Chambers Global 2026 recognized Blank Rome partners Mark R. Haskell, John D. Kimball, Stacy Louizos, Kenneth Nunnenkamp, Joanne E. Osendarp, Eric S. Parnes, Lamiya Rahman, Brett A. Snyder, and Thomas Westle and senior counsel David H. Kaufman for their industry knowledge and leading practices.
Blank Rome was ranked as a global leader in Shipping: Litigation and as a USA leader in Banking & Finance, Bankruptcy/Restructuring, Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation), International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy, and Registered Funds.
Ranked Attorneys
Global Market Leaders
John D. Kimball – Shipping: Litigation – Global-wide
John Kimball is “a seasoned practitioner with significant experience in complex shipping disputes. His practice includes commercial and environmental litigation, among other high-profile matters.” A past Chambers source noted, “John Kimball is excellent.”
USA
Mark R. Haskell – Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) – USA
Mark R. Haskell “is deeply experienced in representing clients seeking FERC and DOE authorization for LNG project development and expansion. He also skillfully acts for pipeline owners and shippers in market manipulation disputes and rate cases.” A Chambers source says, “Mark has an encyclopedia of knowledge in the FERC. It is truly astonishing how much he knows.”
David H. Kaufman – Derivatives – USA
David H. Kaufman “is known for his commodities practice, regularly assisting on transactions. His regulatory practice sees him advise on the changing landscape, including recent work on margin loan regulations.” One Chambers source notes, “He is a very good OTC commodity derivatives lawyer.”
Stacy H. Louizos – Registered Funds – USA
Stacy H. Louizos is “highlighted for her ability to advise investment companies, investment advisors and independent directors on a wide range of issues, including regulatory compliance and fund formation.” One Chambers source says, “Stacy simplifies complex matters and makes processes easier to understand. She gets straight to the point to resolve issues in a clear, fair and very intelligent manner.” A second source says, “Stacy is very knowledgeable on the 1940 Act.” “She is a star already and I believe she'll shine even brighter in the future," another added.
Kenneth J. Nunnenkamp – International Trade: Export Controls & Economic Sanctions – USA
Kenneth J. Nunnenkamp “is an experienced trade controls practitioner who regularly handles OFAC, EAR and ITAR-related work. He counts manufacturers and defense companies as key clients.” One Chambers source shares that, “Kenneth was approachable and attentive, making complex legal concepts accessible and providing clear, actionable advice tailored to our specific needs.” Another notes, “Kenneth is very experienced and always has sound judgment and vision. He’s attentive and always makes himself available.”
Joanne E. Osendarp – International Trade – USA & International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy – USA
Joanne E. Osendarp “is a very prominent attorney.” One Chambers source says, “Joanne's briefs are strong and she showed real attention to detail.”
Eric S. Parnes – International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy – USA
Eric S. Parnes “regularly advises clients on trade disputes such as antidumping and countervailing duty proceedings. His clients include governments and multinational corporations.” One Chambers source notes, “Eric Parnes is an excellent advocate, presents very well and his briefs are very well done.”
Lamiya N. Rahman – Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) – USA
Lamiya N. Rahman “assists oil and gas and infrastructure companies with a range of matters before federal agencies, including FERC and the DOE.” A past Chambers source stated, “Lamiya is fantastically bright.”
Brett A. Snyder – Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) – USA
Brett A. Snyder “is noted for his experience handling rate cases and cost allocation proceedings on behalf of pipeline companies.” “Brett is very thorough and thoughtful in his responses,” said one past Chambers source. “Brett Snyder provides a high level of service,” noted another.
Thomas R. Westle – Registered Funds – USA
Thomas R. Westle is “noted for his ability to provide counsel on the registration and reorganization of BDCs and closed-end funds.” “Thomas understands the business relationships that are at play. He is pragmatic, understands the need for business solutions and is a subject matter expert in this area,” said one Chambers source. Another notes, “You benefit from his years of experience and extensive network. He is thoughtful and commercial.”
