Boston, MA. Nixon Peabody LLP is proud to announce that Chambers Global has recognized seven of the firm’s attorneys as “Leaders in their Field” for 2026. In addition, Nixon Peabody’s Franchising & Distribution team has received global distinction.
Covering nearly 200 countries around the world, the Chambers Global guide ranks attorneys and practice areas based on their legal capabilities, client service, commercial vision, and diligence, among other factors. This year’s Nixon Peabody honorees include:
John P. Beals, Investment Funds: Investor Representation
John is a partner in the firm’s Corporate practice and co-leads the Investment Funds team. He represents public pension funds, funds of funds, and other institutional investors in connection with their investments in leveraged buyouts, venture capital, real estate, and debt private equity funds. He also advises fund sponsors in structuring and forming such funds.
Jacqueline Cooney, Privacy & Data Security: Privacy
Jackie is a partner in the firm’s Privacy & Technology practice. She helps clients build scalable, compliant data protection programs and counsels organizations across sectors, including life sciences, entertainment, technology, and e-commerce, on privacy governance, cross-border data transfers, data protection contracts, and incident response, from early-stage escalation planning to forensic and regulatory investigations. Jackie regularly advises clients in navigating complex jurisdictional requirements and supports companies developing AI products, providing actionable guidance that aligns innovation with evolving legal and regulatory expectations.
Roderick N. Devlin, Projects: PPP
Roddy is a partner in the firm’s Project Finance & Public Finance practice. He is a commercially focused infrastructure lawyer with deep experience in domestic and cross‑border project finance and public‑private partnerships (P3s). Roddy delivers clear, first‑principles legal advice that aligns strategy with clients’ commercial objectives, while proactively identifying and mitigating emerging risks. He has advised on many precedent‑setting and first‑of‑their‑kind transactions, including technology‑driven infrastructure projects. Roddy is a recognized thought leader in the ever-evolving infrastructure sector, combining tailored legal advice with business agility in high-stakes, innovation-driven projects.
Catherine Ng, Capital Markets: Securitization: Trustee Counsel
Catherine is a partner at Nixon Peabody and co-leader of the firm’s Global Finance practice. She represents corporate trustees, collateral administrators, paying agents, depositaries, collateral agents, administrative agents, and other service providers in all facets of structured finance transactions and other debt financing.
Kendal H. Tyre, Franchising
Kendal is a partner in the firm’s Corporate practice and co-leads the Franchising & Distribution team. He represents franchisors throughout their business lifecycles—as startups, middle-market franchisors, and mature, global franchise systems. Kendal has extensive experience in negotiating and enforcing complex franchise, licensing, and distribution transactions in the United States and jurisdictions across the world.
Keri McWilliams, Franchising
Keri is a partner in the firm’s Corporate practice and co-leads the Franchising & Distribution team. She helps aspiring franchisors develop franchising and licensing programs. Keri advises existing franchised businesses—spanning restaurants, retail, education, and health and wellness—on cross-border expansion, registration, disclosure, sales compliance, and franchisee defaults. She also provides strategic guidance on franchise transactions and system evolution, including mergers and acquisitions, multi-unit and system sales to strategic investors, royalty transactions, and franchise model conversions.
Henry J. H. Wheare, Intellectual Property (International Firms)
Henry is a partner of Nixon Peabody CWL in Hong Kong. He has decades of experience in all aspects of intellectual property and competition law, with an emphasis on new technology, crypto assets, and artificial intelligence. Henry’s clients range from individual inventors to multinationals, providing affordable commercial solutions and dispute resolution on a worldwide basis, including by arbitration and mediation.
