Fielding a ‘very knowledgeable set’ of experienced lawyers, the Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton practice chiefly applies its sector-specific expertise to cross-border M&A in the tech, media, and life sciences spheres and maintains a roster of leading domestic and international corporations. The team is capable of handling a broad array of transactions, including complex joint ventures and all-cash sale transactions, with its recent caseload notably including the representation of Vale S.A. in a $26bn strategic partnership with Manara Minerals. Kimberly Spoerri specializes in complex spin-offs and minority investments, and Kyle Harris stands out for his work on divestitures. The ‘strong and valued’ Paul Shim leverages over three decades of knowledge in the corporate field, and Nickolas Bogdanovich concentrates on corporate governance matters. Aaron Meyers primarily assists with private equity investments, while Kelsey Nussenfeld is also noted as key. In the Bay Area, Benet O’Reilly focuses on restructuring transactions, and Christopher Moore routinely handles transactions in the tech sector. All lawyers are New York-based unless otherwise mentioned. James Langston left the firm in May 2024.

Cementing its status as a market-leading outfit for high-value M&A, the team at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP demonstrates extensive expertise in handling cross-border joint ventures, divestitures, and strategic investments. Drawing upon a deep bench of seasoned corporate lawyers, the department regularly advises global companies in the pharmaceutical, finance, and digital sectors on a wide range of transactional matters. With the outfit operating entirely out of New York, presiding partner Faiza Saeed is highly regarded for her corporate governance and crisis management work, while co-head Mark Greene focuses primarily on complex restructuring matters and private equity deals. Co-head Robert Townsend is an expert in international M&A and activist defense proceedings, and George Schoen routinely counsels corporations and their directors on fiduciary duty issues. Co-head Richard Hall is a specialist in managing strategic partnerships in the renewable energy field, Ting Chen is knowledgeable on corporate activism matters, and Aaron Gruber oversees general corporate affairs. Keith Hallam left the team in March 2024.

Fielding an interdisciplinary network of experienced M&A lawyers, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP specialises in supporting global players in the energy, manufacturing, and finance sectors on all aspects of complex joint ventures and acquisitions. The team frequently leverages the firm’s in-depth expertise in the executive compensation, tax, and regulatory fields to provide tailored advice to leading domestic and global blue-chip companies. William Aaronson, who co-heads the New York-based team, is an expert in handling all-stock mergers across jurisdictions, while co-chairs Louis Goldberg and George Bason offer extensive knowledge of restructurings as well as of corporate governance and crisis assignment matters. Oliver Smith routinely assists clients with joint ventures, Marc Williams handles complex spinoffs, and Daniel Brass primarily focuses on investments and collaborations. James Dougherty advises on leveraged buyouts and shareholder activism, while both Brian Wolfe and Cheryl Chan are knowledgeable in private M&A.

Representing multinational corporations, financial sponsors, and boards of directors, the Kirkland & Ellis LLP team has vast experience handling cross-border M&A, including complex mergers of equals and hostile takeovers. The firm’s corporate offering is extensive and also encompasses cross-border leveraged buyouts, carve-out transactions, and joint ventures, with Daniel Wolf acting as a key contact for activism defense and general corporate matters. Sarkis Jebejian is experienced with corporate governance and shareholder activism matters, whilst Eric Schiele frequently advises public company boards and special committees on general transactional and hostile takeover matters. David Feirstein is especially knowledgeable on corporate and securities law issues, Jonathan Davis focuses on public and private M&A, and Edward Lee is an expert in assisting with IPOs and spin-offs. All the department’s lawyers are based in New York, including David Klein, who routinely counsels private equity firms and other investors on a wide array of transactional matters.

