Clifford Chance
The most current iteration of
Clifford Chance came about in 1987 after the merger of Coward Chance and Clifford Turner. Today, the
full-service firm has 32 offices spread throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific,
Europe and the Middle East. In the United States, the firm has offices in New York and Washington DC.
Over the research period, the firm was active in banking and finance, projects, M&A and private equity to name a few.
Recent examples of the firm’s deal work include advising
IDB Invest and Proparco
as lender and guarantor, respectively, on the financing via loan to
Águas do Rio 1 and Águas do Rio 4 concessions.
This deal featured a novel
guarantee product from
Proparco.
In the M&A and private equity space, the firm advised
on Cinven’s notable cross-border acquisition of Bayer Environmental Science Professional.
In 2023, the M&A team also welcomed both Partners Sanjay Murti from Cravath Swaine & Moore, and Steven Li from Kirkland & Ellis.
Some of the firm’s key clients include
U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, U.S. Department of Energy, IDB Invest, IFC, BlackRock and Pfizer.
Cravath Swaine & Moore
Full-service firm Cravath Swaine & Moore was founded in 1819. Since then, it has emerged as one of United States’ top firms for banking, M&A and debt and equity capital markets. The firm has two offices: one in New York, and its newly opened office in Washington DC. The firm also boasts an international presence with an office in London.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore remained at the forefront of high-stakes corporate and regulatory matters in 2024. The firm advised the special committee of
Paramount Global on its complex merger with Skydance Media, navigating parallel strategic processes involving controlling shareholder National Amusements. Cravath also
represented
The Walt Disney Company in its pending combination of Hulu + Live TV with FuboTV, including a term loan commitment and resolution of multiple commercial arrangements. In telecom, the firm is advising
Frontier
on its acquisition by
Verizon. Cravath continues to guide Silvergate Bank through its rare voluntary self-liquidation and related regulatory proceedings—demonstrating the firm’s unmatched capabilities in M&A, financial regulation, and strategic advisory for clients navigating transformative transactions.
Key clients for the firm include
BDT & MSD, Brookfield, Credit Suisse Asset Management, Frontier, Johnson & Johnson, Lindsay Goldberg, Neuberger Berman Private Markets and OMERS Private Equity, Paramount, PG&E, Silvergate, Synapse, The Walt Disney Company, and Viatris.
Davis Polk & Wardwell
The history of Davis Polk dates to 1849 with its founding in New York. Over 170 years later, the firm has grown to 10 total offices spanning four continents. In the United States, Davis Polk has offices in New York, Washington
DC and the Silicon Valley. It has standout practices in banking, capital markets, regulatory financial services, M&A and restructuring and insolvency.
Davis Polk & Wardwell advised on several transformative transactions in 2024,
showcasing its cross-border restructuring, capital markets, and private equity
expertise. The firm guided
Digicel
through a complex, multi-jurisdictional restructuring
that was shortlisted for
IFLR Restructuring Deal of the Year. It
involved schemes of arrangement in Bermuda and recognition proceedings in the U.S., significantly reducing the company’s debt burden and positioning it for long-term stability. In the capital markets space, Davis Polk advised the underwriters on a major equity and preferred stock offering by
The Boeing Company, one of the largest of the year. The firm also represented Rubicon
Founders in the successful closing of its oversubscribed second healthcare-focused fund. Additionally, Davis Polk
advised on strategic matters for
Kroger, reinforcing its role as a trusted advisor to leading corporates and investment firms navigating high-value, high-complexity transactions.
Key clients for the firm include
Big Lots, Coller Capital, Cosan, FedEx, Harvest Partners, Lightyear Capital, Mangrove Equity Partners, Morgan Stanley, Precision Kidd Steel Co., Inc., PPL Capital Funding, Purdue Pharma, Samarco, Semtech, Spirit Airlines, and TruArc Partners.
Freshfields
The history of
Freshfields
dates back to the 1700’s in the UK. Since then, the firm’s reach has expanded to offices in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, North America and Africa. Its presence in the United States began in 1977 with its opening of its New York offices. In the 40 years since, the firm has expanded to offices in Washington D.C. and the Silicon Valley.
Highlights
Recently, Freshfields’ US Corporate and M&A practice led in the representation of
Qualtrics International in its all-cash sale to a consortium of
Silver Lake and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Freshfields and the independent directors of the board of
Qualtrics International worked together to prioritize public shareholders' best interests.
The firm also represented publicly listed
Coupa Software Incorporated in its cash sale to Thoma Bravo. This acquisition was outstanding for LBO standards and for the software sector.
In January, the M&A team also welcomed Partners Sanjay Murti and Steven Li from Cravath Swaine and Moore and Kirkland & Ellis respectively.
Key clients
Some of the firm’s key clients include Qualtrics International, Coupa Software Incorporated, Roivant Sciences, BP, and Google.
Husch Blackwell
Husch Blackwell
is a national law firm with over 800 lawyers and 25 offices across the United States including in Texas, California, Missouri, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona. Husch Blackwell is a trusted advisor for strategic M&A transactions, offering end-to-end counsel across the deal lifecycle—from due diligence to integration. Its multidisciplinary team
represents buyers, sellers, private equity firms, boards, and management groups in domestic and cross-border deals. The firm’s experience spans asset and equity purchases, joint ventures, restructurings, hostile takeovers, and more.
Husch Blackwell demonstrated its transactional and regulatory strength in 2024 through major mandates across aviation, healthcare, and manufacturing. The firm advised
American Airlines on the negotiation of purchase agreements for 85 Airbus A321neo and 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10
aircraft, along with options for 150 more, and on long-term engine agreements with CFM International. In healthcare, Husch Blackwell served as outside counsel to Marshfield Clinic Health System in its merger with Sanford Health, creating one of the largest rural health systems in the U.S. The firm also advised
OmniMax
International on the spin-off of its Outdoor Living division and is currently guiding the company through two strategic acquisitions, involving complex carve-out planning, tax reorganizations, and regulatory approvals. These matters underscore Husch Blackwell’s versatility in guiding clients through transformative, multi-faceted transactions.
The firm’s key
clients include
American Airlines, Black & Veatch, Marshfield Clinic,
OmniMax International, and Opal Foods.
Asset finance
“The team is outstanding.
Smart and practical.
The team sets itself apart with responsiveness.
One always feels like the only client.”
“The attorneys have a critical understanding of risk and being able to explain how changes in certain provisions can cascade while maintaining a business mindset to find a way to get things done.”
Financial services regulatory
“The attorneys at Husch Blackwell are quick to respond and provide useful feedback and solutions.”
“First, Attorney Chris Hamlin was honest about whether they had the
expertise to
represent our unique, very much one-of-a-kind technology in a global search for a buyer of this technical IP and its attending laboratory assets.
Attorney Hamlin has been a firm advocate for us in protecting our IP during the process. Second, Attorney Hamlin
has been
immediately available for consulting on the finer points as we move through the process.
Third, Attorney Hamlin and his staff have been extraordinarily kind and respectful toward me and my partner (Co-Owner and CSO).”
“The attorneys are clear and concise in communication, easily accessible for big and small questions. They’re willing to break down complex language into more decipherable concepts for those who
don't speak New Markets.”
“I really like the completeness that Tori has offered us.
Expertise is top notch.”
“Dan has great attention to detail, understanding of risk, the ability to explain complex issues, and a talent for finding solutions.”
“Chris is great for his responsiveness, staying in touch, practicality, pleasantness, and professionalism.”
“Christopher
operates with respect, empathy, knowledge, honesty, patience, and understanding of the structure of our company and the uniqueness of our project for sale.”
“Susan is extremely professional and communicates very well. She manages tight timelines very well and comes up with creative solutions to issues.”
“Rebecca is kind, patient, an excellent problem solver, a great collaborator with other entities involved in our deal, able to break down complex transaction to be more easily understood by board members and finance committee.”
“She is responsive, knowledgeable, and thorough. She communicates very well.”
