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

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 1

The antitrust practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP excels in individual and class action claims alike, with cases spanning the whole range of defense matters including monopolization, price fixing, bid rigging, and exclusive dealing. Acting for clients such as Amazon, Credit Suisse, and SAP, the group’s expertise extends to a host of industries and multiple jurisdictions in and outside of the US. In Washington DC, Ken Gallo is praised for his ‘impactful blend of practical solutions, legal acumen and technical expertise’  with which he represents clients particularly at the intersection of antitrust with intellectual property. Technology and social media specialist Karen Dunn and Bill Isaacson further form part of the DC team. In New York, Aidan Synnott and Andrew Finch are recommended for their involvement in high-stakes class actions in financial services and the high-tech industry. Bet-the-company expert Rick Rule in Washington DC departed in March 2022 to found his own firm.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP fields an impressive team which includes a number of former federal prosecutors, and DOJ and SEC attorneys, and focuses on multifaceted domestic and international regulatory matters. Brad Karp has a strong reputation in bet-the-company litigation and regulatory investigations, while Theodore Wells is a seasoned litigator and well versed in government investigations. Roberto Finzi is a name to note for the representation of individuals caught up in high-profile white-collar crime matters, and Harris Fischman is recommended for regulatory enforcement proceedings, internal investigations and criminal defense. Jessica Carey, Richard Tarlowe, Loretta Lynch, and Washington DC-based Mark Mendelsohn, Roberto Gonzalez and Jeannie Rhee are other key practitioners. In February 2021, the firm launched a San Francisco office, with Walter Brown and Randy Luskey joining from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, Joshua Hill joining from Morrison Foerster, and Melinda Haag arriving from the DOJ. Named attorneys based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > Financial services litigation Tier 1

The team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is widely recognized in the market for its ability to represent prominent clients in high-profile disputes and investigations. In 2021, the practice acted in litigation before state and federal courts, including appearing before the Supreme Court, and was also engaged to handle enforcement proceedings and internal investigations. The team’s sizeable client base includes prominent banks, hedge funds, and private equity funds, and it advises these clients in cases involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud, and market manipulation. The practice is jointly led by Brad Karp, Susanna M. Buergel, Jessica Carey, Andrew J. Ehrlich, Kenneth A. Gallo, Audra J. Soloway and Theodore Wells. Karp serves as chairman of the firm and is amongst the most respected lawyers in this sector, while Buergel, Ehrlich and Soloway co-chair the firm’s securities litigation practice. Daniel Kramer is another key figure in the team, with deep experience in securities litigation including handling antitrust and securities fraud claims. All named lawyers are based in New York with the exception of Gallo, who is based out of the firm’s Washington DC office.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 1

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP‘s disputes practice enjoys a strong reputation in the market, not least due to its highly experienced chairman Brad Karp. The team is regularly involved in commercial litigation, trials, and appeals, as well as in motion practice and arbitration cases, acting for high-profile clients such as Apple, IBM, Citigroup, and Bloomberg. Theodore Wells expertise was in demand by ExxonMobil in a wide range of matters, among those its defense in a series climate change-related matters, including an SEC investigation, multiple state attorneys general investigations, government tort litigation and private class actions. Jaren Janghorbani  focuses on M&A litigation as well as large-scale torts, including environmental disputes, while the Washington DC-based Karen Dunn has know-how in commercial and antitrust cases. Andrew Gordon is another key practitioner. Named lawyers are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1

Karen Dunn – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Washington DC based litigation partner Karen Dunn leads many of the most significant cases in the US, particularly those where settlement is not an option. In 2021, Dunn had a major trial victory for Apple in Epic v. Apple.  Other notable representations within the technology sector include leading the team defending Uber against Waymo in a billion dollar trade secrets case over the future of self-driving cars.Theodore Wells – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. New York-based Theodore Wells has conducted many of the most influential matters in the US. Historical cases of note include serving as lead counsel to New Jersey Governer Phil Murphy in an unprecedented lawsuit involving a Democratic power broker attempting to stop an investigation by a special governor’s task force into the state’s tax incentive programs. Wells is highly regarded for SEC investigations, exemplified by his defence of ExxonMobil in a three-year SEC investigation which ended with no enforcement action being recommended against the company. He was also retained to represent ExxonMobil in a series of tort suits.