Displaying in-depth industry expertise in manufacturing, mining, and transportation, the Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP outfit is praised as ‘the best’ at handling ‘complex work’ in connection with high-value M&A and complex corporate governance issues. The firm’s extensive roster of corporate client spans from global tech and media companies to renowned financial institutions. The New York-based team is headed up by Scott Barshay, an expert in advising boards on corporate governance, activist defense, and securities law matters. Jeffrey Marell specialises in assisting corporations with negotiated and contested acquisitions and divestitures, Robert Kindler has extensive experience in takeover defense and proxy contests, and Andrew Krause focuses on joint ventures and carve-outs. Robert Schumer regularly oversees leveraged buyouts, Steven Williams is noted for his ability to advise on mergers-of-equals, and both Laura Turano and Krishna Veeraraghavan handle a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactions. Private equity expert Taurie Zeitzer left the firm in January 2024, while James Langston’s arrival from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in May 2024 signals added insight into complex hostile takeovers.

The ‘well-rounded‘ practice at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP remains a key player on the M&A market and continues to advise on a wide range of impactful and high-value strategic transactions. The team demonstrates significant expertise in representing clients from across the financial services, tech, and infrastructure spheres, with practice head Eric Swedenburg regularly assisting public and private corporations with a diverse array of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. The ‘reliable’ Mark Viera focuses on complex dispositions and leveraged buyouts, Lee Meyerson is noted for his expertise in connection with mergers in the financial services industry, and Alan Klein specializes in shareholder activism and corporate governance issues. Mario Ponce specialises in handling negotiated and hostile M&A transactions, and Elizabeth Cooper concentrates on recapitalizations and investments Katy Lukaszewski, who arrived from Sidley Austin LLP in September 2023, handles complex energy and infrastructure-based transactions. All attorneys mentioned are based in New York.

Forging a strong reputation in assisting domestic and global corporations with multi-jurisdictional M&A and leveraged financing transactions, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP leverages the expertise spread across its vast network of US offices to provide bespoke advice on corporate transactional issues. The department counts investment banks and major international companies in the gaming, fintech, and pharmaceutical spaces in its client roster, with Palo Alto-based Thomas Ivey providing in-depth insight into restructuring and corporate governance issues, primarily in the tech sector. From Houston, Eric Otness specialises in the energy, chemicals, and manufacturing sectors, Boston-based Graham Robinson supports boards of directors and special committees in addressing corporate governance affairs, and Pankaj Sinha acts on behalf of purchasers and sellers from Washington DC. From Wilmington, Allison Land is knowledgeable on renewable energy transactions. Chicago lawyer Kimberly deBeers is a joint venture expert, Los Angeles attorney David Eisman specializes in handling transactions in the TMT sector, and New York partner Allison Schneirov is renowned for her private equity expertise.

Drawing on a network of attorneys specializing in tax, antitrust, IP, and real estate law, the team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP combines firmwide expertise with core transactional capabilities to advise on all aspects of cross-border M&A. The firm has cultivated a strong network of offices across the US, enabling it to routinely assist major domestic and international corporations from across the tech, finance, and pharmaceutical sectors. Acting on behalf of an array of financial institutions, private equity firms, and boards of directors, the New York-based co-heads Michael Aiello and Michael Lubowitz are experienced handling all aspects of corporate governance matters, spin-offs, and hostile tender offer. Similarly based in NY, Matthew Gilroy routinely represents special committees and investment banks in multi-jurisdictional acquisitions. Frederick Green retired from the partnership in April 2023.

Representing domestic and international clients across the finance, aviation, and insurance sectors, the team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP boasts a network of offices across the US and is highly adept at handling high-value cross-border M&A. Overseeing the San Francisco offering, global co-chair Michael Diz has broad-based transactional expertise, frequently advising public companies and special committees on complex governance issues, whilst the ‘top-notch’ Kevin Rinker co-heads the team from New York and is noted for advising on impactful transactions in the healthcare and banking sectors. Further key contacts in the New York office include Paul Bird, who is highly knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts, and Jennifer Chu, who focuses on joint ventures. Similarly based in New York, Jonathan Levitsky is an expert in the tech and media fields, while both William Regner and Jeffrey Rosen handle critical governance matters on behalf of global corporations.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP’s M&A fields a deep bench of experienced transactional experts who ‘are strong from their junior associates through to its senior partners’ and are capable of advising on all aspects of domestic and cross-border deals, including on corporate, tax, IP, and executive compensation matters. The team, which maintains offices across the US, has extensive expertise in the energy field, as evidenced by its role in advising Pioneer Natural Resources on its $64.5bn merger with ExxonMobil. Robert Little co-heads the group from Dallas, specializing in complex joint ventures, while Houston-based partner Tull Florey is an expert in the oil and gas sectors. Operating out of New York, practice co-head Saee Muzumdar has extensive experience handling transactions the media and tech industries, Barbara Becker frequently handles all-cash acquisitions, and Andrew Kaplan advises on negotiated and contested takeovers.