Loeb & Loeb
Loeb & Loeb is a dynamic U.S. law firm with a legacy of innovation dating back to 1909. With offices across the U.S. and in Asia, the firm is renowned for its strength in finance, private equity, and entertainment law. Its finance team advises on complex transactions, including asset-based lending, private placements, and cross-border deals. Loeb’s private equity practice offers end-to-end counsel on fund formation, investments, and restructurings across diverse industries.
Known for agility, collaboration, and deep market insight, Loeb & Loeb helps clients navigate evolving challenges and close deals efficiently.
Loeb & Loeb delivered strategic counsel across finance, technology, and entertainment in 2024, advising on a range of innovative transactions. The firm represented
ITsavvy, a
GenNx360 Capital Partners portfolio company, in its full equity sale to Xerox Corporation, and advised
J.P. Morgan Investment Management on investment terms. Loeb also structured multiple credit facilities for
Comerica Bank, including deals supporting motion picture revenue streams and an AI-powered influencer marketing company. For
MUFG Bank and East West Bank, the firm crafted tailored loan facilities tied to film production and receivables. These transactions underscore Loeb & Loeb’s deep
expertise
in media finance, private equity, and institutional investment, positioning the firm as a go-to advisor for complex, revenue-driven
lending
and strategic acquisitions.
The firm’s key clients include
Comerica Bank, East West Bank, GenNx360 Capital Partners and
Itsavvy, GenNx360 Capital Partners and NMP Holdings/Nutra-Med, J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Mangrove Equity Partners, MUFG Bank, and Precision Kidd Steel Co.
Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown is a large international firm that entered into its current form through three cross-border mergers in the first decade of the twenty-first century. Firstly, in 2002, US firm Mayer Brown & Platt (established in Illinois in 1881) merged with UK firm Rowe & Maw (formed in 1895 in London), then the combined entity merged with Johnson Stokes & Master (opened in 1863 in Hong Kong) in 2007. Today the firm’s network covers 277 offices spanning three continents. In the US, where the firm has several of its largest branches, it has a presence in six states and teams based in Charlotte, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Salt Lake City and Washington DC.
Mayer Brown continued to lead in cross-border finance and capital markets in 2024,
advising PNC Bank as administrative agent and Citigroup and Credit Agricole as joint bookrunners in a syndicated revolving credit facility for Embraer subsidiaries across the U.S. and the Netherlands. The transaction required seamless coordination with its Brazilian affiliate, Tauil &
Chequer Advogados. The firm also
advised the National Bank of Canada on a range of matters, including debt and structured product offerings, regulatory issues, and its acquisition of Canadian Western Bank. As designated underwriters’ counsel to Capital One, Mayer Brown advised on multiple complex debt offerings amid its pending merger with Discover. The firm’s structured products team also advised on over 7,000 offerings in 2024, reinforcing its position as a trusted advisor to leading global financial institutions.
Key clients for the firm include
Apogem Capital, Bank of Montreal, Blackstone, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Capital One Financial Corp, Citigroup Global Markets, Credit Agricole, Goldman Sachs, HSBC, Monroe Capital Management Advisors, National Bank of Canada, and PNC Bank.
"The firm has knowledge of applicable laws and market practices.
Its best qualities are its attentiveness and responsiveness."
"The firm has
a strong knowledge of relevant law and practices."
“Anna Pinedo is an excellent resource on all counts; she is extremely knowledgeable with respect to the law, interpretations of the law, current events and current market practice (including the history behind the development of certain practices).” (Equity Capital Markets client)
“Anna Pinedo is an excellent
all-around lawyer; highly knowledgeable about the relevant law.” (Debt Capital Markets client)
“Anna Pinedo thinks creatively and aggressively outside of the box. She is not satisfied with the status quo, constantly looking to evolve.” (Derivative Capital Markets client)
“Anna Pinedo is truly outstanding and one of if not the brightest attorney on corporate finance, capital markets and regulatory issues that I have worked with.” (Financial Services Regulatory client)
“Ryan Castillo listens to problems, does deep research to get answers, communicates well and is very patient.” (Debt Capital Markets client)
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Since its founding in 1873, Morgan Lewis
has expanded from one office in Philadelphia to 31 offices across three continents. In the United States, there are 17 offices across 11 states. The firm has market leading teams in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Firm wide, it is particularly well known for its work in the structured finance and securitization, hedge funds, oil and gas projects and power project practices
Morgan Lewis & Bockius advised on a diverse range of high-impact transactions in 2024, showcasing its strength in capital markets, private equity, and restructuring. The firm represented Entergy Corporation in the expansion of its at-the-market equity issuance program, utilizing forward equity derivatives to
optimize timing and pricing flexibility. For Redwood Trust, Morgan Lewis advised on 12 RMBS securitizations, including the first hybrid loan-backed deal since 2010 and groundbreaking transactions incorporating blockchain-based reporting features. The firm also
advised Platinum Equity on its acquisition of Horizon Organic and Wallaby from Danone, navigating complex carve-out and transition arrangements. In the restructuring space, Morgan Lewis represented Wells Fargo Bank in pre- and post-petition asset-based credit facilities for Wheel Pros Inc., helping secure a favorable outcome in a pre-packaged chapter 11 process. These matters underscore the firm’s versatility and depth across financial services and strategic transactions.
The firm’s key clients include
Caithness Energy, Citibank, Entergy Corporation,
esVolta, Goldman Sachs, Jefferies, NextEra Energy, Porsche Financial Services, Redwood Trust, and Sallie Mae Bank.
“The firm is engaging, honest, commercial,
timely, personable, knowledgeable.”
Bank
lending: lender side
“Morgan Lewis is very experienced, speedy and customer focused.”
“The firm is incredibly responsive, engaged, providing attentive and thorough input and advice, often on tight timescales.”
“The firm
demonstrates attention to detail and the ability to communicate the firm's counsel to the clients clearly and effectively. MLB also is very proactive in identifying and mitigating risks, in problem solving, and in meeting demanding deadlines.”
“He has excellent all-around legal skills one expects and needs from a law firm partner. Dave directly handles or oversees an incredible amount of legal work for my firm and always ensures that the attorney-work product is thorough, on-point, and
timely delivered. Dave works as well under pressure as any attorney with whom I have worked.”
“Working with Stacie is enjoyable for her advice, knowledge, personal touch, practicality, commercial appeal and fairness.”
“He is experienced, speedy and skilled at customer service.”
“He is always engaged with the matter, thorough,
knowledgeable and very user friendly.”
Morrison & Foerster
International firm
Morrison & Foerster was founded in San Francisco in 1883. Over 135 years later, the firm has expanded to 17 offices across the US,
Europe and Asia. In the United States, the firm has offices in Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Northern Virginia, Palo Alto, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington D.C. The firm has shown great strides in diversity. In addition to being Mansfield Plus certified, Morrison & Foerster has won numerous awards for their diversity initiatives.
Morrison Foerster
demonstrated its cross-border transactional strength in 2024 through landmark deals across real estate, finance, and hospitality. The firm advised
Mori Trust on its nearly
$1 billion investment in 245 Park Avenue—one of the largest midtown Manhattan office recapitalizations in recent years.
MoFo also represented
Standard Chartered in a novel note-on-note financing structured to meet UK securitization standards, with HSBC
acquiring a 50% interest post-closing. For
HSBC Bank USA, the firm structured a $295 million mortgage and mezzanine loan package secured by assets across Los Angeles, Chicago, and Seattle.
MoFo also
advised
Mizuho Bank on the upsizing of a revolving credit facility for Meritage Homes. In hospitality, the firm guided RIDA Development through multiple billion-dollar acquisitions, financings, and recapitalizations, signaling a robust post-pandemic rebound in the sector.