William Isaacson – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Mandates covered by Washington DC-based William Isaacson  include complex class actions. His practice focuses on antitrust matters; notably securing an arbitration victory on behalf of Uber in a high-profile, lengthy antitrust action against the company. Isaacson has acted in antitrust class actions on the defense and the plaintiff side, a unique element to his practice. On the plaintiff side, he also undertakes significant and impactful pro bono work. Current notable mandates include defending Apple in a crucial class action for the business and securing a favorable settlement for Apple in early October 2021.

Brad Karp - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. Firm chairman Brad Karp continues to successfully defend high-profile financial institutions and corporations including Morgan Stanley and Blackstone Alternative Asset Management in their most challenging litigations. He has also represented the NFL over several years, notably achieving in October 2021 a settlement of claims by retired black players alleging race-based adjustments in dementia testing in the settlement payout process. Karp is based in New York.Jay Cohen – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. New-York based Jay Cohen is former co-chair of the firm’s litigation department and is particularly renowned for his expertise in commercial, media and entertainment, antitrust and intellectual property disputes. A recent victory for the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) and 14 independent music publishers in a copyright infringement action against Peloton Interactive, one of the largest copyright cases ever brought in the music industry, demonstrates his prowess in this area.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 1

The team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, which has offices in New York and Wilmington, is praised as ‘focused on achieving client objectives‘, and provides ‘very well written and argued briefs that go to the heart of the matter‘, with clients highlighting the ‘incredibly hardworking and smart lawyers‘. Among these are New York-based partners Andrew Gordon and Jaren Janghorbani , along with Andre Bouchard in Wilmington, who lead the practice. Bouchard joined in October 2021 having been Chancellor of the Delaware Court of Chancery. Lewis Clayton and Geoff Chepiga in New York are among the most highly M&A respected litigators in the market, and Alexia Korberg , who is acting for CBS in shareholder litigation challenging its $30bn merger with Viacom, is also highly recommended. The firm is heavily involved in the emerging area of SPAC-related litigation, and Janghorbani is representing private equity firm Fireman Capital Partners in a case in Delaware that alleges breaches of fiduciary duty in relation to convertible notes and warrants issued to Fireman by cannabis and hemp company Left Coast Ventures prior to its merger with a special purpose acquisition company.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 1

The New York office of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is home to a deep bench of talented securities litigators. Among them are veteran litigator and firm chair Brad Karp, who along with Andrew J. Ehrlich scored a major victory in Kentucky State Court for Blackstone Group in an unprecedented attempt to assert derivative claims on behalf of public pension funds against asset managers hired by those funds. Susanna M. Buergel is another standout lawyer and her work with Ken Gallo in a securities class action concerning Citigroup’s role as an investment advisor is a prime example of her role in high-stakes cases. Audra J. Soloway , who handled a case for Biogen Inc. in which plaintiffs allege false and misleading statements in relation to its Alzheimer’s drug aducanumab, and Theodore Wells, who won a complete defense verdict on behalf of ExxonMobil in a landmark trial in New York state court alleging that the company misled investors about the risks of climate change to its business, are also recommended. Veteran partner Daniel Kramer has deep experience in representing Fortune 500 clients in high-profile, cutting-edge cases, and co-deputy chair of the Securities Litigation and Enforcement Group. Jane B. O’Brien in Washington DC and veteran litigator Richard Rosen in New York also play key roles in the practice.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 1

