Ropes & Gray LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Ropes & Gray LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > E-discovery Tier 1

Ropes & Gray LLP provides clients with a ‘top-notch‘ service which covers the whole gamut of e-discovery issues, including class action suits, multi-jurisdictional investigations, data breaches and potential data intrusion issues. The group, which is able to call upon the firm’s global network of litigation technology professionals, includes a number of multilingual practitioners, aiding it in its work with multinational clients on investigations, securities, antitrust and litigation proceedings relating to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Counsel Shannon Capone Kirk, considered by many to be a ‘ leader in the industry‘, heads up the team from Boston, and has a proven track record of advising on some of the most significant data breaches of recent years and spearheads the firm’s new cross-office task force monitoring the e-discovery risks of text and app-based messaging.

Industry focus > Healthcare: service providers Tier 1

'Thought leaders in the health care industry’ Ropes & Gray LLP provides its clients with broad support on transactions, fraud litigation, regulatory compliance, and government investigations. It has been particularly active in federal court cases involving federal agencies, with Washington DC-based Stephanie Webster involved in multiple cases challenging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services calculation of payments. The team has increased its involvement with private equity funds, in addition to its work with health systems and traditional providers. The team has also been active in capital markets, with Boston-based co-head Timothy McCrystal and Tom Frasier acting on LifeStance Health Group’s $720m IPO. Its regulatory practice is able to advise on the delivery of value-based care, digital health, and Covid-19 related regulations, with Chicago-based co-head Debbie Gersh an expert in all three areas. Also recommended are New York-based compliance expert Stephen Warnke, Chicago-based privacy attorney Jennifer Romig, and ‘practical, extraordinarily smart,’ Boston-based transactional partner Adrianne Ortega and NY associate Sarah Blumenthal.

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

Ropes & Gray LLP is extremely well placed to assist a growing base of sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional clients seeking to grow their product lines and strategies in both the US and the EU; the firm is able to utilise its global capabilities to advise hedge funds expanding into adjacencies, and institutional asset managers entering different areas in the funds space. Recently, the team’s position at the vanguard of the market has seen it advising on complex matters including cryptocurrency, insider trading, arrangements with insurance companies, and novel trading and operational issues. Derivatives and commodities work remains an area of particular strength, with seasoned practitioner Leigh Fraser taking the lead in this area. Fraser splits her time between the New York and Boston offices – of these two key locations, the former also fields recognized expert Laurel Fitzpatrick, fund formation and operation specialist Sarah Davidoff  and core senior practitioner Morri Weinberg, while Peter Laybourn is a recommended name at the latter. Over on the west coast, San Francisco-based Melissa Bender is the ‘stand-out partner‘.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1