Key clients for the firm include
Breedon Group PLC, Builder Homesite, CIBC, Goldman Sachs, Hines Interests, and Pontiac Land, HSBC Bank USA, National Association, JPMorgan Chase, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Lime Energy, M&T Bank, Mizuho Bank, Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital, Mori Trust, Reuben Brothers, RIDA Development Corporation, Santander Bank, Societe Generale, Standard Chartered, U.S. Silica Holdings and Wells Fargo Bank.
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough is a full-service national firm founded in South Carolina in the year 1897. It has 30 full-service offices, and 7 limited-services offices spread out in 17 states. It also has an office in Washington, D.C. The firm advises on a wide range of matters across its offices related to financial services regulatory and M&A. Corporate work also includes securities, venture capital and commercial real estate.
Nelson
Mullins Riley & Scarborough continued to deliver strategic counsel across key sectors in 2024, with notable work spanning real estate, banking, and manufacturing. The firm advised
Beachwalk Retail Center on the formation of a joint venture to develop a 47-acre retail complex, handling negotiations, documentation, and title matters. In the financial sector, Nelson Mullins represented
First National Corporation in its merger with Touchstone Bankshares, creating the ninth-largest community bank in Virginia—a transaction that
showcased the firm’s regulatory acumen. The firm also
advised
Tulkoff Food Products, Inc. on the sale of a multi-generational family business to a private equity-backed buyer, underscoring its strength in guiding family-owned enterprises through complex transitions.
Key clients include
Amzak Capital Management, Avenger Flight Group, Beachwalk Retail Center,
CenterState Financial Corporation, Chemical Finance Corporation, Corporate Brokers/Testing IT, Cosmopolitan Travel Services, Exeter Image Holdings/AFS, First National Corporation, Lime Energy,
PIETech,
Sprinturf, Tech USA, Touchdown Ventures, and Tulkoff Food Products.
Nutter McClennen & Fish
Nutter
McClennen & Fish, founded in 1879 by Louis Brandeis and Samuel Warren II, is a US law firm with around 150 attorneys and offices
located in both Massachusetts and New York. The firm specializes in middle market M&A transactions, often involving private equity. The firm frequently advises on strategic investments by private equity firms resulting in company restructurings. First-of-its-kind transactions are well within the firm’s grasp as it uses innovative methods to finance complex mergers among other transactions.
Nutter
McClennen & Fish
demonstrated its strength in healthcare and consumer transactions in 2024 through standout work for
Collaborating Docs and Night Shift Brewing. The firm advised
Collaborating Docs on a majority investment by TT Capital Partners, navigating a complex regulatory landscape across 33 states to support the company’s mission of expanding nurse practitioner access and compliance. In the craft beverage space, Nutter represented long-time client
Night Shift Brewing in its acquisition by Hendler Family Brewing Company. The deal, led by Nutter’s food and beverage team, positions the combined entity as Massachusetts’ largest craft beer producer and a model for sustainable industry consolidation.
The firm’s key clients include
Agilyx,
Definiti, Eastern Bankshares, Night Shift Brewing and Shawmut.
Ropes & Gray
Ropes & Gray was founded in 1865 in Boston. It has since expanded globally to 11 offices
in three continents. In the United States, the firm has offices in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. It is best known for its work in the United States in regulatory financial services, private equity and registered funds.
The firm’s Boston office is active in banking, capital markets and M&A.
Seward & Kissel
Seward & Kissel LLP, established in 1890, is a prominent US law firm with offices in New York City and Washington, DC. Renowned for its expertise in financial services, corporate finance, and capital markets, the firm represents leading banks, investment funds, broker-dealers, and shipping companies. Its attorneys—many of whom have built lifelong careers at the firm—are known for their deep experience, sound judgment, and commitment to delivering high-quality, hands-on legal service. Seward & Kissel’s enduring reputation for excellence and stability has made it a trusted advisor to both domestic and international clients across complex corporate and litigation matters.
Seward & Kissel continued to demonstrate its strength in asset management, transportation, and private equity in 2024 through a series of high-profile mandates. The firm advised AllianceBernstein’s municipal income fund on the redemption of preferred shares and issuance of new VRDPs, navigating complex securities regulations. It also represented AlTi Global in its acquisitions of East End Advisors and Envoi, expanding AlTi’s footprint in the ultra-high net worth advisory space. In the maritime sector, Seward & Kissel advised both Pangaea Logistics and Strategic Shipping in a transformative fleet combination. The firm also supported Growth Catalyst Partners in expanding its Equine Network platform through strategic acquisitions in the equestrian sports industry.
Key clients include AllianceBernstein, AlTi Global, Growth Catalyst Partners, Kennedy Lewis, iM Global Partner and Pangea Logistics Solutions.
“Commercial, timely and sound advice.”
“S&K is responsive, efficient, and highly skilled with complex fund structures.”
“S&K were professional and knowledgeable, while always representing us with our firm's brand and culture in mind. The teams were well coordinated and communicated well both internally and externally.”
“Practical, responsive, efficient with their time.”
“M&A and financial services expertise, problem solving skills, efficiency, cost”
“Daniel knows our business sometimes better than we do; proposes solutions that are creative, elegant and simple.”
“Danielle communicates and writes well.”
“Nick is extremely responsive and excellent at handling complex projects.”
“Craig is great at problem solving, getting deals done, judgment and has a great work ethic.”
Sills Cummis & Gross
Sills Cummis & Gross is a full-service U.S. law firm with offices in New Jersey, New York, and Florida, known for its strength in corporate law, M&A, finance, restructuring, and litigation.
Representing clients from Fortune 500 companies to
emerging businesses, the firm delivers personalized, high-quality counsel across industries. Its corporate team handles complex transactions and financings and is also a national leader in healthcare insolvency. With deep experience in bankruptcy, real estate, and regulatory matters, Sills Cummis offers strategic, results-driven legal solutions across the business spectrum.
The firm advised clients on
confidential matters.
Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom
Full service firm Skadden is a top tier firm, especially in M&A, debt capital markets, structured finance and securitization, regulatory financial services, restructuring and insolvency and oil and gas projects. It was founded in New York in 1948 and the New York office remains the firm’s headquarters and largest office. It has since, however, expanded to 22 offices across three continents. In the United States, the firm has offices in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, Washington D.C. and Wilmington.
Highlights
Across all its practices, Skadden is accustomed innovative transactions. The firm’s M&A department advised
Activision Blizzard as the seller in its sizeable all-cash acquisition by
Microsoft Corporation. This transaction broke world records in the history of the gaming industry, the technology sector, all-cash transactions and
Microsoft Corporation. The firm had similar landmark success in the Japanese pharmaceutical sector, the US utilities sector and the software industry. Furthermore, the firm showed finesse in guiding clients towards authorization from Antitrust authorities and the Food and Drug Administration.
In project finance, the firm led novel transactions in the renewables sector including its representation of the lenders in a first-of-its-kind unguaranteed bridge facility with a unique tax credit sale feature. This is financing a Parliament Solar project. It also represented
Pattern Energy Group in the financing of SunZia’s landmark transmission and wind projects. This deal is unprecedented for the US clean energy infrastructure sector.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include First BanCorp, Crédit Agricole, Banco Azteca, Centene, Zillow, Bank of America, Scotia Capital, Citigroup, CEMEX, Pfizer, Morgan Stanley, PayPal, Barclays, Eaton Vance, Fair Oaks Capital, AES, BlackRock, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, NextEra Energy Partners, Exact Sciences, Array BioPharma, DowDuPont, The Blackstone Group, Aflac, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, UBS, Synergy Pharmaceuticals and Stearns Holdings.
Stinson
Stinson is a full-service firm with a wide footprint across the Midwest United States. The firm has 13 offices across nine states and Washington
DC.
Stinson delivered standout counsel in 2024 across transportation, manufacturing, and private equity. The firm advised
Canadian Pacific Kansas City on a transformative agreement with CSX
to
establish a new direct rail corridor linking Mexico, Texas, and the U.S. Southeast—an infrastructure deal requiring intricate regulatory and operational coordination. Stinson also served as lead M&A counsel to
MIWD Holdings (MITER Brands) in its successful topping bid to acquire
PGT Innovations, significantly expanding its national footprint. In the investment space, the firm represented
Highmount Capital in a nine-figure strategic partnership with Dude Perfect, supporting the group’s ambitious growth in sports and entertainment.
