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.
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.
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 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 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)
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.”
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 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, 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.
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 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.
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 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.
