What the team is known for

Widely considered a leading light in technically complex cases and regulatory challenges, including considerable strengths in intellectual property disputes before the Supreme Court and the Federal Circuit, alongside broader capabilities in areas such as bankruptcy and restructuring, civil rights issues and Native American law. Draws from a notably deep bench with talented and experienced appellate litigators at all ranks of the practice, able to provide exceptional breadth of expertise in handling appeals in state and federal courts nationwide.

Strengths

A client reports: "I think they have outstanding litigators and are great for strategy. They are very thoughtful in their approach to get the best results for their clients."

Work highlights

Successfully represented the Franchise Tax Board of California in the US Supreme Court, where the Court overruled a 40-year-old precedent that had allowed the FTB to be sued in the Nevada courts by a taxpayer.

Notable practitioners

Catherine Carroll enjoys a burgeoning reputation for her abilities in significant state and federal appellate matters, with fellow practitioners describing her as a "terrific advocate." Sources add: "She is very thorough and careful and definitely a very steady presence."

Danielle Spinelli is praised for being an "excellent writer" by sources. She centers her practice on bankruptcy disputes, with additional expertise in  administrative and constitutional law matters, as well as Native American law. Sources praise her as an "an exceptional lawyer."

Paul Wolfson has a broad appellate practice spanning tax, punitive damages and False Claims Act matters, among other areas. He is experienced in arguing before the federal courts of appeals and the US Supreme Court. A source notes: "In addition to being really book-smart, he exhibits incredibly good judgment, maturity and capacity and is wise beyond years."

The "truly outstanding" Seth Waxman has a highly respected appellate practice spanning the technology, media and financial sectors, in addition to a particular expertise in appeals involving Native American law. He has appeared in a broad array of high-profile disputes and has handled 82 oral arguments in the US Supreme Court. Clients say: "You can give him any problem and he can reduce it to the simplest terms; even the most complex scientific terms. He can closely articulate the strengths and weaknesses of your argument. Everything he writes and says is accessible and clear. He cares deeply about his clients and the cases, and is very polished but so natural."