Chambers USA: WTO "Acts Totally with the Client's Interest at Heart."

Denver: Chambers USA has once again recognized Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell (WTO) among the top litigation firms nationwide and in Colorado. Highlights include:

Band 1: General Commercial Litigation, Colorado

• WTO lawyers comprise nearly 40% of the top-most rankings, with 5 lawyers ranked among of the Top 13. 
• Newcomer and former Colorado Solicitor General Frederick Yarger vaults onto the Appellate Spotlight Table—alongside just four other lawyers in the state. 

Band 2: Nationwide Product Liability: Consumer Class Actions

• WTO remains among the Top 13 U.S. firms for class action defense.
• For the second straight year, Mike Williams is ranked among the Top 10 class action defense attorneys in the nation.

Band 3: Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts– "The Elite"

• WTO is ranked among the Top 27 “Elite” firms nationwide.

Band 3: Labor & Employment Litigation, Colorado

• Raymond Martin is ranked in Band 1 for the 12th straight year.

The directory describes WTO as “A dominant litigation boutique celebrated for its talent in civil trials,” and one that “maintains unparalleled bench strength.” Chambers quotes a source that says WTO lawyers “act totally with the client's interests at heart." Another states, “Their knowledge is top-notch and they are particularly strong in their strategy and approach to cases."

In its editorial, Chambers points to WTO’s high-profile engagements, such as representing a leading distributor of vaping products in nationwide multidistrict litigation challenging the marketing and sales practices of those products and for serving as liaison counsel to all of the distributors in the MDL. 

Nationwide
Chambers once again ranked WTO in Band 2 for Consumer Class Actions—among the Top 13 firms in the U.S. The guide similarly recognized WTO’s Mike Williams in Band 2, placing him among the Top 10 lawyers in the nation in this category. Williams is also ranked in Colorado for Commercial Litigation. 

Chambers ranks WTO in Band 3 for Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts—“The Elite.” The guide highlights three lawyers, as well:

• John Fitzpatrick (Band 4)
• James Hooper (Band 4)
• Michael O’Donnell (Band 4)

In addition, Fitzpatrick earned special recognition for the seventh straight year on the Spotlight Table for Nationwide Product Liability: Toxic Torts. Only seven lawyers in the nation are listed.

Colorado
Chambers once again ranked WTO in Band 1 in Colorado for General Commercial Litigation. Seven WTO lawyers are recognized as “Notable Practitioners” in this area, with five among the Top 13 ranked, as well as the two highest ranked women.

• Carolyn Fairless (Band 2)
• John Fitzpatrick (Band 1)
• Hugh Gottschalk (Band 1)
• Michael O’Donnell (Eminent Practitioner)
• Kathryn Reilly (Band 2)
• Malcolm Wheeler (Senior Statespeople)
• Michael Williams (Band 4)

Additionally, Fred Yarger earned recognition as one of only five lawyers on the Colorado Appellate Spotlight Table. The editorial cites his “excellent reputation for [an] impressive appellate practice.”

Once again, Raymond Martin is ranked in Band 1 for Colorado Labor & Employment. This is Martin’s twelfth straight year in Band 1. One source calls him “the go-to labor and employment lawyer in Denver,” citing his “incredible knowledge” of the practice area.

Chambers and Partners identifies and ranks the most outstanding law firms and lawyers in over 180 jurisdictions throughout the world. The guide accepts submissions from law firms and lawyers and also relies heavily on client and peer interviews to inform its rankings.

Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell lawyers have taken more than 1,100 trials and arbitrations to verdict or award and 300 appeals to opinion all across the nation, with exceptional results for our clients. 

Established in 1998, WTO today numbers more than 90 trial lawyers and litigators. The firm represents sophisticated clients in high-stakes civil trials, appeals, and related litigation ranging from complex commercial to class actions to catastrophic torts.