Corporate governance Tier 1

Led out of New York by Howard Dicker, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s public company advisory group stands out for its strength in providing ‘thoughtful advice and guidance on complex, oftentimes sensitive issues’ to a varied client base of public companies and not-for-profit organizations. The team is noted for its significant firepower in the securities regulation and disclosure space, where it brings together the expertise of former SEC staff members, including Washington DC-based duo P.J. Himelfarb and Adé Heyliger, and a number of highly regarded securities litigators. In addition, the department regularly acts in conjunction with other of the firm's teams on M&A transactions, initial public offerings, and restructuring matters. ‘Smart and dedicated attorney’ Lyuba Goltser (New York) is well versed in issues relating to boards, such as fiduciary duty breaches, board structure, and ESG matters, among others. Former practice co-head Ellen Odoner retired from the partnership at the end of 2020.

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

Based in New York, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP fields an employee benefits and executive compensation team with an excellent reputation for handling big-ticket M&A transactions, restructurings and bankruptcies. Recent highlights were for clients in the retail, financial services, manufacturing, energy and electronics sectors. Practice head Paul Wessel and Amy Rubin are well known for their expertise in handling the executive compensation issues of M&A, restructurings and IPOs, while Sarah Downie assists a roster of private fund sponsors with ERISA fiduciary compliance and prohibited transaction matters. Also recommended are Michael Nissan, a go-to name for advising private equity funds and their portfolio clients with management compensation arrangements, and Jennifer Britz, who focuses on issues pertaining to equity and incentive compensation plans and severance agreements.

Environment: transactional Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP fields a well-established environmental practice that is adept at identifying and managing environmental risks both in the transactional context and beyond. Based in Washington DC, the team advises on the environmental aspects of all types of corporate transactions, ranging from M&A and financing deals to special projects involving real estate, infrastructure development, securities and warranties insurance. In addition to traditional corporate work, the team is also recognized for its historical track record in environmentally-sensitive restructuring and bankruptcy cases. Spearheading the department is Annemargaret Connolly, who is highly skilled at addressing environmental issues and potential liabilities to facilitate clients' business objectives. Environmental compliance is another area of activity for the group, which advises on all aspects of climate change and sustainability. Other contacts in DC include counsels Thomas Goslin, who is noted for his in-depth knowledge of the renewable and traditional power generation sector, and Matthew Morton who is trusted by clients from a variety of industries, such as chemicals, manufacturing and waste management. John O’Loughlin is another seasoned practitioner with more than three decades of experience dealing with government agencies.

General commercial disputes Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP fields a 'highly skilled and attentive' nationwide team representing clients in commercial disputes and class actions covering consumer fraud, unfair competition, IP infringement, trade secrets and bankruptcy. among other areas. Among recent highlights, a team led by David Lender (New York) obtained a defense jury verdict in an $800m antitrust class action for its client C&S Wholesale Grocers, and Diane Sullivan (New Jersey) and Edward Soto (Florida) successfully defended Repsol against a multibillion-dollar fraudulent conveyance and environmental tort claim in New Jersey. Gregory Silbert (New York) continues to defend Farmers Insurance in multiple cases across the US involving allegations that the company violated antitrust and RICO laws, including a case which Silbert won in the Eleventh Circuit regarding complaints filed in Utah, Indiana and Mississippi. Jared Friedmann (New York) is also a standout litigator, with a strong corporate defense practice.

Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices

M&A litigation: defense Tier 1

Based in New York, the securities litigation practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, which is jointly led by highly regarded partners Joseph Allerhand and John Neuwirth, is active in state and federal courts across the country. The firm's market-leading expertise in appraisal disputes is just one key strand within the practice, which is consistently involved in emerging areas of deal-related litigation. Veteran litigator Jonathan Polkes scored a seminal win on behalf of Carlyle Group in litigation concerning the application of a material adverse effect clause triggered in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Neuwirth and Joshua Amsel successfully resolved a massive federal litigation on behalf of pharmaceutical giant Sanofi in disputes brought by contingent value rights holders following the company's $20.1bn acquisition of Genzyme Corporation. Up-and-coming partner Evert Christensen is playing a central role in the firm's defense of Fidelity National Financial in a $150m appraisal claim arising out of the company's $2.7bn acquisition of FGL Holdings. Greg Danilow retired at the end of 2019.