The New York based practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is known for advising debtors, distressed companies, official and unofficial committees of creditors, both secured and unsecured creditors, equity sponsors and distressed investors. Its team is well versed in the handling of both Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 cases, out-of-court restructurings and transactions pertaining to financially distressed companies, and is also familiar with representing both governmental and regulatory bodies. Its expertise is evidenced through its representation of a Mallinckrodt ad hoc committee of guaranteed unsecured noteholders, concerning its Chapter 11 cases surrounding $5.5bn of debt; Alice Belisle Eaton assisted the matter. She, alongside Andrew Parlen, oversaw the out-of-court exchange offer and refinancing transactions of Revlon. Alan Kornberg, Paul Basta and Andrew Rosenberg are co-chairs of the department and have each led its team in significant matters including the Chapter 11 case of Diamond Offshore Drilling. Brian S. Hermann is noted for his representation of both debtor and lender clients. Elizabeth R. McColm has vast experience across sectors such as retail, energy, shipping and publishing. Kyle J. Kimpler is well known for his litigation experience, overseeing Chapter 11 cases, bankruptcy proceedings and cross-border insolvencies. The practice saw the arrival of Kenneth Ziman and partner promotion of Christopher Hopkins in early 2022.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 1

The ‘unique‘ offering at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is much lauded by clients, one of whom singles it out as a team which ‘is truly innovative, thinks outside of the box and has seen more than just the “norm” in terms of fund structures, market practices and deal complexities‘. The group has a long track record assisting investment management firms and their principals with regulatory compliance and crisis management, and other operational issues; the department is regularly called upon to assist fund managers experiencing life-threatening risks, including regulatory issues, investor litigation and disputes among its senior partners. In addition, the firm has a particularly strong reputation as a leading seed practice and is widely noted for its transactional capabilities. Udi Grofman – who co-chairs the global private funds practice along with Marco Masotti – is recognized for his ‘outstanding business sense complementing nonpareil legal expertise‘. The two oversee matters from the New York office, which also fields recommended practitioners Amran Hussein and Lindsey Wiersma.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 1

Counting notable companies such as IBM, Apollo and MGM among its key roster of clients, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP’s workload includes high-end M&A and IPOs, in addition to CEO succession mandates. The team is well-placed to advise on tax, securities and corporate issues relating to deferred compensation and equity-based pay plans. The team benefits from the leadership of Jean McLoughlin, who is the practice’s go-to advisor for public companies and is noted for her expertise in senior leadership succession matters. Lawrence Witdorchic, who also co-chairs the executive compensation group, and Jarrett Hoffman act for private equity funds and publicly held corporations. All named attorneys are based in New York. Former co-chair Andrew L. Gaines  left the firm in June 2022.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 1

Hailed as ‘an extraordinary practice of top individuals’, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a top-of-the-market resource for M&A, corporate governance issues, activist campaigns, proxy fights, tender offers and unsolicited transactions. Corporate chair Scott Barshay has played a central role on some of the largest transactions in sectors including aerospace and defense, consumer and retail, TMT, industrials and healthcare; his team includes Robert Schumer, a lawyer with over 30 years’ of experience in M&A, joint ventures, LBOs and joint ventures, as well as Jeffrey Marell, who possesses extensive expertise in negotiation and contested deals, minority investments and carve-outs transactions. Named lawyers are based in New York, as is Steven Williams, whose broad expertise includes mergers-of-equals, carve-outs, spin-outs and sales of asset management firms.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 1

