Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP > Dallas, United States > Firm Profile

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP remains a sought-after destination practice for business-critical, complex M&A approvals, representing major global clients throughout highly scrutinized and contentious merger proceedings by the FTC, DOJ, and international regulatory authorities, working in concert with its growing European presence on international deals. Particularly strong in the tech and gaming spaces, the firm is advising Microsoft on its high-profile acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which is facing a FTC challenge, as well as representing Meta in its proposed $400m acquisition of Within Unlimited, while other sector strengths include retail and healthcare. Global antitrust head Steven Newborn is a former head of Mergers I at the FTC, and continues to handle a wide range of global merger approvals, while Brianne Kucerik, now co-head of US antitrust, is also highly active on contentious multi-jurisdictional merger cases, particularly within the gaming industry. Fellow co-heads Jeffrey Perry and and Michael Moiseyev are also former FTC Merger Division heads, furthering the team’s agency expertise, and Jeff White is noted for his broad practice, advising major companies and private equity clients throughout the merger process, including investigations and litigation. Megan Granger has bolstered her reputation within the space, playing key roles on the Meta and Microsoft deals along Moiseyev. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 1

With a diverse client base spanning the chemical, energy, insurance and pharmaceutical industries, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a well-established practice in commercial disputes, regularly handling class actions in state and federal courts across the United States. The teams expertise include matters pertaining to consumer fraud, unfair competition, alter ego liability, insurance, trade secrets litigation and alleged violations of federal RICO or antitrust laws. The department is co-chaired by David Lender and Gregory Silbert in New York, and Andrew Tulumello in Washington DC. Diane Sullivan is based in New Jersey and specializes in commercial, mass tort, and class action cases in the life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and consumer product sectors. Chantale Fiebig in Washington and Liz Ryan in Dallas are also key players. Mark Perry joined in May 2022 as co-head of appeals from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 1

David Lender – Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Having established himself as a leading trial lawyer, New York-based David Lender continues to secure high-stakes verdicts and try a wide range of bet-the-company class action and complex commercial disputes, including antitrust, bankruptcy and patent cases. As well as a diverse range of major corporations including AIG, GE, and ExxonMobil, Lender is representing several minor league baseball teams in connection with breach of contract and antitrust litigation brought by MLB.Diane Sullivan – Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Splitting her time between New Jersey and New York, Diane Sullivan is renowned for her ability to try complex commercial, antitrust, patent, mass tort, and class action cases in jurisdictions all across the US. In September 2022, Sullivan won a significant jury verdict for Altria and Philip Morris USA regarding e-vapor technology patent infringement, the case is worth more than $100m in past damages and potentially hundreds more in future royalties. She will appear as lead trial counsel in Delaware in March 2023, representing Repsol in a $14 billion multi-jurisdictional litigation concerning potential liability for polluting the Passaic River.Edward Reines – Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 1

At Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York, ‘the litigation team takes a practical approach to dispute resolution grounded in both the facts and specific laws involved, leading to negotiating from a position of strength‘. Clients praise the ‘sophisticated, specialized litigators who have deep experience in this area‘. John Neuwirth (who is ‘as good as they come and is a national leader in this space‘) and Caroline Zalka are co-heads of the securities litigation practice, which is home to a number of standout partners. Neuwirth worked with Joshua Amsel (who ‘keeps an even-keeled manner and is a pragmatic problem solver‘) and up-and-coming partner Evert Christensen in the defense of Churchill Capital Corp. III in stockholder litigation in Delaware Chancery Court following its $11bn de-SPAC merger with MultiPlan. Jonathan Polkes is ‘one of the best securities litigators‘ and he recently collaborated with Stacy Nettleton to secure a complete victory in long-running litigation for long-time client Morgan Stanley in connection with the fallout from the 2007 Tribune Co. leveraged buy-out led by billionaire Sam Zell.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York has ‘a dedicated team specializing solely in securities litigation’ and each team member ‘drives exceptional results for their clients’. The firm is highly regarded for its work on behalf of corporate issuers and private equity clients. John Neuwirth and Caroline Zalka are co-heads of the securities litigation practice. Neuwirth and Joshua Amsel are ‘recognized as national leaders in this area, and are at the top of the list for securities cases no matter how big or complicated’ . They advised Churchill Capital Corp. III on a case arising from an $11bn deSPAC transaction. Zalka and Jonathan Polkes are ‘terrific commercial litigators, with a strong strategic sensibility’ . They worked with the ‘consistently knowledgeable, practical and accessible’  Stacy Nettleton to secure a complete victory for Morgan Stanley in a $4bn breach of fiduciary duty dispute. Evert Christensen is another emerging talent in the New York office. Robert Stern in Washington DC, who joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, is a nationally recognized first-chair trial lawyer and highly rated securities and enforcement attorney. Clients remark that he ‘provides excellent, strategic and candid counsel and a great advocate’  and is ‘a good man to be on your side in a difficult situation’ .

