Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 1

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s derivatives and structured products practice is a key point of contact for banks, investors, hedge funds, commodity pools, private equity funds, issuers and many other actors for expertise in the full range of asset classes and product types. The team fields heteregenous OTC derivative experience, having previously operated in caps, floors, forwards, swaps, and other options linked to equity, currency, interest rate, income, and other underlying asset classes. Ivan Loncar is a fields a strong track record in unfunded derivatives, such as interest rate and total return swaps, along with funded derivatives such as credit linked notes. He co-heads the team with Lary Stromfeld , who has extensive experience in credit derivatives, swaps and other transactions, along with a strong track record in ISDA and Dodd-Frank regulatory queries. Jed Miller is turned to by clients for his risk transfer expertise. Brian Foster’s practice encompasses OTC trades, forwards, swaps and equity derivatives, while Peter Malyshev is highly active in the cross-border OTC derivative transaction space, including including those involving fintech and digital assets. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

The securitisation offering at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is well established in the market, being frequently sought after by a portfolio of clients that includes BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and others for CLO, ABS, CMBS, RMBS and various other transactions. Based out of New York, Mike Gambro is particularly well-versed in CMBS transactions, and co-heads the team with the Charlotte-based Stuart Goldstein, who is often sought after by clients for his expertise in CRE CLOs and any ancillary commercial real estate securitization matters. Neil Weidner is adept in securitisation of conventional and unconventional credit assets, alongside his experience in CLO transactions. Ryan McNaughton is a key member of the team for ABS transactions, lending to the team his expertise in esoteric asset-backed securities, including media royalties, whole business and digital infrastructure. Sophie Cuthbertson and Joseph Beach are also cornerstones of the team, with Beach’s experience in syndicated and middle market CLOs complementing Cuthbertson’s work on alternative securities structures and assets including solar and student loans. Lisa Pauquette advises financial actors in various CMBS securitisations, alongside Jeffrey Rotblat. Adam Risell has departed the team. Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

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.

Tax > Financial products Tier 1

The New York based team at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is prominent for its transactional work, in which the the firm has employed a variety of spin-offs, inversions, Reverse Morris Trusts and a number of sophisticated securitization vehicles. The team is also capable in handling the restructuring of foreign debt or new money investments by foreign entities, as well as ERISA issues and REMIC tax issues. Linda Swartz leads the practice and focuses her practice on structuring global mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures and restructurings. Jon Brose assists managers, underwriters, issuers and placement agents on tax issues relating to structured finance and securitization vehicles. Based in Washington DC, Mark Howe focuses his practice is concentrated in partnerships, financial products, securitization, the tax aspects of capital markets, general corporate finance, securities, and commodities. William Walsh is a key conatct.

Finance > Commercial lending: Advice to bank lenders Tier 2

Noted for its strength in secured and unsecured direct lending, as well as single-bank transactions, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is a key contact for hedge funds and private credit funds. In Charlotte, Ronald Lovelace is often engaged in debt financing, leveraged financing, and restructuring distressed credits. Lovelace’s recent caseload encompasses advising Citizens Bank as the lead arranger on a $350m term loan facility. Christopher McDermott is proficient in syndicated bank financings, leveraged buy-outs, and exit financings, while Wesley Misson is vastly experienced in advising financial institutions in subscription credit facilities, hybrid facilities, and NAV facilities. Jeffrey Nagle is noted for his strength in distressed debt trading, asset-based lending, and energy project financing. Nagle recently advised MUFG Bank Ltd as the administrative agent in a $1.9bn secured borrowing base facility. Other key members of the team include Joey Polonsky and Patrick Yingling .

