19 Hirschler Attorneys and 5 Practice Areas Recognized in 2024 Chambers USA Rankings

06.10.2024

Hirschler is excited to announce that 19 attorneys across six different practice areas were included in the prestigious annual Chambers USA rankings, which offer client-driven insights on America's top business lawyers. Additionally, Hirschler was recognized among top-ranked firms across five regional departments, including in Virginia’s Bankruptcy / Restructuring, Construction and Litigation (General Commercial) practice categories and in Virginia’s Southern region for its Corporate / M&A and Real Estate practices.

“Being recognized in the Chambers USA Guide is always a distinct honor because it is based on input from our clients and peers, which is of the highest value to our firm,” said Courtney Paulk, president of Hirschler. “Our inclusion highlights our attorneys’ continued drive and dedication to provide superior client service across diverse practice areas.”

Full details of the firm’s rankings and client feedback are available online here. The Hirschler attorneys recognized in the 2024 Chambers USA guide, along with the practice areas in which they were selected and further insight from Chambers’ research, are included below:

Richmond, Virginia

Kelly J. Bundy, Construction

Nathaniel L. Story, Construction

Lisa J. Hedrick, Corporate / M&A

Andrew M. Lohmann, Corporate / M&A

Webb Moore, Construction

Courtney M. Paulk, Construction

Charles H. Rothenberg, Real Estate

Emily M. Scott, Litigation: General Commercial

Brandt H. Stitzer, Real Estate

James W. Theobald, Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use

Jeffrey P. Geiger, Real Estate: Zoning / Land Use

Robert R. Vieth, Litigation: General Commercial

John R. Walk, Litigation: General Commercial

Robert S. Westermann, Bankruptcy / Restructuring

Tysons, Virginia

Lawrence A. Katz, Bankruptcy / Restructuring 

Stephen E. Leach, Bankruptcy / Restructuring 

David I. Swan, Bankruptcy / Restructuring

Wayne G. Travell, Litigation: General Commercial

Jay Yurow, Real Estate

Bankruptcy / Restructuring

Chambers praised Hirschler’s Bankruptcy / Restructuring group as “an established practice noted for its creditors’ rights expertise, as well as its representation of debtors” and as “a leading firm for midmarket bankruptcies in the state and well-suited to serving as local counsel on larger cases.” The practice is noted for its creditors’ rights work and representation of debtors when handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 matters, as well as out-of-court restructuring, bankruptcy litigation and Section 363 asset sales. Those interviewed by Chambers noted that “Hirschler performs at a very high level” as well as being “practical and solution-oriented.” Another said, “They are knowledgeable on the laws and have strong business acumen, always providing prompt and thoughtful responses.”

Individually, Partner Stephen Leach was praised as “extremely sophisticated and a delight to deal with.” He was also called highly knowledgeable and noted for his ability to deal with legal matters in a sophisticated manner. Partner David Swan received praise for his counsel on Chapter 11 proceedings, creditors’ rights issues and asset sales, with one client saying, “David Swan is efficient and does a great job litigating complex issues in bankruptcy court.”  Lawrence A. Katz, partner, was recognized for his broad bankruptcy practice and experience acting as a Chapter 11 trustee. “He is knowledgeable, efficient and he is also highly regarded by the bankruptcy Bar,” one respondent said. Chambers said Partner Robert Westermann is highly esteemed for his handling of complex Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 proceedings.

Litigation: General Commercial

Discussing Hirschler’s Commercial Litigation practice, Chambers said “Hirschler offers clients a strong bench of attorneys capable of handling sophisticated business litigation matters, such as M&A and contract disputes. The team advises clients from a broad spectrum of industries, with a notable presence in the real estate and construction sectors. It also has additional expertise in healthcare and employment litigation.”

Individually, Partner John Walk was notes for his experience handling real estate litigation, insurance matters and environmental disputes.  “He is a full service litigator and can handle almost anything,” one respondent said. Tysons Corner Office Managing Partner Wayne G. Travell is regarded as “an impressive commercial litigation practice that draws on extensive strength at trial and appellate level. His experience also includes complex ADR proceedings.” Partner Robert R. Vieth earned praise for his representation of clients in high-stakes commercial disputes, such as those arising from real estate and corporate transactions as well as corporate governance and trade secrets concerns. Litigation Section Co-Vice Chair Emily Scott was noted for her work advising clients in the healthcare sector.

Construction

Chambers recognized Hirschler’s Construction practice as “a well-regarded construction practice which advises clients throughout the lifecycle of a project,” and one that offers a very deep bench of attorneys for a varied client base, including contractors, developers and owners.

Individually, R. Webb Moore, partner, was noted for offering the benefit of his engineering experience to clients on a range of construction and real estate development matters by Chambers. Chambers distinguished partner Nathaniel L. Story for handling all facets of construction work and “getting matters resolved quickly and effectively.” Chambers also notes Hirschler President Courtney M. Paulk for her considerable experience in construction matters, and one client addressed her service in saying she “is excellent at what she does.” Partner Kelly J. Bundy was recognized as a notable practitioner known for her counsel of owners, contractors and design professionals in contract drafting and negotiation, as well as construction claims and regulatory compliance. One commentator noted that “She has great knowledge and understanding of construction law.”

Corporate / M&A

Hirschler’s Corporate M&A practice is recognized for its broad, midmarket-focused practice and strengths in investment management for institutional investors, mergers and acquisitions and ancillary areas like tax, franchising and estate planning. One respondent said “Hirschler has a great deal of expertise - their team's breadth and depth is outsized compared to the size of the firm - and they are able to handle complex and sophisticated matters very well.” Another said Hirschler is “always available and very aware of current market conditions.” Another client said, “I have yet to find a type of service that I needed that Hirschler could not provide. Their team depth is strong.”  

Hirschler Executive Vice President Andrew M. Lohmann was noted for ably handling a wide variety of corporate transactions, including M&A and private equity transactions on behalf of both buyers and sellers. M&A Partner Lisa J. Hedrick was noted by Chambers for “her expertise in M&A and private equity transactions,” with a client commenting “We could not have gone over the line without Lisa Hedrick's help.”

Real Estate

Hirschler’s Real Estate practice is recognized by Chambers as an experienced real estate outfit that offers strength in development, transactional, land use and zoning matters. Noted for its high level of activity on significant developments regionally and, particularly, experience in the representation of lenders. Commentators said, “The group at Hirschler has exceptional expertise, dedication and professionalism.”  Another commentor added “Hirschler has a deep bench of attorneys who are extremely responsive and have a wide range of expertise.”

Individually, Real Estate Section Chair Charles H. Rothenberg was noted for “deep strength in transactional real estate matters. James W. Theobald, partner, was recognized for his “extensive experience acting for developers on zoning and land use matters,” and as “well respected in the market.” Brandt Stitzer, partner, was also praised for his responsiveness and service, with a client saying, “Brandt is extremely responsive, and he responds to all matters diligently and thoroughly,” and “He is very sophisticated and experienced in all matters of real estate.” Newly recognized Jeffrey Geiger was noted for his experience in the energy sector with one client referring to him as “excellent to work with; he is knowledgeable and sophisticated.”

About Chambers USA

Chambers USA is one of the most distinguished guides to law firms and lawyers across the country. Every year, Chambers & Partners conducts thousands of in-depth interviews with clients to assess the reputations of business lawyers. Top firms and lawyers are ranked, and their merits described – usually in the words of their clients that are interviewed by the Chamber’s research staff. It is the weight of client interviews that gives Chambers & Partners’ guides their highly valued credibility and reliability. For more information, visit www.chambersandpartners.com.