Merger control Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a go-to firm for high-profile, business-critical merger clearance and litigation, fielding a deep bench of specialists with extensive public and private-sector experience. The team handles major transactions in the tech and healthcare spaces, with standout clients including Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, and Walgreens. Moreover, it is regularly mandated as specialist antitrust counsel on major deals, a standout example of which was its global representation of Allergan in the $63bn acquisition by AbbVie. The vastly experienced Steven Newborn heads the team, and has continued his successful record in merger clearance; he led advice on the Allergan deal. Former senior FTC lawyer Jeffrey Perry is also a key player, regularly securing unconditional deal clearances for major clients. Michael Moiseyev joined from the FTC in April 2020, and specializes in healthcare and tech work, bringing a number of new clients and notably representing Microsoft in its acquisition of ZeniMax. Brianne Kucerik stands out on the more junior end of the partnership. She has experience defending large-scale mergers in a variety of industries before the DOJ and FTC, including a key role in the Allergan transaction. Megan Granger was promoted to the partnership in January 2020 in recognition of her strong contribution to the merger control team. All named lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Patents: licensing Tier 1

The team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP shoulders a substantial transactional caseload in addition to a busy stand-alone licensing practice. The group frequently joins forces with its corporate colleagues in M&A, private equity, finance, and restructuring to guide clients through strategic and often large-cap transactions, both in the US and abroad. The stand-alone practice includes portfolio acquisitions and divestitures, strategic alliances, research and developments agreements, as well as e-commerce and other commercial contracts. New York-based practice head Michael Epstein and his team are particularly active in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, including for e-health clients, with the consumer product and technology sectors as other especially prominent sectors. Charan Sandhu and Jeffrey Osterman complete the New York partner trio while Karen Ballack is the key contact in the Silicon Valley office.

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has maintained its outstanding reputation for debtor-side work, displaying high-level expertise in exchange offers, debt for equity swaps and pre-packaged Chapter 11 cases, as well as conventional Chapter 11 reorganizations and international insolvencies involving multiple jurisdictions. In addition, the group is rapidly gaining notoriety in the creditor space, through its increasing representation of notable equity sponsors, ad hoc creditor groups and official committees of unsecured creditors. The New York-based team is jointly chaired by Gary Holtzer, Ray Schrock and Matt Barr. Other key practitioners include Garrett Fail, who assists with crisis management and corporate governance issues, and also turns his hand to domestic and international debt restructurings. The practice was recently strengthened by the promotions of Candace Arthur, Kevin Bostel and Andriana Georgallas to partner in January 2020. Renowned lawyer Marcia Goldstein retired from the firm in 2020.

Securities litigation: defense Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in New York is recognized by clients for the dedication and specialization of its team, as well as the individual capabilities of its lawyers. The firm has a deep bench of partners focused exclusively on securities, breach of fiduciary and M&A litigation, regulatory matters and corporate governance disputes. Its role in high-profile matters that shape the future of the market was confirmed in 2020 when it secured a favourable settlement for Signet Jewelers in a consolidated multibillion-dollar securities class action involving multiple allegations of fraud. Veteran litigator Joseph Allerhand led that case with Stacy Nettleton, who is 'a stand-out junior partner with a bright future'. Allerhand and John Neuwirth, who is 'extremely intelligent, aggressive but sensible, and at the end of the day, always focused on the client', are co-heads of securities litigation. Up-and-coming partners Evert Christensen and Caroline Zalka, who handle both deal-related cases and securities fraud claims, are increasingly prominent in the market.

