April 1, 2021 (Los Angeles, New York) – At Benchmark Litigation’s 10th annual US awards, Proskauer was named Bankruptcy Firm of the Year for the West Coast and Labor and Employment Management Firm of the Year for the East Coast, with partners Elise Bloom and Michael Firestein each named attorneys of the year in their respective practice areas. Furthermore, Martin Bienenstock was shortlisted for Bankruptcy Litigator of the Year, East Coast, and Bart Williams was shortlisted as California Trial Lawyer of the Year.
Proskauer’s award wins:
- Elise Bloom: Labor & Employment Management Litigator of the Year, East Coast
- Michael Firestein: Bankruptcy Litigator of the Year, West Coast
- Bankruptcy Firm of the Year, West Coast
- Labor & Employment Management Firm of the Year, East Coast
Elise Bloom is recognized as Labor & Employment Management Attorney of the Year for the second consecutive year. Widely hailed as one of the nation’s top employment lawyers, Elise is one of the most creative, effective wage and hour, class/collective action and trial lawyers. She has represented more companies in class actions challenging interns, trainees and volunteers than most others; this includes her precedent-setting win for Fox Searchlight Pictures in the “Black Swan” case. Additionally, she led the teams in two precedent setting Court of Appeals cases involving interpretations of the New York City Human rights law (Hoffman v. Parade Publs., 15 N.Y.3d 285, 290 (N.Y. 2010) and Doe v. Bloomberg LP et al., case number APL-2019-00218, in the Court of Appeals of the State of New York). She also addresses a wide range of general employment issues through counseling and employer training programs.
Michael Firestein has also been recognized in back-to-back years as Bankruptcy Litigator of the Year in California. Vice chair of the Litigation Department, Michael handles a wide range of industry defining matters as part of the Firm’s trial practice. A leading lawyer in the Puerto Rico bankruptcy litigation, Michael was instrumental in obtaining precedent setting rulings in those matters, including the confirmation of the plan of adjustment for the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (COFINA), which restructured $18 billion of bond debt and saved the Commonwealth over $450 million in debt payments annually.
Proskauer has had major roles in some of the highest-profile chapter 11 and sovereign restructuring cases in America today. The Firm represents The Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico as lead outside counsel for the historic restructuring of Puerto Rico as the first US territory to undergo a bankruptcy process. Last year, Benchmark Litigation US awards named that matter Impact Case of the Year, with Proskauer also earning Bankruptcy Firm of the Year for the West Coast.
The Firm’s Labor & Employment Department handles virtually every type of issue for large companies, with a 75-year history of success. We are the go-to labor and employment counsel for Fortune 500 corporations, major universities, professional sports leagues, media and entertainment companies, and leading law firms. From assisting employers with navigating the COVID-19 crisis, to handling the most complex matters, to shaping new law, we are trusted advisors on everything impacting the workplace.
Proskauer’s Litigation Department is a full-service practice with extensive trial experience in virtually every major forum across the globe. We take a collaborative approach to representing defendants and plaintiffs, multinationals, middle-market and small-cap businesses, financial institutions, partnerships and individuals, with one thing in mind - driving successful outcomes for our clients.
Benchmark Litigation’s US awards honor the country’s most distinguished litigators and their firms. Honorees were recognized at a virtual ceremony on March 31.