Key clients for the firm include
Aflac, AES, Array BioPharma, Banco Azteca, Bank of America, Barclays, BlackRock, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, CEMEX, Centene, Citigroup, Crédit Agricole, DowDuPont, Eaton Vance, Exact Sciences, Fair Oaks Capital, First BanCorp, Irish Bank Resolution Corporation, Koch Industries, Morgan Stanley, NextEra Energy Partners, PayPal, Pfizer, Scotia Capital, Stearns Holdings, Synergy Pharmaceuticals, Tennenbaum Capital Partners, The Blackstone Group, UBS, Waste Management and Zillow.
Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz
Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz
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. The New York office is especially experienced in mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism, corporate governance and capital markets. It works with public and private companies and
frequently acts as counsel to boards of directors. The firm prides itself on delivering bespoke and innovative solutions to a variety of clients.
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz continued to distinguish itself in 2024 through its elite M&A and banking practices. The firm advised on complex, high-value transactions across sectors, including strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and cross-border
financings. Notable mandates included
advising
Broadcom
on permanent financing arrangements following its historic
VMware
acquisition, and guiding Diamondback Energy through a multi-step acquisition financing. The firm also represented
AbbVie
in a
senior notes offering and
3M
in a revolving credit facility. Its borrower-side banking work spanned bridge loans, term facilities, and capital structure refinancings, underscoring its deep expertise in transformative corporate finance.
Key clients include Abra Group, Broadcom, OpenAI, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, Smurfit Kappa, The RealReal and T-Mobile.
White & Case
White & Case
is a constantly growing firm with a great reputation for working on highly complex transactions. The firm
currently has 44 offices
across
six continents. In the United States, the firm maintains eight offices.
Highlights
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 firm advised
Broadcom on the acquisition financing for the purchase of
VMware. This was among the largest technology transactions in history and had a unique feature that allowed
Broadcom to defer closing the transaction while finalizing the financing.
The firm’s restructuring and insolvency practice represented the
Ad Hoc Committee of Local Councils of Boy Scouts of America as the debtors in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. Among abuse settlement funds, this is the largest in U.S. history and is unprecedented in relation to mass tort cases.
Key clients
Key clients include Broadcom, RTX Corporation, 3M Company, Lumen Technologies, Global Payments, Boy Scouts of America, Mallinckrodt, XPO, Rayonier advanced Materials, Siris Capital and King Street Capital Management.
A&O Shearman
International firm Allen & Overy is headquartered in the UK as one of the Magic Circle firms, but has over 40 offices globally. In the United States, the firm has four offices in the Silicon Valley, New York, Washinton D.C. and Los Angeles.
Focusses/specialisms
The firm has a highly notable leveraged finance team. The banking and finance practice acts for mostly lenders in acquisition, sustainability and corporate financings, as well as refinancing matters. The practice does also represent borrowers in similar matters.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Apollo Global Management, Credit Suisse, JP Morgan, Bank of America, BNP Paribas, Deutsche Bank, Jeffries and Goldman Sachs.
Akerman
The national firm
Akerman was founded in Orlando in 1920. It now has 25 offices across 15 states, but Florida
remains core to the firm and is the state where it has the largest number of offices.
The firm is best known for mid-market M&A and real estate work in Florida and is active in capital markets and restructuring.
Its M&A team, bolstered by the Florida offices,
represents strategic and private equity buyers and sellers in acquisition-related matters, including acquisition financing.
It is active on cross-border deals and across multiple industries including aerospace, waste management and automotive.
Alston & Bird
The earliest iteration of
Alston & Bird was formed in 1893 in Atlanta. Since then, it has expanded to 13 offices, 10 of which are in the United States, in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, San Francisco, the Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. The firm has an international presence with offices in Beijing, Brussels and London.
It has a notable banking and finance
practice,
frequently
advising commercial banks and engaging in fund finance, private credit funds, public company borrowers and private equity sponsors.
Arnall Golden Gregory
Arnall Golden Gregory
was founded in 1949 and has since grown to two offices in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington DC.
The Georgia team is well known for their work in the M&A practice area.
The firm
also does notable work in banking and finance and restructuring and insolvency.
The banking and finance team represents borrowers and lenders in loan facilities, working capital credit lines, bond financing, public financing, project financing, securitizations, refinancings and acquisition financings.
Key clients for the firm include Horizon Telecom, Imperial Capital, Development Authority of Fulton County, Ares Commercial Finance, American Express and Sysco.
Arnold & Porter
The most current iteration of
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer was formed in 2017 as a result of the merger between Arnold & Porter and Kaye Scholer. The firm now boasts 14 offices in six countries. In the United States, the firm has its largest offices in Washington D.C. and New York, but also has growing offices in San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, Newark, Houston, Palo Alto and Los Angeles. The firm is often praised for its diversity initiatives and pro bono work.
Its DC office that stands out for its restructuring and insolvency practice. The firm is particularly experienced in the technology, banking and financial services and life sciences industries.
Baker Botts
Baker Botts is an international firm with a stronghold in Texas, where its Texas offices are members of Lex Mundi. The firm has 13 offices across five regions. In the United States, there are seven offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
Focusses/specialisms
The firm historically has done excellent work in the energy industry, although it has since expanded to cover numerous industries including technology, logistics and entertainment.
The team’s banking and finance practice acts for borrowers in refinancings, ABLs, warehouse financings, acquisition financings and corporate financings.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include NRG Energy, Delek US Holdings, Odfjell Holdings, Summit Midstream Partners, BWX Technologies, Sprague Resources, NASCAR, GCI Liberty, Sunnova Energy and Halliburton.
Ballard Spahr
Since its founding in 1919,
Ballard Spahr has grown to 15 offices nationwide. Its largest office is in Philadelphia, which is also the firm’s founding city. In addition to Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington D.C. have some of the firm’s largest offices. The Phoenix, Arizona office is highly regarded for its top tier work in the state. Ballard Spahr is experienced in many practice areas across its offices, including M&A, banking, capital markets, project development and real estate. The banking team represents borrowers in credit facilities, loan agreements, project financing and acquisition financing.
Barnes & Thornburg
The most current iteration of
full-service firm
Barnes & Thornburg was born from a merger in 1982. Robert Grand serves as the managing partner of the firm, which has grown to 19 offices, plus a satellite office in 14 states. Barnes & Thornburg’s presence is felt most in Indiana and Michigan, where it does notable work in banking and finance.
The firm does good work in the banking and finance practice area. The team represents lenders in loan and credit facility agreements, as well as refinancing transactions. They represent many clients in the banking and financial services industry.
Bodman
Founded in 1929,
Bodman is one of the leading firms in Michigan for financial and corporate law. The firm has five offices throughout Michigan: Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Cheboygan, Troy and Detroit.
Bodman does outstanding work in M&A and banking and finance. In M&A, the firm advises strategic buyers and sellers in acquisition related matters. It also advises clients in follow on investments.
Though the firm has experience in a plethora of industries, it has special expertise in the automotive, technology, manufacturing and industrial industries. The banking and finance team represents lenders in credit facility agreements, loan agreements, acquisition financing and mortgage loans.
Key clients for the firm include
Novares,
PridesCrossing Capital, Olcott Plastics, Bank of Ann Arbor, Comerica Bank, CIBC Bank, the Huntington National Bank and LevelOne Bank.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“They have been our Counsel for nearly 30 years and their historical knowledge was a huge benefit.”