Technology transactions Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's dedicated technology and IP transactions team handles a mix of standalone commercial and advisory mandates, as well as matters relating to corporate finance, M&A and restructurings. Standalone work includes outsourcing transactions, patent acquisitions, licensing agreements, strategic alliances, research and development collaborations, and internet related agreements. The team's industry expertise covers emerging technologies in the IT, software, transport, life sciences and healthcare sectors. Global head Michael Epstein has over 30 years' experience in the market. He is based in New York alongside Jeffrey Osterman and Charan Sandhu. In Silicon Valley, Karen Ballack is a strong choice for strategic advice on IP development and commercialization.

US taxes: non-contentious Tier 1

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles the tax aspects of many of the most significant corporate and financing transactions in the market. Practice head Joseph Pari, who works between the firm’s offices in New York and Washington DC, leads a team of seasoned practitioners with expertise in major acquisitions, disposals, securitizations, REITs and fund formations for blue-chip corporates, financial institutions and asset management firms. Chapter 11 filings, and the associated reorganizations and restructurings, are a further key strength. Stuart Goldring, who serves on the executive committee of the New York State Bar Association’s Tax Section, is recommended for his deep knowledge of tax matters for financially troubled companies. The broadly experienced Chayim Neubort is another key figure at the New York office. Also recommended is Noah Beck, a seasoned transactional lawyer.

Advertising and marketing: litigation Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's multi-disciplinary team has core strengths in consumer class actions, false advertising and antitrust matters, with an impressive client roster including Sanofi, Stabucks and Johnson & Johnson. The practice is jointly led by Randi Singer, who is recommended for Lanham Act false advertising disputes, and Carrie Mahan, who is a key name for antitrust-related work and is especially active in the hospitality space, acting for high-profile clients such as Hilton. Singer is based in New York, while Mahan is in Washington DC. On the West Coast, Silicon Valley-based David Singh is recommended for consumer class action and false advertising matters.

Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has an established DCM practice, which complements the firm's wider expertise in private equity and restructuring. In 2020, the firm saw particular growth in debt offerings linked to liquidity constraints caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In the latter part of 2020, the firm saw additional activity in high-yield debt, as private equity transactions gained momentum. While better known for issuer representation, the firm is gaining more traction on the underwriter side, thanks in part to the experience of Michael Hickey; he led the team that advised JP Morgan, as representative of the underwriters, on a $3bn senior unsecured notes offering by Occidental Petroleum Corporation. Another name to note is Corey Chivers, who has impressive connections to big-name corporate issuers and is designated underwriters' counsel for the likes of Microsoft. Frank Adams is also a frequent advisor on high-value and headline transactions for issuers, while Faiza Rahman is an emerging talent in investment grade and high-yield debt offerings. Alexander Lynch leads the capital markets team.

Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP landed a series of major equity mandates for big-name corporates in 2020, while also consolidating its prominence in the SPAC segment. In one standout matter, the team advised Dun & Bradstreet Holdings on its $1.98bn IPO and $400m concurrent private placement—one of the first major equity offerings to close after the Covid-19 outbreak. In addition, the firm's private equity practice also continues to deliver a steady pipeline of exit transactions and portfolio company fund raisings. The team remains better-known for issuer-side engagements, but has made solid progress on the underwriter side. Although largely industry agnostic, the firm has seen growth in healthcare IPO work. Alexander Lynch is noted for engagements from private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, and has an outstanding record in SPAC IPOs. Other names to note are Corey Chivers; Faiza Rahman, an emerging talent for private equity-related deals; Heather Emmel, who focuses on SPAC transactions; and Michael Hickey, who is helping to develop the firm's underwriter relationships.