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP combines headline deal involvements with a pipeline of transactions on behalf of blue-chip private equity funds such as Apollo, General Atlantic, and Ares, working across the bulge-bracket and middle market on buyouts, exits, minority investments, and innovative arrangements such as SPAC deals. The firm is noted for its senior leadership on complex deals, with practice co-head Matthew W. Abbott advising General Atlantic on its $1.5 billion investment in Articulate Global as well as a number of other transactions, alongside standout transactional partners Ellen Ching, Neil Goldman, and Brian Lavin. Co-head Taurie M. Zeitzer remains a leading name in the market, advising long-standing client Apollo on its $5 billion acquisition of Verizon Media, while Brian Scrivani is noted for his prolific practice, handling a broad range of buyouts and portfolio company deals, as well as corporate governance issues. Ted Ackerman advised Brookfield and Simon Property Group in their acquisition of assets of JC Penney in bankruptcy, continuing his strong record in carve-outs and portfolio M&A. Angelo Bonvino is a senior practitioner who acts as relationship partner for top clients including Kohlberg & Co and Oak Hill Capital, while Sarah Stasny is increasingly influential, representing Roark Capital in a variety of strategic acquisitions. Justin Rosenberg remains a name to watch, maintaining a diverse client base, while Jeffrey Kochian and Gerald Brant joined the team from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in November 2021, deepening the firm’s Apollo relationship as well as expanding its capabilities in mid-market and portfolio company work. All lawyers are in New York.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP‘s eminent tax practice advises on both major transactions and restructurings, working on big-ticket M&A, multi-jurisdictional spin-offs, and take-privates for MNCs and financial institutions alike. Brad Okun is a regular port of call for the firm’s investment management clientele, routinely advising on multi-billion dollar acquisitions with targets operating across multiple sectors. Scott M. Sontag is a highly experienced advisor to public companies and private equity funds, most notably in REIT-related transactions. Jeffrey Samuels‘ renowned public company tax practice sees him advising on some of the most consequential deals in the market place, with recent highlights including twelve-figure transactions in the media sector. In addition to his active M&A tax practice, Robert Holo anchors the group’s bankruptcy offering, working with a number of creditor groups on Chapter 11 and restructuring proceedings. David W. Mayo ‘s most recent instructions include a number of high-value private equity transactions, while Lindsay Parks is a trusted advisor to the firm’s investment management and REIT clientele. Cross-border specialist Brian Krause joined the team from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in April 2021.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 2

The team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP includes a number of former senior DOJ antitrust officials and leading trial lawyers, and handles a combination of major government investigations, alongside civil and criminal litigation relating to cartel activity and follow-on damages, with a highly successful record in acting for blue-chip corporates as well as individuals. The firm is a powerhouse in the financial services industry, and has also handled high-profile bid-rigging and price-fixing investigations for clients in the energy, technology and manufacturing sectors on a global basis, representing clients against DOJ and FTC investigations as well as before the European Commission and other international antitrust enforcers. The team is led by Andrew C. Finch and Aidan Synnott, a vastly experienced duo who regularly handle complex multi-jurisdictional regulatory investigations and litigation. Also of note are Joseph Bial, who acts for clients in high-stakes civil and criminal cartel proceedings, currently representing Nippon Chemi-Con in an ongoing grand jury trial relating to price-fixing, and sought-after litigator Kenneth A. Gallo, a go-to for bench trials, regulatory investigations, and private litigation for marquee clients. In March 2022, Rick Rule left the Washington DC office to found his own firm.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 2

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP remains active across a wide range of complex, high-value mergers, regularly securing clearance for big-ticket transactions in the face of FTC and DOJ scrutiny, as well as shepherding deals through multijurisdictional antitrust authorities. The firm’s expertise encompasses HSR filings and merger reviews, through to regulatory investigations and legal challenges, including associated litigation, with notably capabilities in the tech sector, which faces increasing regulatory scrutiny. The firm combines ‘hired gun’ mandates with regular transactional work for major market names including Elanco, Mastercard, and Apollo Global Management. The team includes a number of highly experienced antitrust practitioners with past DOJ and FTC experience, including former Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Andrew C. Finch, who co-leads the team and is an expert in merger reviews and investigations. Co-chair Aidan Synnott is a prolific merger counsel, and represented Conair in its sale by affiliates of American Securities LLC. All lawyers are based in New York unless otherwise stated. Washington DC-based Rick Rule left to found his own firm in March 2022.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal)

‘As good as it gets‘, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP‘s appellate team impresses with its increasing involvement in precedent-setting cases, following the arrival of high-profile group chair Kannon K. Shanmugam in 2019. Notably, the firm secured three US Supreme Court victories in the 2020-21 term alone. The group also has experience in arguing before all 13 Courts of Appeals, as well as many state appellate courts. Washington DC-based Shanmugam is an ‘all-star in every respect‘ and recently paired up with the trial litigation team to score an 8-1 win for Goldman Sachs in a SCOTUS case with significant implications for class certification in securities class actions. In San Francisco, Meredith Dearborn is noted for her expertise in representing technology companies; she teamed up with Washington DC’s Karen Dunn to successfully defend Uber in the First Circuit in an unfair competition case. Elsewhere, Washington DC-based senior associate Aimee Brown played a key role in the firm’s successful representation of Spirit Airlines before the DC Circuit, in a matter concerning the FAA’s flight authorizations allocation at Newark Airport. New York-based Nicholas P. Groombridge, who focuses exclusively on intellectual property litigation, is also recommended.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 2

