FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WILMINGTON, DE -- Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP is pleased to announce that 32 of the firm’s attorneys in 6 practice areas (4 Band 1 recognitions) are listed as “Leaders in their Field” in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. 

Chambers USA ranks leading law firms and lawyers in a wide range of practice areas. Their research is in-depth and client focused and the guide is read by industry-leading companies and organizations throughout the United States and worldwide. We invite you to read the client comments below, or you may visit the Chambers USA website.

Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Delaware

Chambers USA researchers note that in Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Delaware, Young Conaway maintains a "fantastic reputation for its work on behalf of debtors, creditors' committees and other stakeholders in Chapter 11 restructurings and out-of-court workouts."  Clients note that "Young Conaway consistently demonstrates pragmatic attitudes towards complex problems. They are passionate advocates and do not lose sight of the ultimate goal...The firm seamlessly leverages their deep experience to deliver great advice. They are smart and dedicated to delivering great client service."

Practitioners listed in the area of Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Delaware include:

• Chairman of the Firm, Robert Brady, who "is at the top of the restructuring field, combining extraordinary knowledge and experience with a keen business sense";
• Vice-Chair of the Firm, Michael Nestor is “widely respected" and "makes the right deals for his clients in the most complex and difficult restructurings";
• Chairman Emeritus James Patton, “provides expert representation in complex Chapter 11 mandates”;
• Pauline Morgan “is a standout in the Delaware community and a highly respected practitioner”;
• Clients note that Section Co-Chair Joseph Barry “does an amazing job navigating complexities and securing tremendous results in an efficient matter” and that
• Section Co-Chair Sean Beach "has great judgment and presence in court. He is an impressive strategic thinker and a first port of call for all things Delaware";
• Edwin Harron is "very smart and highly thought of";
• Edmon Morton is "sharp as a tack, both in the courtroom and in negotiations”;
• Andrew Magaziner is “a very skilled lawyer" who "knows the judges well";
• Kara Hammond Coyle is "incredibly committed and adept at handling negotiations, and has tremendous court skills"; and
• Robert Poppiti is “a go-to Delaware Counsel" who is "creative, responsive and constructive.”

Chambers added two Up and Coming attorneys this year:

• Ryan Bartley is "detail oriented" and has a "top-class ability to synthesize complex legal issues"; and
• Allison Mielke is an "impressive partner" with a "no-nonsense but personable style" who "anticipates potential issues and deals with them to help achieve business goals." 

Bankruptcy/Restructuring: North Carolina

Chambers USA describes Young Conaway’s newest Bankruptcy and Corporate Restructuring Partner, Felton Parrish, as a “very good lawyer” who represents both borrowers and lenders in Chapter 11 and bankruptcy litigation.

Chancery: Delaware

Chambers USA describes Young Conaway’s Chancery: Delaware team as having “encyclopedic knowledge of Delaware cases and judges" along with "research and writing skills and client relations [that] are beyond reproach."  The attorneys represent both defendants and plaintiffs and handle a “full range of corporate and alternative entity litigation, with a specific focus on M&A disputes and fiduciary duty litigation as well as hostile takeovers and proxy contests.”  

Highlighted attorneys include:

• Chair of the Corporate Litigation practice, Tammy Mercer, is a "consummate professional" who provides "exceptional legal advice on high leverage and sophisticated legal issues";
• C. Barr Flinn is "helpful in talking through strategy" and “brings his extensive experience to bear in the representation of clients involved in complex corporate governance proceedings” and special litigation committees;
• Elena Norman is a "brilliant strategist, thoughtful academic and ferocious warrior" that you want "in your corner when things are tough";
• Martin Lessner is “well versed in fraud and books and records issues” and “demonstrates experience acting for corporate clients in disputes concerning stockholders, M&A and fiduciary duties”;
• Vice-Chair of the Corporate Litigation practice, James Yoch, is a "great team player, extremely responsive and hard-working" who makes "inciteful contributions to both the strategy and execution of the representation";
• Ryan Newell, who represents clients in a range of corporate and commercial disputes is "uniquely trusted by the court to help parties facilitate discovery and resolve discovery issues";
• Rolin Bissell typically represents corporations and board members with “broad contentious expertise, which includes notable experience in matters including M&A disputes, proxy contests and fiduciary duty challenges”; and
• David McBride, “has significant experience acting for directors and shareholders in complex litigation and investigations."

Corporate/M&A & Alternative Entities: Delaware

Norman Powell is recognized by Chambers USA in the Corporate/M&A & Alternative Entities: Delaware category for his practice which “covers the establishment and operation of a wide range of Delaware-specific business structures.”

Intellectual Property: Delaware

Chambers USA editors note that Young Conaway’s Intellectual Property: Delaware team is “well regarded” and acts for both plaintiffs and defendants from the software, medical devices and pharmaceutical sectors. The team also provides experienced lead counsel in complex patent infringement claims, trade secret cases and Hatch-Waxman litigation.  Clients note that the "firm has distinguished itself by being able to handle the most complex and sophisticated IP matters successfully."

Notable practitioners in the Intellectual Property: Delaware category include:

• Section Co-Chair and “fantastic” IP litigator Adam Poff who has notable expertise in patent infringement cases and trade secret disputes;
• Section Co-Chair Anne Shea Gaza is an “excellent lawyer and legal strategist” who is “very good at navigating difficult positions and highly regarded by the judiciary"; and
• Pilar Kraman is “an exceptional trial lawyer who brings her A-game every time."

Labor & Employment: Delaware

Chambers USA researchers describe Young Conaway’s Labor & Employment: Delaware team as having a “comprehensive practice” with an “excellent reputation for its expertise in discrimination and wage and hour claims.” The firm also has “a deep bench offering expertise in a range of industries, including the education, public services and financial sectors.”

Recognized practitioners include:

• Michael Stafford who is “highly regarded for his deft handling of labor and employment matters” and is "especially active in representing clients in the education sector";
• Barry Willoughby who “brings significant experience to bear in the representation of employers in both contentious proceedings and advisory mandates”; and
• William Bowser, who is considered the “go-to attorney for Delaware labor matters” acting on behalf of “employers from a range of sectors in complex disputes and negotiations.”

Real Estate: Delaware and Real Estate: Zoning and Land Use:  Delaware

Chambers USA researchers describe Young Conaway’s Real Estate: Delaware and Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use: Delaware as having a “fine reputation” for the transactional work performed on behalf of regional developers and financial institutions, especially the financing, refinancing and acquisition of property. The team is also recommended for its advice on zoning and land use matters.

Key individuals include:

• Section Co-Chair John Tracey who is “respected” for his handling of land use approvals and experience in real estate transactions; such as financings;
• Daniel Johnson is an "excellent advisor" in the commercial real estate transactional space and is a "subject matter expert in Delaware Home Owner Association and Common Interest Ownership matters"; and
• Brent Shaffer who is "impressively adept at high-value transactions such as construction loans and refinancings" and a "go-to for complex asset-based deals."

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Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP, one of Delaware's largest law firms, counsels and represents national, international and local clients, handling sophisticated advisory and litigation matters. The firm’s headquarters are located in downtown Wilmington, DE with additional offices in New York, New York and Charlotte, North Carolina. For additional information, contact Director of Marketing and Business Development, Felicia A. Gojmerac at 302.571.6600 or [email protected].