Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Offices

1285 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NY 10019-6064
United States
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 1
‘One of the US’ leading antitrust trial teams’, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's deep bench was further strengthened in June 2020 by the arrivals of William Isaacson and Karen Dunn from Boies Schiller Flexner LLP. The former recognized for his expertise in actions facing social media and digital platforms, whereas the latter has experience in both defense and plaintiff-side mandates. Jointly leading the group are financial services expert Aidan Synnott and hi-tech specialist Andrew Finch in New York, alongside Washington DC-based Rick Rule, 'one of the most renowned figures in the US antitrust field'. Also in Washington DC, Kenneth Gallo is rated for his robust IP-related antitrust practice and Joseph Bial impresses with his experience of international cartel and anti-monopoly cases. Key workflows for the team include cases alleging monopolization, price-fixing, predatory pricing, bid-rigging and exclusive dealing. In September 2020, Jonathan Kanter, former co-chair of the group, left the firm to launch his own law practice in Washington DC.Practice head(s):
Aidan Synnott; Andrew Finch; Rick Rule
Other key lawyers:
Ken Gallo; Bob Atkins; Craig Benson; Karen Dunn; Joseph Bial; William Isaacson
Testimonials
‘Paul Weiss has brought in one of the US’ leading antitrust trial teams, one with unparalleled courtroom experience, but one with deep practical perspectives on how to address the complex issues attendant to any antitrust case.’
‘Deepest bench of trial counsel in the country, they always have someone available.’
‘Rick Rule is one of the most renowned figures in the US antitrust/competition field. He understands the dynamics of this practice and always seizes the right moment to bring solutions to complex cases. Joe Bial is a resourceful lawyer with economics PhD background and experiences at a plaintiff bar as well. He is tirelessly diligent and always thoughtful about foreign clients that have hard time in dealing with the US system.’
Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense
The white-collar and regulatory defense team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP advises high-profile corporates and individuals on major regulatory and enforcement matters. The team, which includes former senior government officials and assistant US attorneys, focuses on AML, FCPA, criminal antitrust matters, insider trading, securities fraud and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) cases. Firm chairman Brad Karp is noted for his experience representing Fortune 100 companies and global financial institutions in ‘bet the company’ litigation and regulatory matters. Another key figure is Theodore Wells, who is rated for white-collar defense work and civil litigation. Roberto Finzi, a former federal prosecutor, handles enforcement proceedings and internal investigations, and Lorin Reisner acts for companies, boards of directors and senior executives in a wide range of litigation. Several partners joined the team from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP in early 2021, including Walter Brown, a very highly regarded litigation and investigations expert in San Francisco. All named attorney are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Brad Karp; Jessica Carey; Roberto Finzi; Lorin Reisner; Richard Tarlowe; Theodore Wells
Other key lawyers:
Loretta Lynch; Jeannie Rhee; Walter Brown; Melinda Haag; Randy Luskey
Testimonials
‘The team was brilliant, they were easy to work with, always up to speed and gave great counsel’.
‘The work was pro bono and I was treated as if I was a full paying client’.
‘Deep knowledge and experience’.
‘Very focused on the client’.
‘They show a great deal of empathy and kindness’.
‘Very good at explaining both the advantages and disadvantages of a particular strategy or decision’.
Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a track record of success some of the most complex and high-stakes litigation in the financial services sector. The team's antitrust practice is especially notable, as it represents major banks such as Morgan Stanley and Citigroup in both state and federal litigation, as well as in investigations by regulators. The practice is also adept at handling novel matters, a recent example of which is its representation of the state of Qatar in a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court against a number of banks alleging the manipulation of the market for Qatar's currency and bonds. Practice head Brad Karp is widely respected for his work in securities and white-collar crime litigation. In one highlight of 2020, Karp won the dismissal of a breach of fiduciary duty case brought against the Blackstone Group by beneficiaries of the Kentucky state pension system, in a case that had the potential to act as a test case for similar litigation. Susanna Buergel is a specialist in securities litigation with a close relationship with Citigroup, which she represents in antitrust and False Claims Act disputes. Daniel Kramer is another key figure in the team's securities litigation practice; he is currently leading the aforementioned Qatar litigation.
Practice head(s):
Brad Karp
Other key lawyers:
Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 1
From offices in New York and Washington DC, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP consistently attracts mandates from prominent corporates and financial services companies in their most urgent disputes. Recognized by the industry as a top flight lawyer, Brad Karp's recent work includes securing a landmark victory on behalf of defendant Blackstone Alternative Asset Management in a $50bn derivative lawsuit. Also of note, Karp secured the dismissal of a putative securities class action against Ericsson in January 2020. Highly regarded trial lawyer Theodore Wells continues to advise on ExxonMobil's high-profile disputes related to alleged violations of environmental law, having already secured several wins for the client across the US, including a complete defense verdict in a landmark trial in New York state court. Jaren Janghorbani is noted for her remarkably diverse commercial litigation practice; she has recently been engaged by CBS Corporation's former directors in the defense of a shareholder class and derivative action in Delaware regarding CBS and Viacom's $30bn merger. All named attorneys are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Brad Karp
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Amazon
Apple
Blackstone Alternative Asset Management
Special Committee of the Board of Directors of CBS
Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1
Theodore Wells - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP An 'elite trial lawyer with great instincts', Theodore Wells in New York is highly regarded for his diverse corporate defense practice and is rated by clients as 'a real force in the courtroom'. His depth of expertise in financial services litigation is illustrated by various career highlights, such as representing Bank of America in a securities class action relating to its acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co, and securing a complete defense verdict for Citigroup in a multibillion-dollar fraud claim by PE firm Terra Firma. Recently, Wells was retained by a large pharmaceutical company in complex litigation, resulting in a global settlement.
Karen Dunn - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Former Boies Schiller Flexner LLP partner Karen Dunn, based in Washington DC, has a leading reputation in litigation involving technology and social media clients. Of recent note, Dunn was sought out by Amazon to replace its former legal counsel in a major putative class action regarding its fair pricing policy; trial is set for August 2021. In addition to corporate defense work, Dunn is also recognized for her pro bono practice; she is currently pursuing a case on behalf of 22 individuals injured in the Charlottesville protests that took place in 2017, instigated by a group of white supremacists.
Brad Karp - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Based in New York, firm chairman Brad Karp is regularly involved in closely watched disputes, with an emphasis on financial services and corporate litigation. Of recent note, he is acting for the independent directors of former CBS Corp in defense of a shareholder and derivative action concerning the CBS-Viacom merger, which plaintiffs allege involved a breach of fiduciary duties. Karp is also acting for various financial institutions including Citigroup and Morgan Stanley in a number of complex antitrust disputes.
William Isaacson - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Based in Washington DC, William Isaacson has an excellent reputation in antitrust, IP and consumer class action matters. In February 2020, he secured a major win for Uber Technologies in an arbitration trial brought by users of Uber's services, alleging that its business model violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. Currently, Isaacson is acting for Amazon in a putative antitrust class action regarding its fair pricing policy, representing one of the largest such cases ever filed in the US. On the plaintiff side, he handles notable civil rights litigation for clients on a pro bono basis. Isaacson was formerly a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.
Jay Cohen - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's M&A litigation group is largely based in the New York office and is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. The firm has 'first-rate lawyers of the highest degree' and clients note that 'matters can be big or small and they bring the same level of diligence and quality of guidance'. Chaired by Andrew Gordon and Jaren Janghorbani, the practice group continues to be involved in the most high-profile disputes in the market and, in 2020, it handled four of the first major material adverse event (MAE) cases arising from Covid-19, as well as a full docket of shareholder disputes. Gordon and Janghorbani won at trial for Channel Medsystems in an MAE litigation against Boston Scientific Corporation, which had unsuccessfully sought to terminate a $275m acquisition. With key partner Geoffrey Chepiga, they also represented 1-800-Flowers.com in a case brought by Bed Bath & Beyond, which alleged the company had breached its agreement to purchase PersonalizationMall.com. Lewis Clayton, who handled a high-value case for Comtech Telecommunications Corp, and newly promoted partner Alexia Korberg are also key to the practice. The firm also has an office in Wilmington, staffed by counsels and associates, handling transactional and contentious M&A matters.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Gordon; Jaren Janghorbani
Other key lawyers:
Geoff Chepiga; Lewis Clayton; Alexia Korberg
Testimonials
‘Multi-industry expertise. Always available. Always on top of the material. A first-class product.’
