L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M

Alison ResslerSULL IVAN & CROMWELL ( LOS ANGELES )

In 2015, we popped a bottle for our 10th anniversary by introducing our

first group of Legends – 50 lawyers we had recognized for their craft every year

of the Lawdragon 500 and who epitomized achievement in lawyering.

Dragons all, they are larger than life and illustrate the power and promise

that can be achieved when a match is struck to ignite a piece of

paper with will, dedication and passion. They never settle for less.

To that remarkable group we this year add 41 more, working-class heroes

who represent the injured everyman; a Supreme Court justice who embodies

the life of the law – and particularly a woman’s journey; and dealmakers and

trial lawyers whose achievement lies not as much in their million-dollar

bounties as in their ability to change the worlds of those fortunate

few clients who summon their wisdom and skill.

They dare to try. They do it or die.

Straight up.

Extra dry.

That faraway prize. The world of success.

The Legends

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M |

THE LAWDRAGON 500

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M

Mary Alexander MARY ALEXANDER & ASSOCIATES -

SAN FRANCISCO

This passionate advocate for the injured and oppressed is a role model for fe-

male trial lawyers and the opponent you never want to go against.

Photo by Annie Tritt

Corinne Ball JONES DAY - NEW YORK

Has any lawyer had the impact Ball has with her mastery of bankruptcy in this

era of distress? We doubt it, and respect her determination and drive.

Photo by Greg Endries

Riley Allen RILEY ALLEN LAW - ORLANDO

We’d say he breaks bad but he’s so good. Allen brings the same fearlessness to representing his clients that he does to catching the big waves and other causes

about which he’s passionate. Photo provided by the firm

Robert Baron CRAVATH - NEW YORK

A leader of Cravath’s peerless litiga-tion corps, Baron is tops in securities

litigation for JPMorgan, IBM and HCA in Chancery and an endless list of other

prime-time suits. Photo provided by the firm

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M |

Hilarie Bass GREENBERG TRAURIG – MIAMI

Bass is tops as a leader of her firm, her community and other professional

organizations, including the ABA – at the same time her pro bono efforts threw

out Florida’s ban on gay adoption. Photo by Josh Ritchie

Stephen Breyer U.S. SUPREME COURT -

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The Bay Area native has served the coun-try well for 22 years as a liberal-leaning justice who encourages thoughtful and

active democracy. Photo by Steve Petteway

Sam Baxter MCKOOL SMITH – DALLAS

They call him Mr. Marshall – Texas, that is. It’s the seat of his power, but far from its reach – given the former state judge’s unbeatable record in IP and

other tough trials. Photo by Justin Clemons

Bill Carmody SUSMAN GODFREY - NEW YORK

This renegade Texas trial lawyer re-turned home to New York with his Sus-man Godfrey posse, and when disaster

looms, he bets on the results of his clients’ big-ticket litigation.

Photo by Erica Freudenstein

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M

Frank Darras DARRAS LAW - ONTARIO, CALIF.

Everyman’s hero for his dogged, pas-sionate and inspired advocacy for

injured, elderly & disabled workers has recovered more than $800 million in wrongly denied insurance benefits.

Photo by Amy Cantrell

Pat Fitzgerald SKADDEN – CHICAGO

As a legendary prosecutor, he took down governors and international terrorists, and now works on the highest of high-

profile and confidential matters as one of Skadden’s most coveted partners.

Photo by Dave Cross Photography

Adam Emmerich WACHTELL LIPTON - NEW YORK

The savvy and ridiculous smart Em-merich is one of, if not the best, global

dealmaker on the planet with a footprint in more countries than you can name.

Photo by Greg Endries

James Garner SHER GARNER - NEW ORLEANS

This New Orleans born and raised pow-erbroker leads the new crop of “lawyers

to know” in Louisiana, representing the state in its biggest battle – against

coastal destruction. Photo by Michelle Nolan

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M |

Ruth Bader Ginsburg U.S. SUPREME COURT -

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The one. The only. We should all say thanks. Rarely does someone of such

intense intellect, composure and dedi-cation pass our way.

Photo by Steve Petteway

Sandra Goldstein CRAVATH - NEW YORK

Among the most feared corporate litiga-tors, the first female chair of litigation at Cravath has litigated more than $500

billion in disputed deals in the past five years alone.

Photo by Hugh Williams

Robert Giuffra SULLIVAN & CROMWELL - NEW YORK

One of the most intelligent and erudite litigators to emerge over the past 20

years, he’s called upon by Volkswagen, Enron, the New York Giants, and every

bank you can name. Photo by Greg Endries

Edward Herlihy WACHTELL LIPTON - NEW YORK

You don’t become the longtime co-exec-utive chairman of the world’s most elite

law firm for nothing, as this banking M&A major domo proves over and over again.

Photo by Laura Barisonzi

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M

Jay Kasner SKADDEN - NEW YORK

One of the world’s leading authorities on securities litigation, Kasner has defend-ed and made ‘good’ law for illustrious companies claimed to have wronged

their investors. Photo by Hugh Williams

Steve Lane HERMAN HERMAN - NEW ORLEANS

The legendary New Orleans divorce lawyer is also managing partner of his famous firm after years of leading class

actions and representing the ACLU to en-sure marriage equality and equal rights.

Photo by Hugh Williams

Neal Katyal HOGAN LOVELLS -

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The esteemed former acting solicitor general of the U.S. has deftly argued more high court cases than any racial minority at-torney – except Thurgood Marshall. Oyez.

