Opens Offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco
BOSTON, April 25, 2006 — Goodwin Procter LLP, one of the nation's leading law firms with 650 attorneys in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., today announced the opening of offices in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Goodwin Procter's California platform will feature two of its preeminent practices — real estate/real estate capital markets and complex litigation — and broaden the reach of its nationally recognized technology, life sciences, private equity and intellectual property practices.
In recent years, Goodwin Procter has structured and executed REIT and REIT M&A deals totaling more than $65 billion, has counseled clients on real estate investment transactions valued at more than $20 billion, and has provided advice on the formation of real estate and related funds with private equity capital in excess of $20 billion. The firm's litigation practice includes nearly 300 attorneys focusing on the areas of commercial litigation, products liability and class actions, antitrust, intellectual property, securities litigation and SEC enforcement, and white collar crime and governmental investigations.
"We are extremely pleased to establish a West Coast presence with truly exceptional lawyers who will continue to further our mission to provide 'best in class' counsel to organizations with capital markets, business, finance, litigation, life science and technology interests," said Regina M. Pisa, chairman and managing partner of Goodwin Procter. "Our consistent and measured growth continues to be based on the principles of excelling at client service, attracting outstanding talent and expanding strategically in our focus practice areas."
San Francisco-based litigation partners will include Forrest A. Hainline, a prominent trial lawyer from Pillsbury Winthrop. Hainline is regarded as one of California's most versatile trial attorneys and has handled cases for some of the country's most visible companies in the areas of complex litigation and class actions, as well as patent infringement and trade secrets litigation. Hainline has recently represented Campbell Soup Company, Pepperidge Farm and the principal manufacturers of canned tuna, among others.
Along with the eight partners joining the firm from Pillsbury and Cooley, partners from Goodwin Procter's New York and Boston offices will be relocating to California. Products liability practice leader Edward S. Weltman and real estate capital markets tax partner Edward L. Glazer will lead the integration teams and help anchor the San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, respectively.
"Serving our clients in California and the West is a key component of our long-term bi-coastal strategy. These lawyers of extraordinary quality, achievement and character — when combined with and complemented by our real estate, real estate capital markets and litigation groups on the East Coast — will further position Goodwin Procter as a bi-coastal powerhouse with significant resources and capabilities to further our clients' business goals," said Pisa.
Goodwin Procter's West Coast expansion follows several other milestones. In March of 2005, Goodwin Procter added nearly 100 attorneys to its Boston office from Testa Hurwitz & Thibeault and McDermott Will & Emery, adding significant depth and capabilities to its technology, life sciences, private equity and intellectual property practices. Private Equity Analyst recently ranked Goodwin Procter "6th Most Active Law Firm" nationally based on the number of private equity and venture deals negotiated and closed in 2005. Plans to open an office in Silicon Valley are currently being explored.
In October of 2004, Goodwin Procter combined with Shea & Gardner, the venerable Washington, D.C.-based law firm. Opened in 1997, the New York office of the firm has grown through strategic lateral hiring and growth from within the organization. Today, Goodwin Procter has 135 lawyers in New York and 85 lawyers in Washington, D.C.
Partner Biographical Information:
San Francisco
Paul Churchill was chair of Cooley Godward's Real Estate Group, and specializes in a variety of real estate matters including acquisition, development, leasing, disposition, secured financing and restructuring work. He has also represented financial institutions, pension fund advisors and developers in connection with origination as well as restructuring of loans secured by real estate. He earned his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and his B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated with highest honors, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Beta Alpha Psi. Paul was recognized as a Northern California "Super Lawyer" in 2004 and 2005.
Mark R. Goldberg maintains a general transactional real estate practice, including purchase and sales, leasing and financing transactions. He also has experience in commercial litigation, specializing in creditor's rights and general real estate matters. He earned his J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and his B.S. from the University of Arizona.
Forrest A. Hainline III is one of the country's most experienced and successful trial lawyers. He has tried approximately 100 cases in more than 40 states and has appeared before the Supreme Court of the United States. Hainline has tried cases in wide-ranging areas of the law, including: toxic torts, environment, antitrust, securities, employment issues, false advertising, construction, patent, trademark and media defense. Hainline has recently represented Campbell Soup, Chevron, Pepperidge Farm and the principal manufacturers of canned tuna, among others. He earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan, his M.A. from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.
Tuan A. Pham is an industry-recognized specialist in the overlap between real estate and public finance. He has particular expertise in the area of tax-exempt multifamily affordable housing, and real estate acquisitions and sales subject to bond financing. He was selected by Real Estate Southern California magazine as one of the top "40 Under 40" most successful and youngest stars of the Southern California real estate industry. He earned his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and his B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles, where he graduated magna cum laude.