‘First-rate lawyers of the highest degree. Matters can be big or small and they bring the same level of diligence and quality of guidance.’
Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 1
'The team is responsive, develops sound litigation strategies and is great to work with', says a client of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. The firm is acknowledged to be a go-to firm for bet-the-company securities litigation for financial institutions, large corporations and their directors and officers, with equal strengths in shareholder class actions, derivative suits, and government investigations and enforcement actions. Firm chair Brad Karp oversees the practice with co-chairs of securities litigation Susanna Buergel, Audra Soloway and Andrew Ehrlich. Soloway, who is 'effective in bringing cases into focus and developing strategies for dismissal', defeated a putative class action for AEA Investors arising from its IPO and secondary public offering. Karp, Buergel and veteran litigator Richard Rosen handled class action litigation and regulatory investigations for Morgan Stanley in which plaintiffs allege conspiracy to rig the pricing of Treasury Bills. Daniel Kramer is another prominent practitioner; he is currently handling a matter for biopharmaceutical giant Alexion Pharmaceuticals. Contacts in Washington DC include Kenneth Gallo, who is co-chair of the litigation department, and emerging talent Jane O’Brien.
Practice head(s):
Brad Karp; Susanna Buergel; Andrew Ehrlich; Audra Soloway
Other key lawyers:
Kenneth Gallo; Richard Rosen; Daniel Kramer; Jane O’Brien
Testimonials
‘The team is responsive and develops sound litigation strategies. The team is excellent and great to work with.’
‘I really appreciate Audra Soloway and her leadership. She is quite effective in bringing cases into focus and developing strategies for dismissal.’
Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's New York-based practice group is respected equally for its deep experience in representing debtors and creditors in Chapter 11 and 15 cases, and for its ability to provide end-to-end service on large-scale, resource-heavy mandates, working in conjunction with the firm's stellar litigation, corporate, tax, real estate and environmental teams. The department is also marked out by the strength of its bench: co-chairs Paul Basta, Andrew Rosenberg and Alan Kornberg are supported by deputy Brian Hermann, who has been singled out by a number of clients; Alice Belisle Eaton focuses on exit financings and specialized finance structures; Kyle Kimpler has particular expertise in bankruptcy-related litigation; Andrew Parlen's broad practice covers acquisitions of distressed companies; and Elizabeth McColm advises clients across a range of sectors, frequently focusing on the areas of energy and shipping.
Practice head(s):
Alan Kornberg; Paul Basta; Andrew Rosenberg
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘We have had a relationship with Paul Weiss with their bankruptcy and litigation groups for more than 20 years now. Their level of expertise and responsiveness is second to none.’
‘The expertise and intellectual heft of all of the Paul Weiss individuals gives us great confidence.’
‘The team at Paul Weiss Restructuring stands out. There is strong consistency on the team in terms of quality of legal advice and subject matter mastery, personnel, and general culture.’
‘I have valued their commercial intensity, quality legal advice, and superior client service orientation.’
‘Very commercial, high quality people, deep bench of talented lawyers, very strong related practices so they can handle the most complicated transactions with relative ease.’
‘Brian Hermann is the perfect blend of a commercial attorney who gets complicated deals done, but who also has the ability to effectively litigate if that is what the situation requires. He’s always available for his clients and is never flustered or caught off guard. He’s truly at the top of his game, and of the profession.’
Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP’s executive compensation practice is jointly led from New York by Jean McLoughlin, Andrew Gaines and Lawrence Witdorchic, who are active in high-value M&A transactions, most recently on deals in the healthcare, media, technology, hospitality and financial services sectors. The group has notable strength in assisting with tax and securities-related issues pertaining to equity-based benefits and deferred compensation packages. Additionally, the team lends its expertise to restructuring matters, withdrawal liability issues and pension plan investment strategies.
Practice head(s):
Jean McLoughlin; Andrew Gaines; Lawrence Witdorchic
M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is recognized here for its blue-chip client base and its deep and experienced team of transactional lawyers, who have a range of sector expertise and capabilities in wider corporate issues, including governance, shareholder issues, and takeover defense. The team regularly acts for major clients such as Chevron, Anadarko, and IBM on large-scale deals with significant market impact. Scott Barshay is a key name, and is a long-standing adviser to IBM, Chevron, and other key clients. In 2020 Barshay advised Teledoc on its $18.5bn acquisition of Livongo Health, a major development in the telehealth industry. Recently-promoted partner Laura Turano also played a key role in that mandate. Other names to note include Robert Schumer, a regular adviser to clients including CBS and Authentic Brands with great expertise in both transactions and activist defense work; global M&A co-chair Jeffrey Marell, who works with top corporates as well as investment funds; Ariel Deckelbaum, a trusted adviser to corporates, high-net-worth individuals, and alternative asset managers; and Steven Williams, an experienced M&A counsel with a diverse practice encompassing domestic and cross-border transactions, joint ventures, and takeover defense. Kyle Seifried is a prolific younger partner who has worked on major deals including Chevron's $13bn acquisition of Noble Energy.Practice head(s):
Scott Barshay
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Apollo Global Management
IBM
Chevron Corporation
Kraft Heinz
General Electric
Qualcomm
General Motors
Teladoc Health
Honeywell
ViacomCBS
Work highlights
- Advised the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of CBS Corp. on its merger with Viacom to form ViacomCBS Inc.
- Advised General Electric on the $21.4bn carve-out sale of its BioPharma business to Danaher Corporation.
- Advising Teladoc Health, Inc., a New York-based telemedicine and virtual healthcare company, on its $18.5bn acquisition of Livongo Health, Inc.
M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP maintains a prolific buyout practice, acting on behalf of major relationship clients including Apollo, General Atlantic, and Oakhill Capital. It also works on a variety of portfolio transactions, carve-outs, take-privates, and disposals. Alongside its regular work for key clients, the firm has also expanded its share of work for other leading funds such as Blackstone and Brookfield, and was involved in standout PE-backed transactions during 2020, including Inspire Brands' $11.3bn acquisition of Dunkin’ Brands Group. The practice group is jointly led by Matthew Abbott, a key name in the team, who advised on a number of major transactions, and regularly works with General Atlantic in particular; and Taurie Zeitzer, who maintains a productive relationship with Apollo, and is recognized as a market leader in this space. Ted Ackerman is noted for his broad expertise across buyouts, carve-outs, equity investments, and broader corporate matters on behalf of PE clients, while Angelo Bonvino works regularly on behalf of Ares Management, KKR, and other bulge-bracket funds. Also recommended are Ellen Ching, who has enjoyed a successful year, particularly in healthcare-sector deals, working for Marathon Health on its partnership with OurHealth; and Neil Goldman, who remained active in buyouts and portfolio deals on behalf of General Atlantic and others. Brian Lavin and Justin Rosenberg are both recognized as up-and-coming partners. All named lawyers are in New York.
Practice head(s):
Matthew Abbott; Taurie Zeitzer
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The PW team is outstanding. They have tremendous global expertise in all aspects of the financing and acquisition markets. They are extremely detailed oriented and we get excellent support from both their senior and junior team. They are extremely responsive in very tight timeframes. They provided balanced, thoughtful advice and know how to break through on tough issues. They are also very creative in coming up with solutions for difficult problems.’
‘Responsiveness, detail orientation, problem solving, balanced, get it done yesterday. Paul Weiss makes a habit of crushing deadlines and helps put us in a position to win deals. They take an approach to get us sound legal agreements but do not try and over reach. They are also very thoughtful around billing rates and amounts that fit our budget.’
Key clients
3G Capital
KKR
Apollo Global Management
Kohlberg & Co.