Copyright Tier 2

The team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP focuses exclusively on IP litigation and counseling, with significant work handling copyright infringement cases, DMCA safe harbor compliance, and music licensing disputes. Among its core clients, the team has had repeat engagements representing radio broadcasters and television networks. New York-based practice leader Benjamin Marks advises music streaming companies, social media platforms, ISPs, publishers, and radio and television broadcasters; he has a long track record of advising on high-risk claims regarding fair use doctrine, DMCA, and secondary liability matters. Randi Singer divides time between New York and Silicon Valley, and co-heads the firm's privacy and cybersecurity group; she has also handled major copyright claims for e-commerce and internet-based platforms.

Healthcare: life sciences Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a significant presence in top-end life science transactions and litigation. Among its recent standout work, the team advised Eli Lilly on its negotiation with Gates Foundation to make its antibody therapies available and supplied to lower-income countries. Co-head and leading patent litigator Edward Reines acted alongside Derek Walter (both in Silicon Valley) in securing a complete, $24m verdict for Bio-Rad Laboratories and the University of Chicago in a patent infringement suit brought against 10X Genomics concerning certain genetic testing methods. In New York, co-head and fellow patent litigator Elizabeth Weiswasser represents leading clients in business-critical litigation concerning biologics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and medical devices. Jeffrey Osterman focuses on commercial and technology transactions in the healthcare space.

International tax Tier 2

Recent workflows for Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP’s international tax practice have included tax-forward, global corporate restructurings in the oil and gas sector; exits in the for-profit healthcare space; and inbound investment structuring for prominent sovereign wealth funds. Kimberly Blanchard is a name to note for institutional investor work, having advised public pension funds on a suite of investments and recapitalizations. Greg Featherman acted on corporate and private equity-backed M&A and take-private transactions in the fintech sector. The team is also retained by a considerable number of SPACs, for which Devon Bodoh, practice head Joseph Pari and Mark Schwed handle big-ticket IPOs and forward purchase agreements. Schwed is also active on the REIT front, with a spate of $1bn+ deals under the belt. The tax group is split between New York and Washington DC.

Labor and employment disputes (including collective actions): defense Tier 2

The New York-based team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is appreciated for being 'very thorough and bringing significant resources to the table'. It is sought out by large employers, in particular from the financial and professional services sectors. The group has considerable knowledge of discrimination and wage and hour class and collective actions, misconduct allegations and restrictive covenant actions. Practice head Gary Friedman is 'strategic, has an encyclopedic knowledge of applicable employment-related laws, and obtains results'. Jeffrey Klein has more than 35 years of experience, while Nicholas Pappas and counsels Ami Zweig and Celine Chan are also integral team members.

Leading trial lawyers Tier 2

David Lender - Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP New York partner David Lender has a varied trial practice, which includes sprawling class actions and multidistrict litigation. Lender is currently representing ExxonMobil in state and federal court cases across the country regarding the alleged environmental impact of its use of MTBE as an additive in gasoline. Highlights in the antitrust space include acting for H&R Block in seven lawsuits by plaintiffs alleging that the company attempted to enter agreements with its competitors that would lower employee wages and stifle career advancement.

M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a prolific M&A offering, and has continued to record solid deal numbers, combining a regular flow of mandates from top clients including Eli Lilly, Maxim, and Magellan Health, with strong capabilities in handling major bet-the-company deals, generally. Corporate department chair Michael Aiello maintained his profile in the market as lead counsel to long-standing client Willis Tower Watson in relation to its pending merger with Aon, a major development in the risk advisory sector valued at $80bn. Elsewhere, the team has been active in the technology, fintech, and healthcare sectors, and also regularly works on restructuring-driven transactions and distressed M&A. Gavin Westerman and Mariel Cruz are both active in the firm's restructuring department and the corporate team. Senior partner Michael Lubowitz is another key team member, who represents clients in a variety of transactions, with a notable expertise in bulge-bracket work on behalf of major investment banks. Frederick Green is a respected senior figure, and has a broad practice across business combinations, securities transactions, and wider corporate advisory work, including activist investor issues and commercial matters. Matthew Gilroy is a highly rated younger partner with a strong deal sheet, having recently led on deals for Eli Lilly and Churchill Capital Corp. Jackie Cohen is also noted as an up-and-comer, with a diverse practice encompassing work for acquirers, targets, investors, and special committees on large-scale mergers, exits, and SPAC investments. All named lawyers are in New York.