The Hogan Lovells US LLP practice has extensive sector-specific expertise across the automotive, tech and educations fields and consistently provides ‘creative and solutions-oriented advice‘ in connection with high-value transactions. Frequently handling both the corporate as well as the antitrust and IP aspects of impactful M&A, the firm draws on a network of offices across the US and abroad to routinely advise on cross-border deals. Global head William Curtin splits his time between Washington DC and New York and is an expert in the aerospace, energy, and transports industries, while co-heads Elizabeth Donley and Keith Flaum focus on divestitures and joint ventures from Washington DC and Silicon Valley, respectively. From New York, Peter Cohen-Millstein is knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts, and Silicon Valley-based Richard Climan specializes in life sciences transactions. In Denver, Matthew Eisler assists with minority deals and Russell Hedman leads on venture capital-backed investments, while Silicon Valley’s Jalpit Amin chiefly handles leveraged buyouts as well as carve-outs.

Primarily advising large multinational corporations and private equity fund sponsors, the Baker McKenzie LLP team is highly adept at ‘bridging gaps’ in complex multi-jurisdictional M&A proceedings, while also offering clients extesnive experience with divestitures and joint venture transactions. Alan Zoccolillo heads the outfit from New York and specializes in corporate restructurings and investment transactions, while Palo Alto-based Leif King is an expert in spin-offs and recapitalizations. From Chicago, Michael DeFranco focuses on corporate finance and securities matters, David Malliband routinely counsels both domestic and international companies on cross-border transactions, and Olivia Tyrrell is knowledgeable on strategic alliances ad carve-outs. The ‘committed’ Airi Hammalov concentrates on strategic investments from New York, and San Francisco-based Derek Liu advises startups on inbound growth and venture capital investments.

Acting for the likes of international pharma corporations, tech providers, and energy conglomerates, the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP team comprises a set of corporate specialists who cover matters ranging from cross-border transactions to takeover defense. Ethan Klingsberg and Damien Zoubek co-head the New York offering, with the former routinely advising special committees and boards of directors on impactful mergers and complex governance issues, while the latter is an expert on shareholder activism defense. Also in New York, Jenny Hochenberg frequently tackles transformative M&A transactions, Sebastian Fain is knowledgeable on joint ventures, and both Paul Tiger and Paul Humphreys focus on stockholder activism and all-stock mergers. Based in San Francisco, John Fisher has expertise in the life sciences sector. Joseph Halloum left the firm in August 2024.

Demonstrating significant expertise in the biotech and pharma sectors, the Ropes & Gray LLP practice is highly regarded for representing clients in strategic combination agreements and complex take-private sales. The firm represents a diverse array of domestic and global corporations, including Pfizer, Blackstone, and Medtronic, with Boston-based practice head Christopher Comeau noted for his ability to counsel these clients on strategic acquisitions and minority investments. Also in Boston, Mike Beauvais is an expert on private securities offerings and financings and Zachary Blume focuses on corporate governance issues, while New York-based lawyer Jackie Cohen has experience handling joint ventures and spin-offs. Further key contacts in New York include Ariel Deckelbaum, who concentrates primarily on restructuring transactions, and Carl Marcellino, who routinely acts for private equity funds on investments and leveraged buyouts.

