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.
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.
Highlights
The firm’s M&A and private equity practices advised international acquirers on sizeable acquisitions, but one of the most notable deals featured recently promoted partner Maurio Fiore representing Amentum Services in a Reverse Morris Trust merger that will create a publicly traded company with a presence in 83 countries.
In restructuring and insolvency, practice heads Paul H. Zumbro and George E. Zobtiz advised Silvergate in its voluntary self-liquidation which involved unique digital assets and novel crypto-industry components during a turbulent period for the industry.
The firm’s banking and finance practice had substantial developments, welcoming Partners Korey Fevzi and Philip Stopford from A&O Shearman.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Biogen, EchoStar Special Committee, Viatris, The Walt Disney Company, Westrock. Blackstone and Occidental Petroleum.
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.
Highlights
Davis Polk had a remarkable year in 2023, culminating in
ten awards at the 2024 IFLR Americas Awards. Among these accolades was the Loan Deal of the Year, where the firm’s finance team represented Blue Owl Capital Corp as the administrative agent in the Finastra Group private credit refinancing. Additionally,
Blue Owl Credit Advisors, Oak Hill Advisors,
Elliot Investment Management, and Oaktree Capital Management were advised as the lead arrangers.
In project finance, the firm advised
EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure on its first green financing. These complex transactions show the firm’s expertise on both sides of a financing deal.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Brookfield Capital Partners, KKR, JP Morgan Chase, Edgecore Digital Infrasructure, Budderfly and Invenergy Thermal Operating Holdings.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
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.
Highlights
In June of 2023, the firm’s project development energy practice closed the financing for
Energix – Renewable Energies in connection with the clients six utility scale solar projects in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The financing included a substantial commitment from
Morgan Stanley, and a match from Santander CIB via a construction loan and term loan facility. Partner Jai Khanna’s distinct expertise as tax equity counsel was integral to the execution of this first-of-its-kind transaction for Energix.
The firm’s renewable energy tax credit team also used the investment tax credit structure in its representation
Churchill Stateside Group. This transaction was novel because it was the first time the ITC structure has been used for a utility-scale battery energy storage system.
Key clients
Key clients include American Financial Services Association, National Automobile Dealers Association, Consumer Credit Industry Association, US Chamber of Commerce, Guaranteed Asset Protection Association, Energix - Renewable Energies, Churchill Stateside Group, Jupiter Power and Dynamic Holding.
“Deep industry knowledge, extremely responsive, technically solid.”
Financial
services
regulatory
“The lawyers are experts and responsive.”
“Extremely knowledgeable, excellent writers, solid legal advice.”
“Responsive and very experienced.”
“High business acumen. Good understanding of our business. Timely and clear communication. Appropriate strategy and positioning in working with opposing counsel.”
“Very deep knowledge base and very quick response times.”
“Deep bench, able to staff as needed, depth of experience, responsiveness, competence of associates and paralegals and support personnel.”
“Husch Blackwell has a cost-effective and efficient process that scales up very efficiently to provide quick and detail-orientated services.”
“Good relationships with municipal leaders, understanding of code and methodology to guide towards a successful solution.”
“Thoughtful, experienced and responsive.”
“Andrea is very responsive and well connected in the market. She rarely makes mistakes and is a great communicator when explaining complex concepts.”
“Dan is a fantastic lawyer. He is extremely bright, responsive and technically capable. We could not ask for better counsel.”
“Good communicator, excellent jurisdictional knowledge.”
“Very talented, thorough and diligent attorney.”
“She's knowledgeable, stays on top of issues, gives excellent advice, follows up, writes well, and is appreciated by the members of the trade association.”
“Anna has terrific substantive knowledge, is a great practical problem solver, and is personable and generally a pleasure to work with. She manages diverse sets of work efficiently with an eye toward a high level of client service.”
“Great knowledge, judgement, experience and responsiveness.”
“John’s depth of knowledge and experience is second to none in my 20+ years of serving as CEO of two market share leading companies in two separate sectors of the US economy.”
“Highly skilled in his area of expertise.
Very knowledgeable about our business, our
jurisdictions and our strategy. Great communicator. Implements our strategy well.”
“Great work ethic. Good communicator. Listens to feedback and implements it effectively.”
“Great experience, judgement and responsiveness.”
“Tom is smart, responsive, innovative and practical.”
