We are excited to announce that our industry-focused delivery of legal services has been recognized in the 2025 Chambers USA rankings. This year’s results underscore our commitment to providing tailored legal services that drive success for our clients.

Notably, our Indian Country and Alaska Native Corporations group has achieved the highest Band 1 ranking in Native American Law (Alaska),. Chambers recognized the team as “a robust Native Law practice, regularly working with Alaska Native Corporations, ANC settlement trusts, and tribal ‎governments. The team is adept at handling a range of matters, including corporate governance, government contracting, transactions and more.

The Real Estate and Construction industry team also earned acclaim, with the Real Estate practice in Oregon achieving a Band 1 ranking for the second consecutive year and the Construction group debuting with a Band 2 designation. These results reflect Schwabe’s strong capabilities in navigating complex transactions and development projects.

Schwabe’s Natural Resources group remains a leader in the environmental and energy sectors. Across Oregon and Washington, the firm is recognized for its excellence in water law, permitting, compliance, and litigation, as well as its specialized knowledge in environmental issues intersecting with Native American Law.

The Consumer Products, Manufacturing, and Retail industry group’s influence is evident in Schwabe’s Intellectual Property and Corporate/M&A practices. With a decade of Band 1 rankings for Intellectual Property in Oregon, the team continues to deliver innovative solutions for clients. Earlier this year, it was ranked by BTI as a highly recommended manufacturing industry law firm. The Corporate/M&A practice is recognized for its skill in structuring diverse business transactions, especially in the timber and manufacturing industries.

“Our seven industry groups are the foundation of our commitment to client success,” said Schwabe CEO Graciela Gomez Cowger. “These rankings are a testament to our attorneys’ deep knowledge of the industries they serve, as well as their dedication to innovation and collaboration. We are proud of the difference we make for our clients every day.”

Chambers is the world’s leading legal data and analytics provider. The company has highlighted the top lawyers and law firms across the USA for more than two decades. The annual Chambers ranking is one of the definitive sources for law firm and attorney rankings due to its extensive market research. Below are summaries of Schwabe’s recognized practice areas and attorneys as well as select comments Chambers received from Schwabe clients:

Construction (Oregon)

Chambers shared that the Schwabe Construction team is “well-equipped to handle both non-contentious and contentious construction work for its clients. Its transactional practice sees it regularly advise on contracts including requests for proposals and design-build contracts, including for large transportation projects. The team also has experience representing market participants in a range of litigation.”

Clients stated: “Schwabe has a practical approach.” And “Schwabe has a strong construction group.”

Corporate/M&A (Oregon)

Schwabe’s Corporate/M&A practice area “is experienced in representing buyers and sellers in a wide range of M&A transactions and financing matters. The team works with clients across a number of sectors, with particular expertise in the timber and manufacturing sectors.”

One client stated: “They have a really good capacity and ability to handle transactional work.”

Environment (Oregon)

Chambers shared that the Natural Resources Industry Group “offers strength in water law issues, forestry, and environmental litigation” for a “robust client base that includes those involved in the manufacturing, mining, transportation, and energy industries.” It continues that Schwabe “offers wide-ranging advice on permitting, compliance, and liability” and “niche expertise in matters at the intersection of environmental law and Native American law” with “further expertise in forestry and agriculture-related mandates, as well as waste water and cleanup issues.”

A source shared: “The firm is very well-versed in local agency personnel, strategic approaches given the regulatory climate in the State of Oregon, and how to protect clients’ interests while managing risk.”

Environment (Washington)

Chambers shared that the Natural Resources Industry Group “is well-versed in advising clients on renewable and alternative energy matters.” It continues that Schwabe “is particularly noted for their strength in environmental Native American law” and “is active across a range of sectors, including natural resources, ports, manufacturing, and construction.”

A client stated: “Schwabe’s support is deep and broad. They have a seamless group of environmental counsel that make sure we are always covered.”

Immigration (Oregon)

“Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt’s well-regarded business immigration practice provides advice on a broad range of mandates, including labor certifications, investment visas, and family-based matters.”

Intellectual Property (Oregon)

The Intellectual Property practice has a client base [that] “includes many leading Northwest companies from a number of industries, including technology, engineering, natural resources, and manufacturing, as well as healthcare and biotechnology.” Chambers noted “the depth of talent possessed by its bench, with recognized expertise in strategic counseling and prosecution issues. Further highlighted for its expanding IP litigation practice, with notable strengths in patent infringement cases and trade secret disputes.”