Bracewell
Bracewell got its start in Houston, Texas in 1945. Since then, it has become a market leader in Texas in financial and corporate law. The firm has also opened an
additional nine offices in three countries. In the United States, the firm has locations in Austin, Hartford, Dallas, Houston, New York, San Antonio, Seattle and Washington D.C. Bracewell has expanded its reach internationally with offices in Dubai and London. The firm is best known in Texas, where it has the most offices and a reputation as a
top-tier financial and corporate practice, in addition to a notable
projects practice. However, it also has a notable New York practice. Oil and gas
is a big industry for the firm across all practice areas.
Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard
Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard
is a notable business law firm in North Carolina. Founded in 1897, the firm has expanded to three North Carolina offices: Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington.
The firm is particularly active in M&A and real estate. In M&A, the firm represents strategic buyers and sellers in acquisitions and joint ventures. It also represents private equity firms in capital raises and fund formations.
The firm has a lot of experience in the real estate industry, where it represents developers, property owners and financial sponsors. Many of its real estate transactions are related to either acquisitions or project development. The firm also combines its real estate and private equity experience through its work with REITs.
Key clients for the firm include Blue Ridge Bancshares, Quincy Media, Citadel Communications, Concord Hospitality Enterprises, Atlas Stark Holdings, Weaver Investment, Pharos Hospitality and Lockwood Broadcasting.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“Excellent work on all matters.”
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
was founded in 1968. Since then, it has expanded to 13 offices in seven states. The firm is top tier in Nevada in M&A and also highly regarded in Colorado for its work in the financial and corporate practice areas.
Focusses / specialisms
Though the firm does outstanding work in Nevada and Colorado, it also maintains teams in Washington D.C., California, Wyoming, New Jersey and New Mexico. In Colorado, the firm does great work in banking and finance, real estate and M&A. The banking and finance team represents borrowers in project financing, capital markets investments and securitizations.
The M&A team represents private equity and strategic buyers and sellers in acquisition and joint venture related acquisitions.
The real estate team represents property developers and investors in commercial and residential real estate development and acquisition transactions.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Blue & Silver, Etkin Johnson Real Estate Partners, Brue Capital, the Colorado Rockies, Bow River Capital Partners, Nexus Technologies, Caesars Entertainment, AmTrans Expedite and Encore Consumer Capital.
Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft
Founded in 1792,
Cadwalader is one of the oldest law firms in America and the oldest continuing Wall Street practice in the nation. Following its first office in New York, the firm has expanded to two national offices in Washington DC and Charlotte and international offices in London and Dublin. Though it has experience in a wide variety of financial and corporate practice areas, Cadwalader is nationally recognized for its outstanding work in structured finance and securitization,
largely led by the New York team. It also has standout teams in regulatory financial services and derivatives.
Cahill Gordon & Reindel
Since its founding in New York in 1919, corporate and litigation firm
Cahill Gordon & Reindel has become a market leader in high yield debt and banking. It also added offices in Washington DC and London. The firm is consistently recognized for its pro bono and diversity and inclusion efforts, especially with women and people of color. In addition to Cahill’s top tier banking and high yield debt practice, it has outstanding debt and equity capital markets teams. The firm’s New York office has one of the best capital markets teams in the region.
Cole Schotz
Founded in 1928,
Cole Schotz is a notable law firm in restructuring and insolvency. It has expanded to seven offices nationwide in: Hackensack, New York, Wilmington, Baltimore, Boca Raton, Fort Worth and Dallas.
Some of the firm’s strongest restructuring and insolvency teams are in the Hackensack,
Baltimore and Wilmington offices. The restructuring and insolvency team firm wide
represents sponsors, debtors and creditors in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 insolvency cases. It also
represents debtors in out of court financial restructurings.
Debevoise & Plimpton
Though its headquarters are in New York,
Debevoise & Plimpton is a global firm with 10 offices spanning three continents. In the United States, the firm has offices in New York and Washington DC. It is a leading firm in private equity, with outstanding M&A, regulatory financial
services and banking practices. Aside from its top-tier work in private equity, the firm does
great work in registered funds, restructuring and insolvency, M&A, regulatory financial
services and capital markets.
Dechert
Global firm
Dechert has 26 offices spread out over three continents. In the United States, the firm has offices in Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Hartford, Los Angeles, New York, Orange County, Philadelphia, Princeton, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. This growth stems from decades of expansion, with the most current version of the firm’s name dating back to 1962. Dechert got its start in Philadelphia, but the New York office is their largest in the United States. Though the firm is active
across financial and corporate law, its registered funds work has generated the most recognition as a top tier practice.
DELETE
Shearman & Sterling
is a well known international firm with 25 offices worldwide. Within the United States, the firm has offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Menlo Park, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
Focusses/specialisms
Though the firm is full service, it is best regarded for its work in derivatives, high yield debt and infrastructure project development.
In the banking practice, the team represents borrowers, arrangers and administrative agents in DIP, asset based, acquisition, exit and corporate financing matters. It also represents clients in refinancing and financial restructuring matters.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, MUFG Bank, HSBC, Citibank, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas, Banco Santander and Barclays.
Dentons
One of the world’s largest law firms, Dentons is truly a global law firm, with over 190 locations across over 75 countries. In the United States, the firm has offices and partnerships in 43 cities. Though the firm is full service, in the United States it has a standout structured finance and securitization practice, as well as a notable restructuring and insolvency practice. The structured finance and securitization practice has
expertise in the real estate industry, where it excels at RMBS transactions, as well as other mortgage and real estate backed securities. It also works on securitizations in the banking and financial services industry. The team can
represent issuers and lenders equally.
Dorsey & Whitney
Since its founding in Minneapolis in 1912, Dorsey & Whitney has expanded to 19 total locations across the United States, Canada, the UK and China. In the US, the firm has 13 offices spread throughout the country, including in Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, New York and Utah.
Focusses/specialisms
Though Dorsey & Whitney is an international firm, it has a stronghold on the Minnesota market with their top tier Minneapolis office. The office does market leading work in banking, capital markets and M&A.
In Alaska, the team is active representing buy and sell side clients in private acquisitions. It mostly works in the oil and gas, mining and real estate industries.
The Minneapolis office’s M&A practice represents strategic acquirers and sellers in middle market transactions, where it maintains a stronghold. The office also has a dedicated real estate practice, showing the firm’s expertise in the real estate industry. The team represents REITs, property owners, investors and developers in all aspects related to commercial, industrial and residential real estate. This includes acquisitions, development and financing.
In Montana, the team acts for issuers in capital raises and bond issuances. It also represents lenders in acquisition financing matters and public institutions in P3 project financings in the infrastructure and energy industries.
The New York M&A team is also known for its middle market transactions, as well as cross border transactions between the US and China. The office has a US-China practice group focusing on these transactions. The M&A team represents private equity and strategic acquirers and sellers in acquisition related matters. It also advises private equity firms on investments.
The Salt Lake City office is one of the largest corporate practices in Utah. The M&A team represents private equity and strategic clients on the buy and sell side in acquisitions and mergers. It also conducts banking and capital markets work, advising private equity firms on equity investments and issuers on public offerings.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include UnitedHealth Group, Medtronic, US Bancorp, Land O’Lakes, United Properties Development, US Bank National Association, Fairview Health Services, Virtus Real Estate Capital, Dope Media, High Street Capital Partners, Airspan Networks, Verano Holdings, Tower Arch Capital, NaviMed Capital, Nu Skin Enterprises and Zions Bank.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Investment funds: Private equity funds
"Dorsey and the team we use is excellent at understanding the nuances of all elements of transaction documentation, the important terms we should expect, what's considered normative vs unusual, etc. We rely on their expertise."
M&A
"Deep subject -matter expertise; well organised and process-oriented; timely and professional work product; keen ability to get results."
"They have a very strong connection between the M&A team and the other parts of the firm, especially the health group, tax, employee benefits. It's a very integrated experience."
Duane Morris
Full-service firm Duane Morris got its start in Philadelphia but has since expanded to 29 offices over three continents. In the United States, the firm has 22 offices spread through the country. Though the firm is headquartered in Philadelphia, the New York offices are among the firm’s largest. Each of Duane Morris’ locations have different expertise. Throughout the firm, there are teams in the banking, capital markets, M&A and restructuring and insolvency practices. The banking practice has teams of note in Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania. The restructuring and insolvency practice has teams in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh, Newark and Wilmington.