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a strong reputation for its work advising debtors in relation to major Chapter 11 reorganizations, also representing equity sponsors, creditors, ad hoc creditor groups, official committees of unsecured creditors, asset purchasers, and other interested parties in various large and mid-sized restructurings. Gary Holtzer, Ray Schrock, and Matt Barr jointly lead the team- Holtzer has wide experience in all aspects of domestic and international restructurings, crisis management, corporate governance, financings, and acquisitions involving distressed situations, and has recently led on several major restructurings, including of Scandinavian Airlines Systems, Johnson & Johnson, and Brooks Brothers Group. Schrock has advised a wide range of clients, including public companies, financial institutions, and private equity funds, portfolio companies, and creditors, while Barr has considerable experience representing debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, bondholders, and ad hoc groups. Ronit Berkovich specializes in representing large and mid-market companies in out-of-court workouts, international restructurings, and prepackaged Chapter 11 cases in a variety of industries, while Kelly DiBlasi has recently served as debtor’s counsel in relation to several key restructurings across a variety of sectors. Garrett Fail handles all aspects of domestic and international debt restructurings, as well as crisis management and corporate governance. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York. Sunny Singh departed in March 2023.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 1

The Washington DC-based environmental transactions team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a key part of the firm’s wider corporate department and handles high-value transactions for high-profile clients in a range of sectors. The practice is led by Annemargaret Connolly and is well versed in M&A, divestitures, financing and capital markets deals, with a focus on the real estate, manufacturing, chemicals and energy sectors. Connolly is experienced in a wide range of environmentally challenging transactions and specializes in sustainability, climate change and ESG matters, leaning on the firms international network for support on cross-border deals. Recently promoted partner John O’Loughlin acts for private equity firms, corporate clients and financial institutions on regulatory, environmental, and health and safety matters pertaining to transactions. Counsel Matthew Morton is also recommended, bringing strength to handling insurance matters and contractual issues. Counsel Thomas Goslin departed in March 2023.

Intellectual property > Patents: licensing Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles licensing issues in regard to M&A, private equity, banking & finance and restructuring matters. The firm advises a number of global clients on licensing arrangements, patent acquisitions and other agreements and collaborations. Michael Epstein has more than extensive experience advising technology companies and industry investors on transactions. Charan Sandhu leads the team, with a practice focused on a variety of transactions, such as private equity and M&A, including licensing agreements, while co-head Jeffrey Osterman is vastly experienced in technology-related aspects of transactions. All listed attorneys are based in New York.

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

Counting domestic and international corporations among its key list of clients, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP specializes in handling the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of complex M&A, IPOs and private equity transactions. The firm represents a broad range of clients spanning across industries such as real estate, food, and nuclear energy, with the team members advising on all elements of equity and incentive compensation plans. Paul Wessel leads the team from the New York office, focusing on executive compensation matters arising from M&A and financial restructurings. Michael Nissan routinely assists private equity funds and their portfolio companies in structuring management compensation arrangements, while Amy Rubin offers extensive experience of counselling public and private entities on issues surrounding employee benefits. Sarah Downie regularly supports senior executives and companies in the negotiation and drafting of employment and severance agreements. All mentioned attorneys are based in New York. Regina Readling joine from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in July 2022.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Corporate governance Tier 1