Ranked Practices
Blank Rome LLP: Global Leader
Shipping: Litigation – Global guide
What the team is known for:
Blank Rome LLP has experience acting for a mix of owners, operators, charterers, financial institutions and shipyards. The firm has notable experience in handling a wide range of issues, including casualties, charter party disputes, bankruptcy, and environmental matters. Blank Rome has a well-regarded shipping litigation practice with considerable experience in dealing with high-profile disputes, as well as maritime arbitration. It is respected both within the USA and internationally for its deep industry knowledge. The law firm offers additional strength advising on shipping issues as they intersect with environmental litigation.
Strengths:
One market commentator reports, “Blank Rome has a really good reputation for casualties matters.”
Blank Rome LLP: USA Leader
What the team is known for:
“Blank Rome boasts a preeminent banking and finance practice that represents leading banks and lenders from across the region and country. firm is particularly well versed in complex financings in the mid- and upper mid-market, and excels in asset-based finance, leveraged lease transactions and securitizations. It is a go-to practice for equipment financing and also highly regarded for its capabilities in bankruptcy and restructuring matters. The team has a strong international outlook, representing clients in the technological, construction, healthcare and energy sectors.”
Strengths:
One market commentator reports, “The team has very strong industry knowledge and provides practical solutions. It has a very reasonable and flexible approach to the practice of law.”
Bankruptcy/Restructuring: Highly Regarded – USA
What the team is known for:
“Blank Rome fields a solid bankruptcy group with a comprehensive national footprint. It acts for an impressive stable of clients, including financial institutions and private equity funds in domestic and cross-border matters. The firm offers substantial expertise in Chapter 11 cases and bankruptcy-related litigation.”
Strengths:
One market commentator reports, “The restructuring attorneys at Blank Rome are knowledgeable, professional, attentive to detail and extremely reliable.”
Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) – USA
What the team is known for:
“Blank Rome LLP is a highly regarded oil and gas regulatory practice able to draw on expertise of attorneys with long-standing industry experience capable of handling a variety of regulatory work. Offers particularly strong representation in FERC and CFTC investigations and enforcement proceedings. Further noted for assisting clients in obtaining oil and gas export authorization.”
Strengths:
A market commentator reports, “Blank Rome is very knowledgeable and strategic when it comes to federal regulatory matters.”
International Trade: Trade Remedies & Trade Policy – USA
What the team is known for:
“Blank Rome LLP is an emerging presence in the international trade space. The firm has excellent trade remedies experience, with notable strengths in antidumping and countervailing duties.”
Strengths:
One market commentator reports, "Blank Rome is willing to take time to thoroughly review all inquiries on trade and export matters and does so in a timely manner.”
What the team is known for:
“Blank Rome’s registered fund practice is recognized for its broad ranging expertise. The team guides clients through complex alternative investment strategies, including ETFs and interval funds. The law firm also excels in representing independent board members and business development companies.”
Strengths:
A market commentator reports, “They bring a very collaborative and constructive approach to the process and are solution-oriented.”
About Chambers Global
Chambers & Partners, the UK-based publisher of Chambers Global, conducts research by speaking to a vast range of lawyers and clients. Greater weighting is given to the views of the latter, and any biased viewpoints tend to cancel each other out. All interviews are conducted purely for research purposes and are entirely confidential and un-attributed. The methodology has been approved by the British Market Research Bureau, which audits the research annually. In-depth interviews with clients and lawyers are done over the telephone, each one lasting about half an hour.
Chambers research is conducted by 200 research analysts across 200 jurisdictions and provides nearly 6,000 rankings tables. Annually, Chambers collects hundreds of thousands of responses from clients, the majority via in-depth interview. Qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client. Editorial comment is also derived from the research, with quotations used when they sum up the prevailing opinion of the market.
For more information, please visit Chambers Global 2026.