Dunn Carney
Full service firm Dunn Carney was founded in 1930. Since then, it has developed a market leading real estate practice in Oregon. The firm has two offices in Oregon, in Salem and Portland, but has a global presence through its membership in Meritas.
Dunn Carney is best known for its top tier work in the real estate practice. The team represents real estate developers and investors in matters involving acquisitions, construction financing, dispositions and project development. It has experience with commercial, industrial and residential real estate properties mainly in Oregon, but also in states on the west coast.
Key clients for the firm include Sturgeon Development, Retail Opportunity Investments, UBCT Partnership, Gorge Co-Housing, KH Progress Ridge, Kirkwood Properties Two and Mosaic Real Estate Investors.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
"Solid communication and subject-matter knowledge. Deep bench."
"Jeff Perry is a very experienced M&A attorney with a strong tax background. Responsive and competent."
"Prompt, responsive, accurate, caring."
"Reliability, honesty, keeping me up to date."
Foster Garvey
Foster Garvey was born in 2019 from the merger of Washington firms Foster Pepper and Garvey Schubert Barer. The resulting firm has five national offices: Seattle, Portland, Washington DC, New York and Spokane. It also has an international presence through its Beijing office. The firm has its largest office in Seattle, followed by Portland.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm is very active in the corporate and M&A practice area. It represents private equity and strategic acquirers and sellers in acquisitions. It is very active in the forestry, technology and manufacturing industries.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Westward Partners, Software Professionals, Eastside Dermatology, T-Star, Kingston Lumber and OMAX.
Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)
During the research period, the M&A team was largely on the seller’s side in acquisitions. Many of the acquisitions had a private equity aspect, whether it was the buyer or the seller.
Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)
OSW Equipment acquisition of Northend Truck Equipment
GableGotwals
GableGotwals is a leading full-service firm in Oklahoma. The firm has offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and is one of the largest firms in the state.
GableGotwals has an outstanding financial and corporate practice. Its partners represent clients in bond issuances, Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, acquisitions, divestments, loan agreements and joint ventures. It is particularly active in the oil and gas industry.
The firm is also active in capital markets and M&A, representing buyers and sellers in transactions, and in capital markets typically the firm represents issuers.
Key clients for the firm include ONEOK, White Star Petroleum, Mid-Con Energy Partners, Commerce Bank and Hogan Taylor.
GableGotwals
GableGotwals is a leading full-service firm in Oklahoma. The firm has offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City and is one of the largest firms in the state.
The firm’s
client base runs across
the nation, and
their global reach extends to Fortune 500 corporations, privately owned companies, entrepreneurs, foundations, and
individuals. Gabe Gotwals is a law firm known for delivering high quality legal services.
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Gibson Dunn was founded in Los Angeles in 1890. It has since grown to 20 offices throughout four continents. In the United States, the firm has 10 offices in California, Texas, Colorado,
New York and Washington D.C. Its greatest presence is in California, where it has five offices throughout the state.
The firm
maintains a strong presence in California, where it has top-tier M&A practices in Southern California. Additionally, its Denver, D.C.,
Dallas and Houston offices are standouts in their respective states in corporate practice areas.
In the infrastructure sector, the firm’s projects team has advised clients on several award-winning deals in industries such as transport infrastructure.
Greenberg Traurig
Despite having been founded in Miami in 1967,
Greenberg Traurig has quickly become a truly international firm. It currently has 47 offices spread over three continents. In the United States, the firm has 34 offices across 19 states. While the firm is well known globally for its work in business law, it is a standout particularly in Arizona, Nevada and Florida, where it has the most offices. The firm’s project teams do wider project development
and finance
work in the energy and oil and gas industries.
Its banking and M&A teams work on
acquisition financing transactions and advise on deals in the real estate sector.
Greenspoon Marder
Greenspoon Marder
is a
40-year-old firm
based in coastal southern Florida.
The firm specializes in real estate finance, representing financial institutions as lenders and corporate entities as borrowers often. The firm is also skilled in the automotive, transportation, hospitality and restaurants, sports and entertainment and
technology industries.
A few
of the firm’s key clients include BB&T,
Truist Bank and Valley National Bank.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
Bank lending: Borrower side
“Knowledgeable and great business sense (i.e., focusing on what was important and problem solving - deal making).”
Hall Estill
Founded in 1966,
Hall
Estill is a distinguished full-service firm with five offices across three states. The firm has more than 150 lawyers between offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Denver, Colorado; Fayetteville, Arkansas and Bentonville, Arkansas.
Banking is an active area for the firm, typically advising banks and financial institutions in loans and credit facilities.
The firm has expertise in real estate and M&A. In M&A, Hall
Estill represents strategic buyers and sellers in acquisition related matters across numerous types of industries including industrial, manufacturing, oil and gas and financial services.
Key clients for the firm include Mammoth Energy Services and ERP Industrials.
Holland & Hart
With 13 offices spread through Alaska, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Utah, New Mexico and Washington D.C.,
Holland & Hart is a highly regarded business firm. The firm was founded in 1947 in Denver, which remains the firm’s largest office. It is the largest Colorado-based firm as well as the largest firm in Wyoming.
The firm does exceptional work in financial and corporate practice areas, as well as in project development. Of note is that within the corporate practice firm wide, 50% of the partners are women.
The firm also has experience in capital markets, representing issuers in bond issuances, equity funding and recapitalizations.
In the M&A practice, the firm represents strategic sellers and acquirers in company acquisitions, asset acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
The firm’s project development and finance practice largely
works on project financing. It represents developers in power purchase agreements, project acquisitions, acquisition financing and project funding. It is well known within the energy industry.
Key clients for the firm include Roaring Fork Wind, Flying Cow Wind, MGM Resorts, Duke Energy Renewables, Summit Turquoise, Webroot, DCP Midstream, Caliber Midstream Partners, Jalex Holdings and Bow River Capital.
Hunton Andrews Kurth
For well over a century
Hunton Andrews Kurth
has advised clients on a global scale in financial and corporate law. It has U.S. offices in Atlanta, Austin, Houston, Dallas, Boston, Charlotte,
New York. Los Angeles, Miami, Richmond
Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Additionally, there are offices
abroad in Asia,
Europe and the Middle East. The firm is strong in
numerous practices, but its capital markets
teams standout for
expertise
in real estate, energy, consumer products and retail.
Its clients include issuers and underwriters in
investment grade debt, high yield debt and equity.
Kasowitz LLP
Founded in 1993,
Kasowitz Benson Torres has since grown to 10 offices in eight states. The firm is headquartered in New York City, where it also has the largest office. Additionally, it has lawyers in Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, San Francisco, the Silicon Valley and Washington D.C.
The firm is known for its work in restructuring and insolvency and real estate. In real estate, the firm represents real estate developers, investors, lenders, REITs and property owners in matters including construction financing, joint ventures, acquisitions, mortgage loans, refinancing and development. Its clients work
on residential, commercial and industrial developments, especially in New York.
In restructuring and insolvency, the team represents debtors, creditors and trustees in financial restructurings, Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings among numerous industries.
Key clients for the firm include GFI Capital, Midtown Equities, Arbor Realty Trust, iStar, Fred’s, the Renco Group, Fairfax Financial Holdings and TPG Capital.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“Aggressive, quick study/understanding of our industry, superb command of case law and litigation process. Nice, smart people.”
“Kasowitz attorneys are extremely attentive and responsive. They are business minded advisors who advocated aggressively for the things we are focused, while maintaining a perfect balance of the legal issues.”
King & Spalding
Since its founding 135 years ago in 1885,
King & Spalding has grown to 22 offices across three continents. In the United States, the firm has 11 offices, with its first office Atlanta serving as the firm’s headquarters. King & Spalding is a market leader in corporate law in Georgia, but also has a strong presence in North Carolina. Firm wide, it has an especially strong oil and gas project development practice.