Demonstrating extensive expertise across the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and tech sectors, the White & Case LLP team specializes in handling multi-jurisdictional M&A, joint ventures, and SPAC transactions on behalf of domestic and global clients. The New York-based outfit is co-headed by John Reiss and Michael Deyong, with the former being an expert in complex corporate governance matters, while the latter focuses on cross-border strategic acquisitions. Chang-Do Gong regularly acts on behalf of cyber security and tech companies, Kimberly Petillo-Décossard concentrates on financings and compliance matters, and Gregory Pryor is noted for his ability to handle deals in the energy and petrochemical sectors. Thomas Christopher routinely assists special committees and financial sponsors. Private equity expert Taurie Zeitzer joined the team in January 2024 from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, while M&A and activism defense specialist Keith Hallam , formerly of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, joined in March 2024.

The ‘fantastic, sophisticated and client-friendly’ team at Baker Botts L.L.P. has in-depth expertise in the full gamut of corporate matters, spanning from cross-border M&A, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. The practice is especially well regarded for its renewable energy and telecom specialism and maintains close relationships with leading American providers such as CenterPoint Energy and EnLink Midstream, with Dallas-based co-head Samantha Crispin specializing in capital markets and strategic business transactions. Energy M&A expert Natasha Khan co-heads the team from Houston, where Clint Rancher handles general corporate matters and both Carina Antweil and Jamie Yarbrough advise public and private corporations on securities issues. Operating out of New York, Jonathan Gordon focuses on spin-offs and Neil Torpey concentrates on leveraged buyouts since his arrival from Paul Hastings LLP in March 2023. Jonathan Bobinger left the firm in June 2023.

Demonstrating consistent activity in handling high-profile multibillion-dollar M&A, with particular expertise in the pharmaceutical and manufacturing industries, the Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP team is highly praised for providing ‘creative solutions’ to its roster of domestic and international corporate clients. Philip Richter and Steven Epstein jointly head up the New York-based practice, with the former being an expert in complex strategic partnerships and joint ventures, while the latter primarily handles divestitures and IPOs. Matthew Soran specialises in growth and venture capital investments and recapitalizations, while Roy Tannenbaum focuses on corporate restructurings and cash tender offers. Amber Banks and Brian Mangino departed the firm in September 2023.

Leveraging expertise across the life science, tech, and consumer sectors, Jones Day offers bespoke advice on the whole spectrum of corporate transactions, with a specific focus on cross-border deals, including all-cash acquisitions as well as stock-for-stock mergers. The New York duo of Andrew Levine and Randi Lesnick co-head the practice and offer in-depth knowledge in corporate governance matters as well as in recapitalizations, and spin-offs. From Pittsburgh, David Grubman focuses on activist defense matters, while in Cleveland, Benjamin Stulberg concentrates on takeover preparedness and SEC compliance and Peter Izanec has experience in the food and beverage industries. Also in Cleveland, George Hunter is noted for his ability to advise on public mergers.

The ‘smart, hardworking, and experienced’ practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is comprised of skilled attorneys capable of handling a wide array of transactional issues, ranging from complex leveraged buyouts to minority investments. The focal point of the firm’s expertise revolves around the asset management, finance, and healthcare sectors, with the New York-based leading trio of David Boston, Russell Leaf, and Adam Turteltaub bringing in-depth knowledge on all types of acquisitions and corporate governance matters to the offering. Steven Seidman focuses on securities law issues, Thomas Cerabino is knowledgeable on joint ventures, and the ‘outstanding’ Gregory Astrachan frequently advises on transactions in the insurance and financial services sectors. Rosalind Fahey Kruse and Houston-based Aaron Savella are also noted as key.