Photo by Hugh Williams

Neal Manne SUSMAN GODFREY - HOUSTON

He’s the olive in the cocktail, the Frank Sinatra of the Rat Pack. Which is to say, he’s supremely that guy – the politico, legal ge-nius and community activist without whom

there’s only a bunch of separate voices. Photo by Felix Sanchez

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M |

Mike McKool MCKOOL SMITH - DALLAS

The fabulous and aptly named litigation star founded a law firm juggernaut while trying more than 100 jury trials for clients

from Alcoa to Medtronic. Photo by Justin Clemons

Gary Naftalis KRAMER LEVIN - NEW YORK

The deeply respected white-collar defender has the back of everyone from Michael Eisner to Rajat Gupta to the old-

est U.S. synagogue. Photo by Erica Freudenstein

Ted Mirvis WACHTELL LIPTON - NEW YORK

A genius litigator and corporate gov-ernance expert who’s relied on by

everyone from Bank of America to Ken Langone when every single one of the

chips are on the line. Photo by Hugh Williams

Steven Newborn WEIL - WASHINGTON, D.C.

This legendary antitrust star has an unparalleled record of gaining antitrust

approval for the largest companies in the world from Allergan to ExxonMobil to

Johnson & Johnson. Photo provided by the firm

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M

Eileen Nugent SKADDEN - LOS ANGELES

One of the world’s top dealmakers and global co-head of Skadden’s Transac-

tions Practices, Nugent handles billions in M&A and LBO deals on a daily basis.

Photo by Hugh Williams

Joe Power POWER ROGERS – CHICAGO

A true working class hero for the most badly injured Chicagoans, Power ap-peals to juries and judges alike with

brains, persuasion, tenacity and heartfelt dedication.

Photo by Michelle Nolan

Carter Phillips SIDLEY AUSTIN - WASHINGTON, D.C.

This highly regarded appellate advo-cate also runs one of the world’s big-

gest law firms. Photo provided by the firm

Gordon Rather WRIGHT LINDSEY -

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.

Mr. Arkansas is lauded as one of the na-tion’s great trial lawyers with a particular way with juries on behalf of his corporate clients,

and a gracious manner noted by all. Photo provided by the firm

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M |

Alison Ressler SULLIVAN & CROMWELL - LOS ANGELES

California Resources, Valeant and Ares all call upon this exceptionally gifted

M&A and corporate governance lawyer who’s anchored the firm’s West Coast

presence since 1984. Photo by Amy Cantrell

Robert Schumer PAUL WEISS - NEW YORK

The esteemed and powerful M&A impresario is regular counsel to Time Warner and a host of other worldwide companies who value his insight and

experience. Photo provided by the firm

Paul Schnell SKADDEN - NEW YORK

This jaw-dropping global dealmaker and healthcare deal expert handled $450B in global deals in 2015 alone,

including 23 exceeding $1B. Photo by Laura Barisonzi

Chris Seeger SEEGER WEISS LLP - NEW YORK

One of the nation’s greatest plaintiff lawyers brings the heart and soul of the boxer and carpenter he started out as to improve safety for NFL players, pharma-ceutical patients and other consumers.

Photo by Gregg Delman

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M

Joe Sellers COHEN MILSTEIN -

WASHINGTON, D.C.

This civil rights and employment law champion has handled more than 75

class actions while giving abundantly to public interest. Photo by Hugh Williams

Stuart Singer BOIES SCHILLER -

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.

A dazzling advocate in trial and appellate courts, he’s relied on by Carnival Cruises,

Nascar, NextEra and the children of Florida to win big when it matters.

Photo provided by the firm

Leopold Sher SHER GARNER - NEW ORLEANS

A national leader in real estate and corporate law, Sher is also a dedicated advocate for his beloved New Orleans

and Tulane Law School. Photo by Michelle Nolan

Robert Spatt SIMPSON THACHER - NEW YORK

A noted dealmaker who is regularly called on for complex combinations,

including Lorillard’s sale to Reynolds and Smithfield Foods in the largest Chinese

takeover of an American company. Photo by Hugh Williams

500

L A W D R A G O N 5 0 0 I S S U E 1 6 | W W W . L A W D R A G O N . C O M |

Bryan Stevenson EQUAL JUSTICE INITIATIVE -

MONTGOMERY, ALA.

We need more Bryan Stevensons. Pure and simple. He champions racial justice, the rights of incarcerated children and

equality for poor and minorities. Photo by Alan Matthews

Donald Wolfe POTTER ANDERSON – WILMINGTON

He’s top dog when it comes to Delaware litigation, with more than 200 reported decisions including Revlon, AirGas and

Hewlett Packard. Photo by Andrew Kahl

Donald Verrilli MUNGER TOLLES - WASHINGTON, D.C.

Obama’s longtime Solicitor General argued 37 High Court cases, including defending Obamacare and Marriage Equality, and now anchors Munger

Tolles’ new D.C. outpost. Photo by Hugh Williams

Steve Yerrid YERRID LAW - TAMPA, FLA.

To call him a legend scratches the surface for this amazing plaintiff lawyer, who’s brought justice from Big Tobacco to

Deepwater Horizon, while winning more than 250 verdicts topping $1million.

Photo provided by the firm

The Legends

Michael Young WILLKIE FARR - NEW YORK

One thing you can count on in the complex world of financial and account-ing litigation is Young, whose trial and

counseling work is tops. Photo by Erica Freudenstein