December.10.2019
After being named the Financial Times’ Most Innovative Law Firm in North America for the past three years, Orrick is the runner-up firm for 2019. In addition, FT named Orrick the runner-up most innovative law firm for legal expertise. FT cited innovative solutions in all three sectors on which we focus – technology & innovation, energy & infrastructure and finance.
Corporate PPAs: Microsoft
Our collaboration with Microsoft on a new framework for corporate power purchase agreements won the Enabling Business Growth and Transformation category. This solution makes purchasing renewable energy not only environmentally responsible but also fiscally prudent, shifting balance sheet risk away from buyers. Our team was led by Giji John, who was commended by FT, and Nik Mathews.
IPOs: Long-Term Stock Exchange
Our collaboration with LTSE to change the traditional stock exchange paradigm is cited as a “standout.” LTSE’s mission is to provide a new public markets experience for modern companies and investors committed to long-term success. Orrick’s John Bautista, a co-founder and director of LTSE, is also commended by FT. The exchange is expected to launch in 2020.
Mass Torts Innovation
FT cited as a "standout" our trial teams for pairing trial excellence with advanced project management and analytics in our role as national coordinating counsel for Johnson & Johnson. By deploying subject matter and process experts, analytics expertise, and technology, we transformed and digitized the NCC function to help the company track cases, inform strategy and collaborate more efficiently. Our team is led by Peter Bicks, Morty Dubin, Kristen Fournier, Lisa Simpson and many others, and includes Innovation Team members Kate Orr and Daryl Shetterly.
Also, last week, Orrick received American Lawyer’s Best Use of Technology Award for the ways we use our analytics and project management platform to drive litigation strategy, management and staffing.
Bankruptcy: Puerto Rico
On behalf of the largest organized group of creditors in Puerto Rico’s bankruptcy (the COFINA Senior Bondholders Coalition), we developed a unique theory of first impression that allowed for the tax-exempt treatment of $12 billion in bonds, resulting in a savings of $1 billion in federal income tax for our clients. Our team was led by Doug Mintz and Larry Sobel.
Sustainability: Reforestation
Working with Blue Forest Conservation, we introduced the nation’s first Forest Resilience Bond (FRB) to enable sustainability-oriented private investors to fund forest restoration. Utilizing a groundbreaking structure, the FRB is helping to address the catastrophic forest fires in California. Our team was led by Perry Teicher, Rene Kathawala and Neil Golden.
Social Impact: Veterans Rights
For the second year, FT recognized our work to secure access to justice for veterans. We persuaded the Federal Circuit to find that “Blue Water Navy” veterans who served during the Vietnam War are entitled to receive benefits for health issues linked to Agent Orange exposure. The outcome opens the door for nearly 100,000 veterans to secure benefits after decades of government resistance. Mel Bostwick led our team.