America's Leading Business Lawyers 2003-2004: Tax
Chambers & Partners has compiled their independent and objective list of America's Leading Business Lawyers based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide -- which is designed to reflect market opinion -- contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.
In Chambers' 2003-2004 review of national legal talent in the area of "Tax," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.
Chambers' comments:
Illinois
Ranking: 1
The Firm: This "dynamic" tax planning and litigation group enjoys an increasingly international reputation, while in Chicago, competitors are clear that "we bump into them more than any other local firm." The symbiotic relationship between the firm's corporate lawyers and the tax team enables the latter to offer particularly effective advice in the private equity, venture capital, M&A and capital markets sectors. The group's legendary ability to "handle complex matters well" delights clients: "I will pay whatever they charge, because you get what you pay for."
The Lawyers: Jack Levin "may be the best tax lawyer in the world," according to his contemporaries. A trailblazing academic, as well as an outstanding tax practitioner, he is credited with writing "the definitive tax treatise." Although he also channels much of his time into private equity work, he continues to oversee the progress of his talented tax team. Among them is Jeff Sheffield, whose "ability to separate what's important from what isn't" is held in the highest regard. He handled the tax implications of the high-profile $25 billion DIRECTV spin-off. Reputed to possess a "photographic memory," George Javaras remains accepted as one of the market leaders in Chicago. He advised on the tax aspects of the restructuring of the Chicago Board of Trade and acted on the acquisition of Bcom3 Group by Publicis Groupe. Former Government attorney Don Rocap still has a particularly notable public sector tax practice. Peers regard him as a "creative and analytical" attorney, who "stays right on top of the issues." Respected transactional lawyer Bill Welke was also endorsed to researchers for his "good, practical deal sense."
The Clients: Vestar Capital Partners; GKN; Bain & Company; Leo Burnett McManus; GM; Sara Lee; United Airlines; USG; CNA Financial; Bcom3 Group; Chicago Board of Trade; Alcoa and Navistar International.
Reprinted with permission from Chambers & Partners: America's Leading Business Lawyers 2003-2004
