29 Sherman & Howard Attorneys and Practices Among Best in 2015 Chambers USA Rankings

June 4, 2015 – Twenty-four Sherman & Howard lawyers and five Sherman & Howard practice areas were recognized in the 2015 release of Chambers USA – America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. This honor follows 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 recognized Sherman & Howard’s Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions, Labor & Employment (including Employee Benefits), Litigation: General Commercial, Real Estate and Construction for practice group band rankings in Colorado. Here’s what they had to say*:

Corporate/Mergers and Acquisitions
Chambers praised Sherman & Howard for significant experience in a variety of commercial and financial transactions, including syndicated credit facilities, corporate bond issuances and tender offers. One client reported “They do a great job – they are very quick to react and get me answers and support on a timely basis.

Garth Jensen frequently undertakes high-value initial public offerings and other financing transactions. He also advises boards of directors on strategic planning and regulatory issues.
Jill Sweeney was recognized in the Corporate/Commercial area. She acts for a range of public entities in her bond practice, with clients calling her “extremely effective and efficient.” She assisted the State of New Mexico with the issuance of a number of severance tax bonds. She splits her time between the firm’s Albuquerque and Colorado Springs offices.

Labor & Employment
“Exceptional – the finest firm we work with,” according to one client interviewed by Chambers as part of their research. The firm’s Labor & Employment group is highly regarded for defending management in bet-the-company cases, collective bargaining and whistle-blowing matters. They also handle due diligence for commercial transactions and provides expertise in employment benefits. “They have great knowledge of the law and the ability to represent with style and grace. The firm is a leader within the industry and the community.”

Raymond Deeny continues to lead the labor and employment field at the firm, handling a large number of significant federal and state jury trials and arbitrations. Observers note that he is “responsive, practical and knowledgeable. He understands how businesses operate and can communicate with people at all levels of an organization.”
John Alan Doran, who leads the firm’s Labor and Employment Group in both Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona, is regarded as a talented employment litigator, with recent work including successfully representing the City of Phoenix when the United Phoenix Firefighters Association sued the city as an attempt to halt changes to pay practices. A source says: “He is creative in his search for answers to problems and he is extremely responsive.”
Chuck Newcom regularly represents clients in the mining industry in health and safety litigation. He is well versed in all aspects of employment law, including workforce reductions, pay and benefits issues and wrongful dismissal.
Theodore Olsen draws on extensive experience in labor and employment work. He provides specialist counsel on many issues, including violence in the workplace, workforce reorganizations and due diligence for commercial transactions.
Bernie Siebert adds depth to the firm’s employment offerings by undertaking a significant caseload of labor law issues. He is particularly experienced in advising the retail, hospitality and healthcare industries, among others. Clients say: “He puts himself in a businessperson’s shoes and is very client-oriented.”
John Wymer, III leads Sherman & Howard’s Atlanta, Georgia office. He is recognized as “an excellent attorney,” and “has a balanced view of the legal and business world,” clients report. Another source praises him for “producing very high-quality work and being very efficient with time and billing.” He has a great deal of experience in labor and employment matters, including trade secrets, restrictive covenant litigation and labor relations.

Employee Benefits
Giving the firm’s Employee Benefits Practice Group its highest rating, Chambers noted:

Bruce Muir has an active practice that encompasses retirement plans, employee stock ownership plans and complex tax matters. He also regularly represents ERISA fiduciaries in transactions.
Kathleen Odle is a seasoned employee benefits and compensation practitioner with an “excellent reputation,” according to commentators. She is particularly adept at drafting executive compensation plans, deferred compensation agreements, and health and welfare plans.

Real Estate
Sherman & Howard received a Band 2 ranking in the latest edition of the publication in the area of Real Estate. They advise clients across a wide range of matters, including complex financings and commercial leases. Their impressive client list includes contractors, consultants and developers from across the U.S. “The client service is excellent – the people I interact with have an awareness of economic conditions and are up to date in the latest developments in the law,” according to one client. “I have been very pleased with the firm’s work. I trust their experience and expertise completely,” according to another.

Robert Brown has over three decades of experience in real estate and is well known and highly regarded by his peers. He is valued for his subject area expertise, with one source singling him out as someone to go to with unusual matters.
Rebecca Fischer has a wealth of experience advising clients across the residential, resort, ranch and mixed-use communities sectors. Peers state that “she is extremely good and has represented major clients for years.”
Azim Hameed manages the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group in Phoenix, Arizona. He handles a diverse range of real estate matters, including leasing and acquisitions, and often works on behalf of home builders and other developers. Interviewees appreciate his “timeliness in delivering work product” and his “immense knowledge and experience base.”
Peter Spiller practices in the firm’s Scottsdale, Arizona office. He is a “Recognized Practitioner” in the Real Estate – Arizona ranking. He represents purchasers and sellers of real property in the negotiation and administration of a variety of acquisition and sale agreements.
Diana Wendel regularly advises on commercial real estate transactions. She is able to “quickly grasp business goals and present not only the legal and transactional risks but also practical solutions and risk mitigation strategies.”

Real Estate: 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 a mediator and trial lawyer who works on construction issues for both businesses and public bodies. He is highly respected in his field, and peers state that he “has great experience and the great ability to resolve matters early.”
Bret Gunnell is “very active and effective” in the areas of construction and litigation. He is notable for his courtroom expertise, with one source saying: “His trial skills set him apart from other construction attorneys in the country.”

Litigation
A robust civil and criminal litigation team commended for its strength across numerous industries. Offers expertise in handling partnership battles, business torts and financial fraud. Clients highlight their “excellent performance” and recent experience as co-counsel for nine underwriters regarding securities and class actions arising from public and non-public offerings.

Gregory Falls, who manages the firm’s Phoenix and Scottsdale offices, was named a “Recognized Practitioner” in the Litigation: General Commercial – Arizona category. Greg represents individuals, companies and other organizations in litigation disputes related to ownership or operation of real property, contracts or other related commercial litigation.
Christopher Koenigs is recognized for performing consistently well on contentious civil issues, including consumer products, insurance and securities work. Interviewees say he is a “really exceptional lawyer.”
James Sawtelle continues to build upon a strong record of trial and appeal success, focusing on various complex areas of civil litigation. He is known for his work with the media industry and is described as very intelligent and responsive by sources.
David Weatherwax, a member in Sherman & Howard’s Phoenix office with more than 33 years of experience representing clients in all types of business disputes and creditor’s rights matters, is a “Recognized Practitioner” in this edition of Chambers.

Natural Resources and Environment
Ron Eddy is lauded by peers as “a terrific environmental lawyer.” He is head of the firm’s environmental practice group, and has more than three decades’ experience in the space, including work as a physical scientist for the EPA.

Intellectual Property
Jon Tandler has over 30 years of experience in IP and concentrates on technology, brand licensing and transactional IP advice. One interviewee comments: “His calm business sense impresses me. His eye is always on the goal even when the case has a lot of moving parts.”

Sports Law
Stephen Hess, who splits time between the firm’s Denver, Colorado Springs and Albuquerque offices, is a “Recognized Practitioner” in this edition in the area of Sports Law: National. Stephen represents elite and Olympic athletes and National Governing bodies in disputes involving Olympic and international competition.

About Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
Sherman & Howard L.L.C. is one of the most successful law firms in the Rocky Mountain region. The firm helps its clients in most aspects of law affecting businesses and public institutions. Sherman & Howard’s approximately 180 attorneys practice law from 11 offices located in Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, Missouri, New Mexico and Georgia.

About Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
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* All quotes from Chambers USA 2015.