Clients represented by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP‘s team include boards, committees, executive officers and investors, and not-for-profit foundations. The depth of corporate governance knowledge within the practice enables it to work on a wide range of issues such as such as ESG, day-to-day disclosure issues, executive compensation and board-level matters. The cross-departmental team often works alongside the firm’s M&A, IPO and restructuring practices and assists clients with cross-border transactions, for which former SEC employee Adé Heyliger in Washington DC is well known, as well as being instrumental in the team’s SEC disclosure work. Howard Dicker has a multifaceted corporate practice and leads the public company advisory practice group alongside Lyuba Goltser, and has particular strength in the not-for-profit sector. The pair are based in New York.

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

With M&A specialists in New York, Silicon Valley and Texas, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP excels in big-ticket transactions, acting on behalf of acquirers, targets, special committees, investment banks, investors and shareholder groups. The team is adept in both domestic and international negotiated and unsolicited transactions, but particularly stands out for its experience in hostile M&A, takeover defense and shareholder activism matters. SPAC and de-SPAC transactions are another strong point for the department, which is led from New York. Chairman Michael Aiello represents an array of public companies, private equity firms and financial institutions in high-stakes M&A and corporate governance matters. Michael Lubowitz – head of the M&A practice – has notable strength in hostile tender offers, spin-offs, strategic investments and restructurings, while co-chair of the transactions group Frederick Green focuses on business combinations, governance issues and fiduciary duties. Domestic and cross-border M&A across a broad range of industries are core areas of activity for Matthew Gilroy. Jackie Cohen  is no longer at the firm.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has extremely good experience representing companies and investors operating in the technology and life sciences industries. The team has developed good credentials for standalone technology and IP deals, including advice on patent acquisitions and divestitures, licensing arrangements, research and development collaborations, and technology and IP-focused joint ventures and strategic alliances. A recent highlight included advising Eli Lilly and Company on a license agreement to acquire exclusive global rights to antibody-drug conjugates for the targeted treatment of cancer  from ImmunoGen. This expertise feeds through into the broader support the team provides to the corporate finance group, including advice on corporate M&A and private equity buyouts, banking and finance transactions, and restructuring matters. Jeffrey Osterman  and Charan Sandhu  jointly lead the market-leading team, which also includes Karen Ballack  in Silicon Valley, and the department’s founder and former head, Michael Epstein. All partners are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Under the leadership of federal income tax expert Joseph Pari, who splits his time between New York and Washington DC, the tax practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is well-placed to handle complex and high-profile international transactions. In addition to its M&A expertise, the group works closely with the firm’s private funds group, advising multiple significant entrants to the funds and private equity market, including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, DFIs, and family offices. The team is also regarded for its capabilities in bankruptcies, with experience representing debtors, creditors and other investors in all phases of a restructuring; Stuart Goldring is a key contact for financially troubled companies. Other significant drivers of work include securitizations, real estate transactions and REITs, capital markets and other financing matters. Chayim Neubort is noted for his internal tax planning and reorganization capabilities, while Noah Beck’s practice focuses on transactional tax issues for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as SPACs. Andrew Morris and DC-based Graham Magill are also recommended. All named individuals are based in New York unless noted otherwise. Eric Behl-Remijan in New York departed in June 2023.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: consumer products (including tobacco) Tier 2

Drawing upon a strong national offering which includes first-chair trial strength, class action prowess and a Washington DC-based regulatory practice, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a popular choice among many leading consumer brands throughout the full spectrum of their product liability defense needs. Noted for her superb advocacy skills and ability to explain often complex technical/scientific concepts to juries, New York-based partner Diane Sullivan is a key player and is regularly parachuted in on the eve of major product liability and mass tort cases in jurisdictions around the country. Her recent successes have included a major bellwether jury trial which led to a favorable settlement mid-trial for a regional pharmacy chain, as one of the defendants in the opioid MDL. She has also recently been working very closely with the firm’s market leading insolvency team, as a result of the growing trend among defendants to manage their exposure to potential tort/product liability claims through the so-called “Texas Two-Step” bankruptcy legal maneuver. Based out of the firm’s Silicon Valley office, David Singh co-heads the team alongside Sullivan and continues to develop an excellent reputation handling class action product liability matters, including for numerous high-profile technology companies. Out of Washington DC, Arianna Scavetti, who was recently promoted to partner, is also a key member of the team, particularly as it relates to the defense of food and beverage companies in consumer class actions alleging misleading labeling and marketing.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: toxic tort Tier 2