Media and entertainment: litigation Tier 2

Based in New York, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP stands out in particular for its strength in copyright law, particularly in the music sector, though the team is also highly proficient in handling copyright matters in the publishing and photography segments. Benjamin Marks leads the practice and has been acting for Pandora in disputes concerning its royalty rates to musicians and record labels. Yehudah Buchweitz is another key name, with expertise in both commercial disputes and antitrust matters, and acting for clients including Viacom. Also recommended is Jessica Falk. Bruce Rich has retired.

Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP stands out through its combination of in-depth technology and life sciences sector knowledge and comprehensive patent disputes offering, with the strong district court experience and PTAB practice , especially in inter partes reviews, combining well with the team's Federal Circuit and ITC investigations skills. The locations of practice heads Brian Ferguson in Washington DC, Edward Reines in Silicon Valley and Elizabeth Weiswasser in New York indicates the national scope of the practice, with recent highlights also including a number of cross-border matters, for example involving Japan, China or France. Garland Stephens and Doug McClellan are the key contacts in the Houston office. Derek Walter in Silicon Valley is particularly effective in life sciences litigation.

Private equity buyouts Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP stands out for its strong share of work from a number of major private equity funds, with regular representations of Blackstone, Advent International, and Providence, among others. The team handles a variety of complex buyouts, sales, restructurings, and minority investments, and has been particularly active in the SPAC market during 2020, with its representation of Gores Holdings IV in its $16.1bn combination of UWM being a standout transaction in the space. The practice group is jointly led by New York's Doug Warner, who has extensive expertise in in leveraged buyouts and disposals in the US and Europe, acting for the likes of TPG and Centrebridge; and Boston-based Kevin Sullivan, who leads the team's relationship with Providence and affiliated funds, and regularly represents other of the team's key clients. Sullivan also stands out for his role in establishing the firm's Global PE Watch tool, a notable innovation providing market intelligence to funds and investors. New York's Christopher Machera has continued to build his reputation as an emerging market leader, advising Blackstone on a number of transactions, including the $3.2bn sale of Vivint to Sunrun; while Boston's Shayla Harlev is noted for her productive relationship with Berkshire Partners, as well as her recruitment of Charlesbank as a new client, further bolstering the firm's portfolio.

Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles matters across the spectrum of fund formation, and is active in both high-end and middle-market deals, acting for well-known names like Brookfield as well as emerging managers working in the middle-market. Buyout funds are a key area of work for the firm, both in terms of their mid-market and large-scale clients, with notable recent instructions including Lee Equity Partner's third fund, which closed at $803m; Brookfield Capital Partners V, a $9bn fund; and Altas Partners Holdings II, which reached $3bn in commitments, the latter of which was handled by practice head Jonathon Soler. Soler focuses predominantly on sponsor-side work, particularly fund formation and operational matters, and also has an investor-side practice. Andrew Chizzik leads the firm's work for Brookfield Asset Management and handles several of the team's largest matters, such as the $20bn formation of Brookfield Infrastructure Fund IV. Stephanie Srulowitz is also recommended for fund formation, in addition to advising sponsors on carried interest sharing and other governance issues, as well as secondary transactions. All lawyers are based in New York.

