Transactional powerhouse Kirkland & Ellis LLP serves a client base spanning global mega-funds, upper-middle market sponsors and institutional investors. The team advises on leveraged acquisitions, take-privates, carve-outs, minority investments and exit transactions, including strategic sales and sponsor-to-sponsor transfers. In its Chicago office, key names include Jon Ballis, who chairs the firm and is a key figure of the global private equity buyouts platform; Sanford Perl , who focuses on leveraged buyouts, strategic M&A and related restructuring transactions; Peter Martelli, who is active in large-cap leveraged buyouts and exits; and Richard Campbell , who represents private equity sponsors and asset managers. Over in the New York office, Laura Sullivan’s expertise is in leveraged buyouts, strategic acquisitions and carve-outs; Carolyn Vardi is well versed in transactions across financial services, software, healthcare, industrials and consumer sectors; Maggie Flores, is recommended on a range of strategic transactions; Michael Weisser advises private equity sponsors and pension-backed investors; Jennifer Perkins is a key advisor to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies; and Srinivas Kaushik, who routinely acts for Bain Capital, MSD Partners and Warburg Pincus. Bay Area-based Sean Kramer advises financial sponsors and portfolio companies, with experience across technology, healthcare, consumer and business services. Los Angeles-based Hamed Meshki advises on leveraged buyouts and other complex M&A transactions.

Latham & Watkins advises leading global private equity sponsors on large-cap leveraged buyouts, public-to-private transactions and cross-border acquisitions across a broad range of sectors. Its fully integrated leveraged finance, capital markets and antitrust capabilities support the execution of complex, multi-jurisdictional sponsor-led and consortium transactions. Among its practice heads are New York-based Paul Kukish, who excels in retail, consumer products and energy sector deals;, also in New York, who is renowned in asset management sector deals; Brad Faris, who is active in large-cap buyouts and public-to-private transactions in Chicago; Houston-based James Garrett, who is skilled in energy and infrastructure buyouts; Kristen Grannis, who has deep knowledge of growth equity and structured private equity investments in the Boston office; and Daniel Rees, who sits in the Orange County office and handles sponsor-led take-privates and complex public company M&A. In the wider practice, key figures of the New York office also include David Allinson , whose strengths lie in sponsor-led buyouts in energy, infrastructure and healthcare, and David Beller, who is renowned for his expertise in leveraged buyouts.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a longstanding adviser to global private equity sponsors on large-cap leveraged buyouts, public-to-private transactions, carve-outs and consortium deals across a broad range of sectors. Its practice heads are all based in the New York office, namely Matthew W. Abbott, who focuses on leveraged buyouts, take-privates, consortium transactions; Angelo Bonvino, who is highky skilled in high-value portfolio company acquisitions and exits; James Langston, who is a go-to for contested public company transactions; Jeffrey Marell, who is active in take-privates, sponsor-led acquisitions, carve-outs and contested M&A transactions. In the wider team, Ted Ackerman has considerable experience advising private equity sponsors on deals involving the retail and consumer sectors. Ellen Ching handles sponsor-led investments in the healthcare, digital and consumer sectors. Ross Fieldston is routinely involved in large structured investments and carve-outs and Brian Lavin remains a key support to private equity and infrastructure investors. Cullen Sinclair is well versed in deals involving media, infrastructure and consumer-facing businesses. Sarah Stasny departed in June 2025.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP acts as trusted advisor to global private equity sponsors on large-cap and market-leading buyouts. The group advises across the full investment lifecycle, from acquisition structuring and leveraged buyouts to portfolio company governance, financing strategy, and high-value exits, including sales and IPOs. The team is jointly led by Elizabeth Cooper and Marni Lerner from the New York office. Cooper is a renowned figure in private equity, known for her work on large-scale buyouts, public-to-private transactions and strategic platform investments. Lerner is a seasoned advisor to sponsors and their portfolio companies on complex buyouts, divestitures and strategic investments. Also based in the New York office, Anthony Vernace is active in high-stakes acquisitions, investments and contested situations; and Michael Holick demonstrates strength across sophisticated buyouts, add-ons and portfolio company transactions. The Palo Alto office also features key figures, namely Atif Azher, who is highly skilled in tech-focused mandates; and Naveed Anwar is experienced advising private equity sponsors on technology-driven buyouts, carve-outs and portfolio company transactions.

