Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP’s prominent market reputation is evidenced by its frequent involvement in complex and cross-border M&A, often representing leading financial institutions and investment banks. Clients praise the New York-based group’s ‘outstanding business acumen’, where co-heads William Mills and Richard Brand are jointly skilled in public and private M&A, divestitures, takeover defense, joint ventures, and spin-offs. Stephen Fraidin represents bidders and targets in high-profile M&A, Gregory Patti counsels clients on negotiated acquisitions and advises special purpose acquisition companies on various transactions, and Nick Ramphal adeptly handles leveraged buyouts and M&A in the tech and insurance sectors. Daniel Raglan showcases transactional expertise in the data and analytics fields.

Clients come to Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP for its ‘solution oriented and proactive approach’, where the M&A department advises an array of institutional clients within the media, tech, and financial services sectors. The group’s workload covers cross-border M&A, complex business combinations, minority investments, joint ventures, and advising foreign clients on acquisitions of US businesses. Chuck Samuelson, who advises on public and private M&A and going-private transactions, leads the practice alongside Kenneth Lefkowitz, who is experienced in dispositions, proxy fights, private equity, and hostile takeovers. Michael Traube concentrates on SPACs and strategic investments, while the ‘outstanding and knowledgeable’ Gerold Niggemann covers cross-border M&A, primarily representing strategic and financial investors. Scott Naturman is a key contact for private equity firms, whereas Devon Pope works on stock and asset purchases. All named individuals are based in New York.

Cementing its status as a market-leader, King & Spalding LLP provides ‘highly tailored advice’ to public and private companies and private equity firms, primarily pertaining to joint ventures, tender offers and proxy contests, and acquisitions and divestitures of public and private companies. The M&A department’s leadership trio comprises New York-based Jonathan Melmed, who handles global M&A, SPACs, and strategic corporate deals, and Atlanta-based duo Rahul Patel and Keith Townsend, who are proficient in business combinations and public and private M&A, respectively. New York lawyer Enrico Granata handles negotiated and contested M&A and restructurings, while Silicon Valley-based Joseph Halloum concentrates on leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, and corporate governance. In Houston, the ‘highly attuned’ Jonathan Newton offers guidance on securities offerings and strategic initiatives, while Atlanta-based Robert Leclerc assists private companies on complex M&A and fiduciary duty considerations.

The M&A practice at McDermott Will & Emery LLP stands out for its involvement in complex and high-profile transactions, often involving a cross-border element in Asia and Europe. Advising a range of multinationals and media and entertainment houses, the group has niche expertise in the healthcare and tech sectors and often draws support from its banking and finance and tax disciplines. The team is co-led by Atlanta-based Sam Snider, who concentrates on food and beverage M&A, corporate joint ventures, and minority investments, and New York’s Todd Finger, who handles stock and asset purchases and sales, venture capital investments, and recapitalizations. Also in New York is Thomas Conaghan, who focuses on private equity investments and securities work, and Alexei Cowett, a key contact for emerging growth companies in domestic and foreign M&A. From Dallas, Joanna Jung-Erh Lin concentrates on venture financings and transition service agreements within the digital health industry, while Thaddeus Chase advises clients on both buy- and sell-side M&A. In Atlanta, Anne Cox-Johnson assists public and private companies on divestitures, carveouts, and strategic investments.

According to satisfied clients, Norton Rose Fulbright’s ‘responsive and proactive’ M&A department routinely advises multinationals and private equity firms on public and private M&A, SPACs, and dispositions. Particularly strong in the energy and chemicals industries, the group is co-led by Dallas-based Scarlet McNellie, and New York lawyer Kessar Nashat, who represents corporations in joint ventures, spin-offs, and divestitures. In Houston, Brian P Fenske covers corporate and securities matters, in addition to strategic partnerships, while St Louis-based Kevin Fischer focuses on insurance sector clients in transactional and regulatory matters. Chicago-based Kevin Friedmann represents emerging tech companies in M&A deals, while George Khoukaz handles cross-border M&A and securities compliance from the firm’s Dallas office.

Fielding a destination M&A practice, the ‘market-leading team’ at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP works across the life sciences, health-tech, and energy sectors to advise on innovative AI sector acquisitions and transformative cross-border deals. David Ruff leads the practice from New York and advises private equity funds and their portfolio companies on public and private M&A, minority investments, and joint ventures. In Silicon Valley, Matthew Gemello handles global M&A, business carveouts, and private company buyouts, while ‘stellar’ Mark Seneca covers buy- and sell-side tech sector deals. Also in New York are the ‘flawless’ David Schwartz, who offers strategic M&A advice on various transactions, and Spencer Cohen, who guides boards of directors and investors on financing transactions. In Washington DC, Tony Chan concentrates on venture capital transactions and corporate governance. Working in the San Francisco office, Leah Recht handles the structuring and negotiating of M&A and minority and growth investments, whereas Ramy Shweiky handles related fiduciary duty concerns.

The ‘smart and hardworking’ M&A team at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP serves an extensive range of financial institutions, energy corporations, and investment firms, where the group’s scope of work includes business combinations and SPAC transactions. Silicon Valley-based Allison Leopold Tilley leads the department and advises tech companies on high-value M&A and strategic transactions. Fellow co-heads Stephen Amdur and Jarrod Murphy represents public and private companies in corporate restructurings, minority investments, and joint ventures. Jonathan Russo focuses on divestitures and corporate governance in the life sciences and healthcare industries, while Northern Virginia-based Steven Kaplan handles stock and asset sales and shareholder issues. In Washington DC, Nicole Islinger has ample experience in the government contracting industry, whereas Los Angeles-based Drew Simon-Rooke concentrates on buy- and sell-side M&A. All named lawyers are based in New York, unless otherwise stated.