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal Tier 2

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has strong senior bench of experienced municipal finance and municipal restructuring specialists. The firm operates on the creditor side and is further recognised for its expertise in municipal credit and securitization, along with distressed municipal credit risk. It has landed major roles in a series of significant municipal restructurings, including Jefferson County (Alabama), Detroit (Michigan), and Puerto Rico. It represented bond insurer Assured Guaranty in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73bn of bond debt. Lary Stromfeld is a hugely experienced practitioner with wide-ranging experience in derivatives, through to public finance and municipal restructurings. Ivan Loncar is another prominent figure in municipal finance, including distressed municipal finance. Ingrid Bagby and Casey Servais are also noted for municipal bankruptcies. All named individuals are based in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2

A full-service firm with a dedicated shareholder activism team, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s practice has an experienced and deep bench with a track record of success working with prominent activist investors on market-shaping deals. The practice is led by corporate group co-chair William Mills, whose range of expertise covers shareholder activist campaigns, proxy contests, tender offers and fiduciary governance issues for clients ranging from large funds and investment banks to distressed companies and assets. Stephen Fraidin is a leading specialist in the context of hostile M&A, hedge fund activism and SPACs, and Gregory Patti works on governance and securities matters as well as in cross-border corporate transactions, representing SPACs as well as public and private acquirors. Daniel Raglan is a prominent transactional lawyer in the software, data, and analytics industries. Richard Brand left the firm in February 2025. All attorneys based in New York.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 2

Lauded for its expertise in CMBS transactions, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s practice places an emphasis on the origination of mortgage and mezzanine loans. Beyond the practice’s focus on commercial real estate loan originations, the team also advises on a growing stream of refinancing mandates. Among its clientele are financial institutions JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, who turn for their most complex lending work, including syndicated lending matters. In Charlotte, Holly Chamberlain‘s impressive track record extends to SASB securitised deals and refinancing existing CMBS loans. Also in Charlotte, both Molly Lovedale and Christopher Dickson have experience with multi-state, multi-property pooled transactions and are noted for capabilities in the servicing and sale of mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, and participation interests. Working with Neuman in New York, real estate finance lawyer Nicholas Brandfon acts on loan sales, restructurings, and bankruptcy-related matters. Former practice head Bonnie Neuman moved to Sidley Austin LLP in April 2025.  

Tax > International tax Tier 2

The New York based team at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is prominent for its transactional work, focused on tax-free and tax-efficient M&A structures, which the firm has employed to international mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, inversions, and Reverse Morris Trusts. The team is also well-regarded for its restructuring practice which assists debtors and creditors, as well as investors, committees, and other creditor groups, in cross-border restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings, workouts, and other distressed situations. The team is capable in handling the restructuring of foreign debt or new money investments by foreign entities, as well as ERISA issues and REMIC tax issues. Linda Swartz leads the practice and focuses her practice on structuring global mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, and restructurings. Jon Brose assists managers, underwriters, issuers, and placement agents on tax issues relating to CLOs, CRTs, SRTs, and other structured finance and securitization vehicles. William Walsh is also a key contact.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: plaintiff Tier 3

