NEW YORK / PALO ALTO / WASHINGTON—Law360 has named Covington lawyers David Fagan, Emily Henn, Cléa Liquard, Andrew Nightingale, and Dave Pinsky among its 2025 MVPs. These awards showcase standout attorneys across numerous practice areas and industries who had extraordinary wins and contributed most to their practice area in the past year, including high-stakes litigation, complex global matters, and record-breaking deals.
The Covington recipients, along with the categories under which they were recognized, are:
International Trade
David Fagan was recognized for his work securing U.S. government approval for some of the most consequential foreign investment transactions of the year. He led Covington’s representation of U.S. Steel in its historic $14.9 billion acquisition by Nippon Steel. David also advised on CFIUS approvals for Rio Tinto’s $6.7 billion lithium acquisition, and Czechoslovak Group’s $2 billion purchase of The Kinetic Group, among other matters.
Technology
Emily Henn was honored for her lead role in successfully defending major technology and retail companies in privacy and consumer class actions. She led Covington teams that secured and defended on appeal dismissals in high-profile data privacy suits focused on website analytics for FullStory, Delta Air Lines, Macy’s, and Papa John’s. Emily also led Covington’s defense of fintech company Yodlee, defeating class certification and securing summary judgment in a long-running data privacy case. The world’s largest technology companies turn to Emily to defend high-stakes privacy, antitrust, and consumer class actions. As a member of Covington’s Executive and Management Committees, she also helps guide the firm’s global technology strategy.
Insurance
Cléa Liquard was recognized for her precedent-setting victories in insurance coverage litigation. She leads Covington’s representation of the NFL in securing D&O coverage for the Sunday Ticket antitrust litigation and defeating insurers’ summary judgment motions in concussion-related claims. Cléa also obtained a favorable bench ruling for SIFMA in a COVID-era event cancellation dispute. Her strategic litigation work has secured hundreds of millions in recoveries for clients and helped shape insurance law.
Sports & Betting
Andrew Nightingale was honored for his role in transforming private equity investment in professional sports. He advised the NFL on its landmark policy change allowing institutional investors to acquire minority stakes in multiple teams, and represented the NFL with respect to the league’s first PE investments in the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Los Angeles Chargers. Andrew also represented Justin Ishbia in a multi-stage transaction providing him with an option to acquire future controlling interest of the Chicago White Sox. His work has helped position Covington at the forefront of sports investment.
International Arbitration
David Pinsky was recognized for his work enforcing arbitral awards globally and for his leadership in investor-state disputes. Dave is lead global enforcement counsel to Ukraine’s Naftogaz in its effort to enforce a $5-billion arbitration award against Russia. His team has helped Naftogaz freeze over $250 million in Russian assets across Europe. Dave was also part of a Covington team that won a landmark ruling for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in the European Court of Human Rights against Russia. An émigré from Soviet-era Kyiv, Dave has dedicated a significant part of his practice to fighting human-rights abuses in the former Soviet Union.
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