Law360 Touts Morris Nichols’ Multiple Market-Leading Practices in Delaware Regional Powerhouse Ranking

“Morris Nichols has continued to advance its reputation across Delaware’s state and federal courts and practice areas for clients of its corporate governance, restructuring and intellectual property practices,” earning recognition as a Law360 Delaware Powerhouse for the fifth year in a row.

As “one of the nation’s top corporate and commercial law firms,” Morris Nichols has strong Delaware roots and multiple renowned practices. As Law360 attests, “proof of Morris Nichols’ strength ranges from a market-leading intellectual property practice … to busy bankruptcy, restructuring and deal-transaction teams. Its attorneys are regularly called in to advise on major corporate restructurings and disputes, as well as acquisitions and board special committee matters.”

Law360 reported, “Morris Nichols began building its reputation as a ‘bet-the-company,’ top-flight corporate and commercial law firm in 1930, when US District Judge Hugh Morris left the federal bench to build a practice.”

Bill Lafferty, chair of the firm’s executive committee, attributed the firm’s continued success to its “deep bench of talented attorneys, who also happen to be involved in many of the big cases and legislative developments.”

He added: “Morris Nichols has continued to be successful by doing what it has done now for 95 years — focus on the needs of its clients, deliver high-quality work, and help solve problems.”

Highlights from the past 12 months include wins in the Delaware district courts and the firm’s leading role in major Delaware Court of Chancery matters, including the high-profile appeal of Moelis. A team in Morris Nichols’ intellectual property litigation group won a key jury trial that is part of a high-profile dispute involving two major manufacturers of chips that power a myriad of technology. “The December 2024 jury win for Qualcomm was undoubtedly a wonderful way to round out the year,” said Morris Nichols IP litigator Jennifer Ying. “It is an honor to work with fantastic clients and co-counsel on cases involving innovative technologies that are at the forefront of industry. Delaware courts continue to be a preeminent forum for such complex business and high-stakes disputes,” Jennifer added.

Amid a national rise in chapter 11 filings, Morris Nichols bankruptcy attorneys maintain one of the most active practices in District of Delaware Bankruptcy Court, often representing debtors. As lead counsel, Morris Nichols represented waste-to-fuel recycler Fulcrum BioEnergy Inc. and its affiliates. Restructuring partner Curtis Miller recounted that the complex chapter 11 case involved, “structural and contractual intercreditor and subordination issues involving their holding company, several intermediate holding companies and a project company, all with different assets and capital structures.”

In corporate law circles, clients and co-counsel continue to rely on Morris Nichols’ deep Delaware knowledge concerning acquisition financing opinions, special committee matters, and sophisticated deals. “We are steeped in the Delaware corporate law that governs such strategic business decisions,” remarked corporate counseling partner Melissa DiVincenzo.

“As Delaware counsel, we focus on process and the details that matter,” said corporate counseling partner Eric Klinger-Wilensky, “which clients and co-counsel value.”

The firm’s Delaware focus has remained steadfast for the past 95 years, and that focus, coupled with exceptional legal talent and a client-first philosophy, positions Morris Nichols for continued success.

Law360 is a news source for legal intelligence and insight. The publication highlights organizations and individuals across the legal community with a variety of awards and honors. Delaware was one of 14 US regions examined in the annual Regional Powerhouse series. Powerhouse honorees are selected based on the percentage of attorneys in the state and the strength of matters handled in the state over the past 12 months.

Read the full article, “Delaware Powerhouse: Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell,” from Law360.