Appellate Practice Named to 2014 “Hot List”

The National Law Journal (NLJ) has named Latham to its annual “Appellate Hot List,” for the seventh year — every year since the list began. The list recognizes firms for "outstanding achievements before the US Supreme Court, federal circuit courts and state courts of last resort.” The accompanying article states that Latham’s appellate practice group, “takes on some of the toughest and complicated high-stakes cases — and wins.” Among the cases highlighted are the firm’s representation of the University of Texas in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin in which a team led by Latham’s Supreme Court and appellate Practice Group Chair and former Solicitor General Gregory Garre, defended a part of the school's admissions policy that used race as a selection criteria. Garre argued the case before the Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit resulting in the school's policy being upheld in its entirety by the Fifth Circuit in July of 2014. The article also recognized Latham’s successful representation of the American Beverage Association in its challenge to former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to ban the sale of large soda drinks at all three levels of New York’s courts. Partner Richard Bress argued the appeals in the Appellate Division and before a very active bench at the Court of Appeals.

Latham’s Supreme Court and appellate practice group includes partners Richard Bress, J. Scott Ballenger, and of counsel — and legendary Supreme Court advocate — Maureen Mahoney. In addition, in early October, Melissa Arbus Sherry, a former Latham associate, returned to the firm as partner in the Supreme Court and appellate practice after serving as an Assistant to the United States Solicitor General since 2009. She adds to an already deep bench in which four out of five of the lead attorneys have served in the prestigious Solicitor General’s office, and at all levels of the Office — Solicitor General, Deputy Solicitor General and Assistant to the Solicitor General.