Winston & Strawn LLP

The ‘outstanding trial team’ at Winston & Strawn LLP occupies a notable niche in SPAC transaction-related disputes and is also adept at handling merger suits with cross-border elements, in addition to defending companies and their directors and officers against breach of fiduciary duty allegations. Heading the firm’s securities litigation team is New York’s James Smith, who led the defense of Cantor Fitzgerald in the face of claims it breached multiple provisions of the Exchange Act in the de-SPAC merger between CF Finance Acquisition Corp. II and View, Inc., securing a dismissal with prejudice in April 2024. Chicago-based William O’Neil stands out for his expertise in representing strategic acquirers in M&A disputes, while John Schreiber, who splits his time between Los Angeles and New York, continues to represent Oaktree Capital Management in a matter alleging it failed to abide by an asset purchase agreement.