The ‘incredibly bright, thoughtful and deep‘ offering at Ropes & Gray LLP fields ‘experts in almost every aspect of the industry‘ – this breadth allows the team to serve as regular counsel for over 2,000 registered funds of all types, or their independent directors. The New York and Boston offices are key locations for the group; the former fields Bryan Chegwidden, a co-head of the practice who ‘is nothing less than outstanding‘, while the latter is home to his leadership counterparts Thomas Hiller and James Thomas, as well as eminent practitioner John Loder. The team’s workload spans the gamut of work in this area, from regulatory, compliance, and governance issues to trading activities, investments, and M&A. ESG and responsible investing has been a particular focus of late, with the firm assisting leading names such as Pax World Funds in this space.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Ropes & Gray LLP has ‘a team-centric culture that distinguishes it from peers’ and offers ‘partners that are responsive and knowledgeable’. With a strong international network, the practice is no stranger to high-profile, cross-border mandates and the US team works closely with its counterparts in London. Its broad expertise encompasses government enforcement, white-collar criminal defense, securities matters, anti-corruption, anti-bribery and healthcare fraud matters. The team is led by New York’s Gregg Weiner, Boston’s John Bueker and the Chicago-based Laura Hoey, who is recommended for trials and investigations with a focus on the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Michael McGovern, who is also based in New York, is recommended for high-stakes criminal cases, acting for both businesses and individuals. Brian Blais joined in New York from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in January 2021.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP has a skilled team handling corporate, securities, and derivative matters across the US, highly experienced in cases before the Delaware Court of Chancery at every stage from preliminary injunctions and motions to dismiss to bet-the-company summary judgment motions and complex trials. The firm has particular expertise in representing private equity firms, though it is also active for numerous life sciences companies and public companies in other industries in his-stakes deal litigation. Peter Welsh in Boston and David Hennes in New York lead the practice. Welsh is currently representing individuals and entities affiliated with National Amusements, Inc. in parallel actions in the Delaware Court of Chancery related to the multi-billion dollar merger of Viacom and CBS into the combined entity ViacomCBS in 2019. Boston-based Randall Bodner, former head of the firm’s business and securities litigation practice group, is also a key practitioner in corporate governance and deal-related cases.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Ropes & Gray LLP remains at the forefront of life sciences, healthcare and financial services sector offerings. It has maintained a sizeable share of the SPAC IPO market, and continues to be recognised for its connections to investment banks and private equity firms; it has an especially strong standing in underwriter engagements. Paul Tropp has a fine reputation in representing underwriters in big-ticket equity offerings and in SPAC issuances. Rachel Phillips and Boston partner Craig Marcus  are also key figures. Christopher Capuzzi is an emerging talent. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Ropes & Gray LLP has an excellent record in big-ticket high-yield debt offerings, particularly those linked to leveraged buyout transactions. Key private equity clients include Baring Private Equity Asia and Bain Capital. The firm has also built fruitful connections to underwriter banks such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. Along with private equity, the capital markets team is especially active in the financial services and healthcare sectors. Paul Tropp has played a key role in representing underwriters and Alexander Zeltser  is rated for advising private equity funds, their portfolio companies and underwriters. Thomas Fraser is a key figure in Boston.

Finance > Commercial lending

Advising on both sides of debt financing transactions, Ropes & Gray LLP is one of the most active firms in borrower work, representing first-rate private equity firms in high-value refinancing mandates and the financing of significant leveraged buyouts and strategic acquisitions. The group also handles the financing elements of corporate agreements, including joint venture agreements and business combinations. Stefanie Birkmann and Michael Lee lead the finance practice group from New York and Boston respectively, while veteran partner Byung Choi, also based in Boston, continues to assist private equity houses with acquisition financing. The firm’s lender work is largely focused on bankruptcy and restructuring issues, often representing clients in chapter 11 proceedings and debtor-in-possession financings. Boston’s Jeffrey Katz and New York-based Leonard Klingbaum co-lead the capital solutions and private credit group. Gregory Bauer joined the firm’s Chicago office from Holland & Knight LLP in September 2021.

Industry focus > Healthcare: life sciences Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s healthcare team has ‘very specific expertise in niche investment classes,’ and is known as a go-to firm on major transactions. M&A is a key area of experience, having advised Acceleron on its $11.5bn sale to Merck, with the team also able to act in strategic affiliations and financing agreements. Its dedicated regulatory arm is known for its work on clinical trials and drug pricing matters, with a growing emphasis on digital health. Litigation is another key strength, with the team offering distinct practices in Hatch-Waxman litigation and broader contentious corporate support focused on life sciences clients. The team’s Boston office is a source for many leading attorneys in the sector, including transactional IP expert David McIntosh, Marc Rubenstein, who advises clients on collaboration agreements and M&A chair Chris Comeau. Silicon Valley-based Megan Baca is a key adviser to digital health companies. Washington DC-based Gregory Levine advises on FDA regulations, with an emphasis on the therapeutics and diagnostics segments.

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 2

Praised for its ‘very strong knowledge’, Ropes & Gray LLP is the firm of choice for a number of large pharmaceutical companies, multiple biotech startups, and investors, while also acting for well-known names form the technology space. Particularly renowned for its expertise advising on research collaboration agreements -frequently including cross-border components-, and commercialization license agreements, the team is co-headed by Megan Baca in Silicon Valley and Melissa Rones in Boston, the firm’s main patent licensing center. Additional key expertise in the Boston office comes from former practice head David McIntosh and life sciences expert Hannah England, who has a particular focus on licensing and collaboration transactions, as well as on asset acquisitions and divestitures.