Ares Management
KPS Capital Partners
Brookfield
Oak Hill Capital Partners
CI Capital Partners
Palladium Equity Partners
Crestview Partners
Roark Capital Group
D1 Capital
Sagewind
Declaration Partners
Searchlight Capital Partners
EagleTree Capital
The Carlyle Group
General Atlantic
TPG
Work highlights
- Represented Apollo Global Management in a range of transactions, including as lead investors in the $1.75bn investment in Albertsons Companies.
- Advised General Atlantic on a range of transactions, including its $498.31m investment in Reliance Retail Ventures.
- Advised KPS Capital Partners on its acquisition of the rod lift solutions unit of Lufkin from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes.
Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP’s firmly integrated tax practice is well placed to structure and implement efficient tax structures for M&A, spin-offs, financings, securities offerings, fund formations, recapitalizations and restructurings. Its firm-wide, full-service collaboration across the full life cycle of a deal benefits a broad range of clients, which turn to the New York-based team for its ability to handle high-value and often very high-profile transactions. In recent months, the team has also handled a number of reorganizations for major energy providers, led by department co-head Scott Sontag. Other key figures include veteran transactional lawyer Brad Okun and co-chair emeritus Jeffrey Samuels, who regularly handles major transactions for clients in manufacturing, hospitality, telecoms and consumer goods sectors, among others. David Mayo is recommended for corporate and partnership taxation, and Robert Holo joined from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in March 2020.
Practice head(s):
Scott Sontag; Brad Okun; Jeffrey Samuels
Other key lawyers:
Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2
At Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, a group proficient in antitrust issues frequently handles large and intricate multi-regulator investigations and subsequent follow-on litigation. The team is skilled at handling civil and grand jury investigations launched by the DOJ, the FTC, and the European Commission. It also specializes in price-fixing and bid-rigging investigations, particularly in the manufacturing, insurance, and financial services sectors. In New York, Aidan Synnott and Andrew Finch lead the practice group along with Rick Rule, a Washington-based attorney viewed as ‘one of the most renowned figures in the US antitrust/competition field’. DC-based colleagues Joseph Bial and Kenneth Gallo are also key team members. In September 2020, former group co-chair Jonathan Kanter departed to found his own law practice in the capital.Practice head(s):
Aidan Synnott; Andrew Finch; Rick Rule
Other key lawyers:
Joseph Bial; Kenneth Gallo; Craig Benson
Testimonials
‘Rick Rule is one of the most renowned figures in the US antitrust/competition field. He understands the dynamics of this practice and always seizes the right moment to bring solutions to complex cases.’
‘Joe Bial is a resourceful lawyer with an economics PhD background who is tirelessly diligent and always thoughtful about foreign clients that have a hard time dealing with the US system.’
Key clients
Nippon Chemi-Con Corporation
Antitrust > Merger control Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's broad antitrust practice fields a deep bench of lawyers with expertise across the full range of merger control issues, including Hart-Scott-Rodino filings, merger investigations and reviews, and high-profile defense matters before the DOJ and FTC. The team has served as lead antitrust counsel on major deals, representing AB InBev on its proposed acquisition of Craft Brew Alliance, and also representing Alexion in its acquisition of Protola Pharmaceuticals. The team's senior leaders include Washington DC-based Andrew Finch, a former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the DOJ's Antitrust Division and an accomplished litigator; Charles Rule, who maintains a broad antitrust practice and has experience in securing merger clearances from US and international agencies, including the European Commission; and New York's Aidan Synnott, who works prolifically with public companies and private equity funds, such as KPS Partners and Mitsubishi International, on merger clearances for business-critical strategic acquisitions and sales.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Finch; Aidan Synnott; Charles Rule
Key clients
ADT Inc.
KPS Capital Partners
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Kraft Heinz Company
Anheuser‐Busch InBev SA/NV
Mastercard International Inc.
Apollo Global Management
Mitsubishi Chemical
CI Capital Partners
Oak Hill Capital Partners
Cigna
Refinitiv US, LLC
Elanco
Teladoc Health
Farelogix
The Medicines Company
HAL Investments, Inc.
Uber Technologies
Kohlberg & Co.
Work highlights
- Represented ADT Inc. as corporate and antitrust counsel in a $450m investment from Google.
- Represented Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc as M&A and antitrust counsel in its $1.4bn acquisition of Portola Pharmaceuticals.
- Advising Anheuser‐Busch InBev on the antitrust aspects of its proposed acquisition of Craft Brew Alliance.
Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has ‘a very strong team on sponsor side’, frequently representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on acquisition financings involving high-yield debt offerings; private equity giant Apollo Global Management is an anchor client. The firm has a wider public company-driven practice that was especially active in pandemic-related high-yield debt offerings in 2020, notably in the travel, leisure, fashion and apparel, and entertainment industries. Gregory Ezring is global head of the finance and capital markets group, and has a solid record of representing private equity houses and their portfolio companies in high-yield offerings. John Kennedy is co-global head of the capital markets team and impressed in 2020 with a series of Covid-19 crisis-related deals, including representing Carnival Corporation, the cruise line operator, on a string of high-yield debt offerings linked to the temporary cessation of its operations.Other key lawyers:
Gregory Ezring; John Kennedy; Brian Janson; Tracey Zaccone
Testimonials
‘A very strong team on sponsor side.’
‘Greg Ezring is one of the best. Brian Jansen and Mark Wlazlo are both excellent.’
Finance > Commercial lending Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a very strong reputation among its peers. Based in New York, the finance group works with many of the world largest private equity sponsors and funds on complex acquisitions, recapitalizations and other leveraged transactions. Many of the team members have long-standing relationships with major private equity houses; Gregory Ezring, for example, handles almost all major financing transactions for Apollo Global Management. Also adept at advising corporate borrowers, 2020 saw the firm consulted by a number of companies, including Carnival Corporation and SeaWorld, to assist with urgent financings necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The group is jointly led Ezring and Robert Zochowski Jr., and includes senior names such as Monica Thurmond and Thomas de la Bastide in addition to up-and-coming practitioners like Brian Janson. David Tarr joined the team from Willkie in April 2021.Practice head(s):
Gregory Ezring; Robert Zochowski Jr.
Other key lawyers:
Thomas de la Bastide; Monica Thurmond; Eric Goodison; Brian Janson; David Tarr
Key clients
Apollo Global Management
KPS Capital Partners
Aptiv PLC
Revlon, Inc.
Ares Management
Roark Capital Group
Carnival Corporation & plc
Spectrum Brands
Dana Incorporated
Taylor Morrison
Diamond Offshore
The Chatterjee Group
Elanco Animal Health
Towerbrook Capital Partners
Foresight Energy
TPG Capital
General Atlantic
Wave Division Management
Kohlberg & Company
Weatherford International
Work highlights
- Advised funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management on their acquisition of Tech Data Corporation.
- Advised Roark Capital Group on its acquisition of Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.
- Advised Kohlberg & Company on its acquisition of a majority stake of Parts Authority.
Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's New York-centred team is best known for its expertise in whole-business securitizations, as well as its experience in IP securitizations and structured transactions for entertainment industry clients. The department is led by Jordan Yarrett, who is widely recognized as a market leader in whole-business securitization, most notably in the fast food restaurant sector. Robert Zochowski Jr. is an expert in securitizations involving esoteric assets such as film and media assets, patent royalties, leases and hydrocarbon reserves. Claudine Meredith-Goujon, a partner in the IP department, has experience in structured transactions with heavy IP aspects. In August 2020, the firm welcomed the arrival of Charles Pesant from White & Case LLP. Pesant has experience advising debtors and creditors on restructuring matters involving securitizations.
Practice head(s):
Jordan Yarrett
Other key lawyers:
Robert Zochowski; Charles Pesant; Claudine Meredith-Goujon; Lawrence Wee
Testimonials
‘An intense depth of knowledge based on long experience means I can rely on Paul, Weiss for timely and thoughtful analysis no matter what comes up. There is never an occasion when this team in challenged or stumped.’
‘Jordan Yarett and his team know more about niche transactions than almost anyone in the world. When you add pragmatism, clear eyed analysis and advice that is always timely it.’