 

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is distinguished by its representation of global sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors on complex, multi-jurisdictional buyouts and strategic investments. The team is particularly noted for handling cross-border buyouts and co-investment structures involving multiple sponsor and sovereign participants. The team also plays a role in the growing deployment of sponsor capital into emerging and strategically sensitive sectors such as professional sports and infrastructure-linked assets. Anchored in New York, the practice is jointly headed by M&A specialist David Leinwand, who is highly experienced at advising private equity sponsors on acquisitions and exits; and Matthew Salerno, who advises sponsors and corporates on public and private acquisitions, investments and contested transactions. John Kupiec is relied on for his knowledge of leveraged buyouts, take-privates, unsolicited bids and distressed situations; Paul Shim boasts bringing significant experience relevant to sponsor-led and public-to-private deals. Paul Imperatore is a key contact for sponsor-led platform investments and strategic disposals.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP acts a preeminent advisors to global private equity sponsors on large-cap acquisitions and public-to-private transactions to portfolio company strategy, financing, restructuring and exit planning. The group is particularly skilled in large and mid-cap buyouts, consortium transactions, cross-border investments and bespoke sponsor-led structures. Anchored in the New York office, the team is jointly led by a group of co-heads, namely Kevin Schmidt, who is highly experienced in public-to-private transactions, carve-outs, joint control investments and bespoke liquidity solutions; Christopher Anthony, who specialises in multi-asset transactions and value-creation initiatives across the portfolio lifecycle; Kevin Rinker, who is an expert in areas of healthcare services, life sciences, healthcare technology and consumer health; Spencer Gilbert, who maintains a strong focus on sponsor-led transactions in healthcare, insurance and industrial services; Paul Bird, who shines in large-cap and platform-building transactions; and Uri Herzberg, whose strengths lie in sponsor-led transactions, carve-outs and special situations. Jennifer Chu left the firm in March 2025.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is positioned to be able to advise on the full spectrum of private equity transactions, including public company take-privates, leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, minority and structured investments, continuation fund transactions, GP-led liquidity solutions and cross-border acquisitions and dispositions. At the helm of the practice sits New York-based Christopher Machera, who is known for his knowledge of leveraged buyouts and structured equity investments and Doug Warner, whose expertise is routinely sought by global sponsors on cross-border buyouts and strategic combinations; Ramona Nee, who is a key support to private equity firms and growth equity funds on leveraged buyouts, minority investments and M&A transactions; Boston; and Silicon Valley-based Kyle Krpata, whose strengths lie in transformational deals in innovation-focused sectors. In the wider group, Timothy Burns regularly advises private equity sponsors, pension funds and sovereign wealth investors from the New York office. Over in Boston, Jakub Wronski specialises in ongoing portfolio company governance and strategic matters. In the Los Angeles office, Tana Ryan is a key name for leveraged buyouts, take-privates, carve-outs, SPAC and de-SPAC transactions.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has notable experience in public and private leveraged buyouts, sponsor-to-sponsor transactions, minority and structured equity investments, carve-outs and corporate separations, joint ventures, and complex exit processes. It also advises on GP-led secondaries, continuation vehicles and other liquidity solutions. The practice is led from the New York office by Jeffrey Poss, who regularly counsels on deals involving financial services, fintech, insurance and technology-driven businesses; Neil Townsend, who has particular expertise in transaction structuring, LBO financing mechanics and equity incentive arrangements; and Matthew Guercio , who advises private equity sponsors on public and private M&A, as well as growth equity and venture capital investments. Key figures from the New York office also include Morgan Elwyn , who excels in carve-outs, joint ventures and secondary transactions; Rosalind Fahey Kruse, who has significant experience handling cross-border mandates involving the technology, software and financial services sectors; and Mark Cognetti, whose strengths lie in leveraged buyouts and distressed investments.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advises a diversified sponsor client base spanning private equity firms, activist investors and strategic financial sponsors. The group is particularly active in high-value public-to-private transactions and sponsor-led acquisitions, including large take-privates and complex carve-out transactions. Situated in New York, the team is jointly overseen by John Amorosi and William Chudd. Amorosi has notable experience advising on buyouts, portfolio company acquisitions and exits, and complex sponsor-led transactions. Chudd is best known for his work on public and private M&A with particular experience in life sciences and healthcare. Michael Davis is a valued member of the team and is active in  large-cap buyouts and strategic investments. Harold Birnbaum‘s diversified transactional expertise spans the energy, infrastructure, healthcare, financial services, and sports sectors. Darren Schweiger is relied on for his expertise in leveraged buyouts, take-privates, minority investments, co-investments and portfolio company acquisitions and exits.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP maintains a substantial global private equity practice, advising a broad range of large-cap sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and alternative investment managers. The practice head is formed of Richard Birns, who brings experience in leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, and divestitures to the team; John Pollack, who is an expert in mandates stemming from highly regulated industries, notably aerospace and defense; Century City-based Ari Lanin, who routinely advises private equity sponsors, public companies and portfolio companies on M&A, stock and asset acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic partnerships; and Michael Piazza, who is the resident oil and gas expert in the Houston office. In the wider team, Christopher Lang‘s practice spans buy-side and sell-side transactions for private equity sponsors. Matthew Schwartz is routinely called upon by private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, and their portfolio companies. Christopher Harding sits in the San Francisco office and specialises in transactions across the enterprise software, technology, healthcare and consumer sectors. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York unless otherwise stated.

