Linklaters LLP > Washington, D.C., United States > Firm Profile

Linklaters LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market (sub-$500m) Tier 2

Magic circle firm Linklaters LLP is active on domestic and cross-border matters alike, directing particular attention to deals in the financial services, pharmaceutical, healthcare, energy, automotive and chemicals sectors. The corporate practice is supplemented by considerable tax, antirust, capital markets and employment expertise, and has strengths in public and private M&A, LBOs, tender and exchange offers, asset sales and recapitalizations. Scott Sonnenblick leads the team from New York and demonstrates a particular tenacity for multijurisdictional transaction and joint venture mandates. Peter Cohen-Millstein  left the firm in February 2022.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 3

Linklaters LLP plays a key role in global cartel investigations, leveraging its international platform to represent high-profile clients in areas including pharma, technology and financial services. The team is led by Tom McGrath, and offers experience from former DOJ and FTC officials, most notably former Antitrust Division prosecutor Douglas Tween, who takes the lead on cartel matters, handling regulatory investigations and parallel civil litigation for clients in a broad range of industries, having represented clients in a number of federal trials as well as in internal investigations into cartel activity. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

With strength in the pharma, healthcare, and financial services sectors, the team at Linklaters LLP is adept in handling sensitive merger reviews, particularly for pharma clients including Novartis, Takeda, and Bayer, including regulatory investigations of deals through to related litigation. The firm also shows great strength in cross-border merger reviews, working closely with its international teams to secure clearance from European and other key antitrust regulators. This capability was demonstrated by the firm’s successful representation of Grandvision in its takeover by EssilorLuxottica, which was ultimately cleared after investigations by US and EU authorities, as well as several countries in Latin America and Asia. Practice head Tom McGrath led the team on that matter, and remains a strong choice for global merger clearances, especially within the healthcare industry. Douglas Tween is an accomplished litigator and handles enforcement proceedings, while Antonia Sherman continues to bolster her profile within the merger space, handling HSR filings as well as multijurisdictional merger processes, particularly within Latin America. John Eichlin focuses on advising clients on antitrust and foreign investment issues for cross-border mergers. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Linklaters LLP leans on its strong international network to assist with sprawling international investigations launched by various global enforcement authorities. The team is well versed in civil litigation, trials and white-collar defense matters and acts for multinationals, financial institutions, foreign governments and individuals. Adam Lurie heads the team from Washington DC and has considerable experience in crisis management situations, arbitration, regulatory issues and corporate governance. At the start of 2021, Matthew Axelrod left for the DOJ; in May of the same year, Erez Liebermann joined in New York from an in-house role at Prudential; and in August, Richard Smith joined in Washington DC from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Linklaters LLP is highly experienced in the tax aspects of M&A, financings, and fund formations. The team is especially strong in the private equity space, advising a number of industry-leading funds on high-value capital raising transactions, asset acquisitions and dispositions, and financing arrangements. Washington DC-based David Brockway is a seasoned international tax planning lawyer with significant experienced in asset-based finance transactions. In New York, Max Levine’s far-reaching practice makes him a key port of call for some of the largest asset mangers in the market. Former practice co-head Andrew Morris has left the practice.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Linklaters LLP acts in cross-border disputes in close collaboration with teams from the firm's international network. The US team is particularly sought after by banks, corporates and global institutions. Practice head Adam Lurie in Washington DC is well versed in complex civil litigation and trials as well as in white-collar defense and crisis management matters. In New York, Douglas Tween is noted for his antitrust know-how and Brenda DiLuigi covers investigations-related matters. Richard Smith from Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP joined the Washington DC-office in August 2021.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

The team at Linklaters LLP has a breadth of expertise, representing clients on both the lender and debtor side of restructuring matters. A notable mandate for the team is the representation of Sound Point Capital Management as initial lender in relation to the revolving trade receivables facility, amounting to $425m and provided to Centric Brands, Inc. following its exit from Chapter 11 proceedings. Robert Trust led the matter, overseeing the facility and its amendments. Margot Schonholtz heads the practice, offering key expertise within bankruptcy and creditor litigation. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 5

The balanced practice at Linklaters LLP advises sponsors and investors alike on structuring, formation, taxation and regulation issues. The group also assists a core of alternative fund clients with portfolio investment acquisitions and dispositions, co-investments, joint ventures, seed arrangements and fund restructurings. Jason Behrens has extensive experience with an array of alternative asset classes, including private equity, real estate, credit, venture capital and secondaries funds; David Miller is particularly well versed in managed accounts, funds of one and comingled private investment funds; and Brad Caswell is the name to note for compliance work. These senior practitioners are all based in New York, but regularly collaborate with teams in London, Luxembourg, New York, Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and Tokyo.  

Tax > International tax Tier 5

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection)

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power