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

With a breath of experience in product liability work Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP  has assisted industry-leading companies in complex consumer class actions and mass torts. The firm can also draw on extensive regulatory expertise, advising clients and representing them in proceedings before relevant agencies and commissions. Moreover, the team has been praised for its 'client-centric approach'.  Following Arvin Maskin’s retirement in December 2020, acclaimed trial lawyer Diane Sullivan in Princeton now leads the group together with David Singh in Silicon Valley, who acts for some of the practice’s most high-profile clients. Silicon Valley-based Bambo Obaro was promoted to partner in January 2020 and plays a key role in several core matters.

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

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP combines broad industry coverage with extensive first chair trial experience and regulatory expertise to defend clients in a wide range of product liability and toxic tort disputes. This includes litigation commenced by states and municipalities, state attorney actions and nationwide consumer class actions. The team acts for clients in high-profile issues such as the talcum powder litigation, or disputes related to plastic pollution. Arvin Maskin, long at the helm of the firm’s practice, retired in December 2020. New Jersey-based Diane Sullivan, a star in the product liability and toxic torts space, now leads the practice together with recognized litigator David Singh in California. Bambo Obaro, who is involved in a wide array of product liability matters, was promoted to partner in January 2020.

Real estate Tier 2

At Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, a key distinguisher is the heavy emphasis on real estate-related restructuring, which also often sees the team involved in M&A and spin-offs. In addition, the group also counts its joint venture work as a defining trait, working on single asset and portfolio acquisitions of all asset classes via structures such as bridge and preferred equity, forward purchases and cutting-edge hybrid structures. The representation of REITs and real estate funds is also a strength for the group, which has recently advised on numerous fund formations for Opportunity Zone investments, calling upon the firm’s dedicated private funds departments in New York and London to complement its offering in this space. New York-based duo Michael Bond and Philip Rosen jointly chair the practice; the former provides the team with development and leasing expertise, while the latter is recommended for his hospitality and gaming practice which supplements the group’s core asset expertise in the office, co-working platform, retail, student, logistics and mixed-use segments.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has deep experience in IPOs and follow-on offerings, private placements of debt and equity, public debt issuances and M&A. The firm has developed a strong relationship with Brookfield Asset Management, having advised the client on transactions with a total value surpassing $40bn. Other key clients include CBL, Iron Mountain and Sears Holdings. Michael Bond and Philip Rosen co-head the firm from its New York office. Also recommended in the team are Evan Levy, who has broad experience in financing and securities offerings, and David Herman, who focuses on M&A, restructuring and dispositions, with a particular emphasis on the retail sector.

Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's New York-based securitization team is known for its track record in whole-business securitizations and transactions involving esoteric assets, such as music royalties. The group is also highly active in the CLO space, with a number of major fund-side clients. Practice head Frank Nocco leads on much of the esoteric work, with recent highlights including the securitization of diamond inventories and in an asset-backed medium term note offering effected by a bankrupt company. Shawn Kodes' broad-based practice covers auto loans and leases, as well as US and foreign trade receivables. Jason Smith has experience in structuring rental care fleet financings, and vehicle and equipment lease securitizations.

Telecoms and broadcast: transactions Tier 2

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a strong track record in mergers and takeovers, equity investment and bankruptcies, acting for a range of telecoms, broadband and broadcasting companies. Michael Aiello chairs the corporate department and advises and has an active public companies practice with a number of clients active in these sectors. Fellow practice head Frederick Green is an expert in corporate and securities transactions, with a particular focus on telecoms infrastructure. Michael Lubowitz, is another key name and recognized here for his transactional work in the wireless and wireline spaces. All lawyers are based in New York. Former practice head Howard Chatzinoff has retired.

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

Covering the full litigation life-cycle, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acts for plaintiffs and defendants in a range of trade secret and restricted covenant matters. The firm has a deep bench of expertise across relevant disciplines, including employment, technology, IP and patent work, which it combines with its broad geographic coverage, across the US and abroad. First-chair trial lawyer Gary Friedman in New York is an expert in labor and employment law issues in the area; he co-leads the practice with Dallas-based Paul Genender, who specializes in commercial litigation. Also notable is experienced litigator Bambo Obaro, who is based in Silicon Valley and frequently represents clients in complex technology cases.