Noted in particular for its trial skills, both at first instance and appellate level, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a popular choice to represent high-profile clients from a range of industries, including energy, consumer products, manufacturing and chemicals, in their highest-stakes, often reputational threatening disputes. The scope of work in the space is broad, covering pharma-related infractions, including its work for retailers in the opioid MDL, as well as environmental issues, including chemical contamination and plastics pollution. Eminent New York-based litigator Diane Sullivan has significant experience trying cases in the space, regularly being brought in for bellwether trials as a result of her skill in the courtroom, honed over many years’ practice. Alongside Miami-based Edward Soto , she continues to represent Spanish energy company, Repsol, in litigation related to clean up costs in connection with the pollution of the Passaic River in New Jersey, one of the EPA’s largest superfund projects in history. New York-based Theodore Tsekerides also regularly handles toxic tort and product liability matters throughout the litigation continuum and has niche experience in the defense of claims in a bankruptcy context, as well as litigating insurance coverage disputes relating to environmental clean-up obligations. Sullivan co-heads the overarching products liability and mass torts team alongside Silicon Valley-based David Singh.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has achieved steady deal flow with particular growth in underwriter engagements. It is now a major player in both investment grade and high-yield debt, notably advising the underwriters on the $3.6bn senior unsecured notes offering by Parker-Hannifin Corporation. The capital markets team also frequently works on investment grade bond offerings in relation to acquisition financings and is also noted for its expertise in convertible debt. Corey Chivers and Frank Adams are established names in the market, along with Merritt Johnson and Michael Hickey who are helping to further build the firm’s standing in debt offerings, including underwriter-side engagements.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP remained active in IPOs, secondary and follow-on equity offerings, and SPAC IPOs and de-SPAC transactions in 2022. It remains a wide variety of corporates and financial institutions on equity offerings, along with private equity houses and their portfolio companies, and top investment banks as underwriters. Alexander Lynch leads the capital markets group, has an outstanding record in equity offerings, and has impressed in a series of SPAC IPOs and de-SPACs in recent times. Corey Chivers is an experienced figure in debt and equity offerings, and Michael Hickey continues to build the firm’s standing amongst underwriters; he also advised TPG, the private equity firm, on its $1.1bn IPO. Heather Emmel and Merritt Johnson are other key partners. Faiza Rahman has left the firm.

Finance > Commercial lending

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP stands out for its prolific advice to borrower and lender clients in connection with leveraged and investment-grade facilities, bridge financings, asset-based loans, and revolvers. With the firm's lender practice reaching major financial institutions and a growing number of private credit clients, borrower clients encompass private equity firms and large corporate entities who also frequently turn to the team for its expertise in distressed financings, liability management, and leveraged buyouts. The New York-based team is led by Daniel Dokos, an expert on investment-grade and asset-based lending. Other key names include Andrew Colao, who leads the team’s borrower-side work for private equity clients, as well as partners Heather Viets and Justin Lee, who regularly advise on acquisition financings. Morgan Bale departed the firm in December 2022.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

The ‘practical’ and ‘impressive’ team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP advises hedge funds, global investments managers and financial services on the structuring of a range of asset class transactions, especially CLOs. The practice also competently handles transactions that involve esoteric assets, including diamond sales, music royalties and receivables relating to oil and gas. Team head Frank Nocco regularly leads these esoteric matters, as well as ABS transactions, single seller and multi-seller commercial paper vehicles, and both offshore and domestic special purpose vehicles. Nocco’s team includes the experienced Shawn Kodes, who acts on a variety of issues including auto loans and leases, credit card receivables, unsecured consumer loans and healthcare receivables, as well as providing clients with advice on recent reform legislation and the impact it may have on their business and structured products. Jason Smith is also active in the practice, with expertise in rental car fleet financings, vehicle and equipment fleet lease securitization, and collateralized bond and loan obligation transactions.