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a prestigious record in issuer-side engagements, frequently representing major private equity clients in acquisition finance-driven high-yield debt offerings. The firm also advises a multitude of public companies on their high-yield offerings, along with distressed businesses seeking urgent funding. Gregory Ezring is chair of the finance and capital markets groups. He and Brian Janson often represent anchor client Apollo Global Management and its portfolio companies in their fund raising programs, including high-yield debt issuances. John Kennedy, co-head of the capital markets team, continues to be noted for high-yield offerings in the corporate recovery environment and also represents a number of foreign issuers accessing the US capital markets. Tracey Zaccone is also active in private equity-driven deals and fund raisings linked to corporate distress relating to disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 2

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP does ‘tremendously good work‘ for borrower clients, advising on transactions ranging from first and second lien facilities to asset-based loans and restructurings and rescue financings. The firm has a particularly strong roster of private equity clients, which it assists with the financing elements of LBOs; such clients include Apollo Global Management, Insight Partners and Oaktree Capital Management. Gregory Ezring is one of the key names in this regard, also servings as global chair of the finance and capital markets groups. Ezring sits in the New York office, which is also home to private equity specialist Monica Thurmond and global debt finance co-head Thomas De La Bastide. Eric Goodison retired from partnership in January 2021, continuing to work in an of counsel role.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

Clients rate the ‘deep technical expertise' of the team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP whose esoteric securitization practice is respected across the market, led from New York. Of note in 2021, the team continued to advise the California Public Utilities Commission on securities issues arising from the California wildfire cases. It is also a key destination for intellectual property and whole-business securitizations. In addition, the group has experience across the spectrum of asset-backed securities. The group is led by Jordan Yarett, known for whole-business securitizations. Charles Pesant has a varied practice that includes domestic and cross-border commercial vehicle and equipment fleet securitizations, as well as securities of intellectual property and franchise agreements. Robert Zochowski Jr. , who is a co-head of the finance group, is a specialist in securitizations and project financings involving esoteric assets. Intellectual property-based securitizations are also an area of expertise for Claudine Meredith-Goujon .

Industry focus > Sport Tier 2

Based in New York, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP handles litigation, transactional and regulatory work for a range of clients, including major sports leagues, athletes, franchises, investors and broadcast companies. Acting as the chairman of the practice is Brad Karp. He and experienced litigator and trial lawyer Christopher Boehning, who acts as co-chair of the firm’s international practice, notably advised the Fédération Internationale de Football Association regarding a partnership agreement for a streaming service offering. Lynn Bayard and Theodore Wells are also noted, with experience in player health and safety issues, and complex civil and corporate litigation respectively.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 2

Nicholas Groombridge, a renowned patent litigator who also ‘stands out as an excellent communicator and strategist’, leads the practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, which has particularly strong expertise before the PTAB, complemented by a solid experience in other US venues such as the Federal Circuit and the ITC. Excelling across a wide range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, computer software and hardware, electronics, telecommunications and financial services, the practice includes deputy chair Catherine Nyarady, Jennifer Wu, and Eric Alan Stone in New York. Steven Baughman, ‘the partner to rely on in a technical patent case’, and counsel Megan Raymond, who handles ‘difficult arguments and witnesses with grace and effectiveness’, are based in the Washington DC office.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 2

The offering at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP provides specialized advice across the entire private equity fund lifecycle – including fund and management company formation, seed capital and strategic arrangements, employee compensation, and investment management M&A – from the firm’s New York office. The co-heads of the global funds group are Udi Grofman and Marco Masotti – the latter is particularly noted for his fundraising expertise. Other recommended attorneys at the practice include Victoria Forrester, who has overseen a number of ground-breaking fund launches for market leading clients; Amran Hussein, who is equally well versed in formation, launch and operation matters; and Conrad van Loggerenberg, whose recent highlights include bringing to market a number of credit, co-investment, seed capital and venture capital funds. Major institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds, state pension plans, retirement funds, endowments and family offices, also regularly instruct the team.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 2

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP's growing practice focuses on high-profile and precedent-setting cases, and the firm can regularly be found acting for major companies operating in the banking, insurance and food sectors, among others. The practice is led by four partners: Theodore Wells, who works with spin-off transactions; Jessica Carey, who defended DST Systems, Inc. in a novel matter concerning alleged breaches of fiduciary duty; Kenneth Gallo and Brad Karp. Seasoned litigator Lewis Clayton is another name to note.

