years’ experience in the field.

The firm boasts 10 inclusions in our management labour and employment chapter. Employment law specialist John Evason is “highly recommended” for his experience in dismissals and large-scale collective redundancies. Alongside him is Christine O’Brien, head of the employment group in London, a “skilled and respected” advocate in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Hong Kong practice head Jennifer Van Dale boasts a “wealth of experience” of the legal and commercial issues arising from corporate employment contracts, and has acted for multinational companies in over 20 jurisdictions, from a multitude of industries. Robert Mignin is selected from the Chicago office, noted by clients as a “bold and reassuring” presence in individual and class-action litigation.

Nine lawyers apiece from the firm’s competition and trade and customs practice are highlighted as exceptional. Andreas Traugott particularly stands out in Vienna, where he heads the firm’s “formidable” competition practice group.

The incredible strength of the firm across the board is demonstrated by its inclusions across a further 19 practice areas, with a particularly strong showing in real estate, M&A and regulatory communications.