Throughout our long history, we have helped create and guide some of the world's most successful companies, delivering groundbreaking work on their behalf.
Pillsbury is indelibly linked to the development of the industrial age and the evolution of today's global digital economy. In the late 1800s we helped long-time client ATÆ install the first telephone wires on city streets; incorporated the predecessor to Chevron in 1900; and 105 years later advised Chevron in its $18.5B acquisition of Unocal. We enforced the first patent for an X-ray machine used in the treatment of cancer in 1940; co-authored the 1952 Patent Act; launched the nation's first nuclear energy practice in 1960; and advised on the formation of Intel Corporation in 1968. In 1970, we took the first New York Stock Exchange member firm public; in 1987, won an important decision from the U.S. Supreme Court allowing states to regulate corporate takeovers; registered the first trademark for a dotcom in 1994; and facilitated a record $2.2B public offering for Network Solutions, Inc. in 2000.
More recently, we have facilitated the first-ever export of nuclear reactor technology from Japan; negotiated regulatory and operations hurdles to enable China's only commercial airline to take its first historic flight between China and the United States; handled the largest-ever private disposition of real estate assets in Washington, DC ($2.3B); and helped convince the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that foreign detainees being held without charge at Guantanamo Bay are entitled to habeas corpus rights under the U.S. Constitution. Pillsbury lawyers have influenced and shaped not just the law, but the geopolitical landscape, helping to set policy on everything from the environment to securities reform and international banking regulations. Among the firm's illustrious alumni are two Secretaries of State, two Secretaries of War, a Secretary of Defense, a Supreme Court Justice, and a Nobel Laureate. Today, more than 100 Pillsbury lawyers have held previous top positions at various government and regulatory agencies, including the DOJ, EPA, FAA, FERC, IRS, NOAA, SEC and USPTO, as well as serving in Congress and as senior White House staff and advisors.
Pillsbury is market-leading in some of today's most dynamic areas. Our attorneys embrace change to meet the evolving needs of our clients, be it representing shareholders or corporations in class actions suits or restructurings arising from the credit crisis, exploring innovative ways for clients to benefit from new federal investments in energy, clean tech, infrastructure and affordable housing projects or advising on the latest regulatory changes in financial services, healthcare and telecommunications.
Statement of Practice Summary:
Corporate and Securities (Marketing, Distribution and Franchising, Mergers and Acquisitions, Private Equity, REITs and Real Estate Capital Markets, Securities);
Corporate and Securities - Technology (Emerging Companies, Venture Capital);
Employment and Labor;
Executive Compensation and Benefits;
Federal, State and International Tax;
Finance (Bank Finance, Derivatives, Equipment Finance, Financial Services Regulation, Project Finance, Trade and Agency Finance);
Global Sourcing;
Individual Client Services;
Insolvency and Restructuring;
Intellectual Property (Copyrights, IP Audits and Strategic Planning, IP Litigation, Open Source, Patent Prosecution, Trade Secrets, Trademarks);
Litigation (Antitrust and Competition, Appellate, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Complex Project and Construction Disputes, Corporate Investigations and White Collar Defense, E-Discovery, Energy Litigation, Environmental Litigation, ERISA Litigation, Financial Services Litigation, Government Disputes/Government Contracts, Insurance Recovery Litigation, IP Litigation, Product Liability and Toxic Torts, Real Estate and Land Use Litigation, Securities Litigation, Tax Controversy);
Real Estate (Affordable Housing, Construction Law, Land Use, Public Finance, REITs and Real Estate Capital Markets);
Regulatory Practices (Antitrust and Competition, Aviation, Aerospace and Transportation, Banking and Finance, Communications, Energy, Environmental, Land Use and Natural Resources, Government Disputes/Government Contracts, Health Care Regulation, Indian Law, International Trade, Nonprofit Organizations, Public Policy and Political Law, SEC Enforcement, Wine, Beer and Spirits Law)
Industries include Aviation, Aerospace and Transportation; Communications; Consumer and Retail; Financial Services; Global Energy; Health Care; Higher Education; Industrials and Materials; Life Sciences; Media and Entertainment; Nanotechnology; Real Estate; Restaurant; Food and Beverage; Technology; Travel, Leisure and Hospitality.