Benchmark Litigation has recognized partners Joseph Buoni and Kerry McGrath as leading litigation attorneys in its annual 40 & Under Hot List.

The publication honors the most notable up-and-coming litigation attorneys in the United States. Those named to this exclusive list have proven their eligibility as individuals at the partner level who are of the age of 40 or younger.

The attorneys named were selected through several phases of research including, the review of their recent case work, client feedback, and peer review in which the publication considers how attorneys at peer legal institutions might rank them. These attorneys have established themselves in their respective fields and have had a significant role in some of the firm’s most noteworthy cases.

Buoni is a litigation and bankruptcy partner in the firm’s Houston office. He represents clients across many industries, but his practice focuses on the representation of energy companies, financial institutions and private equity funds, including their portfolio companies. Buoni’s dual practice, which includes extensive experience litigating complex commercial and energy-related cases as well as representing debtors and creditors with bankruptcy proceedings, allows him to both navigate contested matters and adversary proceedings that arise during bankruptcy and address potential insolvency and collection issues that commonly arise in the federal and state court lawsuits he handles.

McGrath possesses a blend of experience as a natural resources and environmental lawyer, assisting clients on matters related to the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and other environmental statutes. She regularly offers proactive advice and counsel to clients and their business, which are guided by evolving regulatory and compliance requirements. She has significant experience with federal litigation, including litigation related to administrative rulemakings and defense of major federal environmental permits. McGrath assists groups from a wide variety of industry sectors, including utilities, mining, oil and gas, renewables, agriculture, consumer products, and housing and development to obtain and defend permits for complex energy and infrastructure projects. Furthermore, Kerry has adapted her practice to reflect the changing regulatory arena and energy transition, including working with clients to navigate tribal consultation, cultural resources, and environmental justice issues for energy projects and related infrastructure. She has pioneered the firm’s development of an environmental justice practice and acts as lead on significant new client matters within this space.

In addition to this honor, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP also enjoys a number of firm-wide rankings and further individual attorney recognition by Benchmark Litigation. Read more about the Benchmark 40 & Under Hot List 2023.