Chad Ellsworth

Rob Fore is a partner in the firm’s Business Law Department and a member of the Private Investment Funds Practice. He joined Goodwin Procter in 2007. Mr. Fore focuses on the structuring, formation and operation of both domestic and international venture capital, buyout, funds-of-funds and other private equity funds and their management companies. He also represents investors in venture capital and buyout funds, as well as and private equity funds and venture capital funds Prior to joini...

Holding Corporations Accountable Robert J. Nelson has played a leading role in the firm’s False Claims Act (fraud against the government law), automotive , defective products , mass torts , tobacco , consumer fraud and environmental cases, taking on many of the world’s largest corporations and holding them accountable. He has served as court-appointed Lead or Co-Lead Counsel in numerous state and federal coordinated proceedings, as well as in more than 40 class actions. Robert lik...

Valerie Bantner Peo focuses her practice on creditors’ rights and commercial litigation with significant experience at the trial and appellate levels in bankruptcy, federal and state court. She regularly represents financial institutions, including agribusiness lenders and alternative lenders, software licensors, commercial landlords and tenants, equipment lessors, officers and directors, companies in distress, and creditor committees and other fiduciaries.

Matt Richards is a litigator who represents owners and general contractors in federal and state court construction litigation and in arbitration. He also has significant experience in antitrust, bankruptcy, and appellate law. In addition, Matt oversees Nixon Peabody’s award-winning pro bono program, which leverages the skills and experience of attorneys and staff to make a positive impact for our clients and communities. My focus Construction & Real Estate Development I represent pu...

April Abele Isaacson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice. April Abele, who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which April Abele is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael J. Shuster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice and Patent Law. Michael J., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven M. Katz is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation and Controversy - Tax. Steven M., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Max L. Kelley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Admiralty and Maritime Law. Max L., who practices law in San Francisco, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Max L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

A Business Leader, Innovator and Defender of Investor Rights Bruce W. Leppla is a partner in the San Francisco office of Lieff Cabraser, the 2022 New York Law Journal “Class Action Department of the Year,” the 2021 American Lawyer “Boutique Litigation Firm of the Year,” and the Benchmark Litigation “California Plaintiff Firm of the Year.” Bruce has received numerous honors and awards, including: Lawdragon named Bruce “one of the nation’s best pl...

Jenny Kuenster’s practice includes defense of toxic tort matters throughout the country. She is national counsel for companies with large dockets of asbestos and other toxic tort cases. In addition to her focus on toxic tort litigation, she has litigated a broad range of cases, including employment, contract and insurance matters. My focus National Counsel I work closely with clients to find well-reasoned, creative and cost effective solutions to litigation. In my work managing large do...