Deploying a ‘commercial approach to negotiating transactions’, A&O Shearman has vast experience handling take-private acquisitions, complicated joint ventures, and cross-border M&A. Boasting an array of corporate specialists in the healthcare, tech, and finance sectors, the firm frequently acts on behalf of major domestic and international companies, with New York-based practice heads Scott Petepiece and Daniel Litowitz regularly providing ‘consistent top-tier advice’ when managing spin-offs, consortium investments, and stock mergers. Also in New York, Clare O’Brien is an expert on public company restructurings, while Creighton Condon is knowledgeable on shareholder activism. From Menlo Park, Daniel Mitz concentrates on representing global tech corporations. Former Global Managing Partner George Casey left the firm in January 2024. Following the recent merger between A&O Shearman and Allen & Overy LLP, the ‘hardworking, approachable’ team now has added expertise across the finance, tech, and energy sectors, regularly handling multi-jurisdictional acquisitions as well as sales of equity interests. Based in New York, Bill Schwitter chairs the corporate team and brings extensive experience managing securities issues and financing arrangements to the practice, while Kfir Abutbul is an expert on restructurings and workouts. The ‘very smart and experienced’ Stephen Besen focuses on joint ventures, Dario de Martino is knowledgeable on tender offers and divestitures, and Romain Dambre concentrates on carve-outs.

The Cooley LLP team specializes in handling high-value transactions in the life sciences, tech, and media industries, displaying a special focus on buy-side M&A and strategic exits. The practice routinely advises domestic and international clients on cross-border stock and cash acquisitions, with the San Diego-based co-head Barbara Borden being an expert in complex joint ventures, restructurings and activism matters. The other co-head, Jamie Leigh, operates out of San Francisco and regularly assists boards and special committees with strategic issues, and Ben Beerle routinely acts on behalf of multinational tech corporations. Steven Tonsfeldt focuses on the software and pharmaceutical spaces from Palo Alto, and the ‘outstanding’ New York-based Bill Roegge is knowledgeable on cross-border private and public M&A.

Acting for both strategic sellers and buyers, private equity firms, and portfolio companies, Dechert LLP has extensive cross-sector expertise, primarily focusing on the healthcare, TMT, and consumer markets. The team is well equipped to handle multi-jurisdictional M&A, drawing its network of offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, with New York-based co-heads Mark Thierfelder and Jay Alicandri specialising in private equity and cross-border transactions. The other co-lead Kenneth Young splits his time between New York and Philadelphia, while Christian Matarese is noted for her representation of private and public companies.

Covering all corporate aspects of cross-border M&A in addition to drawing on firmwide expertise to handle related employment, tax, and potential litigation issues, the DLA Piper LLP (US) team maintains a diverse roster of international corporate clients in the retail, consumer, and food sectors. Operating out of New York, Christopher Giordano heads the practice and is an expert in advising public companies and their boards on corporate governance and strategic matters, while Minneapolis-based lawyer Kathleen Smith Ruhland focuses on restructurings and joint ventures. Also based in New York, Jon Venick assists clients with securities reporting and compliance issues.

Representing domestic and global companies within the infrastructure, energy, and tech fields, the Milbank practice is highly regarded for its ability to handle multi-jurisdictional M&A, definitive agreements, and corporate restructurings. The team is led by the New York-based trio of Dean Sattler, John Franchini, and Richard Presutti, who are noted for their ability to represent buyout groups, investors, and boards of directors in recapitalizations and strategic joint ventures. Aaron Stine focuses on M&A in the healthcare, telecoms, and real estate industries, while Jennifer Lang, Bianca Prikazsky, and Ross Shepard are further key contacts who routinely advise on a wide range of transactional and corporate governance matters. The whole team is New York-based.

With a strong track record in overseeing cross-border M&A transactions across the tech, life sciences, and agriculture sectors, the Morrison Foerster team delivers ‘efficient and seamless’ results for a roster of global corporate clients. Based in New York, Spencer Klein co-heads the practice and specializes in stock and asset acquisitions, while Mitchell Presser is an expert on the financial services and insurance industries. Co-head Brandon Parris, who is based in San Francisco, regularly represents clients in major spin-offs and joint ventures. Also in San Francisco, Erin McCrath is an expert on matters arising in the tech sector, and Michael O’Bryan concentrates on divestitures and strategic transactions. In Miami, Randy Bullard is noted for his ability to handle cross-border transactions spanning the US, Europe, and Latin America. Denver-based lawyer Erik Knudsen is knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts.