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

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a strong choice for advice on avoiding or mitigating the impact of activist campaigns. Its team acts for clients in a number of scenarios, including those where the investor’s goal concerns management or board changes, stock buybacks or a shift in strategy. The chairman of the corporate department in New York is Scott Barshay, who ‘uses his team well‘ to handle high volumes of work from prominent, well-known companies undertaking significant campaigns. In addition to Barshay, Robert Schumer is another name to note.

Real estate Tier 2

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is noted for its development work in hospitality, healthcare and multifamily projects on behalf of private equity firms, gaming and hospitality resorts companies, and government institutions. Peter E. Fisch  and Harris B. Freidus  are the top partners for sales and acquisitions, construction and leasing, with Freidus highlighted for his expertise in gaming and hospitality. Salvatore Gogliormella is active in the healthcare real estate sector. Meredith J. Kane  retired from active practice. All partners are based in New York.    

Tax > International tax Tier 2

Based in New York, the multidisciplinary tax team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is particularly strong on the intersection of US-Canadian, European and Asian tax law. It frequently advises on major M&A, private equity deals, SPACs, and securitizations. Practice co-chair Brad Okun focuses on tax matters connected to high-value M&A and restructurings, while co-chair Scott M. Sontag deals with cross-border restructurings and securitzations. They work alongside Jeffrey Samuels, a specialist in international tax issues related to high-value public transactions; M&A  and joint ventures expert Brian Grieve; and Robert Holo, an expert on tax-free reorganizations and SPAC deals. International transactions specialist Lindsay Parks was recently appointed deputy chair of the team, and David W. Mayo advises on corporate and partnership taxation and tax-free M&A. Additionally, cross-border tax specialist Brian Krause joined from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in April 2021.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: plaintiff Tier 3

The antitrust team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP represents clients on both sides of the aisle and is regularly involved in matters pertaining to monopolization, price-fixing, and unlawful conspiracy. Financial services, healthcare, entertainment and technology, and media are among the sectors who seek out the firm’s expertise in plaintiff-side cases. Antitrust heavyweight William Isaacson represents a host of global corporates, while Joseph Bial  are further key contacts. All mentioned attorneys are based in Washington DC. Rick Rule left the firm in March 2022 to found his own firm.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 3

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is best known for issuer-side engagements, notably in the telecoms, hospitality and leisure, home building, consumer, healthcare and energy industries. It has a particularly impressive record in representing private equity houses and their portfolio companies in capital markets offerings; this includes anchor client Apollo Global Management, the private equity giant. The firm has also continued to impress in high-yield debt fund raisings to address Covid-19 pandemic-related liquidity constraints. Gregory Ezring has an outstanding reputation, having advised Apollo and other major issuers over the years. John Kennedy is also at the forefront of rescue financings linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, especially high-yield debt offerings; he has advised Carnival Corporation and plc in a series of debt and equity issuances. Brian Janson is another prominent figure in the high-yield debt space, acting for Apollo and other issuer clients. Tracey Zaccone is also noted for investment grade and high-yield debt, including hybrid capital offerings.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 3

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has a broad-based practice driven by range of public companies and private equity clients such as Apollo Global Management. In 2021, the firm continued to advise clients on equity offerings to overcome liquidity constraints caused by the Covid-19 crisis. Moreover, it advised a long-listed of private equity portfolio companies on the their IPOs and advised on in excess of 20 SPAC IPOs during the year. Gregory Ezring is global head of finance and capital markets, and frequently represents public companies and private equity portfolio companies on their equity offerings. John Kennedy is co-head of the capital markets group and has continued to work on a series of headline IPOs and other equity offerings to alleviate capital constraints. Brian Janson and Tracey Zaccone are also highly rated; the former advised Clear Secure, the biometric screening company, on its $470m IPO.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 3