A client noted: “The firm has exceptional subject matter expertise and a practical approach to complex legal issues.”

Labor & Employment (Oregon)

Schwabe’s Labor and Employment services were highlighted as a “comprehensive practice which covers all of its clients’ employment needs, including litigation and compliance counseling. The team holds well-known labor expertise advising employers on union election campaigns and collective bargaining. The group demonstrates considerable knowledge on employee benefits matters, as well as in related legal disciplines such as business immigration. Lawyers are experienced in representing clients from sectors such as technology, financial services, transportation, and natural resources.”

A source stated: “Schwabe listens well and helps us find the best way forward. A way that honors our priorities while mitigating liabilities.”

Litigation: General Commercial (Alaska)

Chambers indicates that Schwabe’s litigation practice “demonstrates considerable strengths across a broad spectrum of contentious mandates, including alternative dispute resolution. Offers a solid pool of skilled litigators across the Pacific Northwest. The firm demonstrates significant experience representing individuals in all levels of court, including before the Supreme Court.”

Litigation: General Commercial (Oregon)

Schwabe’s general commercial services were spotlighted as a “respected litigation practice that demonstrates proficiency in an array of commercial disputes acting on both the defense and plaintiff side. The team has experience working on false advertising, product liability, environmental, maritime, and real estate litigation. The department also handles large-scale union and employment litigation. Clients come from all sectors, including agricultural, technological, entertainment, and insurance.”

A client comment reads: “The department demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence along with technical legal skills to navigate complex scenarios.”

Native American Law (Alaska)

Chambers noted “Schwabe has a robust Native Law practice, regularly working with Alaska Native Corporations, ANC settlement trusts, and tribal ‎governments. The team is adept at handling a range of matters, including corporate governance, government contracting, transactions and more.”

A client stated: “The team’s knowledge of Alaska Native Corporations and related legislation is outstanding.”

Real Estate and Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (Oregon)

Chambers calls Schwabe’s Real Estate practice a “well-regarded real estate practice [that] is skilled in acquisitions, dispositions, leasings, and financings in the industrial, office, and residential spaces. Particularly renowned for its expertise in timber law, with additional strength in land use and construction issues.” Furthermore, Schwabe “offers additional niche expertise in conservation matters as well as general environmental and natural resources law pertaining to real estate developments.”

One client says: “I appreciate Schwabe’s quick responsiveness to keep me updated on progress and recognizing when to bring others on to the team.”

On an individual level, this year’s rankings celebrated the achievements of attorneys Stephanie Holmberg, Sarah Lawson, and Larry Ream, who were each recognized for the first time. Furthermore, attorneys Nika Aldrich, Lawson Fite, Elizabeth Howard, and Connie Sue Martin all advanced in the rankings, demonstrating their continued growth and dedication to the profession. Overall, 23 individual Schwabe attorneys were designated as industry leaders based on their legal acumen, experience, effectiveness, and client service. These Schwabe attorneys are:

Nika Aldrich– Intellectual Property (Oregon)
Mike Cohen– Intellectual Property (Oregon)
Brendan Crowley– Real Estate (Oregon)
Scott Eads– Intellectual Property (Oregon)
Lawson Fite – Environment (Oregon)
Brien Flanagan – Environment (Oregon)
Greg Fullem – Real Estate (Oregon)
Michael Garone – Labor & Employment (Oregon)
Ryen Godwin – Environment (Washington)
John Guinasso – Real Estate (Oregon)
Stephanie Holmberg – Construction (Oregon)
Elizabeth Howard – Environment (Oregon)
Sarah Lawson – Native American Law (USA- Nationwide)
Bradley Maier – Immigration (Oregon)
Connie Sue Martin – Environment (Washington), Native American Law (USA- Nationwide)
Steven Prewitt – Intellectual Property (Oregon)
Larry Ream – Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Washington)
Charmin Shiely – Real Estate (Oregon)
Matt Singer – Litigation: General Commercial (Alaska)
Christopher Slottee – Litigation: General Commercial (Alaska), Native American Law (Alaska)
Garrett Stephenson – Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (Oregon)
Tom Tongue – Corporate/M&A (Oregon)

The full 2025 rankings can be found via www.chambers.com.

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