Nossaman
Encyclopedia
Nossaman LLP is a national law firm with over 150 attorneys and lobbyists located in seven offices throughout the United States. The Firm’s expertise is focused in distinct areas of law and policy, as well as in specific industries, ranging from transportation, healthcare and financial services to real estate development, water and employment. Clients of the Firm include multi-national corporations, public agencies, private businesses, trade associations, non-profits, and individuals. Business litigator Michael Heumann has served as Nossaman's managing partner since early 2007.
The Firm was founded in 1942 in Los Angeles by Walter L. Nossaman. As a result of several mergers and acquisitions, the Firm’s name has morphed throughout the years. Most recently, Nossaman merged with the Washington, DC law firm O’Connor & Hannan and shortened its name from Nossaman Guthner Knox & Elliott.
The National Law Journal named Nossaman to its "2011 Midsize Hot List", a special feature that highlights 20 of the nation's leading midsize law firms. Nossaman has also been recognized by Chambers and Partners in their 2011 guide to the top law firms and attorneys in the United States legal market. The Firm’s infrastructure practice and co-chairs, Geoff Yarema and Patrick Harder are top-ranked nationally in the public-private partnership (PPP) projects category. The Firm's healthcare practice is ranked in California as well as healthcare chair, Richard Spohn, and partner, Ann O'Connell.
Nossaman is a member of The Bridge Group, a non-exclusive network of law firms in the United States and Europe. This network offers expanded geographic reach and depth of experience to clients, including the resources and expertise of more than 1,500 legal professionals in numerous cities around the world .
is former California Senate Republican leader. He left office in mid-2008 after reaching his term limit and currently practices law in the Firm's Orange County office.
George J. Hochbrueckner
is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and current Senior Policy Advisor with Nossaman in Washington, DC.
James Symington
is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In March 2008 he received Russia's Order of Friendship
, the highest award available to a non-citizen. Currently, he is Of Counsel with Nossaman in Washington, DC.
John T. Knox is a former California state assemblymember and speaker pro tempore. He authored the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 and is a current partner at Nossaman in San Francisco. A segment of the California I-580
is named the John T. Knox Freeway.
John F. Foran is a former California state senator and assemblymember. Currently, he is a partner at Nossaman, located in Sacramento. A segment of the California I-280
freeway is named after John F. Foran for his service to the California Transportation Commission.
William T. Bagley is a former California state assemblymember representing Marin. He is currently a partner at Nossaman in San Francisco. A Segment of the California 101 is named the William T. Bagley freeway.
Geoffrey S. Yarema was appointed in 2007 by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters
to the National Surface Transportation Financing Commission . He is co-chair of Nossaman's Infrastructure Practice Group.
Robert M. Adler is known for his successful defense of Gerald Lankford, a former director of human resources at Tyson Foods, in a seven-week criminal trial brought against Tyson Foods and a number of its employees for allegedly hiring workers know to be undocumented immigrants. The National Law Journal named the acquittal the biggest defense win of the year.
Robert D. Thornton pioneered the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) concept creating the first such plan for the area around San Bruno Mountain
. He authored and advocated the HCP provisions of the Endangered Species Act. In 2007 and 2008, Mr. Thornton was ranked as one of the top 10 environmental lawyers nationally by United States Lawyer Rankings. He is a partner at Nossaman and located in Orange County.
Kurt W. Melchior was inducted into the California Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2004. He is a Nossaman Partner and serves as the Firm's General Counsel.
Edward VA Kussy is a current partner at Nossaman in Washington, DC and the former chief deputy counsel to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
is the executive director of UNICEF and former U.S. secretary of agriculture.
Charles Calderon is a California state assemblymember.
Richard Riordan
is the former mayor of Los Angeles. He also co-founded The Riordan Programs at UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Laughlin E. Waters is a former California state assemblymember, served as U.S. attorney for the Central District and served as a U.S. district court judge.
The Firm was founded in 1942 in Los Angeles by Walter L. Nossaman. As a result of several mergers and acquisitions, the Firm’s name has morphed throughout the years. Most recently, Nossaman merged with the Washington, DC law firm O’Connor & Hannan and shortened its name from Nossaman Guthner Knox & Elliott.
The National Law Journal named Nossaman to its "2011 Midsize Hot List", a special feature that highlights 20 of the nation's leading midsize law firms. Nossaman has also been recognized by Chambers and Partners in their 2011 guide to the top law firms and attorneys in the United States legal market. The Firm’s infrastructure practice and co-chairs, Geoff Yarema and Patrick Harder are top-ranked nationally in the public-private partnership (PPP) projects category. The Firm's healthcare practice is ranked in California as well as healthcare chair, Richard Spohn, and partner, Ann O'Connell.
Nossaman is a member of The Bridge Group, a non-exclusive network of law firms in the United States and Europe. This network offers expanded geographic reach and depth of experience to clients, including the resources and expertise of more than 1,500 legal professionals in numerous cities around the world .
