Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional investors on fund formation, M&A, financing, and exits. The firm provides integrated legal counsel across tax, antitrust, capital markets, and regulatory matters, handling complex global transactions. Team head David Leinwand is a key relationship partner to Warburg Pincus, recently overseeing several transactions in the software and digital infrastructure space. John Kupiec has a strong track record advising on complex, cross-border M&A and is well versed in energy, retail and consumer products-oriented work Matthew Salerno is regularly engaged on public and private M&A, as well as growth equity investments, while Paul Shim is experienced on substantial global carve-outs. Paul Imperatore has a growing practice that includes significant software, engineering and insurance deals. James Hu joined from White & Case LLP in March 2024. Nickolas Bogdanovich left the firm in August 2024.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Warburg Pincus
- The Carlyle Group
- Sixth Street
- Brookfield Asset Management
- TPG Capital
- Blackstone
- Sequoia Capital
- Viking Global Investors
- Wafra, Inc
- Temasek Holdings Ltd
Work highlights
Represented Warburg Pincus in its acquisitions and financings of Service Express Inc. and Redwood Software and in its investment in CData Software, Inc.
Rrepresented Sixth Street in its acquisition of Enstar Group Limited in a transaction, representing a total equity value of $5.1 billion
Advised W.K. Kellogg Foundation Trust, Kellanova’s largest stockholder, in Mars’ announced $35.9 billion acquisition of Kellanova.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
David Leinwand
Other key lawyers
John Kupiec; Matthew Salerno; Paul Shim; Paul Imperatore; James Hu