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

At Ropes & Gray LLP, the ‘fantastic‘ offering ‘lives and breathes asset management‘ – the firm’s immersion in the latest trends and developments ensures that it is constantly operating at the high value, maximum complexity end of the fund formation market. The attorneys’ ‘deep and broad experience throughout the industry‘ encompasses both sponsor and investor-side work equally, enabling practitioners to fluently negotiate mutually beneficial agreements. In terms of venture capital work, the firm advises on the entire growth cycle of a company, from organization and incorporation, through venture, mezzanine and late-stage funding to sophisticated financing and acquisition transactions for large, multi-national companies. The practice has a highly specialized approach to leadership, with dedicated practitioners taking charge of particular areas: Boston-based Peter Laybourn shares management of the overall private funds department with Leigh Fraser and Morri Weinberg in New York; ‘outstanding, accessible, authoritative and efficient‘ John Ayer – also in Boston – leads the private equity group; and ‘walking encyclopaedia‘ Marc Biamonte and Debra Lussier jointly oversee the institutional investors and buyout funds work from New York and Boston, respectively. In April 2021, the New York office was strengthened even further by the arrival of Bryan Hunkele from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 2

Noted for its stellar expertise in the life sciences, healthcare and financial services sectors, the team at Ropes & Gray LLP acts for private equity firms and public companies in high-end M&A, such as advising a leading biotech company in the employee benefits and executive compensation aspects of its $11.5bn sale to a major competitor.. In the firm’s Boston office, practice co-leader Loretta Richard focuses on ESOP transactions, while fellow co-leader Renata Ferrari has considerable experience in handling the executive compensation, disclosure and shareholder-related aspects of IPOs. Based in New York, Alexandra Alperovich advises private equity firms, such as Harvest Partners, in high value acquisitions, while Joshua Lichtenstein specializes in ERISA Title 1 mandates. Jennifer Rikoski is another key member of the team and operates from the firm’s office in Boston.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP leverages its broad US-wide and international platform, with coverage across the UK, Europe, and Asia, and is active across mid-market and bulge-bracket transactions for a range of major funds, both US-based and European. The firm handles buyouts, joint ventures, and portfolio company M&A, including cross-border deals, and is able to service complex transactions with integrated tax, financing, and regulatory expertise. The team is co-headed by David Blittner in New York, an experienced practitioner with expertise in a wide range of transactions including innovative SPAC structures- notably representing CCMP and portfolio company Hillman Group in the $2.6bn merger with Lancadia Holdings III. In Boston, co-head Amanda Morrison has a strong record across global buyouts and disposals, working for international clients such as Cinven. New York-based Carolyn Vardi remains a key name for complex international transactions, including strategic acquisitions, take-privates, and investments. San Francisco’s Minh-Chau Le has a growing reputation for handling complex carve-outs and portfolio transactions for the likes of Vista and TPG. Neill Jakobe is another key name for complex transactions, and advised Baring Asia on its carve-out acquisition of HGS Healthcare for $1.2bn.

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

Ropes & Gray LLP is able to leverage strengths across a number of disciplines to handle a broad spectrum of work for international brands, such as Dunkin’ Brands and Planet Fitness; it draws upon the expertise of practitioners operating in areas such as M&A, litigation, capital markets and corporate governance. Led by Jeffrey Katz in Boston, the team advises on shareholder communications and activist engagement, as well as proxy contests and ESG benchmarking, compliance and reporting. Also notable is that the group is experienced in acting for investors on their engagement with management.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP stands out for its comprehensive data, privacy and cybersecurity offering in the US, paired with cross-Atlantic collaboration with the firm’s London-based team, which is particularly appreciated by clients seeking compliance, advisory, enforcement and litigation aspects pertaining to the collection, storage and processing of company and personal data abroad. Standout mandates for the team include work for Wyndham and LabMD relating to regulatory investigations of cybersecurity incidents. Corporate and data transactions complete the group’s offering. Key contacts include practice heads Edward McNicholas and Fran Faircloth, both in Washington DC.