Key practice areas and industries
- Climate Change
- Construction
- Corporate
- Eminent Domain and Valuation
- Employment
- Energy
- Environment and Land Use
- Financial Services and Bankruptcy
- Food and Beverage
- Healthcare
- Homebuilding
- Infrastructure
- Insurance Coverage
- Land Development
- Litigation
- Manufacturing
- Public Agency Law
- Public Finance
- Public Policy Law
- Public Utilities Regulatory
- Real Estate
- Telecommunications
- Transportation
- Water Law
- White Collar Defense
Notable people
Dick AckermanDick Ackerman
Richard Charles Ackerman is a Republican U.S. politician, who was a California State Senator for the 33rd District, representing inland Orange County, from 2000 to 2008....
is former California Senate Republican leader. He left office in mid-2008 after reaching his term limit and currently practices law in the Firm's Orange County office.
George J. Hochbrueckner
George J. Hochbrueckner
George Joseph Hochbrueckner was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York.-Education and career:...
is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives and current Senior Policy Advisor with Nossaman in Washington, DC.
James Symington
James W. Symington
James Wadsworth Symington is a United States attorney and politician who served as four-term U.S. representative representing Missouri.-Youth, family, and education:...
is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives. In March 2008 he received Russia's Order of Friendship
Order of Friendship
The Order of Friendship is a state decoration of Russia established by decree # 442 of March 2, 1994 of the President of the Russian Federation....
, the highest award available to a non-citizen. Currently, he is Of Counsel with Nossaman in Washington, DC.
John T. Knox is a former California state assemblymember and speaker pro tempore. He authored the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975 and is a current partner at Nossaman in San Francisco. A segment of the California I-580
Interstate 580 (California)
Interstate 580 is an 80-mile east–west Interstate Highway in Northern California. The heavily traveled spur route of Interstate 80 runs from San Rafael in the San Francisco Bay Area to Interstate 5 near Tracy in the Central Valley...
is named the John T. Knox Freeway.
John F. Foran is a former California state senator and assemblymember. Currently, he is a partner at Nossaman, located in Sacramento. A segment of the California I-280
Interstate 280 (California)
Interstate 280 is a 57-mile long north–south Interstate Highway in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It connects San Jose and San Francisco, running along just to the west of the cities of San Francisco Peninsula for most of its route.I-280 from its northern end at King...
freeway is named after John F. Foran for his service to the California Transportation Commission.
William T. Bagley is a former California state assemblymember representing Marin. He is currently a partner at Nossaman in San Francisco. A Segment of the California 101 is named the William T. Bagley freeway.
Geoffrey S. Yarema was appointed in 2007 by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters
Mary Peters
Mary Peters may refer to:* Mary Peters , British athlete* Mary Peters , American politician, 15th United States Secretary of Transportation...
to the National Surface Transportation Financing Commission . He is co-chair of Nossaman's Infrastructure Practice Group.
Robert M. Adler is known for his successful defense of Gerald Lankford, a former director of human resources at Tyson Foods, in a seven-week criminal trial brought against Tyson Foods and a number of its employees for allegedly hiring workers know to be undocumented immigrants. The National Law Journal named the acquittal the biggest defense win of the year.
Robert D. Thornton pioneered the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) concept creating the first such plan for the area around San Bruno Mountain
San Bruno Mountain
San Bruno Mountain in northern San Mateo County, California is the northernmost part of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most of the mountain lies within the San Bruno Mountain State Park, a unique open-space island in the midst of the San Francisco Peninsula's urbanization. Next to the state park is the...
. He authored and advocated the HCP provisions of the Endangered Species Act. In 2007 and 2008, Mr. Thornton was ranked as one of the top 10 environmental lawyers nationally by United States Lawyer Rankings. He is a partner at Nossaman and located in Orange County.
Kurt W. Melchior was inducted into the California Trial Lawyers Hall of Fame in 2004. He is a Nossaman Partner and serves as the Firm's General Counsel.
Edward VA Kussy is a current partner at Nossaman in Washington, DC and the former chief deputy counsel to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Notable alumni
Ann VenemanAnn Veneman
Ann Margaret Veneman is the former Executive Director of UNICEF, a position she held from 2005 to 2010. Her appointment was announced on January 18, 2005 by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Previously, Veneman was the United States Secretary of Agriculture, the first and only woman to hold that...
is the executive director of UNICEF and former U.S. secretary of agriculture.
Charles Calderon is a California state assemblymember.
Richard Riordan
Richard Riordan
Richard J. Riordan is a Republican politician from California, U.S.A. who served as the California Secretary for Education from 2003–2005 and as the 39th Mayor of Los Angeles, California from 1993–2001...
is the former mayor of Los Angeles. He also co-founded The Riordan Programs at UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Laughlin E. Waters is a former California state assemblymember, served as U.S. attorney for the Central District and served as a U.S. district court judge.
Offices
- Arlington
- Austin
- Los Angeles
- Orange County
- Sacramento
- San Francisco
- Washington, DC