The investment funds team is concentrated globally but within the US, has offices in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto,
San Francisco and Washington D.C. The private equity team advises REITs, private
equity and financial services firms in fund formations.
Kirkland & Ellis
Founded in 1909 in Chicago,
Kirkland & Ellis is a leading US and international firm with an intentional presence spanning 15 offices across three continents. The firm has its largest concentration of offices in its native
jurisdiction with branches in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Washington DC. In the area of transactional
work, the firm is renowned – both domestically and abroad – for its
expertise in advising financial sponsors on leveraged finance borrowing, high yield debt issues and acquisitions and exits. Financial restructuring expertise in general is another specialism.
Kleinberg Kaplan Wolff & Cohen
Founded in 1971,
Kleinberg Kaplan
has 50 years of experience in financial and corporate law. Despite only having one office in New York, it has gained national recognition and frequently works on matters throughout the United States.
The firm is best known for its hedge funds practice, but it also has a notable M&A practice. The investment funds practice acts for fund managers in fund formations for hedge funds, private equity funds, feeder funds and offshore funds. It also works with fund managers on acquisitions, investments,
restructurings and other corporate matters.
McDermott Will & Schulte
McDermott Will & Schulte is a notable global law firm. Though the firm is headquartered in Chicago, it is truly an international firm, with locations in 14 offices in the United States and nine offices across Europe and Asia.
Highlights
During the research period, the firm worked on several novel transactions including the M&A team’s representation of
Monumental Sports & Entertainment in the investment from
Qatar Investment Authority, marking an industry first for the foreign sovereign wealth fund.
Partners in restructuring and insolvency represented the official committee of unsecured creditors in the landmark
Voyager Digital chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding. This unique bankruptcy case was the largest in the industry’s history, a first-of-its-kind ruling and intensely challenging to navigate due to the uninsured status of the crypto assets.
The firm’s projects team also worked on distinctly impactful joint ventures in the energy sector.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include The Coca-Cola Company, Scout Clean Energy, Heritage-Crystal Clean, Nordic Aviation Capital, Wellspring Capital Management, Invenergy Renewables, American Electric Power Company, Novis Renewables, Apex Clean Energy and Pine Gate Renewables.
Milbank
Founded in 1866,
Milbank has grown to 12 offices worldwide. In the United States, the firm has offices in New York,
Los Angeles and Washington D.C. It is a market leader in infrastructure project development, project finance and restructuring and insolvency. While the firm has outstanding national restructuring and insolvency
practice, it is a market leader in
restructuring practice in California. The firm
frequently advises clients on novel transactions in
its banking practice as well, specifically asset financing with a specialty in the aviation industry.
Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell
Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnell, founded in 1930, is considered one of the top firms for restructuring and insolvency work in the Delaware market. The firm is also a top firm for M&A in Delaware. Based in Wilmington, the firm is a member of TerraLex, a legal network which has over 600 offices in 100 countries.
The firm has a robust M&A practice,
where often advises on alternative entities matters and serves as Delaware co-counsel on giant international deals. The firm works in a range of sectors and advises both acquirers and sellers.
The firm remains a go-to firm for clients partaking in or approaching Chapter 11 bankruptcies. The firm advises a range of parties including debtors, creditors, acquirers and committees.
Murphy & King
Murphy & King is a regional market-leading firm in restructuring and insolvency in Massachusetts. It was founded in 1980 and has since added an office in New York.
The firm has a
top-tier restructuring and insolvency team. It represents debtors, trustees, creditors and property owners in Chapter 11 and 7 proceedings, distressed M&A and out of court restructurings.
Key clients for the firm include Cashman Equipment, KCST USA, IDL Development and Bright Star Ventures.
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones
Founded in 1983,
Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones is a boutique restructuring and insolvency firm with a large presence throughout the United States. It has five offices across the country, in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Wilmington and Houston.
Being a firm completely dedicated to restructuring and insolvency, the firm
represents clients on matters related to that practice area. The team
represents clients on all sides including creditors and debtors in out of court restructurings.
Paul Hastings
Founded in 1951,
Paul Hastings is a global corporate finance firm.
In the Americas, the firm has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C. and São Paulo, Brazil. It also has two offices in Texas and six in California. The firm is strong in finance, M&A, private equity,
real estate and restructuring and insolvency. The restructuring and insolvency practice is exceptional in creditor-side cases and as UCC counsel. It
has
expertise in the projects space, leading on the development and finance side of novel projects in the energy sector.
Both the projects and restructuring practices excel in the energy sector.
Porter Hedges
Porter Hedges
is a Texas based firm
founded in 1981. In addition to its main office in
Houson, the firm has an additional office in Oklahoma City.
The firm is highly capable in the banking, capital markets, M&A and restructuring and insolvency practice areas.
The banking and capital markets team work together by advising financial institutions as investors, as well as various clients in debt financing transactions.
The M&A team is
like the
prior mentioned departments in that it primarily advises investors such as financial institutions.
The restructuring and insolvency department is versatile as it advises debtors and creditors, but more on the creditor side.
Some of the firm’s key clients include Azure Midstream Energy, Camp Construction Services, Carriage Services, Chemstations, ENGlobal, Main Street Capital, Ocean Power Technologies,
PureWest Energy,
Sage Road Capital and Sapphire Technologies.
Reed Smith
Since its founding in 1877 in Pittsburgh,
Reed Smith has grown a market leading firm in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It has also expanded to 30 offices across three continents. In the United States, the firm has 18 offices in 10 states. Pittsburgh
remains the firm’s headquarters and is one of its largest offices. Reed Smith is best known in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for its powerhouse financial and corporate teams. The firm excels in the mid-market area.
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson
Robinson Bradshaw is a full-service firm with four offices across the Carolinas. In North Carolina, it has offices in Charlotte, Raleigh and Chapel Hill. The firm also has an office in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It was founded in 1960.
Focusses / specialisms
In addition to having a strong M&A practice, the firm is also known for its banking work.
In banking, the firm represents lenders in refinancing, term loans and credit facility agreements. It is active in multiple industries including healthcare, telecommunications, industrials, manufacturing, consumer goods & services, insurance, banking and financial services and technology.
The M&A team represents strategic buyers and sellers in acquisition and merger related transactions.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Raycom Media, Comfort Systems, Springs Global, American Stainless Tubing and Wells Fargo.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Simpson Thacher was founded in 1884 in New York, where it still maintains headquarters. The New York office is also the firm’s largest, but it has since expanded to 10 offices across three continents. In the United States, it has offices in New York, Houston, Los Angeles, Palo Alto and Washington D.C. It is best known for its top tier work in banking, debt and equity capital markets, M&A and private equity. The firm’s New York office is a market leader in financial and corporate practices and the California offices are market leaders in capital markets.
Smith Anderson Blount Dorsett Mitchell & Jernigan
Smith Anderson
is a business and litigation firm founded in 1912 with one office in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The firm is active in M&A and banking.
In banking, the firm represents borrowers in financing matters such as non-dilutive financing.
The financial and corporate team is also experienced in equity capital
markets related transactions.
The M&A team represents private equity and strategic buyers and sellers in divestitures, mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures. It has expertise in the healthcare, gaming, technology, life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.
Key clients for the firm include Precision
BioSciences, Cree, First Citizens Bank & Trust, Novan, Epic Games, Quotient Sciences and Descours & Cabaud.
Stearns Weaver Miller
Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson is a full-service law firm with over 100 lawyers across Florida. It has offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Tallahassee and Coral Gables.
The firm is best known for its work in banking and M&A, but also has a notable restructuring and insolvency practice.
In M&A, the practice acts on the buy and sell side in strategic and private equity acquisitions, joint ventures and mergers. The team is particularly active in the technology and real estate industries, though it has experience with a multitude of industries. It also works with private equity firms in fund formations and investments.