Intellectual property > Copyright Tier 2

Backed by a global network, the copyright team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP represents and advises social media platforms, digital music streamers, book publishers, and e-commerce companies on a diverse spectrum of copyright issues, including infringement and licensing disputes, secondary liability, and DMCA compliance. Benjamin Marks leads the team, bringing expertise to music copyright royalty cases, having recently helped music streamer Pandora secure a major settlement in August 2022 with US music publishers before the Copyright Royalty Board. Randi Singer represents clients in publishing, social media and e-commerce, including Meta and eBay, involved on complex infringement matters. Todd Larson specializes in the high-value negotiation of music publishing and sound recording performance licenses. In Washington DC, experienced litigator Mark Perry joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in May 2022. Unless noted, all lawyers mentioned work in New York.

Intellectual property > Trade secrets (litigation and non-contentious matters) Tier 2

The multi-faceted team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has capabilities across employment, commercial litigation, patent litigation, technology, & IP, allowing it to advise on the full array of related trade secret matters, including litigation in a number of key states. The firm is noted for its strong tech focus, with standout work in the space for key clients such as Apollo Management. John Barry and Gary Friedman, who both work at the New York office, co-head the team alongside Dallas-based Paul Genender, Silicon Valley’s Bambo Obaro, who has expertise in employee mobility-related trade secret work often international in nature, and Boston-based Patrick O’Toole.  Celine Chan has significant expertise in employment-oriented work and restricted covenant matters. New York-based litigation partner Nicholas Pappas departed in October 2022.

Labor and employment > Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions) Tier 2

The team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is based in New York and headed by John Barry, a first-chair trial lawyer with extensive experience advising companies on trade secret and restrictive covenant matters. The team are adept representing in class action litigation, trade secret issues, restrictive covenants, discrimination claims, and wage and hour cases. Recent work included a successful injunction on behalf of client Ascential in a trade secrets dispute. Gary Friedman is another notable name in New York for his experience in class actions, restrictive covenant disputes, and internal investigations. Nicholas Pappas departed the firm in October 2022. Counsel Ami Zweig departed in September 2022.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling Tier 2

The New York-based employment litigation practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP provides expertise to a range of clients including employers, boards, committees, directors and executives. The practice is well-versed in sensitive internal investigations, internal employment compliance audits, large-scale workforce reductions and executive terminations. This is combined with experience in personnel policies which help businesses to take preventative measures on matters such as whistleblower claims, employee performance and harassment. John Barry leads the team and regularly assists clients with crisis situations involving executive onboarding, departures, misconduct and claims of discrimination. Gary Friedman helps to navigate companies through litigation, investigations and transactional matters.

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

A highly influential firm in the private equity market, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP offers a deep bench of highly experienced practitioners across multiple offices in the US including New York, Boston, Dallas, Houston and Silicon Valley. With a client roster that epitomizes their reputation, the practice regularly represents some of the largest asset management and sovereign wealth funds, investment banks and other financial firms, including the likes of Warburg Pincus, Blackstone, and Softbank Vision Fund. Doug Warner is a key figure in New York, vastly experienced in leveraged buyouts and dispositions, of both private and public US and European companies, as well as minority investments. Co-heading the practice is Christopher Machera, a trusted advisor to the likes of Aterian, Oak Hill, Goldman Sachs, and CVC Partners, representing the latter in its $1.85bn acquisition of a minority stake in CFGI from The Carlyle Group. Ramona Nee also co-heads the team from Boston, having established a strong reputation among PE funds and their portfolio companies, such as Advent International and their portfolios Culligan International and Cobham Limited. Silicon Valley-based Kyle Krpata has represented The Gores Group in numerous complex transactions, while Brian Parness is a trusted advisor to Goldman Sachs. All attorneys are located in New York unless stated otherwise.