With a client roster composed of leading corporations, financial institutions, and private investment funds, the Paul Hastings practice has vast experience of advising on cross-border M&A and joint ventures. From New York, the ‘strong’ Eduardo Gallardo co-heads the group and focuses on takeover defense and corporate governance matters, and Steve Camahort co-leads from San Francisco. Based in Century City, David Hernand routinely assists boards of directors and investment banks, and in New York, Jon Kubek and Mike Huang are noted for their ability to handle multijurisdictional transactions. Also operating out of New York, Robert Leung focuses on complex financing transactions.

The trio of Lauren Boglivi, Michael Ellis, and Daniel Ganitsky co-head the Proskauer Rose LLP practice from New York and offer in-depth experience handling cross-border M&A, shareholder activism, and corporate governance matters. Boglivi is especially noted for handling transactions in the healthcare and media sectors, whilst Ganitsky and Ellis are experts on complex restructurings and commercial arrangements as well as private equity transactions. Joshua Apfelroth routinely handles public and private M&A as well as alternative investments, Grant Darwin advises on joint ventures and divestitures, and Lauren Kim focuses on buyouts. The firm is particularly noted for its connections with clients in the real estate, consumer goods, and life sciences sectors.

Demonstrating extensive expertise in the energy and infrastructure industries, the practice at Vinson & Elkins LLP routinely does a ‘great job of finding solutions’, providing bespoke advice on all elements of M&A and corporate transactions. In addition to advising on high-value business combinations and acquisitions in the oil and gas spaces, the team also handles a growing volume of transactions and joint ventures for energy providers and infrastructure funds in connection with renewable energy projects and developments. Operating out of Houston, Stephen Gill, who is an expert on securities offerings and corporate governance matters, co-heads the team with Sarah Morgan, who frequently represents public companies and investment banks in connection with capital raising transactions, and Dallas-based partner John Grand, who primarily advises on joint ventures and divestitures.

Bracewell LLP’s M&A team specializes in handling stock sales and exchanges, management and leveraged buyouts, and joint ventures on behalf of international financial institutions and energy companies. Based out of Houston, William Anderson and Charles Still, Jr. co-head the outfit and bring significant expertise in SEC compliance and corporate governance matters to the practice, whilst Troy Harder primarily focuses on corporate finance transactions. Jason Jean is an expert on transactions in the upstream and midstream energy sector, Lytch Gutmann is knowledgeable on stock and asset purchases and sales, while Benjamin Martin is noted for his expertise in the private equity space.

Sarah Jones and Benjamin Sibbett  co-head the New York-based Clifford Chance team, which primarily advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A and joint ventures across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. Jones frequently assists multinational corporations with cross-border acquisitions, whilst Sibbett chiefly counsels domestic and international clients with deals in the media and industrials sectors. Neil Barlow focuses on private equity transactions, David Brinton is an expert on reorganizations and investments, whilst Kevin Lehpamer is knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts. Matthew Warner and Christine Kim are also highlighted as key contacts.

Counting leading global companies and financial institutions amongst its key clients, the Mayer Brown team has extensive experience advising on cross-border M&A and sales of equity interests. The Chicago-based practice is headed by William Kucera and Jodi Simala, with the former specializing in tender and exchange offers, while the latter manages complex joint ventures and divestitures. The firm is especially noted for handling transactions in the energy, consumer products, and entertainment spaces.

The ‘top-tier’ M&A team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP leverages its expertise across the IP, employee benefits, and cybersecurity fields to deliver bespoke advice on cash and stock transactions in addition to advising on joint ventures and strategic partnerships. From Philadelphia, Benjamin Wills co-leads the practice and specializes in complex joint ventures and securities compliance issues, while New York-based practice co-head Andrew Milano is a ‘master’ in assisting clients with transactions in the infrastructure, media, and software spaces. Alec Dawson focuses on financial services M&A, and Boston-based Laurie Cerveny primarily handles corporate governance matters.