News Article

Public Relations Contact: Russell N. Thomas, 202.857.4517

WASHINGTON, DC-Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC announced that it has been rated as a top firm for Real Estate and Labor & Employment in the 2008 Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business list. Real Estate attorneys from the firm's Washington, D.C. office who were listed are Richard G. David, John D. Hagner, and Pamela V. Rothenberg. Thomas J. Sawyer from the firm's Tyson's Corner, VA office was listed for Labor & Employment.

"What makes this recognition significant is that client input was included in the evaluation process," said Rothenberg who is the managing member of the firm’s Washington, D.C. office and leader of the firm's Multifamily Real Estate Industry initiative. "We take pride in knowing that our clients think highly of our skills and relationships and are willing to go on record."

As stated by Chambers about Womble Carlyle's Real Estate practice, "This firm has 15 attorneys in Washington, DC focusing primarily on real estate development and capital markets, most of whom have practiced together for more than 20 years, giving the group a rare cohesion and stability…Clients are impressed by the team's "no-nonsense approach that enables parties to complete negotiations efficiently," and its willingness "to listen to suggestions not only from us, but from the other side too."

"We are excited about being recognized in Chambers, both in terms of our Employee Defection & Recruitment practice and our Firm's growing presence in the Northern Virginia legal community," said Sawyer who is the practice group leader of the Firm’s Labor & Employment group. "The fact that recognition is based on client and peer input and is limited to only a few firms throughout Virginia makes us all the more appreciative."

Chambers' comments about the Northern Virginia Labor & Employment practice include, "The firm is particularly well known for handling noncompetition agreements, which are a specialty of leading attorney Tom Sawyer. He is amply praised by clients, who compliment his thorough preparation, "he is always on top of the appropriate subject matter." Clients are also attracted by his confidence in the courtroom: "He is always extremely assertive in defending our interests."

Jennifer Kashatus made the list as "Up and Coming" in Chambers' Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite: Regulatory section.

The Chambers USA list, published by Chambers & Partners, was compiled by a team of researchers who conducted in-depth telephone interviews with lawyers and clients throughout the United States. Entries in Chambers USA were compiled from recommendations of clients and practitioners. The qualities on which the rankings were assessed include: technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by clients.

To view Womble Carlyle’s full 2008 Chambers USA listing, click here.

Womble Carlyle - Innovators at Law
A full-service business law firm, Womble Carlyle ranks among American Lawyer magazine’s list of the 100 leading firms in the country and is a top law firm for companies doing business in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states. The firm is a recipient of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Corporate Leadership Award, making Womble Carlyle the first law firm ever to receive the highest honor given to a business organization in recognition of its support of the Fund and its 45 member educational institutions.

Founded in 1876, Womble Carlyle operates in six states and the District of Columbia with more than 500 attorneys in eleven offices located in Atlanta, GA; Greenville, SC; Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, and Winston-Salem, NC; Washington, DC; Tysons Corner, VA; Baltimore, MD; and Wilmington, DE. Womble Carlyle is located in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, and serves clients nationally and globally.