America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2006: Corporate/Commercial

Chambers & Partners has compiled their independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business 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' 2006 review of national legal talent in the area of "Corporate/Commercial," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.

Chambers' comments:

District of Columbia Ranking: 3

The Firm: Known for its national private equity practice, this firm continues to see an upswing in all areas of its corporate work in both the national and international markets. The DC-based group continues to be an active venture capital counselor for NEA (New Enterprise Associates) as well as acting as primary outside counsel for Constellation Energy Group. The team fields expertise across the sports, technology and healthcare industries. One notable highlight in this area was representing Allion Healthcare in its recent IPO.

The Lawyers: The "tireless" George Stamas "is willing to work around the clock and knows how to get difficult deals done." He is widely credited with raising the group's profile in the corporate arena and wins the respect of the market for his ability to establish strong client relationships. "Clients really love him," said one peer. For their part, clients praised his "creative, business-oriented thinking." He recently advised Constellation Energy in its merger with FPL Group, creating a company with a market capitalization of $28 billion.

Clients/Work Highlights: MidOcean Partners; Constellation Energy Group; NEA; Friedman Billings Ramsey; Arlington Capital Partners; Fountainhead Title Group; Legg Mason Wood Walker.

Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2006 - www.chambersandpartners.com.