Tax > Not-for-profit (nonprofit and tax exempt organizations) Tier 2

At Ropes & Gray LLP, the tax-exempt practice is led by practice head Kendi Ozmon in Boston and has expertise representing several leading universities, academic medical centers and foundations. The group has extensive experience in taxation work, charitable giving and transactional mandates, and retains its specialism in the health care sector. Counsel Brittany Cvetanovich has a strong asset management background and advises fund managers on the formation of private equity. In the Washington DC office, highly rated Carolyn Ward is the key name handling corporate governance, domestic and international grant-making and endowments. She is supported by counsel Gil Ghatan who focuses on corporate M&A for private foundations. At the associate level, Franziska Hertel is recommended. The group works closely with its government enforcement and litigation practice to handle complex disputes. Lawyers are in Boston unless otherwise stated.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s sizeable practice handles the full range of transactional and advisory tax matters. Led by Elaine Murphy , recent highlights for the team include multi-billion dollar NASDAQ listings, acquisitions, and take-privates, as well as a steady stream of deals for clients in the healthcare and life sciences sector.  Amanda Holt focuses on real estate investment structuring, while Kendi Ozmon is routinely sought out by a number of non-profit organizations operating across a variety of industries. Pamela Glazier works with an array of private equity firms on transaction structures and financings, while New York-based Jim Brown is highly experienced in asset management and credit fund tax matters, with particular expertise in crypto and other digital currencies. All named lawyers are based in Boston unless stated otherwise.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 3

Ropes & Gray LLP strengthened its investigations practice with the arrival of Samer Musallam from the DOJ Antitrust Division in January 2021. The team handles the full range of matters for corporate clients, encompassing internal investigations into suspected anti-competitive behaviour, representation in cartel investigations and enforcement proceedings, and follow-on damages litigation. The firm acts for companies and their executives, with particular strength in the tech and financial services sectors, and also leverages its international reach for cross-border investigations. The team is led by New York-based Michael McGovern, who focuses on high-stakes criminal defense proceedings, alongside Washington DC’s Mark Popofsky. The firm also has a strong office presence in Boston.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Ropes & Gray LLP is highly regarded for its work in state and federal court actions, notably for clients in the asset management and private equity sectors, among them Bain Capital and TPG Capital. It is also a key adviser to bulge bracket banks and other sophisticated investment advisory and financial services clients, including mutual funds, in securities litigation matters, and has a strong presence in cases involving life science companies, as well as acting for large public corporations. David Hennes in New York and Peter Welsh in Boston are the lead partners. Welsh and emerging talent in San Francisco Anne Johnson Palmer recently acted for Forescout Technologies, provides device visibility and control solutions to protect against cyberattacks, in a class action alleging that the company made false and misleading statements about the company’s revenue projections, salesforce, pipeline, and its then-upcoming sale to an affiliate of Advent International. 

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (International Trade Commission) Tier 3

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s practice garners praise for being ‘highly client-oriented, prompt, efficient and practical’. The group is noted for its extensive ITC experience as well as for its prowess in handling multi-forum cases, and expertise in recognizing the unique issues raised by parallel ITC and PTAB proceedings. Recent work highlights include successfully representing Emerson Electric at the ITC as part of its long-running international dispute against SIPCO concerning Emerson’s Smart Wireless products. Heading the team is Washington DC’s Matthew Rizzolo, who has a focus on technology companies and is well-versed in all facets of litigation, from pre-suit investigation through trial, post-trial proceedings, and appeals. Over in the Silicon Valley office, Andrew Thomases, who leads the wider IP practice, and James Batchelder, are the key contacts.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 3

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s cross-departmental team regularly litigates cases in state and federal courts across the country, working with an assortment of clients from the fields of med-tech and biotechnology, healthcare, and software. Washington DC-based Peter Brody handles various trade secrets disputes, with recent highlights including arbitral victories for clients in the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors. In Silicon Valley, IP litigation chair Andrew Thomases is additionally reputed for his wide-ranging capabilities in the technology sector, ranging from semiconductors to streaming platforms.  David Chun appears before district and appellate courts on the full spectrum of technology trade secret cases. Boston-based Doug Brayley advises employers on issues arising from non-compete clauses and breach of contract.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 3

