Cleary Gottlieb started in 1946 with offices in New York and Washington DC. Since then, it has expanded its global reach to include 13 international offices on three other continents. New York and DC remain the firm’s only American offices. The firm is best known for its work in debt and equity capital markets, derivatives and regulatory financial services. It is also highly praised for its commitment to pro bono work and diversity and inclusion. It has an
award winning pro bono practice and mentoring program.
In addition to its standout practices, Cleary Gottlieb does strong work in banking, M&A and private equity. Given its international presence, the firm is able to conduct law in Hong Kong, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the UK and France.
The banking team works on transactional and regulatory matters. On the transactional side, the team acts for borrowers and lenders in acquisition, project and corporate financing. The project finance team is active in the ports, power, infrastructure, oil and gas and telecommunication industries. The regulatory financial services practice advises banks, financial institutions, fintech companies, trade associations, broker dealers and swap dealers on legislative compliance and securities and M&A transaction compliance. Notably, it has increasingly advised fintech companies on blockchain and virtual currency regulations.
In debt capital markets, the team advises both issuers and underwriters in investment grade corporate bonds, sustainability bonds, green bonds, mortgage bonds, Eurobonds, sovereign bonds and high yield bond offerings. On the equity capital markets side, the team represents issuers, selling shareholders and underwriters in IPOs, share buybacks, recapitalizations, follow on offerings, public share offerings, private stock placements and secondary offerings. In derivatives, the team advises issuers and underwriters in forwards, swaps and options. The structured finance team represents issuers, initial purchasers and underwriters in ABL, securitizations, mortgaged backed securities and CLOs. In investment funds, the team represents investment firms in fund formations and investments.
The M&A team represents strategic buyers and sellers in high value acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures across an array of industries. The firm also works on private equity M&A transactions through the private equity practice, which also represents firms in recapitalizations and investments.
The restructuring and insolvency team acts for creditors and debtors in out of court financial restructurings, international bankruptcy cases, and Chapter 11 and 15 proceedings.
Some of the firm’s key clients include
LATAM Airlines Group, Deutsche Bank, Apollo Capital Management, ESL Investments, Goldman Sachs & Co, The Puerto Rico Public Private Partnerships Authority,
Grupo Posadas and Punjab National Bank.