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP continues to represent a wide range of publicly and privately owned food and beverage companies in high-stakes antitrust litigation across federal and state courts. The team frequently handles major opt-out cases, including ongoing antitrust litigation in the broiler chicken, pork, and beef industries. Co-chair Philip Iovieno has built a strong reputation for recovering funds on behalf of corporate clients affected by cartels and other antitrust violations. Nicholas Gravante brings extensive trial experience in civil and criminal antitrust litigation and appeals. Lawrence Brandman strengthens the team with his deep understanding of the antitrust implications of bankruptcy and restructuring. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s New York-based team is well-versed at handling securities class action matters and shareholder derivative litigation for public companies, and their directors and officers, in courts throughout the country. In this context, the team is also able to advise on parallel regulatory investigations, as well as being adept at providing risk management advice. Another strength is its ability to work closely with other practice groups, most notably capital markets, derivatives and financial services regulatory, of particular benefit to clients engaged in securities matters involving complex financial products. Ellen Holloman is pivotal to many of the highest-profile cases the team handles, including for Nikola Motors on securities litigation following a de-SPAC procedure. Jonathan Watkins, who splits his time between New York and Charlotte, co-heads the team alongside Holloman and excels in representing public and private businesses and financial institutions in complex litigation and regulatory and white-collar investigations. White-collar defense and investigations specialist Kenneth Breen and seasoned trial lawyer Phara Guberman are also pivotal to the team’s success, as is Philip Khinda, who heads up the firm’s SEC enforcement and crisis management practices.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has a strong financial services focus, advising domestic and multinational corporations, private equity firms, and investment banks on complex transactions, including M&A, spin-offs, and joint ventures. The firm also has vast experience with bankruptcy tax matters, ERISA issues, and REMIC taxation. Practice lead Linda Swartz is ‘knowledgeable, practical, and personable,’ specializing in corporate reorganizations, debt restructurings, and distressed M&A. Andrew Carlon focuses on corporate transactions such as cross-border restructurings and a variety of spin-offs, including pro-rata spin-offs and IPO-spin combinations. Jon Brose advises on commercial transactions and capital market activities and has experience with a variety of investment strategies. William Walsh is also a key figure within the group. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP boasts a strong practice in white-collar criminal defense and corporate investigations, specializing in FCPA investigations and enforcement with the DOJ and SEC. The firm handles complex matters, including financial fraud, money laundering, healthcare fraud, cybersecurity, economic sanctions, and more. Martin Weinstein , based in Washington, D.C., focuses on financial fraud, compliance investigations, and enforcement. Anne Tompkins , based in Charlotte, and Douglas Gansler in Washington DC, represent clients in criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Kenneth Breen, based in New York, handles high-profile criminal and regulatory matters. Jonathan Watkins, in New York and Charlotte, provides expert counsel on government and internal investigations, particularly in technology. New additions Laura Perkins and Tom Grodecki  further strengthen the firm’s white-collar defense and cross-border compliance capabilities.

Finance > Financial services regulation

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP provides regulatory compliance and transactional advice to a wide range of financial institutions, including banks and non-bank lenders. The firm’s banking practice is led by Andrew Karp, who is based in New York, and offers guidance on various regulatory requirements, including capital requirements, the Volcker Rule, and structured finance regulations. In June 2024, Christopher Horn joined the team, bringing significant experience in advising on the regulatory aspects of securitization and structured finance. The firm’s consumer finance practice is led by Mercedes Tunstall in Washington DC, and focuses on helping clients comply with both federal and state consumer finance laws. Tunstall has particular expertise in payment and deposit regulations, as well as matters involving enforcement actions by the CFPB. The team regularly works with mortgage providers, auto lenders, and fintech companies to address complex regulatory challenges.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 4

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP handles pension plan investments, structuring innovative investment vehicles, and regulatory ERISA matters. The firm represents financial services firms, hedge funds, private equity sponsors, and corporate boards, advising on compliance and transactional issues. James Frazier specialises in ERISA fiduciary standards and prohibited transaction provisions, representing clients in complex regulatory matters and before the Department of Labor. Andrew O’Brien focuses on M&A, leveraged buyouts, and executive compensation, advising public and private companies, management teams, and senior executives on employment and separation agreements, incentive compensation structures, and non-qualified retirement programs. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has an illustrious history in restructurings and bankruptcies on both sides of the Atlantic. It is particularly known for creditor and investor representations in both in-court and out-of-court restructurings. It frequently represents UK and European funds and creditors on chapter 11 cases and other aspects of US bankruptcy law. It is also widely rated for its expertise in bankruptcy issues relating to structured finance products and the structuring of transactions for bankruptcy risk. The immensely experienced Gregory Petrick chairs the financial restructuring group, splitting his time between New York and London; he is co-chair of the London office. Ingrid Bagby and Michele Maman are also integral members of the team with extensive backgrounds in bankruptcy and financial restructuring. Casey Servais is also noted for bankruptcy litigation and financial restructuring. All named individuals are based or partially based in New York.