‘Whole business securitization experience has proven valuable to make sure we have best in class terms and service.’
Work highlights
- Advised SBA Communications, one of the largest wireless cell tower operators in the Western hemisphere, on the issuance of $1.35bn securitization secured by mortgage liens on cell towers.
- Advised Arby’s Restaurant Group on its third whole-business securitization valued at $975m.
- Advised Dick Clark Productions (DCP) on the issuance of $530m of notes by a newly formed subsidiary of DCP. The notes were backed by intellectual property rights, broadcast agreements and sponsorship agreements relating to the company’s most recognizable annual live event television programs.
Industry focus > Sport Tier 2
Based in New York, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP represents a diverse range of clients in all types of litigation, transactional and regulatory matters. Clients include major sports leagues, franchises, investors, broadcast and cable companies, and athletes. Brad Karp is chairman of the firm and has long represented the NFL in matters, including lawsuits relating to concussions suffered by former players as a result of their time in the NFL. Lynn Bayard and Theodore Wells, Jr have also been heavily involved in the firm's work for the NFL. Bayard and Wells specialize in player health and safety issues, and complex civil and corporate litigation, respectively. Highly experienced litigator and trial lawyer Christopher Boehning is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Brad Karp
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Boehning; Lynn Bayard; Theodore Wells
Testimonials
‘In-depth industry knowledge; ability to tap into contacts at various levels.’
‘Chris Boehning and Brad Karp are the lawyers you absolutely want to have on your side when things really matter.’
Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP remains active in the hedge fund space. The practice group is led by Udi Grofman, who advises several of the largest managers on fund formation and management, as well as on a wide range of ancillary matters such as employment, regulatory compliance, and disputes. Other key names within the team include Amran Hussein and Lindsey Wiersma.
Practice head(s):
Udi Grofman
Other key lawyers:
Amran Hussein; Lindsey WIersma
Testimonials
‘The partners provide not only an amazing knowledge of the law but also of the business they act as advisors and are proactive. Specifically, Udi Grofman stands alone as an advisor.’
‘Udi Grofman is far and away the most responsive and practical partner. He is easy to work with and takes on complex subject matter in a manner that makes it easy to understand and provides amazing solutions.’
Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP remains a prominent firm in the field of private funds, with a client list that includes several of the market's largest names, including Blackstone, Apollo Global Management, and KKR among a slew of others. Practice co-head Marco Masotti is one of the firm's key names in fund formation mandates, and handles several of Apollo's fund launches including Apollo Hybrid Value II, which seeks to combine credit and equity into one fund and is targeting $7bn. Fellow co-head Udi Grofman is also highly experienced in a wide range of fund formation work, but is particularly notable for his work with hedge fund managers looking to expand into private equity funds, and with new managers launching their early funds. Other key figures within the team include Matthew Goldstein, who is particularly experienced in the fields of co-investments and direct investments, and also has an active fund formation practice; Amran Hussein, whose recent work has included several multibillion-dollar fund launches, including a General Atlantic $5bn rescue lending vehicle in a joint venture with Iron Park Capital Partners; and Lindsey Wiersma, who works on regulatory issues, management company arrangements, investment management M&A, and seed deals. All named lawyers are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Marco Masotti; Udi Grofman
Other key lawyers:
M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP maintains a busy full-service activist defense practice, which regularly defends blue-chip companies in high-profile campaigns by influential activists the likes of Elliott Management and ValueAct Capital. The group’s advisory work is equally notable; the team routinely adopts a proactive approach to risk management, warding off significant campaigns, and providing corporate governance advice to boards and special committees. Scott Barshay chairs the corporate department, which is based in New York, where other key contacts include former corporate department chair Robert Schumer, Jeffrey Marell, and Steven Williams.
Practice head(s):
Scott Barshay
Other key lawyers:
Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP operates under the leadership of Jay Cohen and Lynn Bayard, two highly respected IP litigators. Cohen is highly skilled in copyright infringement disputes and royalty rates disputes involving sound recordings. He has also acted in antitrust, defamation and broadcasting-related cases. Bayard is also highly skilled in disputes involving music royalty rates, as well issues involving health safety in sports and entertainment. Jonathan Kanter has left to set up his own practice.Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: transactions Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a diverse skill set covering the broadcast, satellite and telecoms sectors, with particular strengths in transactions surrounding major telecoms towers. The client base includes cable TV companies, private equity investors, as well as data centre corporations. Bruce Gutenplan leads the practice and is a well-known name in the market for tower transactions. He also has expertise in M&A and corporate finance in the telecoms and broadcast sectors.Real estate Tier 2
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a force to be reckoned with in the New York real estate market, having recently acted on major developments in all five of the City’s boroughs. The team acts for commercial and civic developers alike, at each stage of a project’s lifespan from initial site acquisition through to the pertinent development agreements and matters beyond. Transactional work is also key, with lawyers frequently acting in the purchase, financing and disposal of commercial, hospitality, industrial and multi-family assets through a range of joint venture and other investment vehicles. Meredith Kane is a household name in the leasehold condominium space, while Peter Fisch has a number of high-profile ground-up and multi-family projects under his belt; the pair jointly head the practice alongside Harris Freidus and Salvatore Gogliormella, both of whom specialize in matters involving healthcare and hospitality assets.Practice head(s):
Meredith Kane; Peter Fisch; Harris Freidus; Salvatore Gogliormella
Testimonials
‘Very knowledgeable, efficient and productive. They have all areas covered with partners having expertise. They manage the matters to keep costs down without jeopardizing the work.’
‘Peter Fisch is fully committed and always available. His expertise is vast and his experience helps us reach our goals.’
‘Strengths lie in sharp draftsmanship and ability to see around the corners on issues. The firm also has been highly responsive in turning around edits.’
‘We predominantly worked with Salvatore Gogliormella. Sal is an excellent lawyer who is sharp, highly personable and very responsive.’
Key clients
CIM Group
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Rock Ventures
Rockefeller Group Development Corporation
Empire Resorts
Lendlease Americas Development
Loews Hotels
Northwell Health
Healthpeak Properties
Rose Associates
Work highlights
- Continuing to represent CIM Group in the development and dirt work for a variety of large developments in highdensity, high barrier-to-entry urban communities including in connection with the formation of its $5bn fund to expand its focus on investing in Opportunity Zone investments.
- Representing New York City’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority in all of its significant real estate matters, including a new development by JPMorgan Chase Bank of a 2.5 million-square-foot new world-headquarters building at 270 Park Avenue.
- Representing North American residential real estate investment company Tricon Residential in its joint venture agreement with two leading institutional investors to create a portfolio of over 10,000 single-family rental homes.
Tax > International tax Tier 2
New York-based Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP leverages its strong relationships with top-flight investment banks to regularly secure impressive transactions across a range of international jurisdictions. Co-chairs Brad Okun, Scott Sontag and Jeffrey Samuels, alongside key partners Brian Grieve and Robert Holo, provide tax structuring advice on headline M&A for global private equity funds and conglomerates. Among its recent highlights, the team handled a spate of impressive mandates for clients including General Electric, Ingersoll-Rand and IBM, the last of which Sontag advised on a groundbreaking $34bn combination with Red Hat. Lindsay Parks added to recent successes in the private equity-backed space, having handled multibillion-dollar acquisitions of China-based digital companies. David Mayo is recommended for structuring advice on corporate partnerships and tax-free mergers.
Practice head(s):
Brad Okun; Scott Sontag; Jeffrey Samuel
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Rocket Companies
Oak Hill Advisors
Teladoc Health, Inc.
KPS Capital Partners
General Electric
Roark Capital Group
Elanco Animal Health Incorporated
Värde Partners
Ingersoll-Rand plc
EagleTree Capital
L3Harris Technologies
Centerbridge
Nuance Communications
Foresight Energy LP
IBM
Diamond Offshore
Apollo Global Management
Pioneer Energy Services Corp
General Atlantic
3G Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Elanco Animal Health Incorporated on its $7.6bn cash-and-stock acquisition of the animal health business of Bayer AG.