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s workplace and employment counseling group is entrusted by clients with sensitive matters, from cross-border investigations to pay equity audits. The practice also focuses on the labour aspects of major corporate transactions and executive employment matters. Key practitioners include Megan Bisk and Jennifer Cormier in Boston, who have worked extensively with clients in the financial services, healthcare and technology sectors.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 3

Ropes & Gray LLP has an integrated global practice which is routinely involved in high-end SPAC transactions, and is particularly well-regaded for its specialism in the life sciences sector. In Boston, Christopher Comeau has expertise in the consumer and medical technology sectors; he co-heads the practice alongside Jane Goldstein, who splits her time between New York and Boston, and is acclaimed for her ‘excellent grasp of market conditions and significant transactions.’

Real estate Tier 3

Maintaining ‘vast experience across every product and structure’, Ropes & Gray LLP continues to hold a strong reputation in the New York and Boston real estate equity and finance transactional market. During 2021, Daniel Stanco acted for Annaly Capital in the $2.33bn sale of its entire commercial real estate portfolio and management team to Slate Asset Management. David Djaha and David Kaye, also in New York, routinely advise investment banks, private equity funds and developers. Co-heading the global practice alongside Stanco, John (Jack) Creedon is a recognized figure in Boston’s real estate market; he is joined by Richard Gordet and associate Effie George Floyd.

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

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s appellate group forms a key part of the firm’s broader litigation and enforcement department, which equips it to handle appeals across a broad array of sectors. On the corporate front, the group has experience in IP, antitrust, insurance, bankruptcy and securities law matters. Additionally, it secures a significant volume of constitutional and criminal law cases nationally. Washington DC-based practice chair Douglas Hallward-Driemeier has clocked up 17 appearances before the US Supreme Court and has also argued before every federal Court of Appeals. He recently represented the City of Boston before the US Supreme Court in a case discussing the scope of the ‘government speech’ doctrine.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 4

Ropes & Gray LLP has a ‘particularly strong bench‘ of litigators who are sought after by private equity firms and their portfolio companies, financial institutions and investment management companies. Corporations in the life sciences, TMT, consumer goods and retail sectors, among others, also frequently turn to the firm. Led by the Chicago-based Jeffrey Bushofsky and Daniel McCaughey in Boston, the team handles a wide range of commercial disputes. New York’s Gregg Weiner ‘gives wise counsel‘, in particular to financial service clients. Rocky Tsai in San Francisco is another key contact.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

Ropes & Gray LLP has a comprehensive practice, advising clients such as debtors, special committees, ad hoc committees of creditors and litigation parties. Its expertise includes both in and out-of-court proceedings pertaining to corporate restructuring. The practice is led by New York's Gregg Galardi; his extensive experience in reorganization plans and funded debt was reflected in his role as lead partner in the representation of Centric Brands. Another notable highlight includes the representation of an ad hoc group of second lien lenders to Healogics, where Matt Roose, also based in New York, led the team in drafting first lien loans and a new governance document.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 4

The derivatives and commodes team at Ropes & Gray LLP advises mutual funds, financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and corporations on commodes and futures transactions, as well as regulatory matters and product structuring. Its expertise also includes mandates involving swaps, options, structured notes, and exchange-traded options. Based in Boston, practice co-head Leigh Fraser specializes in derivatives and commodities, often advising buy-side clients on the negotiation of ISDA Master Agreements, repurchase agreements, and triparty agreements. Isabel Dische operates out of New York and advises global fund sponsors on structuring and compliance, while in Washington DC, Molly Moore focuses on derivatives and trading arrangements. Deborah Monson retired in January 2021.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 4

Ropes & Gray LLP‘s team of skilled IP attorneys is split across the country in key strategic legal centers in Silicon Valley, San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Washington DC. The group frequently acts before all major patent litigation forums, but is particularly distinguished for its remarkable PTAB practice headed by seasoned litigator Scott McKeown. Garnering praise for offering ‘unique ideas’, the department is well known for its strength in the semiconductor, electronics, telecoms and manufacturing sectors.  Kevin Post and Matthew Rizzolo, who are ‘deeply versed in the relevant technologies’; James Batchelder; and practice head Andrew Thomases are the other key contacts.