Led by cross-border over-the-counter derivatives expert Manuel S. Frey in New York, the team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP advises both sell-side and buy-side clients on derivatives instruments and transactions. Its expertise in assets ranges from credit and equity to commodities and foreign currency exchange and regularly takes on mandates involving the enforcement of rights against struggling counterparties and compliance requirements. Tracey Zaccone is a key contact regarding complex securities offerings, while Brad J. Finkelstein covers derivatives products.

Industry focus > Environment: transactional Tier 3

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP‘s environmental practice regularly works on M&A, financings, securities offerings, joint ventures and real estate deals. The team is adept at advising numerous clients in various roles (including buyers, sellers, lenders, borrowers, investors, issuers and underwriters) engaged in transactions with considerable environmental implications. Air emissions, hazardous waste management, contaminated land, chemical use and climate change are all areas of expertise for the group, which also assists clients from the financial, industrial and extractive industries with ESG issues and sustainability concerns in relation to business operations and strategic transactions. The department is chaired by counsel William O’Brien, who possesses a wealth of experience advising public and private companies, and investment funds on the environmental aspects of their most impactful transactions. O’Brien- who is based in New York- also has a deep knowledge of environmental disclosure requirements in securities offerings and parent corporation liability.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 3

Working closely with teams across North America, Europe, and Asia, the copyright litigators at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP manages major licensing disputes on behalf of clients in media and the music industry as well as online fashion retailers. Lynn Bayard brings litigation expertise to representing clients in the sports, media, entertainment, fashion and cosmetics sectors. Music royalties authority Jay Cohen specializes in the safeguarding of recording artists’ digital rights. All lawyers mentioned work in New York.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 3

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP applies a strong focus on distribution and antitrust litigation throughout several sectors, with particular expertise pertaining to the music industry and representation of both entities and individuals from the organized sports industry. Chairman and seasoned litigator Brad Karp represents entertainment companies in high-stakes litigation matters. Co-chair of the litigation department Kenneth A. Gallo is a specialist in antitrust representation. His fellow co-chair Theodore Wells is an expert in advocating during pre-trial investigations. Their colleague and co-chair Jessica Carey focuses on commercial litigation, particularly pertaining to financial institutions. Among the team is Lynn Bayard, who represents songwriters and their associations alongside her work for TV and motion picture studios. Additionally, Jay Cohen is well versed in the media sector and advises clients on cases including antitrust, securities, and IP law issues.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 3

Large transactions, such as the Reverse Morris Trust transaction combining AT&T Inc.’s WarnerMedia business with Discovery are a specialty of the New York-based team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP who are experts in the M&A, securities, and financing aspects of media and entertainment. Practice head Ariel J. Deckelbaum is an expert in public and private M&A transactions, joint ventures, and restructuring deals who represented the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of CBS Corp in the merger with Viacom. Robert B. Schumer acted alongside Deckelbaum on this matter, deploying his extensive experience in high-profile public company transactions. Further recommended is Michael Vogel, who advises media companies on M&A and other corporate matters.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: transactions Tier 3

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has an excellent record in investment grade and high-yield debt offerings for non-US issuers, most notably those based in Canada. Toronto-based Adam Givertz leads the Canada practice, which includes Christopher Cummings, who is particularly prolific in Canadian debt offerings, and Andrew Foley, both of which split their time between Toronto and New York. The group represents both issuers and underwriters.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 5

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is known for its patent work, offering both strategic advice and representation in key litigation. It is particularly noteworthy for its work in the biologic medicine and biosimilars space, advising Amgen on a number of biologic patent cases. The team also offers strong transactional support as part of its top-tier high-value M&A offering. Nicholas Groombridge chairs the litigation group, having led the work for Amgen. Also noteworthy are Catherine Nyarady and Eric Alan Stone . All named lawyers are New York-based.

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.

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.

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.