America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2007: Technology & IT Outsourcing
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' 2007 review of national legal talent in the area of "Technology & IT Outsourcing," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.
Chambers' comments:
Illinois Ranking: 2
The Firm: “We can rely on Kirkland & Ellis for all our technology and ITO projects,” say clients of this internationally renowned outfit. Interviewees commend the team of “extremely talented and bright attorneys,” agreeing that they are “always focused on client satisfaction.” The group of more than 50 lawyers handles all manner of outsourcing and technology-related matters, ranging from litigation and M&A work to licensing and marketing. The firm also has a long history of acting in transactions for providers and customers. The team was recently involved in a multimillion-dollar nearshoring transaction, covering a range of jurisdictions, for a service provider in the utilities industry. The lawyers are credited with being “well-prepared and efficient at negotiating” by an array of clients, including venture capital, startup, private equity and software companies.
The Lawyers: “Thoughtful, detail-oriented and effective in representing companies in IT transactions” is how one commentator summed up practice head Gregg Kirchhoefer. Others described him as an “exceptional problem solver who is extremely experienced in structuring and negotiating deals,” adding: “He’s got a skill that few have of being able to grasp complex issues and argue his client’s cause successfully.” He is also known for his work on telecom, biotech and other related commercial matters. Neil Hirshman enters the Chambers tables thanks to his “thorough, business-savvy and creative” approach to IP and technology-related transactions. His practice is international in scope and includes advising companies in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Clients/Work Highlights: Accenture; Hewitt Associates; News Corporation; Morgan Stanley; USG, and Zebra Technologies.
California Ranking: 3 (IT & IT Outsourcing)
The Firm: The lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis “understand that there’s not always a perfect solution, especially in outsourcing, where you often need to take some risks,” according to clients. Work undertaken by the group includes a variety of litigation, transactions and counseling for clients such as financial institutions, Fortune 100 life science and technology companies, and fast-growing software and biotech companies.
The Lawyers: Partner-in-charge of the firm’s San Francisco IP group, Stephen Johnson won praise from commentators for his outsourcing expertise in particular. However, he also advises on joint ventures, product development agreements and licenses, as well as various finance and corporate matters where technology or marketing rights are involved. “He’s someone who can speak pragmatically and tell me what I really need to know about a matter,” reported one client, “whether it be to do with protecting the IP or making sure you have the right to employ all the people you want to bring in-house.” His recent work includes advising an IT customer with a facilities management outsourcing.
Clients/Work Highlights: Accenture; Affiliated Computer Services; Altria Group; Fortune Brands; Hewitt Associates; Morgan Stanley; News Corporation; ProLogis; Sun Microsystems; USG and Vertex Outsourcing.
Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2007 - www.chambersandpartners.com.
