Chancery
USA Guide 2024 : Delaware
Band 1
About
Provided by Richards, Layton & Finger PA
“Super sophisticated and pragmatic” as well as “smart, creative, and expert in the field of corporate litigation,” Richards, Layton & Finger is considered the “gold standard in Delaware” (The Legal 500, 2022). Backed by their extraordinary breadth and depth of experience, the firm’s corporate litigators have exceptional insight into the Court of Chancery’s judges, practices and procedures. Delaware corporations and alternative entities, from large publicly traded companies to private entities, turn to Richards Layton when they face complex corporate disputes.
- The firm’s corporate litigators work on many of the most high-profile cases arising in Delaware, including complex appraisal matters, high-value mergers and acquisitions, breach of fiduciary duty claims, corporate governance and control disputes, stockholder litigation, books and records demands, and more.
- “Richards, Layton & Finger has been the pre-eminent Delaware corporate law firm for decades. They have a deep bench of very smart, very sophisticated lawyers” (The Legal 500).
- The firm has long been involved in many of the landmark corporate cases in the Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court.
- Richards Layton attorneys have for decades been instrumental in crafting, amending and adjudicating Delaware’s corporate law and practice.
- They are Fellows of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, American College of Governance Counsel and Litigation Counsel of America.
Chambers Review
Richards, Layton & Finger is a standout firm that is praised for its extensive breadth and depth of experience and its high level insight into the Court of Chancery. The team frequently handles high-value cases and offers particular strength in special committee representation, including in stockholder derivative claims, as well as issues relating to the Delaware General Corporation Law. It has notable expertise handling litigation involving M&A, appraisal matters and breaches of fiduciary duty.
Work Highlights
- Richards, Layton & Finger served as co-counsel to Fox News Network and its parent company, Fox Corporation, in the consolidated Delaware defamation case filed by voting machine company Dominion seeking $1.6 billion in damages.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is excellent in terms of responsiveness and readiness to pitch in at a moment's notice as well as their overall knowledge of the law and competency."
"They are extremely well positioned to handle complex Delaware matters and they provide the level of service expected of a top firm."
"The firm continues to be the firm in Delaware with the deepest bench of talented lawyers. You never have to wait for an RLF lawyer to return your call."
"The team is excellent in terms of responsiveness and readiness to pitch in at a moment's notice as well as their overall knowledge of the law and competency."
"They are extremely well positioned to handle complex Delaware matters and they provide the level of service expected of a top firm."
"The firm continues to be the firm in Delaware with the deepest bench of talented lawyers. You never have to wait for an RLF lawyer to return your call."
Notable Practitioners
Gregory Williams maintains a reputation as a leading corporate litigator. He regularly acts in high-value disputes before the Delaware Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court.
Blake Rohrbacher typically acts as lead counsel to corporate organizations in complex litigation, and offers a broad skill set that covers disputes including breach of contract matters and books and records requests. He has particular experience with nonprofit organizations.
"Blake is an excellent writer and excellent advocate who is well versed in corporate law."
"Blake is a top litigator who is on top of the case from the beginning to the end. We are happy having him lead the team."
Raymond DiCamillo is recognized for his strong contentious practice that sees him cover matters including M&A and shareholder disputes, and offers notable expertise handling corporate governance concerns. He also advises on statutory and contractual disputes.
"Ray is a great, thoughtful litigator who gives clients very good advice, has a lot of wisdom and knows the courts very well."
"Ray does a great job in helping you understand issues and resolve your problems, I can't speak highly enough of him. Ray is the one, he's amazing."
Catherine Dearlove maintains a strong reputation for her work in corporate litigation, and boasts experience advising on books and records requests as well as corrective actions. She has experience representing clients in the Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court.
"She was excellent in the work quality she provided."
"She is detail-oriented and across every small detail in a matter and the way we should proceed under Delaware law. She is also very responsive and helpful."
Lisa Schmidt is held in high regard in the space. She advises corporations and their directors on a range of matters, including corporate governance and contractual disputes, among others.
"Lisa is a very skilled lawyer."
Rudolf Koch has expertise acting for both defendants and plaintiffs in complex litigation. Recent mandates include significant stockholder disputes and fiduciary cases.
"He is tenacious, passionate and resourceful. He's a gifted oral advocate who is super hard-working and very persuasive."
Robert Burns is recognized as a strong litigator. He focuses his practice on representing directors and managers in corporate and commercial litigation.
Kevin Gallagher is experienced in disputes arising out of mergers and acquisitions as well as stockholder class and derivative actions.
Ranked Lawyers at
Richards, Layton & Finger PA
Delaware
Members
Provided by Richards, Layton & Finger PA
Anne Foster
Brock Czeschin
Daniel Dreisbach
Matthew Murphy
Matthew Perri
Richard Rollo
Samuel Nolen
Susan Hannigan Cohen
Thomas Beck