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Buffalo, N.Y. – Phillips Lytle LLP has once again received notable recognition in the 2023 Chambers USA rankings of the top lawyers and law firms across the United States, released today.  The Chambers Guides have been ranking the best law firms and lawyers since 1990, and cover 200 jurisdictions throughout the world.  Chambers USA covers all states in the U.S. and has regional rankings in a number of states, including New York. 

Chambers USA is the definitive and most comprehensive resource guide for businesses seeking information on outside legal counsel in the country. The Chambers USA ranking tables are compiled through assessment of a firm’s work and opinions from external market sources, with an emphasis on client feedback.  Firms and lawyers need to demonstrate sustained excellence in order to be ranked in the Guide. 

In the 2023 rankings, Phillips Lytle LLP is listed:

• Band 1 – Environment – Upstate New York (4^th consecutive year ranked)
• Band 1 – Labor & Employment – Upstate New York (5^th consecutive year ranked)
• Band 1 – Litigation: General Commercial – Upstate New York (9^th consecutive year ranked)
• Band 1 – Real Estate – Upstate New York (7^th consecutive year ranked)
• Band 2 – Corporate/M&A – Upstate New York (9^th consecutive year ranked)
• Band 2 – Energy –­ State Regulatory & Wholesale Electric – New York (4^th consecutive year ranked)
• Band 2 – Environment – New York (15^th consecutive year ranked)

The Phillips Lytle Environmental Practice Team is “recommended for Superfund work and brownfield redevelopment. The firm maintains a notable focus on project development, frequently advising on environmental reviews and permitting matters, in addition to general compliance and natural resources issues. Its clients include leading names in the energy, manufacturing, metallurgy, real estate and chemicals sectors.”  Clients note the Environmental Practice Team’s high level of knowledge and expertise, timely response and the added value that comes along with the team’s local connections.

Chambers USA said Phillips Lytle’s Labor and Employment Practice is “particularly noted for its representation of clients in trade secrets and data security litigation. The practice also manages wage and hour collective and class actions, discrimination and harassment claims and employment contract disputes. The team routinely acts for clients in investigations and actions by federal and state Departments of Labor and in defense of whistleblower claims. The group is further noted for handling a broad range of traditional labor matters.”  One client said, “They have very high responsiveness and an unmatched service.”

Chambers USA said Phillips Lytle’s Litigation: General Commercial Practice is a “standout litigation practice with capabilities across a broad range of commercial disputes. The practice fields an excellent bench of litigators with extensive experience at trial and appeal levels. The team’s expertise includes insurance coverage, construction, employment franchising and contractual disputes. It is also noted for its strength in white-collar criminal litigation and government investigations.”  Noting the firm’s national coverage, clients consider Phillips Lytle to be “a go-to firm for commercial work” because “they drop everything just to help.”

The firm’s Real Estate Practice Team is recognized as an “esteemed practice with expertise across numerous areas of real estate, most notably in the acquisition and sale of commercial property. Further strengths of the firm lie in guiding clients through the land use approval process, with the firm handling environmental impact, zoning and historic preservation reviews across the state. The team has an abundance of specialists in condominium developments. Its diverse client roster includes private developers, institutional lenders, REITs, public utilities and municipalities.”  Clients recognize the team’s skills in handling complex land use matters, with one saying, “Everyone I work with at Phillips Lytle proves themselves to be able to handle significant workloads and demands of their clients and counterparts.”

According to Chambers USA, Phillips Lytle’s Corporate/M&A Practice Team is a “distinguished practice with leading expertise in a diverse array of matters. The firm is well regarded for its longstanding proficiency in traditional M&A matters, joint venture agreements and complex restructurings, with notable experience in the healthcare, technology and financial services sectors. The M&A team collaborates with its tax, intellectual property and financial services teams, among others, in order to handle large transactions. Phillips Lytle retains upstate offices in Albany, Rochester and Buffalo.”  Clients have great confidence in the team’s ability to handle complex matters, trusting their guidance.

Phillips Lytle’s Energy Team was described as “a developing presence in the energy space. Able to guide clients through proceedings before the New York Public Service Commission. Particularly notable for its representation of renewable energy clients, regularly advising on permitting proceedings for renewable power projects as well as advocating on behalf of sector groups.”  Clients state, “The team's expertise has you covered in any area you need support. They have a strong and talented team of attorneys.”

Seventeen Phillips Lytle attorneys were recognized by Chambers USA for exemplary work as follows:

• Kristen M. Birmingham, Upstate New York – Corporate/M&A (Band 4)
• Edward S. Bloomberg, Upstate New York – Litigation: General Commercial (Senior Statesperson)
• David L. Cook, Upstate New York – Environment (Band 3)
• James D. Donathen, Upstate New York – Labor & Employment (Band 3)
• Kevin J. English, Upstate New York – Litigation: General Commercial (Band 2)
• David P. Flynn, New York – Environment (Band 4); Upstate New York – Environment (Band 2)
• James R. Grasso, Upstate New York – Labor & Employment (Band 2)
• Kevin M. Hogan, New York – Environment (Band 3); Upstate New York – Environment (Band 1)
• Kenneth A. Manning, Upstate New York – Litigation: General Commercial (Band 1)
• Kevin J. Mulvehill, Upstate New York – Labor & Employment (Band 3)
• David J. Murray, Upstate New York – Corporate/M&A (Band 1)
• John A. Pappano, Upstate New York – Real Estate (Band 2)
• Linda T. Prestegaard, Upstate New York – Labor & Employment (Band 1)
• Thomas F. Puchner, New York – Energy: State Regulatory & Wholesale Electric Market (Band 2)
• John G. Schmidt Jr., Upstate New York – Litigation: General Commercial (Band 3)
• Adam S. Walters, Upstate New York – Real Estate (Band 1); Upstate New York – Environment (Band 3)
• Preston L. Zarlock, Upstate New York – Litigation: General Commercial (Band 3)

Chambers USA evaluates several categories when ranking firms, including:

• Evident legal ability
• Recognized client service
• Caliber of bench
• Commercial awareness
• Demonstration of diligence
• Cost effective

Phillips Lytle LLP is a premier regional law firm that is recognized nationally for its legal excellence. With offices across New York State and in Chicago, IL; Washington, D.C.; and Canada, our attorneys serve a multinational client base, including Fortune 1000 companies, global and regional financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, middle-market companies, startups, entrepreneurs and individuals on important matters affecting their businesses and personal wealth. For more information, visit www.phillipslytle.com.