Workplace and employment counseling Tier 2

The New York-based group at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has established itself as a go-to name for the management teams of large corporations across various industries; key clients include Goldman Sachs, the Creative Artists Agency and Mastercard. Areas of experience include compliance audits, workforce reductions and terminations as well as training sessions and whistleblower matters. The team is led by the 'incredibly knowledgeable' Gary Friedman, who is an expert in conducting internal investigations arising from a variety of allegations. Jeffrey Klein has notable experience in the sports sector, and Nicholas Pappas and counsel Ami Zweig are also integral team members.

Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 3

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP recorded a strong performance in 2020, thanks in part to the surge in acquisition financing activities among its private equity clients. The firm maintains an outstanding corporate issuer client base that regularly accesses the high-yield debt markets. Given the nature of the firm's prestigious client base, it is active in both domestic and international offerings. Though it is better known for issuer engagements, the team is gaining ground on the underwriter side, an areas where emerging talent Michael Hickey. Corey Chivers is an experienced capital markets specialist with an impressive record in high-yield debt deals. Heather Emmel is also making an impression in the high-yield space. Alexander Lynch leads the wider capital markets group.

Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 3

On the defense side of antitrust litigation, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP specializes in the application of antitrust laws to music licensing, patent and other IP-related disputes. Handling civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts across the US, the 'collaborative and engaged’ practice also frequently defends clients in suits alleging collusion, illegal pricing and restraints of trade, as well as monopolization claims. In Washington DC, group head Steven Newborn and Carrie Mahan routinely act as lead counsel in multi-district litigations. Other standout practitioners include Adam Hemlock and Eric Hochstadt, both of whom are based in New York.

Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

Led from Texas by Rodney Moore  (who splits his time between Dallas and Houston) and also regularly drawing upon the expertise of corporate and finance practitioners based out of the firm's New York headquarters, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's 'thorough and thoughtful' oil and gas transactions team is well equipped to resource big-ticket and often complex mandates throughout the value chain. Benefiting from deeply entrenched private equity relationships, as well as strong and developed ties with many public and private oil and gas companies, the team stands out in upstream and midstream oil and gas-related M&A and joint venture mandates. Working in harness with New York corporate heavyweight Michael Aiello, Moore recently played a pivotal role in the firm's work for French multinational integrated oil and gas company, Total, on its $4bn acquisition of all of the oil and natural gas assets, liabilities, businesses and operations of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation in Mozambique and South Africa. The team is also well placed to pick up a significant flow of work as a result of the major economic harm the sector suffered as a result of the pandemic, both in terms of distressed M&A, as well as formal insolvency and restructuring mandates, by dint of the firm's market-leading insolvency offering.

Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 3

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles a full range of M&A, joint venture, private equity investments, and corporate finance, for clients in the areas of TV, film, music and new media. Howard Chatzinoff co-chairs the practice and has currently been very active advising Discovery and Major League Baseball on joint ventures. Also recommended are senior partner Michael Lubowitz, and Jackie Cohen, who is highly skilled in M&A, divestitures and joint ventures.

Shareholder activism Tier 3

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP's public company advisory group has experience in shareholder engagement and proxy contests. Corporate group chair Michael Aiello in New York has notable takeover defense experience; Adé Heyliger is a standout practitioner in Washington DC.

Sport Tier 3

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP‘s multidisciplinary practice group handles a wide range of litigation and disputes, representing major league athletes, professional organizations, teams, and team staff. The firm is representing Zion Williamson in connection with a multimillion-dollar ongoing dispute and litigation arising out of an agreement entered into, prior to turning professional. In addition, the team has experience in labor and employment matters, with practice head Jeffrey Klein taking the lead in representing numerous college football coaches in high-profile employment disputes. Alongside Klein, Yehudah Buchweitz and Eric Hochstadt also jointly lead the practice. Buchweitz’s expertise is in complex commercial litigation, with a specific focus on sports broadcasting, while Hochstadt focuses on civil antitrust matters and class actions. Andrew Tulumello joined the team from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in June 2021. All named lawyers are based in New York.