- Represented General Electric in a number of noteworthy matters, including the sale of PK AirFinance, a Luxembourg-based aircraft business to Apollo Global Management, LLC and Athene Holding Ltd.
- Represented Ireland-based global manufacturing company Ingersoll-Rand in the spin-off of its industrial unit to shareholders and the simultaneous merger of the business with Wisconsin-based Gardner Denver Holdings via a tax-free Reverse Morris Trust structure.
Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: plaintiff Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's antitrust group has a long-standing reputation on both sides of the docket, and strengthened its plaintiff-side credentials in 2020 with the hire of former Boies Schiller Flexner LLP partner William Isaacson, one of the nation’s foremost antitrust trial lawyers, boasting decades of experience in successfully representing plaintiffs in high-stakes antitrust cases nationwide. Isaacson is serving as lead counsel to the direct purchaser plaintiffs (Animal Science Products) in a class action against four Chinese companies—the first price‐fixing case in the US brought against a Chinese company.Practice head(s):
Andrew Finch; Aidan Synnott; Rick Rule
Other key lawyers:
Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP excels in appeals at the US Supreme Court, as well as all federal and multiple state courts of appeals. Practice chair Kannon Shanmugam is widely recognized as one of the most respected and prolific litigators in the US Supreme Court. Shanmugam racked up a recent victory for the petitioner in the high-profile separation of powers case of Seila Law LLC v Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in which the highly divided Court delivered a 5-4 judgment in holding that provisions relating to the Bureau’s leadership and structure are unconstitutional. Further, the team is adept at handling claims brought before the Federal Circuit; Nicholas Groombridge is a key name to note in this regard.
Practice head(s):
Kannon Shanmugam
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Blackstone Alternative Asset Management
Henry Schein, Inc.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.
Seila Law, LLC
DNF Associates
Vanda Pharmaceuticals
Goldman Sachs & Co.
Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is active in both private and public offerings, gaining particular recognition for its issuer representation. Building on its standing as a frequent advisor to major private equity houses and financial sponsors (as well as their portfolio companies) the firm also impressed in 2020 with advice to public companies facing severe liquidity shortfalls due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, the firm advised Carnival, the world's largest leisure and travel company, on a series of debt offerings to address Covid-related liquidity constraints. Gregory Ezring is global chair of the finance and capital markets groups, and is a regular advisor to anchor client Apollo Global Management, and its portfolio companies. John Kennedy is at the forefront of debt offerings for public companies facing liquidity constraints, particularly in the high-yield segment. Global co-head of the capital markets group, Brian Janson, and key partner Tracey Zaccone are also noted for high-yield debt and convertible note offerings. Zaccone has also been active in Covid-related financings by private equity houses.
Practice head(s):
Gregory Ezring; John Kennedy; Brian Janson; Tracey Zaccone
Other key lawyers:
Lawrence Wee; Patricia Vaz de Almeida; Mark Wlazlo
Testimonials
‘The team at Paul Weiss are wizards. They can tackle the most complex issues, insure the company is protected and explain the impacts in easy to understand business terms. Because they have taken the time to fully understand our business they have the ability to help structure deals that work well for us.’
‘People’s dedication and willingness to do whatever it takes to get this job done goes above and beyond what I have seen elsewhere. They are not just great professional lawyers, but provide solid business advice in every circumstance with a logical commercial approach. John Kennedy, Lawrence Wee and Patricia Vaz de Almeida are the three individuals that stand out the most for me.’
‘Greg Ezring, Mark Wlazlo and Brian Janson are all great.’
Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a steady pipeline of equity engagements, particularly from issuers, with recent mandates spanning public company offerings, equity issuances by private equity houses and their portfolio companies, and SPAC offerings. The firm landed a series of headline and high-value equity deals in 2020, including those involving Covid-related liquidity problems. Gregory Ezring leads the finance and capital markets group and John Kennedy co-heads the capital markets team; he led the team that advised Rocket Companies on its $2bn IPO in 2020 and represented Carnival in a series of equity and debt offerings to address its liquidity constraints during the Covid-19 crisis. Brian Janson is another senior figure in equity offerings by public companies, private equity houses and SPACs.
Practice head(s):
Gregory Ezring; John Kennedy; Brian Janson
Other key lawyers:
Tracey Zaccone; David Huntington; Raphael Russo
Testimonials
‘John Kennedy and David Huntington are both very good.’
Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's New York-based team predominantly advises issuers and end-users on the design, negotiation and execution of derivative instruments and transactions. The group's expertise spans a wide variety of asset classes, including credit, equity, fixed income, distressed debt, commodities and foreign exchange. Manuel Frey heads the department and has significant experience in cross-border over-the-counter derivatives. In August 2020, the group welcomed Charles Pesant from White & Case LLP, who brings with him expertise in risk retention.
Practice head(s):
Manuel Frey
Other key lawyers:
Brad Finkelstein; Matthew Goldstein; Brian Grieve; Tracey Zaccone; Charles Pesant
Industry focus > Environment: transactional Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is well positioned to advise a balanced roster of stakeholders, including buyers, sellers, lenders, underwriters and issuers of securities, engaged in high-value domestic and cross-border transactions. Environmental experts form interdisciplinary teams with members of the firm's other departments to successfully navigate environmental issues that arise in strategic M&A, financings, real estate deals and joint ventures. Moreover, the team is also sought out for assistance with a range of sustainability concerns as ESG issues increasingly become subject to close public and regulatory scrutiny. Practice head William O’Brien (New York) is a member of the firm's climate change working group, and advises public and private companies on the environmental aspects of their most impactful investments.
Practice head(s):
William O’Brien
Other key lawyers:
Deepa Sarkar
Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP covers all areas of IP law, with notable experience representing clients on copyright cases, including copyright class actions, digital media copyright controversies, and royalty rate-setting. Based in New York, Lynn Bayard represents clients in the areas of media, sports, and entertainment, while Jay Cohen, a highly regarded trial lawyer, focuses on IP issues in the media and entertainment sectors. This expertise reflects the strengths of the wider team, which is active in the music, film, and fashion industries, among others.
Practice head(s):
Jay Cohen; Lynn Bayard
Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP demonstrates particular strength in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors, with notable recent victories in biosimilar patent litigation and ANDA litigation, but also impresses with its experience in the energy, electronics, technology, including computer software and hardware, telecoms and financial services sectors. The group's strong PTAB practice is of particular relevance for its pharmaceutical, biotechnology and technology clients and the complementary expertise in Federal Circuit and ITC proceedings allows clients to rely on the firm as a one-stop patent litigation shop, able to coordinate proceedings in the different US venues. Practice head Nicholas Groombridge, deputy practice head Catherine Nyarady, Eric Alan Stone and Jennifer Wu are based in the New York office. The key Washington DC contacts are Steven Baughman, counsel Megan Raymond an of counsel David Ball.Practice head(s):
Nicholas Groombridge
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Rarely, if ever, have I dealt with a professional so expert in the knowledge of his craft and so persuasive meetings and court as Eric Stone. Eric was at my side whenever I needed him. He was always informed and up-to-date. He was creative and had an ability to seemingly see around corners–as he predicted the next steps of our opponents extraordinarily well. I would be remiss in not also commending Jennifer Gordon, who was expert in providing biotech sector knowledge and who was a joy to work with.’
‘Eric Stone is a giant in the land of IP law. His knowledge in this specialized area is renowned, but his spirit and attention to the task at hand is what makes him excel compared to his competitors. He is very client-oriented and completely focused on the client’s interest.’
‘Outstanding team, super smart, trial focused.’
‘Eric Stone is phenomenally smart and strategic. He stays two moves ahead of everyone else. Nick Groombridge is a tremendously talented courtroom advocate.’
‘They brought a very high skill level, professionalism, empathy and respect.’
‘Nicholas Groombridge provided calm and expert leadership to the team. Catherine Nyarady brought a tenacity and fun energy that made her a true leader among the global team. They both brought a humility that helped ensure global cooperation of firms. They aren’t just lawyers. They are leaders and highly skilled attorneys at the top of their game in dealing with complexity.’