With evidence of global M&A work across Asia, Latin America, and Europe, Winston & Strawn LLP routinely advises on complex commercial arrangements, public and private M&A and SPAC business combinations. The department leverages the firm’s tax, antitrust and IP expertise, and regularly acts for target companies, funds, and strategic companies. The company is co-led by Matt Stevens, a Chicago-based lawyer who represents public companies and private equity clients in various strategic M&A. Co-heads Matthew Stockstill, Brian Schafer, and Brad Vaiana are situated in Dallas, Chicago, and New York, respectively. The experienced Chicago attorney Matthew Bergmann focuses on complex private equity and capital markets, while industry veteran Oscar David covers cross-border M&A and joint ventures. In Los Angeles, Eva Davis is a key contact for private companies and boards of directors, while Chicago’s Peter Clarke handles complex business transactions. In Miami, Rick Martin ‘demonstrates great knowledge’ in securities and financing transactions, primarily in the tech and infrastructure sectors.

BakerHostetler’s middle-market M&A expertise extends to various sectors, such as TMT, automotive, and e-commerce. With growing activity in cross-border deals, the group is adept at representing private equity firms and corporations in joint ventures, de-SPAC transactions, and foreign inbound transactions into the US. The practice is jointly led by New York-based Steven Goldberg, who is proficient in strategic investments and transactional and securities matters, and Los Angeles lawyer Will Chuchawat, who handles venture capital and private equity funds. In Cleveland, John Allotta’s scope of work covers commercial financing transactions and advising private equity clients on major portfolio acquisitions in the aerospace and healthcare industries. Also in New York is Matthew Gases, who is well-versed in advising international corporations on high-value acquisitions.

With a strong focus on M&A in the energy sector, Bracewell LLP routinely represents special committees, buyers, and sellers, in various transactions, ranging from leveraged buyouts, tender offers, stock sales and exchanges, and the acquisition and disposition of partnership and joint venture interests. Will Anderson anchors the Houston-based department and frequently guides boards of directors through M&A mandates and on various related fiduciary duties. Jason Jean has particular knowledge in business combinations, Benjamin Martin is entrusted by public companies and private investment firms to advise on corporate governance, and Lytch Gutmann focuses on private equity.

Reputed for its ‘deep industry knowledge’, K&L Gates operates across the life sciences, healthcare, and energy industries, and displays both corporate and transactional strengths, advising clients on M&A and private equity transactions. Rick Giovannelli leads the department and is ably supported by the ‘terrific’ New York-based Robert Zinn, who has ample experience in strategic and venture capital investments, corporate governance, and financial restructuring. Kevin Stichter’s scope of work includes cross-border M&A and related tax and regulatory concerns, while Leah Baucom covers spin-offs, joint ventures, and public and private divestitures. New York-based Calvina Bostick advises on public and private M&A in the fashion and medical healthcare sectors, whereas Seattle lawyer Jessica Pearlman represents emerging and established companies within the AI and data security fields on corporate and securities matters. The ‘responsive, reliable, and personable’ David Edgar operates out of Pittsburgh, and advises boards of directors and special committees on leveraged buyouts and activist planning and defense. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named lawyers are based in Charlotte.

Clients come to Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP for assistance in domestic and cross-border M&A and private equity matters. Counting private equity funds and their portfolio companies amongst its roster of clients, the group’s workload includes investments, dispositions, distressed asset acquisitions, and restructurings. Active in the automotive, tech, and insurance industries, the New York-based department is jointly led by Eleazer Klein, and Benjamin Kozinn, who covers investment management, minority stakes and venture investments, and take-private transactions. Adriana Schwartz focuses on securities law, often advising activist shareholders, while Damian Petrovic handles divestitures and carveouts, and Lauren Troeller is recommended for her know-how in private equity deals. David Curtiss is proficient in PIPE investments and SPAC transactions.

Recognized as ‘experts’ in the M&A space, WilmerHale works across the financial services, life sciences, and tech sectors, and frequently serves a client base comprising start-ups and investment banks. Offering an interdisciplinary service by liaising with the firm’s IP, tax, and employment teams, the group is co-led by Boston-based duo Hal Leibowitz and Joseph Conahan, who are well-versed in corporate and securities law, and divestitures and acquisitions, respectively. In New York, Andy Alin concentrates on representing financial institutions in SPAC transactions, Mike Gilligan advises private equity funds in cross-border buy- and sell-side M&A, while the ‘terrific’ Chris Barnstable-Brown has ample tech sector M&A expertise, and Tal Hacohen focuses on joint ventures and corporate restructurings. From Washington DC, the ‘highly experienced’ Stephanie Evans covers business expansions and strategic investments, while Boston-based Andrew Bonnes handles public company counseling. In Denver, Keith Trammell is proficient in guiding clients through hostile acquisition proposals and leveraged buyouts, while Will Myer is recommended for his strengths in financing transactions.

With ‘deep experience’ in the M&A practice, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP works in coordination with its capital markets and data security departments to advise on M&A due diligence, regulatory matters, and corporate restructurings. Counting mortgage and utilities companies amongst its client roster, the team’s scope of work also includes REIT M&A, energy M&A, and public and private transactions. The group is co-led by Richmond lawyer Steven Haas, who covers strategic acquisitions and divestitures, shareholder activism, and public company sales, and Washington DC-based Steven Patterson, a key contact for public and private securities offerings. In Houston, Michael O’Leary is skilled in private equity, joint ventures, and spin-offs, while Miami-based Fernando Alonso handles M&A in the finance sector, often representing foreign clients in their US acquisitions.