“Industry knowledge, responsiveness,
demeanour, subject-matter expertise.”
“Melissa is a phenomenal lawyer and person.”
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.
Highlights
The global firm participated in novel transactions across all its financial practice areas. The firm’s expert bank lending practice advised on a first of its kind acquisition financing in the technology sector. This deal involved a syndicated inventory management facility and required leveraging the talent from the firms global lending and trade finance departments.
The firm’s project finance group represented
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec in the acquisition financing via an innovative tax credit transfer.
The firm’s projects team also worked on great deals in the infrastructure sector, including advising
Plenary on the first-of-its-kind airport transportation system. Mayer Brown advised on the predevelopment agreement and the definitive project implementation agreement, showcasing its ability to provide bespoke legal advice in pioneering technological endeavors.
In capital markets, the firm advise on high profile transactions representing clients such as J.P Morgan, P3 and
Boeing Company. The firm advised on P3's initial SPAC and
subsequent mergers and represented J.P Morgan Securities as sole placement agent in connection with P3's $90 million private placement of 79.9 million units of Common Stock.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Greenhill, BNP Paribas, Mizuho, MUFG, Gateway Development Commission, KKR, Wilmington Trust and the Texas Department of Transportation.
Testimonials
Anna Pinedo
“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
“Ryan Castillo listens to problems, does deep research to get answers, communicates well and is very patient.” (Debt Capital Markets client)
McDermott Will & Emery
McDermott Will & Emery 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.
Morgan Lewis & Bockius
Since its founding in 1873,
Morgan Lewis has massively 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
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.
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.
Highlights
The capital markets team advised on complex debt, equity and derivatives transactions. On the debt side, it advised the
Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) in a significant fixed-price cash tender offer. Despite harsh market conditions, the firm’s equity partners worked alongside the M&A team to advise
Arm Holdings on its IPO in the semiconductor industry. This deal closed in September of 2023 and was the largest IPO in the US to date. In the derivatives space, the firm advised several banks on navigating the Dood-Frank regulatory reform, and the transition from LIBOR to SOFR.
Key clients
Key clients for the firm include Adara, Arrowgrass Master Fund Limited, AXA Investment Managers, ING, Tiberius Asset Management, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Armada Hoffler Properties, B. Riley Securities, Boyd Gaming Corporation, Deutsche Bank Securities, Wells Fargo Securities, ON Semiconductor Corporation and Fannie Mae.
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.
On the national level, the firm’s financial services regulatory practice was paramount, but its work in the M&A department was especially notable in states like Georgia,
Florida and Maryland.
In one transaction, the firm’s Maryland office advised
Advanced Fire Protection Systems in its sale to Riverside Company.
Due to relevant
unassignable professional licenses, this acquisition required a complex equity sale
with unique protections.
The firm’s M&A team in Florida
advised
Cosmopolitan Travel Service
in its sale to
Mondee
in
2020 and provided further service to
CTS
in 2023 in relation to the client’s buyout of a put option in
Mondee
stock.
This transaction is an example of the firm’s
extensive
federal securities
expertise.
Key clients include
Jobe Industrial, Bay Associates, Cosmopolitan Travel Service, Maryland Capital Management, Coppermine Field House,
ASH Investment Partners, Fire Protection Service Corporation and Transit Energy Group.
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.
Sills Cummis & Gross
Full service corporate firm
Sills Cummis & Gross is a market leader in New Jersey in M&A and restructuring and insolvency. The firm has offices in Newark and New York.
The firm’s Newark, New Jersey office is strong in M&A and restructuring and insolvency.
In M&A, the firm works on the buy and sell side in strategic acquisitions.
It also has experience in financing matters such as bond issuances and loan agreements and in the real estate industry.
In restructuring and insolvency, the firm represents creditors, debtors and trustees in Chapter 11 proceedings and out of court restructurings.
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)
“Highly client-centric, practical, strategic, highly skillful, very
high-quality work product, very timely, highly responsive to client needs, timelines and efficient.”
“Sills Cummis & Gross were an integral part of our team during the sale process. They were available to our team 24/7. The project would not have been successful had we not had them with us & protecting us every step of the way.”
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 D.C.
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.
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.
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.
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 - United States
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Benson Torres
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.
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 Weissler Aldadeff & Sitterson
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.
