Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton continues to represent issuers and underwriters in substantial DCM transactions. The team offers a multi-industry advisory practice on matters including, among others, SEC-registered and Rule 144A/Reg offerings. Its work includes representing Alphabet Inc. through concurrent SEC-registered offerings of senior notes aggregating $17.5bn in US dollars and €6.5bn in euros. Jeffrey Karpf, who became the firm's managing partner in January 2026, remains a key contact for high-profile clients, leveraging his experience in investment-grade offerings, convertibles, and IPOs. David Lopez is noted for representing corporate clients in billion-dollar transactions, and Craig Brod’s expertise includes public offerings and debt financing. Other key lawyers include Adam Fleisher, who specializes in liability management transactions, and cross-border expert Francesca Odell, who is experienced in corporate matters. Shuangjun Wang is another name to note. Lesley Janzen joined the team in November 2024, bringing broad securities offerings expertise. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘One of the most unique, and valuable, qualities of this group is that they have a very good ability to take the business challenges into consideration when counseling us on legal issues.’
‘We have historically worked with David Lopez and Nina Bell. They are extremely responsive and mindful of our role of working with internal non-legal folks that need to get business done and help us navigate that while also providing us sound legal advice.’
‘They are expert in the field, highly trained group of lawyers, they understand the timing and clients' need. Very few law firms in the market can offer such level of expertise. They introduced AI technology that makes work more efficient and less burdensome.’
‘Francesca Odell, Natalia Rezai, Aditi Thakur, Synne Chapman, Belen Pironi, they all work as a team, deliver high quality advise in a timely fashion. They know when to call other experts to the table.’
Key clients
- Alphabet, Inc.
- American Express Company
- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
- American Tower Corporation
- HCA Inc.; HCA Healthcare, Inc.
- Ontario Teachers’ Finance Trust
- Southern California Edison Company and Edison International
- Verizon Communications Inc.
- PSEG Power LLC
- Citibank N.A. and Citigroup Inc.
- Corebridge Financial, Inc.
- Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Work highlights
Advised Alphabet, the parent company of Google, in SEC-registered offerings of $5 billion aggregate principal amount of U.S. dollar-denominated senior notes and €6.75 billion aggregate principal amount of euro-denominated senior notes.
Advised Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities Inc.,and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representatives of the underwriters, in the offering by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. of $5.5 billion of notes.
Advised the underwriters to Citibank N.A. and Citigroup Inc. in multiple debt offerings totaling over $34 billion.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jeffrey Karpf
Other key lawyers
David Lopez; Craig Brod; Adam Fleisher; Francesca Odell; Shuangjun Wang; Lesley Janzen; Synne D. Chapman; Natalia Rezai; Aditi Thakur; Belen Pironi