BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Jul 5, 2016) - Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP announced today that six of its practice areas received top national rankings from The Legal 500, a guide to the preeminent law firms in the United States. Choate's Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) practice received a Tier 1 national ranking for Middle-Market M&A (sub-$500m). The firm also received top national rankings for its Private Equity Buyouts, Venture Capital, Insurance & Reinsurance, Trade Secrets, and Tax practices.

David Attisani, co-chair of Choate's Insurance & Reinsurance Group, was one of only 12 attorneys in the country named to the elite "Leading Insurance Lawyers" list in the reinsurance category. Joan Lukey, chair of Choate's Complex Trial & Appellate Litigation Group, was one of 53 attorneys in the country named to the elite "Leading Trial Lawyer" list in a special "Dispute Resolution" ranking. 

According to The Legal 500, "Only a small number of firms in the U.S. have a truly national presence coupled with the capability to handle sophisticated and complex work." The rankings are based on the bench strength of the team, including partners and associates, and the consistency of quality of the individuals within the team.

Choate's Tier 1 M&A practice "provides an excellent overall service and comes highly recommended, has deep and relevant industry knowledge" and "stands out for its advice to technology and life sciences companies." Choate lawyers Brian Goldstein, co-chair of the Business & Technology Group, and partner Frederick Callori were recommended.

The firm's Private Equity Group, which was profiled in the "Buyouts" category, "is noted for handling private equity deals ranging from growth equity transactions to mid-market buyouts." Co-chairs Brian Lenihan and T.J. Murphy were noted. 

Choate's Venture Capital Group "has a focus on life sciences, revolving around its strong Boston office, where it mainly assists investors with their interests in start-ups, including financing, capital markets work, and M&A." Partners Christian Atwood and Howard Rosenblum were recommended.

The firm's "outstanding" Insurance & Reinsurance Group "advises a range of insurers, reinsurers and intermediaries." In addition to co-chair David Attisani being named in the reinsurance category to the elite "Leading Insurance Lawyers" list, co-chair Robert Kole and partner Hugh Scott were also recognized.

Choate's Trade Secrets Group "represents public and private companies in all aspects of trade secret protection and litigation, from plaintiffs seeking to protect proprietary information to defendants accused of misappropriation, across a broad range of industries and technologies." Group co-chairs Paul Popeo and Michael Bunis "are the names to note." 

Louis Marett, chair of the firm's Tax practice, was recognized for having "a key role in some of 2015's highlights." Partner Timothy Becker was mentioned as "another key figure in the department."

The Legal 500 conducts extensive research to analyze and assess the capabilities and strengths of law firms. The resulting rankings provide buyers of legal services with an objective analysis of the U.S. market. Research includes in-depth interviews with law firms, clients, and lawyers across the country. Inclusion in The Legal 500 is based solely on merit and the guides are widely regarded as offering the definitive judgment of law firm capabilities.

Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP, one of the nation's leading law firms, is consistently recognized for excellence by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, World's Leading Lawyers, International Who's Who of Lawyers, and Expert Guides. With all of its lawyers under one roof, Choate focuses on a core group of areas where it represents clients across the United States and internationally and provides exceptional efficiency, service and value. Choate's areas of focus include corporate/M&A, insurance/reinsurance, private equity, finance & restructuring, venture capital, intellectual property, life sciences, tax, government enforcement & compliance, high-stakes litigation, and wealth management.