The Philadelphia-based law firm, Conrad O’Brien, is again recognized as a top firm in Pennsylvania (Band 2) for Commercial Litigation in the 2021 edition of Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Chambers USA describes the firm as “strategic and tenacious.” One interviewee comments that Conrad O’Brien attorneys are “exceptionally skilled, terrifically capable in litigation and legal advice. They bring an extraordinarily extensive expertise.” Another source comments “[t]hey're always prepared, they know things that are current and they are very competent and reliable."
Nick Centrella, Nancy Gellman, Jack Guernsey, Patricia Hamill, Kevin Dooley Kent, and Howard Klein are recognized for their individual achievements in General Commercial Litigation. James Rohn is recognized again this year as an “Eminent Practitioner” for White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations, recognizing his work as a highly influential lawyer and key player in this field.
This year, the firm is proud to announce that Kevin Kent has been added to the list of the firm’s partners individually ranked by Chambers. Kevin is recognized for the first time by Chambers (Band 4) for his commercial litigation practice. Clients note that “Kevin is highly intelligent, very strategic and always practical.”
A full listing of Chambers-ranked individuals at Conrad O’Brien are as follows:
- James Rohn (Eminent Practitioner, White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations) chairs the firm and is also a highly respected litigator. He has a wealth of experience in working on complex white-collar criminal cases and government investigations. Sources report: "He brings a true expertise to tackling our work" and "He is as fine an attorney as you could find."
- Nicholas Centrella (Band 2, Litigation: General Commercial) is the firm's managing partner. He has a wide-ranging practice which sees him representing law firms in legal malpractice cases, as well as assisting other clients with antitrust and product liability matters. One source notes: "I think Nicholas Centrella is one of the best jury trial lawyers in Philadelphia."
- Nancy Gellman (Senior Statesperson, Litigation: General Commercial) is a founding partner of the firm. She has a wealth of litigation experience and advises on a broad range of commercial disputes.
- John Guernsey (Band 4, Litigation: General Commercial) has experience in handling commercial litigation with a focus on trade secrets and post-employment restrictions. His expertise also extends to ADR proceedings.
- Kevin Kent (Band 4, Litigation: General Commercial) is highlighted for his expertise in litigation. He has experience acting for utilities, as well as clients in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Sources and clients note: "Kevin is highly intelligent, very strategic and always practical" and "[h]e's experienced, levelheaded and insightful."
- Howard Klein (Band 3, Litigation: General Commercial) acts on behalf of law firms and healthcare sector clients in malpractice matters, as well as advising on product liability. Clients note that he is a "[r]eally good counselor and advocate. He is a guy who sees the big picture and brings good insight and strategy to helping the client achieve its goals." Another says, "Howard Klein is an excellent attorney.”
- Patricia Hamill (Band 4, Litigation: General Commercial) is a specialist in Title IX litigation and regularly advises current and former students on claims in that area. Her clients and other attorneys say: "She's excellent and extremely talented" and "She is an excellent civil litigator with the full range of trial skills."
Chambers and Partners have been ranking the best lawyers and firms since 1990, publishing the world’s leading guides to the legal profession. Chambers has built a reputation for in-depth, objective research, relying on more than 170 full-time editors and researchers who conduct thousands of in-depth interviews with lawyers and clients worldwide. Chambers considers the firm’s reputation in the legal market and the firm’s recent work and areas of expertise.