‘The Paul Weiss patent litigation team is incredibly creative and detail-oriented. Best patent and technical experience in the business. The judges love these lawyers because they are obviously accurate, fair, and ethical. This team wins at an incredible rate compared to any law firm I know.’
‘Steve Baughman wins through hard work, attention to detail and accuracy, civility, and innovative approaches to winning. I trust him to present my cases to decision makers. Megan Raymond is thoroughly prepared and works extremely hard to present your best case. The team’s associates Saurabh Gupta and Stefan Geirhofer are better educated than any associates I have ever worked with.’
Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 3
The ERISA litigation experts at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP are regularly engaged by household-name corporate sponsors and fiduciaries to defend clients in high-value litigation. Practice head Lewis Clayton has secured significant wins for insurance and financial services clients in multibillion-dollar stock-drop claims and breach of fiduciary actions alleging excessive fees of mutual funds and underperforming investments. The group also handles actuarial malpractice disputes and healthcare benefits disputes. The team is based in the New York office.
Practice head(s):
Lewis Clayton
Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 3
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP focuses on corporate transactions concerning TV, print media, OTT services and live events. Charles Googe chairs the team and is an expert in transactions involving IP rights, licensing and technology. Deputy chair of the corporate department Ariel Deckelbaum is another key name; he has extensive experience in M&A, joint ventures and restructuring. Similarly, Michael Vogel is a recommended corporate lawyer with a focus on the entertainment sector and noted expertise in acting for media companies and investment houses. All named lawyers are based in New York.
Practice head(s):
Charles Googe
Other key lawyers:
Practice head(s):
Charles Googe
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are far and above the most strategic thinkers we have ever worked with and we constantly work with top law firms on a daily basis.’
Finance > Capital markets: global offerings
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a well-developed global offerings practice, which advises a range of non-US issuers on investment grade and high-yield debt offerings. Clients note the firm's capabilities for businesses that are dual-listed in Canada and the US. Indeed, it has strong connections to Canadian issuers and financial sponsors, in part through its Toronto office where key partners Adam Givertz and Christopher Cummings divide their time with New York. Moreover, teams led by New York's Andrew Foley advised Canadian Natural Resources on its $1.1bn debt offering, and also assisted Canadian Pacific Railway with its $500m senior unsubordinated unsecured notes offering in 2020. European and Asian issuers are also among its clients.
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Adam Givertz is an incredibly talented, experienced and practical lawyer. The best external counsel the company has to go to for advice and transactional support. A tremendous asset for the company in its endeavours.’
‘A well established and experienced, user-friendly team.’
‘Mark Bergman is very experienced and a pleasure to deal with.’
‘The Paul Weiss team led by Andrew Foley provides a unique cross-border perspective for Canadian public companies which are listed in both Canada and the US. The team understands the law and its practical implications on both sides of the board which is very valuable.’
‘Andrew Foley knows the particular challenges and pitfalls faced by companies that are both listed and operate in Canada and the US. He is very responsive and strategic in his advice.’
Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 5
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is recognized for its involvement in landmark patent litigation in the biopharmaceuticals industry, highlighted by Washington DC litigators Nicholas Groombridge and Catherine Nyarady representing Amgen and others in multiple precedent-setting litigations concerning biosimilar products. In another standout case, Kenneth Gallo, a leading patent litigator with particular experience in oncology therapy, has recently defended Genentech in a infringement lawsuit in the District of Delaware brought by Baxalta concerning its potentially life-changing hemophilia treatment HEMLIBRA® (emicizumab). Also recommended is counsel Eric Alan Stone, who is sought out by innovators in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device areas.
Practice head(s):
Kenneth Gallo; Nicholas Groombridge
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
10x Genomics
Amgen Inc.
Becton, Dickinson & Co.
Genentech
Cabaret Biotech, Ltd.
Channel Medsystems
Johnson & Johnson
Chugai Pharmaceutical
Work highlights
- Represented Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), sucessfully dismissing an antitrust class action alleging that BD conspired with distributors and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act to force healthcare providers into long‐term exclusionary contracts in order to restrain trade, inflate the prices, and maintain market power in the markets for syringes and I.V. catheters.
- Representing Cabaret in an action centered around the validity of its patent on a path-breaking cancer therapy called CAR-T.
- Lead M&A and antitrust counsel to Elanco Animal Health Incorporated, an Indiana-based animal health company that develops products and knowledge services to prevent and treat disease in food animals and pets, in its $7.6bn acquisition of the animal health business of Bayer AG.
China > Corporate and M&A: foreign firms
Hong Kong > Private equity
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison advises sovereign wealth investors, corporates, and international and regional private equity funds on investments, co-investments and exit work. It has considerable experience in complex, sensitive, multi-jurisdictional transactions. The practice acts for clients in a broad range of sectors, including real estate, education, retail and data centre, and has notable expertise in cross-border M&A, strategic investments, joint ventures and foreign direct investments involving Greater China. Judie Ng Shortell and Greg Liu are the key names to note. In January 2022, former practice head Betty Yap departed.Other key lawyers:
Key clients
KKR
Didi Chuxing
Tencent
General Atlantic
PAG
Apollo Global Management
DCP Fund
Work highlights
- Advised Aspex Master Fund as the lead investor on a $330m Series C+ financing round in XPeng Inc., a leading electric vehicle and technology company with operations in the US and the PRC.
- Advised General Atlantic LLC, a lead member of an investor consortium, in its acquisition of 58.com, China’s largest online classifieds marketplace, for an enterprise value of $8.7bn.
- Advised Didi Chuxing Technology Co., a leading app-based mobile transportation platform, in the carve-out and subsequent fundraising of its freight business Didi Freight, an on-demand freight logistics and delivery services provider.
Japan > Capital markets: International firms and joint ventures
Hong Kong > TMT
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison regularly advises financial sponsors on their investments in the TMT space. Particular areas of recent focus have included AI-related investments, as well as data centre acquisitions. Judie Ng Shortell and Greg Liu are the key names to note.Other key lawyers:
Greg Liu; Judie Ng Shortell
Key clients
Didi Chuxing
General Atlantic
Wanda Sports & Media
Work highlights
- Acted for Aspex Master Fund as the lead investor on a $330m Series C+ financing round in XPeng Inc, a leading electric vehicle and technology company with operations in the US and the PRC.
- Advised Wanda Sports & Media (Hong Kong) Holding Co. Limited on taking Nasdaq-listed Wanda Sports Group private, the very first take-private transaction of solely Nasdaq-listed Hong Kong company.
- Advised Didi Chuxing on the spin-off of Didi Freight to strategically diversify its business, capture growth and capitalize its market value.
Hong Kong > Corporate (including M&A)
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison is home to a highly-specialised practice consisting of lawyers dedicated to M&A and private equity mandates. Clients include private equity firms and financial institutions in addition to Chinese and international companies from industries as varied as real estate, TMT, energy, food and beverage, retail and automotive. Judie Ng Shortell and Greg Liu are the main contacts following the departure of Betty Yap.Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Wumei
State Grid Corporation
Tencent
Didi Chuxing
MagnaChip Semiconductor
Dalian Wanda Group
Hillhouse Capital
KKR
DCP Fund
General Atlantic
Work highlights
- Advised Ageas Insurance International NV, one of the largest international insurance company, in its HK$3,100m (approximately €340m) investment in Taiping Reinsurance Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China Taiping Insurance Holdings.
- Advising Wanda Sports & Media (Hong Kong) Holding Co. Limited in its tender offer, announced on December 23, 2020, to acquire all of the Class A Ordinary Shares of Nasdaq-listed Wanda Sports Group Company Limited, including shares represented by American Depositary Shares.
- Acted for Didi Chuxing Technology Co., a leading app-based mobile transportation platform, in the carve-out and subsequent fundraising of its freight business Didi Freight, an on-demand freight logistics and delivery services provider.
Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP > Firm Profile
Chairman: Brad S. Karp
Firm overview: Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a firm of more than 1,000 lawyers with diverse backgrounds, personalities, ideas and interests who provide innovative and effective solutions to clients’ most complex legal and business challenges. The firm represents some of the world’s largest publicly and privately held corporations and financial institutions, asset managers and entrepreneurs, as well as clients needing pro bono assistance.