Media, technology and telecoms > Fintech Tier 4

Ropes & Gray LLP is especially busy on the transactional front. The team advised on several prominent SPAC mergers, often with a strong cross-border element, such as as Altimeter Growth’s $40bn combination with Singapore’s Grab Holdings. The firm’s market-leading private equity practice also generates a steady flow of related investment mandates. The team regularly assists underwriters and issuers on IPOs and bond listings. Additional support is provided on regulatory matters and high-end contractual negotiations including shared services agreements. Key partners include Boston-based Edward Black, who heads the firm’s global fintech practice and has a good track record in cryptocurrency, payments technology and robo-advisors. Black co-heads the TMT practice with Silicon Valley IP litigator Andrew Thomases. New York’s Scott Abramowitz is busy on the private equity side while Samer Musallam in Washington DC is a lead partner for fintech regulatory investigations and disputes.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 4

Ropes & Gray LLP has an experienced technology transactions team that is extremely busy on the corporate acquisitions front. The team provides strong support on major strategic M&As, private equity investments and SPAC combinations, where it represents a broad mix of funds and technology companies. The practice also advises clients on standalone technology transactions including collaboration and shared service agreements as well as licensing arrangements. The multidisciplinary group represents clients across several key markets, including fintech, software, transport, hardware, big data and communications. The team is led by Edward Black in Boston, while Silicon Valley-based IP transactional partner Megan Baca is particularly experienced on the digital health side.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 5

The services offered to clients by Ropes & Gray LLP span the whole gamut of antitrust litigation matters, from monopolization and unfair competition to price-fixing conspiracies and the intersection of antitrust with intellectual property. Multi-jurisdictional litigation is also part of the department’s portfolio, which is led by Washington DC-based Mark Popofsky and Jane Willis, splitting her time between Boston and DC. Further key names in DC include Chong Park and Samer Musallam, the latter who joined the firm in January 2021 from the DOJ’s antitrust division.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 5

Ropes & Gray LLP advises on a number of domestic and international merger clearances, including major deals in the healthcare and life sciences spaces. The team works in conjunction with its global offices on complex cross-border arrangements, and also maintains an active domestic HSR practice, regularly representing high-profile private equity clients such as Bain Capital in their antitrust filings. The antitrust team is led by Mark Popofsky in Washington DC, while Boston-based counsel Deirdre Johnson takes the lead on merger control work, advising prolifically on HSR filings and merger control proceedings for the firm’s multinational corporate and private equity clients, most notably advising Advent International on its $2.7bn acquisition of Nielsen Global Connect.

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 5

Ropes & Gray LLP represent asset management firms and clients in life sciences and fintech industries on complex federal and SALT litigation and appeals. The team provides mock audits, drafts formal and informal guidance on reporting and withholding of taxable income, and regularly represent clients in bankruptcy courts and before grand juries. Based in Boston, practice group leader Loretta Richard represents both corporations and high-net-worth individuals in general tax litigation matters, both in District Courts and Federal Court of Claims.

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 7

Ropes & Gray LLP draws on its expertise in the investment fund space to provide regulatory advice to prominent investment management and private equity funds. The team is particularly active in helping these clients to ensure that their broker-dealer work complies with SEC and FINRA regulations; the practice also advises clients engaged in derivatives trading on CFTC compliance. Elsewhere, Jason Brown specializes in advising on matters involving the Investment Advisers Act. The sizeable team is jointly led by Brown, Thomas Hiller  and James Thomas in Boston; Brynn Rail, Bryan Chegwidden and Eva Carman in New York; and Joel Wattenbarger and Leigh Fraser, who work across the two offices.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

M&A/corporate and commercial > Venture capital and emerging companies

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A Tier 5

Ropes & Gray LLP is known for private equity funds formation and investments in Latin America. The firm’s outstanding private equity client base brings it a steady pipeline of Latin America engagements, including in Brazil and Mexico. Chicago partner Matthew Posthuma has extensive experience in fund formation and investments in Latin America, particularly in the real estate sector.