Chambers USA 2014: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business recognized Lerch, Early & Brewer (Maryland, USA) in the areas of Corporate/M&A, Health Care, Litigation: General Commercial and Real Estate, including Land Use, characterizing Lerch Early attorneys as "extremely responsive," "totally focused," and "skilled, reliable and respected." Lerch Early is listed in more categories than any other firm headquartered in suburban Washington, DC.
Corporate Law
Chambers says that Lerch Early’s Business & Tax practice is well known for offering “clients counsel in business startups as well as M&A and disposals” and that it “provides additional expertise in tax controversies.” Sources say the attorneys “have a breadth of skills in corporate, M&A and real estate transactions to support our needs.”
Health Care
Chambers notes that Lerch Early’s Health Care practice is well known for “assisting healthcare clients with regulatory compliance, federal and state investigations, physician credentialing, and various business issues such as physician contracts.” The practice demonstrates “particular expertise in the representation of hospitals and physicians.” Sources say it is “a skilled, reliable and respected group which provides a consistently high-quality work product."
Litigation: General Commercial
Described as “well versed in complex commercial disputes, including breaches of fiduciary duty, as well as fraud and other white-collar criminal cases,” the Litigation practice was noted for “defending a number of religious bodies.” Clients said the firm's strengths are that, “they are extremely responsive, totally focused and have excellent resources.”
Real Estate
Chambers recognizes the firm in Real Estate, including Land Use for its “broad-based real estate practice representing clients in property development, acquisition and leasing as well as zoning and construction finance. It looks after the real estate needs of an assortment of notable local, regional and national clients.” Lerch Early has more land use attorneys listed in Chambers than any firm in Maryland.
In addition to these firm-wide honors, the following attorneys are ranked as "leaders in their fields:"
- Robby Brewer in Real Estate: Land Use and Health Care. Chambers recognizes his wide-ranging expertise in “handling large scale development projects, including rezoning, site plans and development applications." He is noted for "assisting hospitals, groups of physicians and other healthcare clients.” Clients describe him as “terrific.”
- Lauri Cleary in Litigation: General Commercial. Chambers writes “the ‘very knowledgeable’ Lauri Cleary is praised by clients for her ‘excellent litigation skills’ in employment disputes, insurance issues, commercial matters and white-collar criminal defense.”
- Sigrid Haines in Health Care. Chambers says clients believe Sigrid is “a tremendous resource for all health law questions.” It notes that “she regularly advises hospitals on patient care, contract disputes, licensing, HIPAA issues, and fraud and abuse matters [and] she also acts for healthcare systems, nursing homes and physicians.”
- Bob Harris in Real Estate: Land Use. Chambers praises “his expertise in land use and zoning," saying "he regularly acts on behalf of residential and commercial landowners on securing development approvals before governmental bodies and planning commissions.” It also characterizes him as "adept in affordable housing, environmental and smart growth matters."
- Pat Harris in Real Estate: Land Use. Chambers says “peers ‘think very highly of ' [Pat], who is noted for her strengths in subdivision approvals, site plans, historic preservation and issues related to zoning.”
- Bill Kominers in Real Estate: Land Use. Chambers describes Bill’s more than three decades of experience, noting he is “well regarded for his deep expertise in mixed-use and urban development projects.” Peers say he is a “great lawyer.”
- Stan Reed in Litigation: General Commercial (Ranked 3). Chambers writes that Stan, who heads the firm’s Litigation group, “focuses on professional responsibility litigation, employment disputes and white-collar criminal defense.” A source says, “He is highly effective in litigation both in the court and in settlement processes.”
- Ray Sherbill in Corporate/M&A. Chambers says Ray is “hailed for his ‘strong technical skills, great attention to detail and calm demeanor.’ He represents government contractors, construction firms, manufacturers and distributors in equity transactions, joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions.”
Chambers USA conducts interviews and independent research to develop its lists of lawyers and law firms. To read the complete reviews, visit www.chambersandpartners.com.
Lerch, Early & Brewer is a full-service law firm located in Bethesda, Maryland providing clients with “ideas that work.” The firm’s attorneys practice in the areas of business law, commercial lending, community associations, elder law, employment, estates, family law, health care, land use, litigation, real estate and taxation. For more information, visit www.lerchearly.com.