Media, technology and telecoms > Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

The advertising practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a strong track record in handling litigation at both federal and state court levels, primarily in those involving the Lanham Act and consumer false advertising claims, as well as in unfair competition-related disputes. It also has particular expertise in class action litigation defense. The group is led by Randi Singer, who is based between New York and Silicon Valley, and has significant experience advising on Lanham Act false advertising matters, as well as wider trademark and intellectual property disputes. Other key practitioners include Drew Tulumello and Arianna Scavetti, who are based in Washington DC, and David Singh based in Silicon Valley; all of whom are noted for their expertise in false advertising class action litigations. Carrie Mahan in DC departed in June 2023.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP  fields a strong team in the music litigation space, with rate-setting proceedings standing out as an area of particular strength. The unit is additionally proficient in handling complex commercial litigation for publishers and televisual content creators and distributors.  First amendment and music licensing specialist Benjamin Marks leads the practice; in August 2022, his representation of Pandora Media in the long-running Phonorecords IV proceedings, which were argued in front of the Copyright Royalty Board, resulted in an industry-shaping settlement. Fellow music licensing expert Todd Larson  frequently appears alongside Marks, he co-led on the aforementioned proceedings and is also representing Kano Computing Limited in a copyright infringement case that lies on the intersection of music copyright litigation and new technology. Yehudah Buchweitz  specializes in antitrust matters and recently represented Paramount Global in a compensation dispute. Randi Singer , whose representation of Meta has included a broad array of IP-related matters, is another name to note. All advocates mentioned are based in New York with the exception of Singer, who divides her time between the practice’s New York and Silicon Valley offices.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP draws from its deep bench of real estate, private equity and funds, finance and tax attorneys to advise issuers and underwriters on complex REIT transactions.Key areas of expertise for the team include public and private REIT offerings, including IPOs, secondary and follow-on offerings, private placements of debt and equity, and public issuances of debt . The practice is led by Evan Levy, who focuses on complex real estate transactions, and Philip Rosen, who is experienced in high-value REIT deals. Former co-head Michael Bond  remains a key member of the team for commercial lending transactions, and Jannelle Seales focuses her practice on M&A, joint ventures and restructurings. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Tax > Financial products Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a broad range of expertise across CLOs, securitization transactions, including asset class such as auto loan, commercial notes, mortgages and consumer loans, bond offerings and credit facilities. The firm has a focus on cross-border transactions relating to securitizations, capital markets, private equity and fund matters, REITs and restructurings, as well as concentrating on tax elements of bankruptcy, advising debtors, creditors and other investors. The practice is also able to leverage the firm’s strong presence in Europe and has a significant partnership with the private funds practice, advising many newer entrants to the funds and private equity market including sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and DFIs. The practice is led by Joseph Pari, based across New York and Washington DC. Daniel Nicholas is also a significant player within the team in DC, concentrating on debt instruments, asset-based financing transactions and derivatives. Nicholas also has a focus on international tax planning and the taxation of financial products.

Tax > International tax Tier 2

The New York-based team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has cross-border expertise on a range of transactional matters including complex M&A, private equity, recapitalizations, securitizations, REITs and capital markets. The tax team assists in all phases of a restructuring such as modifications of debt, equity exchanges and pre bankruptcy planning. Devon Bodoh heads the practice and advises clients on SPAC IPOs, restructurings, bankruptcy and foreign tax credits. Kimberly Blanchard focuses on business formations and joint ventures while Greg Featherman advises on the use of net operating losses and consolidated return matters.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

The ‘diverse team of experts’ at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP produces ‘high quality work’. The firm represents multinational clients such as Visa and Hilton Hotels in several industry sectors including but not limited to pharma, food and agriculture. Recent work has included a variety of litigation including class actions, no poach labor matters, competitor cases and government enforcement actions. Based in Washington DC is practice head Steven Newborn. In New York is Eric Hochstadt, an expert in antitrust class action litigation and lawsuits between rivals and distributors, while Adam Hemlock often acts in cartel litigation and private antitrust litigation concerning bundling, group boycotts and exclusivity allegations. Brianne Kucerik in DC is noted, recently defending clients against allegations of monopolization and restraint of trade. Carrie Mahan at the DC office departed in June 2023.

