Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz was founded in 1965 in New York. Since then, the firm has become a go to for business law globally, whilst maintaining their sole New York office.  

Focusses / specialisms  

The firm stands out for its top tier work in M&A and restructuring and insolvency. In addition, the firm does notable work in the banking and debt capital markets practice areas. In banking, the team acts for borrowers and lenders in acquisition, DIP, general corporate financings and refinancings.   

In debt capital markets, the team acts for issuers in bond offerings, largely tied to acquisitions.  

The M&A team acts on both the buy and sell side in private equity buyouts, public acquisitions and private strategic acquisitions. It also advises clients in mergers, joint ventures and investments. The team has strong expertise across all industries.  

In restructuring and insolvency, the team represents debtors and credits in Chapter 11 insolvencies, as well as out of court restructurings.  

Key clients  

Key clients include Broadcom. TEGNA, Adobe, Royal Bank of Canada, Pfizer, Zendesk, Nielsen, Global Payments, Mitel Networks, PENN Entertainment, Mallinckrodt, Intralot, Boy Scouts of America, Metropolitan Commercial Bank, Altera Infrastructure and Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2022/2023) 

During the most recent research period, the banking team largely acted for borrowers in acquisition financings. However, the team did also participate in DIP loans and other general corporate financings, also representing borrowers.  

Similarly, the debt capital markets team largely acted for issuers in bond issuances related to acquisition financings.   

The M&A team continued leading some of the most high-profile merger and acquisition transactions across numerous industries. The team equally represented acquirers and targets in these transactions, most of which were valued in the billions of dollars.  

In restructuring and insolvency, the team represented both creditors and debtor in Chapter 11 and out of court restructurings. 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2022/2023) 

Broadcom’s $32 billion acquisition of VMWare 

Global Payments $15 billion financing 

Mallinckrodt Chapter 11 

Client feedback: 33rd edition (2022/2023) 

Financial services regulatory 

“Lead legal adviser (engaged three legal counsels across jurisdictions). Clear leader in the market.” 

M&A 

“Everything – incomparable services.” 

Joshua Feltman 

“Clear communicator, commercial, across the detail, one of the best in the business.” 

John Sobolewski 

“Personable, detail-oriented, commercial, strategic thinker.”