Trademarks: litigation Tier 3

The ‘incredibly knowledgeable’ trademark litigation team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a key resource for clients operating in the digital media landscape, including music streaming companies, social media platforms, and major radio and television broadcast corporations. Based in New York, head of the IP practice Benjamin Marks is a highly experienced trademark litigator for a number of notable clients in the financial services sector, and has expertise in digital rights management matters. Splitting her time between New York and Silicon Valley, ‘highly responsive, direct, and super smart‘ Randi Singer specializes in trademark litigation and false advertising. Additionally, New York-based partner Jessica Falk is known for her litigation experience on fair use and alleged DMCA violations. In January 2020 Bruce Rich retired.

Cartel Tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP‘s antitrust services include the representation of clients in government investigations, amnesty proceedings, and international investigation coordination. Adam Hemlock in New York and the Washington DC-based Steven Newborn head the department, which places an emphasis on assisting Japanese clients with US-led antitrust investigations and has been particularly active of late in the electronics space. Associate Kayleigh Golish (New York) offers key support to the cartel practice, from investigations right through to follow-on litigation.

ERISA litigation Tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP defends plan sponsors in defined contribution fiduciary breach litigation, health plan litigation and DOL enforcement actions. New York-based Jeffrey Klein and Nicholas Pappas are the main contacts.

International trade Tier 4

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP runs a strong CFIUS practice, with the international trade team often collaborating with the firm’s highly regarded M&A and private equity groups. The department’s recent investment work stands out in sectors such as financial services, technology, and manufacturing, among others. Practice head Theodore Posner has longstanding broad experience working for the government as well as in private practice; his expertise also stands out in relation to issues arising at the junction of trade law and policy, in addition to trade-related dispute resolution.

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

Traditionally, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has a discernable strength in handling appeals in all federal circuit courts. However, of recent note, the group’s growing appetite for US Supreme Court work manifested itself in its high-profile appearance on behalf of the petitioners in Republic of Hungary v Simon, a case raising complex jurisdictional questions pertaining to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act and international comity; Gregory Silbert led on the appellate effort. The department is led out of New York and Washington DC, respectively by Silbert and the 'extremely quick-thinking' Zachary Tripp. In addition, the firm has presence in Silicon Valley, where Edward Reines specializes in IP appeals.

Commercial lending

The team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP showcases impressive breadth of service, acting for investment banks, private equity firms and corporate borrowers in all types of financings. Many of the largest investment banks, including Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank, consult the firm for assistance in their capacity as arrangers, while the firm also aids a number of private equity firms with acquisition financing and dividend recapitalizations. The firm's focus on the borrower side is high-value investment-grade transactions. As a recent example, in 2020 the team worked with General Electric Company on a $15bn senior unsecured revolving credit facility. Based in New York, Daniel Dokos and Douglas Urquhart lead the practice group. Other key team members include Morgan Bale, who focuses on representing banks in cross-border acquisition financings, and Heather Viets, who in recent years has developed a strong reputation as a generalist finance lawyer.

Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

The white-collar defense, regulatory and investigations team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acts for major corporations, financial institutions and individuals in a range of investigations, enforcement matters and litigation. Key areas of focus include criminal antitrust law, securities violations, FCPA matters, environmental crime, cyber security and economic sanctions. The team is headed by Steven Tyrrell in Washington DC and Christopher Garcia in New York. Tyrell is well versed in multi-jurisdictional investigations and anti-corruption issues, while Garcia has noted expertise in insider trading and DOJ and SEC investigations. Sarah Coyne is another contact in the New York team.