The first-class M&A practice of Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz continues to occupy a place in the top tier of the rankings this year. The firm has particular expertise in defending companies that are under attack by shareholder activists....
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The first-class M&A practice of Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz continues to occupy a place in the top tier of the rankings this year. The firm has particular expertise in defending companies that are under attack by shareholder activists. "They have got a lot of good people at Wachtell," says one competitor.
In particular, peers express respect for founding partner Marty Lipton, whom one describes as "the godfather of M&A". "When you think of Wachtell and high-profile deals, you think of Lipton," says one competitor. Steven Rosenblum, the co-chair of the firm's corporate group, is described by one rival as "Someone I like a lot. He's very easy to do business with - very straightforward and focuses on the important issues." Partner David Katz is also "very well thought-of" in the industry, according to competitors.
Recent highlights of the firm's work include advising Wyeth's board of directors in the $68 billion acquisition of the company by pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. Wyeth was previously owned by American Home Products Corporation. The firm also represented Morgan Stanley in its $9 billion sale of equity securities to Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group.
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Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz has one of the nation's most well-respected bankruptcy practices. The firm is involved in some of the most significant sponsor and strategic acquisitions and investments and has a reputation as a leader in takeover defence and shareholder activism....
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Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz has one of the nation's most well-respected bankruptcy practices. The firm is involved in some of the most significant sponsor and strategic acquisitions and investments and has a reputation as a leader in takeover defence and shareholder activism. Peers describe it as "one of the best-quality firms" with "really smart people who can litigate well and do M&A."
Despite having a relatively small team, the firm is known for punching above its weight. Over the past eight years, it has advised on seven of the ten largest transactions in the US and five of the ten largest transactions internationally.
Wachtell recently advised the US Treasury in its $200 billion rescue investments in Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. It also represented JPMorgan Chase in the Chapter 11 cases and SIPA proceedings of Lehman Brothers.
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