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

Climbing a tier for 2023, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s recent hiring spree, coupled with its ability to lean on the wider firm’s top-tier bankruptcy offering, has seen its appellate profile rocket over the past two years. Among the new arrivals, the Washington DC office welcomed new department co-head Mark Perry in May 2022 from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Perry recently represented Apple–as co-counsel alongside his former firm–before the Ninth Circuit in a significant antitrust case brought by Epic Games. On the bankruptcy front, New York-based practice co-chair Gregory Silbert successfully represented Morgan Stanley in multibillion-dollar litigation arising from Tribune Company’s leveraged buy-out. Additionally, Washington DC-based department co-chair Zachary Tripp represented the respondent, Kieran Buckley, before the US Supreme Court in a high-profile bankruptcy case discussing issues of fraud liability. The group also includes New York’s Adam Banks, who had a strong recent run of appeals in the IP sphere.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

With a practice that regularly represents high-profile individuals and corporations, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP spans variety of complex white-collar matters such as securities and commodities fraud, environmental crime, and economic sanctions. Domestic and cross-border cases pertaining to the FCA and FCPA are further areas of strength. A trio consisting of New York-based Sarah Coyne and Daniel Stein as well as Washington DC’s Steven Tyrrell helms the group; all three have extensive experience advising clients in investigations and enforcement actions before regulatory bodies. Stein, former Chief of the Criminal Division in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and previously a partner at Mayer Brown, joined the firm in September 2022. In the same month, Christopher Garcia left the firm.

Dispute resolution > Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices Tier 3

Leveraging the expertise of litigators and regulatory practitioners spread throughout its national offices, including in New York and Washington DC,    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is well-versed in handling work for life sciences clients throughout the full spectrum of their needs, including in the context of multi-pronged actions initiated by the plaintiffs’ bar as well as government agencies. Under the guidance of the ‘vastly experienced and skilled’ first-chair trial lawyer Diane Sullivan, the firm has gained most acclaim for its trial skills and is frequently parachuted in to act as trial counsel on the eve of important bellwether trials. For example, Sullivan recently led an all-female trial team, including Texas-based Liz Ryan  and Chantale Fiebig, in Washington DC, that secured a favorable mid-trial settlement for Giant Eagle in the first bellwether trial involving pharmacy defendants in the national opioid MDL. Working closely with the firm’s market-leading insolvency offering, the team is also well-placed to handle work for defendants which have chosen to undertake a “Texas Two-Step” bankruptcy process. Silicon Valley-based partner David Singh co-heads the overarching product liability and mass tort team alongside Sullivan.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a formidable background in high-yield debt, notably in relation to leveraged financings and liability management transactions. While closely associated with issuers, it continues to build its presence with financial institutions as underwriters and initial purchasers. Corey Chivers and Frank Adams are senior members of the practice, along with Merritt Johnson and Michael Hickey, the latter of whom continue to build the firm’s standing amongst financial institutions.

Healthcare > Life sciences Tier 3

Working across offices in New York and California, the team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a ‘wide and deep knowledge’ of life sciences related antitrust, IP, and M&A matters. The team often advises biotech, medical devices, and pharmaceutical companies on licensing agreements, commercial litigations, and false advertising issues. Edward Reines co-heads the practice from Silicon Valley, contributing his broad knowledge of willful patent infringement and contentious IP issues, while New York-based co-head Elizabeth Weiswasser is known for her focus on life science patent litigation, often appearing before the PRAB and ITC for pharmaceutical companies. Jeffrey Osterman and Charan Sandhu jointly lead the technology and IP transactions practice from New York, leveraging their expertise in joint developing agreements, strategic alliances, and technology transfer agreements. Based in Silicon Valley, Derek Walter is noted for his life sciences IP litigation capabilities.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Noted for its capability in handling domestic and cross-border M&A, restructuring and financing transactions, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acts for energy companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies in the purchase and sale of oil and gas properties, industry joint ventures and project finance matters. Based in Houston, Jeff Malonson’s practice focuses on M&A, capital markets and corporate governance mandates in the midstream and LNG sectors. Rodney Moore and Samuel Peca in Dallas departed in May 2023.