Main areas of practice
Litigation/white-collar and regulatory defense practices: Home to the nation’s most formidable trial lawyers and litigation strategists, Paul, Weiss has an unmatched track record of successfully handling the highest-profile litigations and regulatory investigations, in every forum and before every regulatory and enforcement agency. The team, which includes many former senior government officials, represents companies and boards in their most sensitive matters and internal Investigations and is the world’s leading crisis management firm.
Securities: Recognized as having the nation’s preeminent securities litigation and regulatory practice, the firm guides global corporations, financial institutions, boards and individuals through “bet-the-company” securities-related crises, winning trials, prevailing on motions or negotiating favorable resolutions.
Antitrust: Paul, Weiss handles antitrust litigation, counseling and investigations; advises on transactions; and advocates before regulators. With a deep bench of former antitrust officials and first-class trial lawyers, the team has a deep track record of successfully handling matters involving significant reputational and financial exposure.
Supreme court and appellate litigation: Paul, Weiss handles high-impact appeals before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal and state appellate courts, securing appellate victories involving the nation’s most important business and public interest issues.
Intellectual property: The firm’s patent litigators represent corporations in enterprise-threatening disputes, including trials, appeals and proceedings before the PTAB and the ITC. The team includes leading trial lawyers and Patent Office practitioners and patent examiners, former Federal Circuit law clerks and lawyers with degrees in many scientific disciplines. It also has a leading copyright, trademark and trade secrets practice.
M&A litigation: The firm defends clients in complex disputes in the M&A context, including litigation filed in state and federal courts, under expedited discovery timetables.
Anti-corruption and FCPA: The firm advises clients on all types of FCPA and corruption-related matters, including conducting internal investigations, government investigations and enforcement proceedings, compliance programs and transactional anti-corruption diligence.
Product liability: Paul, Weiss has successfully defended industrial and medical product companies in their largest and most complex product liability matters, and has negotiated and administered landmark settlements.
Cybersecurity and data protection: The firm helps clients manage and respond to fast-moving data breach situations while advising them on effective, proactive strategies to reduce business risk.
Transactional practices: Paul, Weiss advises the world’s largest corporations, financial institutions, entrepreneurs and investment managers on their most complex legal and business challenges. The firm’s lawyers are recognized internationally as leaders in M&A, private equity, finance, capital markets, investment management, transactional IP, corporate governance, restructuring, executive compensation, real estate and tax.
Mergers and acquisitions: Paul, Weiss advises the world’s largest public and private companies, private equity firms, boards of directors and special committees, management teams, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and investors on their most significant M&A and activist defense matters.
Private equity: The firm represents leading buyout and investment firms and their portfolio companies on leveraged buyouts, majority and minority stakes investments, sales and divestitures, recapitalizations, venture capital deals, joint ventures and securities offerings.
Finance: The firm has one of the industry’s leading leveraged finance practices, an award-winning securitization team, and experience in project financings and complex derivatives structures.
Capital markets: The firm represents issuers and private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in some of the most complex public and private securities offerings in the market.
Investment management: The firm excels at private fund formation and the full range of investment advisory services, working with private equity, credit and hedge fund managers on their most sophisticated matters.
Transactional IP: The firm’s IP transactional group, comprised of IP specialists who are corporate generalists, is a critical component of the firm’s private equity and public company M&A capabilities.
Corporate governance: The firm guides clients on applicable securities laws, disclosure obligations and other regulatory regimes; helps develop effective compliance programs; advises special committees on fiduciary duties issues; and oversees highly sensitive investigations.
Tax: The firm’s tax lawyers play critical roles in strategizing and structuring transactions, collaborating with the firm’s other practices to create innovative and advantageous tax solutions.
Executive compensation: The firm’s technically masterful, solutions-oriented team advises on compensation matters in connection with M&A transactions and proxy statements, and on ERISA fiduciary matters for funds and plan fiduciaries.
Restructuring: The firm represents debtors, creditors, lenders and investors across all industries in complex restructuring matters, including litigation and transactions involving financially distressed companies. The firm also represents leading purchasers of distressed companies and assets.
Real estate: The firm works with prominent institutions in the development, financing, acquisition and sale of major real estate projects, helping break new ground on transformative residential, commercial and retail projects.
Sustainability and ESG: The firm has a dedicated, interdisciplinary team of lawyers and professionals who help boards and executives navigate the legal, business and political ramifications of developing and implementing Sustainability and ESG initiatives, including ESG-focused shareholder engagement.
Pro Bono: The firm has a long tradition of providing impactful pro bono legal assistance to individuals and organizations in need; its renowned pro bono program spans all the core issues facing society.
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Matthew W. Abbott | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Edward Ackerman | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Justin Anderson | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Allan J. Arffa | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Jonathan Ashtor | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Robert A. Atkins | Click Here For Attorney Bio | View Profile |
![]() | Scott A. Barshay | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Paul M. Basta | Click Here for Attorney Bio | View Profile |
![]() | Lynn B. Bayard | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Mark S. Bergman | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | David M. Bernick | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Bruce Birenboim | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Christopher H. Boehning | Click Here for Attorney Bio | View Profile |
![]() | Angelo Bonvino | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Robert Britton | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Walter Brown | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | David W. Brown | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Susanna M. Buergel | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Jessica Carey | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | David Carmona | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Geoffrey R. Chepiga | Click Here for Attorney Bio | View Profile |
![]() | Ellen Ching | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Lewis R. Clayton | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Rachael Coffey | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Jay Cohen | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Kelley A. Cornish | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Christopher J. Cummings | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Douglas R. Davis | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Ariel J. Deckelbaum | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Alice Belisle Eaton | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew J. Ehrlich | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Gregory A. Ezring | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Ross Fieldston | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew C. Finch | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Brad J. Finkelstein | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Brian P. Finnegan | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Roberto Finzi | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Peter E. Fisch | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Harris Fischman | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Robert C. Fleder | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Martin Flumenbaum | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew J. Foley | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Harris B. Freidus | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Christopher Frey | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Manuel S. Frey | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew L. Gaines | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Michael E. Gertzman | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Adam M. Givertz | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Salvatore Gogliormella | ClickHereForAttorneyBio | View Profile |
![]() | Neil Goldman | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Matthew Goldstein | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Roberto J. Gonzalez | Click Here for Attorney Bio | View Profile |
![]() | Catherine L. Goodall | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Eric Goodison | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Charles H. Googe Jr. | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Andrew G. Gordon | Click Here for Attorney Bio | View Profile |
![]() | Brian Grieve | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Udi Grofman | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
![]() | Nicholas P. Groombridge | Click here for attorney bio | View Profile |
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Diversity and Inclusion
A Historic Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Individuality and diversity of ideas, backgrounds and perspectives are valued here. Our firm’s commitment to cultural progress can be seen throughout our history. Our work has contributed to groundbreaking societal change, from assisting Thurgood Marshall in Brown v. Board of Education, to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court victory for Edith Windsor and marriage equality.
A firm’s culture greatly influences the experience of every attorney. We are proud of the collaboration, cooperation and innovation that takes place at Paul, Weiss every day. We intend to provide all of our attorneys with the necessary tools to build stellar, rewarding careers in an inclusive environment. Our diversity and inclusion initiatives also support that goal through the efforts of our Diversity and Women’s Initiatives Committees, and a diversity and inclusion strategy implemented by our Chief Inclusion Officer.
Click here to learn more from Firm Chair Brad Karp, and to read the Firm Principles outlined by Simon Rifkind in 1963.
Statement from Brad Karp, Firm Chair:
“Most elite law firms profess a devotion to diversity. Our law firm has been breaking down walls and shattering barriers for more than a century. We were the first major law firm to mix religions, founding the “modern” Paul, Weiss by merging prominent law practices of Jews and Gentiles. We were the first large New York law firm to hire an African-American lawyer when we hired William Coleman in 1949. As a Paul, Weiss associate, Coleman immediately began working with Thurgood Marshall on Brown v. Board of Education, striking down segregation in public schools. We were also the first major law firm to elect a female partner and the first to hire an African-American woman attorney in the 1950s. We have also long been a leader in the area of LGBTQ rights, taking the case of Edith Windsor to the U.S. Supreme Court, establishing a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, and most recently extending that protection in the adoption context.