The restructuring and insolvency practice advises debtors, trustees and receivers in out of court restructurings and Chapter 7 and 11 proceedings.
Key clients for the firm include MPD Holdings, 3Cinteractive, FirstService, The Parker Company, Scout Capital Partners, BGGMC, QFK Capital, Alfred Angelo, DJ Roofing and Telepak Networks.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
Bank lending: Borrower side
"Issues were complex and the entire negotiation was done during the pandemic lockdown, plus I myself was stranded 8,000 miles away in another country. SWM worked through all the challenges as if they were not there. It is always a pleasure working with them."
"Business-oriented decision-making is prioritised over outright litigation-strategy decision-making where applicable. Extraordinary attention to detail, without extraordinary billing practices. Full service."
"Great responsiveness, slightly below market rates."
"Responsiveness, transactional acumen and collaboration."
"Proactive and very timely turnaround."
Stites & Harbison
Stites & Harbison is a full-service firm with 11 offices across the Southeast United States. It has offices in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia. The firm is a member of the Lex Mundi international legal network, as well as Business Counsel and The Harmonie Group.
The firm has experience in commercial lending, representing regional and major commercial banks. In addition, it advises borrowers and developers. The team is able to structure complex transactions, syndicated credit facilities and project financing.
The firm has a creditors rights & bankruptcy service group that advises its clients in chapter 7, 9, and 11 cases. The team also advises lenders and trade creditors in claim recovery.
Taft Stettinius & Hollister
Taft Stettinius & Hollister has over 100 years of experience, dating all the way back to 1885. The firm is headquartered in Cincinnati, but has 10 other offices in Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Delaware (Ohio), Denver, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Northern Kentucky and Phoenix.
The firm’s Indianapolis office is a market leader in Indiana
in the financial and corporate practice.
In banking the team advises lenders and borrowers in real estate financing, acquisition financing, refinancing and general working capital financing.
In
the corporate and M&A practice, the firm acts on the buy and sell side in strategic and private equity acquisitions, joint ventures and mergers. Many of the acquisitions are related to wider real estate transactions.
The firm also occasionally advises issuers in bond offerings as part of corporate financing as well as private equity funds in portfolio investments.
Key clients for the firm include Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, American Municipal Power, Chiquita, Steel Warehouse Company, ForeverCar Holdings, CENX, Cummins,
Hopebridge, Zotec, AMG Holdings, Edgewater Capital Partners, Jumpstart, Minnesota Vikings,
Stemonix and
Northmarq Capital.
The Delaware Counsel Group
The Delaware Counsel Group, founded in 2004, is located in Wilmington but has an international presence through its participation in the International Network of Boutique Law Firms. It also has the distinction of being a part of The National Association of Minority and Women Owned Law Firms and is the only certified woman-owned business law firm in Delaware.
The firm represents clients in general transactional and regulatory corporate matters including debt capital markets, investment funds, banking and finance and M&A. It is often on the issuer side of transactions for capital markets and financing transactions.
In M&A it often represents strategic acquirers. The firm also has a lot of cross border experience – many of its transactions involve other jurisdictions including Europe, Africa, Australia and South America.
The firm exclusively advises Delaware based clients including Aegon, HSBC securities,
Pricoa, Gap, AFP Capital, Plaintree Systems, ECP Investments and Morgan Stanley.
Torys
Torys
is a distinguished
Canadian
law firm that is well integrated throughout the North American continent. In the United States, the firm has an office in New York.
The firm focuses on private equity and project development, but its specialty is servicing clients in transactions involving the United States and Canada.
The private equity team works with investors internationally and has a great record in the real estate industry.
In project development, the team is impressively skilled in transactions that require expertise on Canadian law as well as law within the United States.
Some of the firm’s key clients include Fengate Capital Management, John Laing, Acciona, Saskatchewan Municipal Employees, Hydro-Quebec Pension Fund and Scotiabank Pension Fund.
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders is an experienced firm that’s active in all 50 states and in US territories. The firm focuses its efforts on M&A work and project development, especially in the energy sector. The M&A team deals with clients in telecommunications, technology, life sciences, media and entertainment, mining, healthcare,
hospitality and construction. In line with the firm’s banking practice, it published the Troutman Pepper Financial Services blog to make information related to pertinent law,
regulation and business more accessible to its
numerous clients.
Tucker Ellis
Founded in 2003,
Tucker Ellis is a growing full-service firm based in the Midwest. Cleveland, Ohio serves as the firm’s largest office and headquarters, but it also maintains offices in Chicago, Columbus, Los Angeles, San Francisco and St. Louis.
The firm is best known for its work in the corporate and M&A practice, but also does notable work in banking, capital markets and real estate.
In banking the firm acts for lenders and borrowers in real estate financing and mortgage financing. The M&A practice represents clients in strategic acquisitions and sales.
The real estate practice advises property financiers, lessees and developers in restructurings, acquisitions, zoning, financing and development related real estate matters.
Key clients for the firm include KeyBank, Fifth Third
Bank, Flagstar Bank, Tristate Capital Bank, LKD Aerospace and Boenning & Scattergood.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“Smart, Creative and Diligent.”
Weil Gotshal & Manges
Since its founding in 1931,
Weil Gotshal & Manges has grown to become one of the country’s leading firms in M&A, private equity and restructuring and insolvency. It has also physically grown to 15 offices across three continents. There are eight offices in the United States: Boston, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York, Princeton, Silicon Valley and Washington D.C. The New York office serves as the firm’s headquarters and is also its largest.
Weil is a market leader in M&A, private equity and restructuring and insolvency, but it is also well known for its work in the banking, structured finance and securitization and private equity funds practices. Overall, it is a strong firm across all financial and corporate practices.
Wiggin & Dana
Full-service firm Wiggin & Dana is best known in Connecticut, where it has six offices throughout the state. It also has offices outside of Connecticut in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Palm Beach and New York. Though it does not have any international offices, it has a global presence thanks to its involvement in the TerraLex network.
The firm is a market leader in Connecticut for M&A, but also has a standout real estate practice. In M&A, the firm acts on the buy and sell side for strategic and private equity acquisitions. It also advises companies in equity fundraising.
Key clients for the firm include The Marlin Company, Anticimex International, Southfield Capital Partners, PetVets Care Centers, RallyBio, Olink Proteomics Holdings, Bernoulli Enterprise, Genpact International, CAS Medical System, Device42, Amastan, DexKo Global and US Retirement Partners.
Client feedback: 31st edition (2020/2021)
"1. Excellent knowledge of corporate laws. 2. Responsive. 3. Cost effective. 4. Works well with in-house counsel."
"Terrific customer focus. Responsive."
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
Founded in 1888 in New York,
Willkie Farr & Gallagher is best known for its work in private equity and investment funds, especially
regarding M&A. The firm has also since expanded to 12 offices across the United States and Europe, with six of those offices being in the United States. The New York office remains the hub for the firm’s operations and is its largest office.
In addition to its strengths in private equity, registered funds and hedge funds, the firm also does notable work in banking, project development and restructuring and insolvency.
WilmerHale
With a legacy that
began over one hundred years ago,
WilmerHale is the merger of Wilmer Cutler Pickering and Hale and Dorr.
The firm has an international presence with 13 offices spread through the U.S.,
Europe and Asia. It has decades of experience servicing clients in the technology industry, specifically in the capital markets space.
Beyond debt and equity financing, the firm has a strong banking compliance practice.
In terms of diversity, the firm distinguishes itself as one of few
AmLaw 50 firms that have had managing partners
that were women or of color. Its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is noteworthy.
Winston & Strawn
Winston & Strawn
has over 160 years of experience in the market. It has 15 offices across North America,
Europe and Asia. In the United States, the firm has 9 offices in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Silicon Valley and Washington
D.C.
Though the firm is best known for its work in project development within the energy industry, it is also active in banking, capital markets and M&A, where it has a strong Latin America practice.