Industry focus > Sport Tier 3

Practitioners at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, who are described as ‘knowledgeable across the board‘, include Washington DC-based Andrew Tulumello, New York-based Yehudah Buchweitz and Eric Hochstadt. The trio run a group whose varied workload comprises litigation, contract negotiations, corporate transactions, restructurings, and financings, as well as litigation. Key clients for the team are major league athletes, and the group continues to represent Zion Williamson in the long-running dispute between the NBA star and his former agent. Other key clients are sports associations, who Tulumello regularly assists, and sports leagues, including recently representing the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association in a contentious matter.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 3

The team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles intellectual property disputes for its clients nationally, often working on high-stakes patent litigation in federal district courts, at the Federal Circuit, the International Trade Commission, and US Patent Office. Members of the team are well-versed in a wide range of industries, with many of the attorneys possessing technical and scientific college degrees. New York-based Elizabeth Weiswasser co-heads the team, a leading patent litigator on matters across biological, pharma, chemical, medical devices, and life sciences sectors in general. Edward Reines is the second head of the team, based in Silicon Valley. with extensive expertise in litigating complex patent cases in the techn and life science industries.

Intellectual property > Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

Backed by the bench strength of its global network and noted by clients for its ability to bring ‘experience in dealing with complex and novelty trademark infringement cases’, the team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP advises on issues of secondary liability and represents major players across sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals, e-commerce and tech, through to electronics, entertainment, and publishing. The team is led by Benjamin Marks, a specialist in pre-litigation, and trademark and music licensing disputes. Randi Singer brings expertise to acting in infringement litigation and Landham Act false advertising matters, acting for major brand owners, internet entities and e-commerce platforms in the process. Jessica Falk brings experience to disputes in fashion, media, and tech. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

Based in New York, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP‘s private equity funds team is part of a global offering in the broader fund formation space. Spearheaded by Jonathon Soler, who draws on his experience of acting for private equity funds in the organization and operation of sponsor firms and their funds, the department is counsel of choice for large, well-established players, as well as emerging middle market names. Andrew Chizzik regularly assists both US and international funds with structuring and negotiating the terms of private investment funds of varying strategies. Stephanie Srulowitz is noted for counsel on interest sharing and other economic and governance issues, in addition to traditional fund matters.

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

Operating from New York, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP works with international telecoms companies and investors in the industry on a diverse array of corporate transactions, leveraging the firm’s broader capabilities in M&A, private equity, capital markets, technology, and intellectual property to assist in a range of M&A, financings, licensing, debt and equity offerings, and restructurings across the industry. The firm has a proven track record in cross-border transactions, and the strength of the firm’s IP and technology offering is a particular boon for the team’s clients in the telecoms space. Michael Aiello takes the lead on the firm’s work in the telecoms space, working with some of the most high-profile investors in the telecoms space in their major deals in the sector. Frederick Green brings a similar broad transactional capability, advising clients on M&A, spin-offs, and joint ventures, while Brian Gingold brings a greater focus on representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in their transactions in the space.

Real estate Tier 3

Combining national expertise across real estate, finance and private equity, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is well-equipped to advise on investments, acquisitions and dispositions, development, and financings. The firm is also regularly counsels clients on distressed properties, restructuring and loan workouts. Philip Rosen and Evan Levy co-head the practice from New York. Former practice head Michael Bond and Jannelle Seales are the other key lawyers in the same office.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 4

A strong corporate track record has made Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP a key destination for media and entertainment companies carrying out acquisitions on both the buyer’s and seller’s side. The practice is headed by Michael Lubowitz  in New York. In addition to his M&A expertise, Lubowitz has experience in hostile tender offers and restructurings, and recently represented DirecTV in the acquisition of assets and liabilities from AT&T.