Cape Elizabeth residents William Kayatta Jr., Robert Stier Jr., Jeffrey White, Kenneth Gray and Peter Jacobs, each an attorney at Pierce Atwood LLP, are ranked among the best attorneys in the nation for 2007 by Chambers and Partners, an independent British legal research firm that publishes rankings of the leading global law firms based on client interviews.

According to the listings, litigator Kayatta rates as “one of the best in New England for complex and commercial litigation, particularly for class actions.” Stier, an intellectual property litigator, works with clients involved in jury trials that encompass scientific matters, and Chambers USA researchers wrote that clients “can’t speak highly enough of him.”

White, who heads up the litigation practice group at the firm, is commended for the “incredible job” he does for clients. Gray receives recognition for his excellent work on environmental matters as part of the firm’s top-rated environmental practice group. Jacobs rates “as one of the best in the field” for his work on healthcare labor law and human rights cases.

Overall, 24 attorneys from Pierce Atwood are individually recognized in the 2007 rankings. Pierce Atwood has 120 attorneys who serve regional, national and international clients from offices in Portland and Augusta, Maine; Portsmouth and Concord, N.H., and Boston.

William Kayatta Jr.Robert Stier Jr.Kenneth Gray