Our Firm
1. What distinguishes your firm from others in your market?
With over 900 lawyers around the world, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP serves clients across a broad range of complex transactional, litigation and regulatory matters. We are known for our strength in the energy, financial services, real estate, and retail and consumer products industries, as well as our considerable experience in more than 100 distinct areas of practice, including privacy and cybersecurity, intellectual property, environmental, and mergers and acquisitions. Our full-service litigation practice is one of the largest in the country, with particular depth in key litigation markets such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina and New York.
2. What words describe the culture of your firm?
Accessibility, Responsiveness, Teamwork.
3. How does your firm participate in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and/or Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives?
In terms of service to our clients, in February 2021, Hunton Andrews Kurth launched a dedicated ESG practice to build upon our decades of experience helping clients chart strategy on ESG issues. Our lawyers have not only become experienced in what the law is, but have also emerged as thought leaders in what the law should be, how it should evolve and how enterprises can prepare for how the law may apply to new circumstances and challenges. Our team provides sophisticated advice to help our clients create long-term value through ESG strategies that mitigate key legal risks. We provide decisive, informed advice at the crossroads where nuance, ambiguity and uncertainty abound, and our experiences position us to advise clients across a broad range of industries including oil and gas, renewable energy, electric and water utilities, technology, retail, consumer products, manufacturing, real estate and financial services, among many others.
The firm also has a number of internal initiatives that align with Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG. The firm is extremely proud of its award-winning pro bono program, which boasts an extraordinarily high percentage of lawyer participation firm-wide, as well as our well-established ever-expanding culture of diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Hunton Andrews Kurth actively promotes environmental sustainability policies. The firm has a Firm Green Committee and local Green Ambassadors in each of our offices, charged with proactively identifying potential operational improvements. Our policies seek positive results through understanding our footprint; engaging our personnel; collaborating with clients, vendors and others; rewarding firm members whose sustainability suggestions are implemented; benchmarking our firm’s practices against our peers; tracking and reporting progress; encouraging and participating in positive environmental practices by peers, clients and other external organizations; and celebrating our successes as motivation for continued progress.
4. Are there any new and exciting initiatives, practice areas or industry focuses in your firm?
In the past year, Hunton Andrews Kurth has launched a number of exciting initiatives. Some notable examples include:
· LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) Transition: Hunton Andrews Kurth launched a LIBOR Transition task force. Our team has closely studied the substantive and operational implications of the LIBOR transition for financial institutions and borrowers and is advising clients daily on LIBOR and SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) transition issues.
· COVID-19 Complaint Tracker: Hunton Andrews Kurth launched the COVID-19 Complaint Tracker, a comprehensive database of state and federal litigation involving COVID-19 claims.
· Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Industry Group: This year, Hunton Andrews Kurth launched a new industry group focused on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues for clients.
· Mansfield Rule Certification: Hunton Andrews Kurth has achieved Mansfield Rule™ 4.0 Certified Plus Status. The Mansfield Rule measures law firms’ efforts to increase representation and inclusion of diverse lawyers.
Doing Business in Texas - U.S.A.
1. What is the current business climate in your jurisdiction including major political, economic and/or legal activities on the horizon in your country that could have a big impact on businesses?
We currently have a good, business-friendly climate in Texas. Our jurisdiction has seen a large, inbound increase of individuals and corporations relocating to our market. Texas boasts lower housing costs, lower tax rates, an experienced talent pool, and regulations that have made it easier for companies to operate. A few notable companies that have relocated or that will be relocating their headquarters to Texas include: Toyota, Tesla, McKesson, AECOM, Oracle, and Charles Schwab.
2. From what countries do you see the most inbound investment? What about outbound?
A few of the countries our firm sees inbound work from include: Denmark, Mexico and South Korea. We also receive referrals from WLG affiliates across the network and throughout the US.
3. In what industries/sectors are you seeing the most opportunity for foreign investment?
Energy, Infrastructure, Technology
4. What advantages and pitfalls should others know about doing business in your country?
Advantages
- Business friendly laws
- Conservative court (aids to business friendly)
- Fast tracked
Pitfalls
- Laws can vary from state to state in the US. It is important to understand the different jurisdictions and work with practitioners that know the ins and outs of their specific markets.
5. What is one cultural fact or custom about your country that others should know when doing business there?
Boots and cowboy hats are completely acceptable in Texas as long as you check your hats at the courtroom door.