“Diversity remains a key strategic priority for our firm, encompassing initiatives, programs, and policies that have been broadly lauded as market-leading and cutting-edge. We always have been an open and diverse, iconoclastic, egalitarian firm with a conscience, welcoming and respecting people of all backgrounds and points of view, encouraging everyone to speak their minds and to share their thoughts about matters large and small. We recognize that our firm is defined by how we treat each other publicly and privately, and we understand that, at the beginning and end of every day, we are in this together. We appreciate that building a diverse and inclusive workforce is not only the right thing to do, but it ensures success in all aspects of our work and our business.”
Firm Principles outlined by Simon Rifkind, 1963:
“We believe in maintaining, by affirmative efforts, a membership of partners and associates reflecting a wide variety of religious, political, ethnic and social backgrounds, characteristic of that community. We believe that through this policy we may bring to the service of our clients greater breadth of understanding and wider contacts with the world at large, while enriching our personal lives and demonstrating the value of democratic principles as applied to the organization of a law firm.”
Awards and Recognition
Paul, Weiss has been recognized many times over for our commitment to diversity and inclusion. Recent awards and recognition include:
- In 2019, the firm was recognized as the top firm nationally for our percentage of black attorneys according to the nonprofit Lawyers of Color in their Black Student’s Guide to Law Schools and Law Firms.
- Ranked among the top 25 “Most Diverse Law Firms” for 17 consecutive years, with two number one rankings, by The American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard.
- In 2018, awarded the Law Firm Diversity Award by the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY).
- Awarded Gold Standard Certification by the Women in Law Empowerment Forum (WILEF) for our advancement of women lawyers for the past four consecutive years.
- In 2018, ranked sixth among large law firms on Law360’s list of the Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys higher than any peer firm.
- Ranked fifthon The American Lawyer’s “A-List” in 2018, the only firm among peers listed in the top 25 firms for our percentage of female equity partners.
- In 2018, ranked 16 (out of 197) on The National Law Journal’s 2018 LGBT Scorecard.
- In 2017, ranked among the top 25 firms for Minority Partner Representation by The American Lawyer’s Diversity Scorecard.
- Ranked fifth among large law firms on Law360’s Top 10 Firms for Minority Equity Partners list in 2017.
- Recognized by The American Lawyer in 2013 as the #1 firm for diversity over the past decade.
- Honored by the Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) with the 2016 Excellence in Corporate Diversity Award.
- In 2016, honored by the New York City Bar as the only law firm to have consistently participated in the Diversity Fellowship program for the past 25 years.
- Ranked by Law360 among “The 100 Best Law Firms For Female Attorneys” in 2016.
- Consistently named among the top U.S. law firms for diversity in the Vault Guide to the Top 100 Law Firms.
- Proud member of Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).
- Proud member of the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion Initiative.
Women at Paul, Weiss
In this video, partners, counsel, associates and alumnae discuss what it’s like to practice at Paul, Weiss and the strength of the firm’s commitment to gender diversity and inclusion at all levels:
https://www.paulweiss.com/about-the-firm/women/videos/hear-from-the-women-of-paul-weiss?id=23680
Read more from our Womens Initiative Committee Co-Chairs and deputy chair here.
Paul, Weiss is committed to advancing women at the firm. Our Committee develops and implements programs that foster an inclusive and supportive professional environment in which women attorneys can successfully develop their careers and achieve positions of leadership at the firm and in the wider legal community.As co-chairs of the Women’s Initiatives Committee, we are proud to carry out the firm’s mission to encourage both men and women to support these efforts.”- Joint statement from Women’s Initiatives Committee Co-Chairs, litigation partner Jessica Carey and corporate partner Ariel Deckelbaum
Valerie Radwaner, firm deputy chair:
Valerie Radwaner made her name as a leading corporate finance lawyer while working tirelessly to institute change and inspire leadership by creating opportunities for the advancement of women at Paul, Weiss. In 2014, the partnership elected Valerie as the firm’s first Deputy Chair to help the firm achieve its highest strategic priorities. In this role, Valerie is creating a model for what law firm leaders can do to impact the success of women in their firms.
Valerie was recently interviewed by the Center on the Legal Profession about diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. You can read more here.
Inclusive Networks
The firm supports several Networks that contribute to the overall inclusiveness of the firm’s culture, while providing opportunities for members to forge supportive connections. The Networks (Asian-Pacific Lawyers, Black Lawyers, Family, Latinx Lawyers, Pride @ Work and Women) are open to all interested attorneys and focus on internal relationship building, career development, recruitment and client development. The Networks offer support, facilitate discussion and provide opportunities for networking inside and outside of the firm. By cultivating lasting ties with clients, law student organizations, bar associations, alumni and nonprofit groups, each network helps to make Paul, Weiss more inclusive.
Read more about our Networks here.
“As a gender-queer, femme-presenting individual, to be respected as an integral part of the culture and community, without any questions, is why Im here. Paul, Weiss lives and breathes that we are all part of the family, and that the only way for any of us to succeed is for all of us to succeed.”- Rebekah Scherr, associate
Mentoring Program
We focus on developing our women and diverse associates early in their careers. A notable component of this approach is the Diversity Mentoring Program. Voluntary and open to all racially or ethnically diverse and LGBTQ first- through third-year associates, the program pairs each diverse mentee with a partner mentor, regardless of race or sexual orientation, in his or her department. The Diversity Mentoring Program helps to form important working relationships at the beginning of young lawyers’ development and has advanced the careers of our diverse attorneys. The Women’s Mentoring Program for midlevel women associates features one-to-one matching with a partner mentor and a formal curriculum meant to enhance the mentees’ career development skills. The program also features social outings and events to strengthen the cohesiveness of women associates at this stage in their careers.
“Today, I feel it’s the same welcoming, supportive place it was when I had my first interview and I’m proud of our ongoing diversity efforts which range from our official mentoring programs, our participation in several programs that introduce undergraduates and high school students to the legal profession and our hosting of an annual diversity event.” – Corporate partner Amran Hussein, pictured with mentor Robert M. Hirsh, Of Counsel
Annual Diversity Networking Reception
Our Annual Diversity Networking Reception has become the premier summer networking event in New York City. The event connects lawyers and business professionals of color with one another and with the larger legal and business communities.
We want to use our commitment to diversity and inclusion to create a mosaic of our professional community. It is thrilling to see so many talented professionals of color, right here in this room, who are going to be the catalyst for change in the 21st century.
Visit our site to watch the video, here
Making a Difference
Paul, Weiss is committed to providing impactful pro bono legal assistance to individuals and organizations in need across a broad range of constitutional, civil rights and other public interest matters. From helping Thurgood Marshall reverse the doctrine of "separate but equal" in Brown v. Board of Education to representing Edith Windsor in challenging the Defense of Marriage Act in United States v. Windsor, our attorneys have achieved landmark victories in civil rights cases that have changed society for the better. Today, we are a leader in nationwide efforts to secure equal rights for the LGBTQ community, advance racial justice, challenge restrictive voting laws, and protect the rights of Americans with disabilities.
In recent pro bono matters promoting diversity and inclusion, the firm:
- Joined an ABA amicus brief in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, which upheld the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions policies.
- Represented Edith Windsor in the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
- Represented Asian-American police officers in a suit against their employer proving that promotion practices had a disparate and discriminatory impact in violation of Title VII.
- In Davis, et al. v. City of New York, represented 400,000 NYCHA residents alleging discriminatory and unlawful NYPD stop and frisk practices, resulting in a settlement that included changes to NYPD procedures.
- Filed an amicus brief on behalf of 113 women lawyers in Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt, in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Texas laws restricting abortion services as unduly burdensome.
Diversity Stats