White & Case LLP routinely advises on six-figure acquisitions, sponsor-to-sponsor transactions, public company take-privates and cross-border platform investments across sectors including technology, healthcare, infrastructure, energy and financial services. Oliver Brahmst is responsible for heading the practice and is known for advising international sponsors on large-cap and cross-border buyouts, consortium transactions, take-privates and complex exits across a broad range of sectors. Morgan Hollins is a key contact in the Houston office and regularly leads sponsor-led acquisitions and exits in asset-intensive and regulated sectors. Adam Cieply has significant experience representing sponsors and institutional investors on infrastructure and energy transactions. Daniel Kozin is regularly seen advising private equity sponsors on cross-border buyouts, divestitures and minority investments. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York unless otherwise states.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP acts for traditional leveraged buyout funds as well as sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, insurance companies and other non-traditional private capital participants. Anchored in the New York office, the practice is led by Peter Feist, whose practice spans public and private acquisitions, leveraged and management buyouts, take-private transactions. Notable figures in the wider team also include Richard Hall, who is noted for advising on transformational public M&A; Adam Sanchez, who has considerable experience advising on sponsor-led partnerships and exit transactions; Jihyun Chung, who is well versed in the consumer products, financial services, and healthcare sectors; and Andrew Compton, who is known for his knowledge of the energy and infrastructure sectors. Maurio Fiore left the firm in February 2026.

Dechert is well equipped to advise private equity sponsors and other financial investors on domestic and cross-border buyouts, minority investments, corporate restructurings and exits. Situated in the New York office, the practice is jointly led by Mark Thierfelder, who is highly experienced in cross-border buyouts, recapitalisations, leveraged financings, restructurings and exits; Kenneth Young, whose strengths lie in transactions involving technology, digital transformation and financial services platforms; and Markus P Bolsinger , who is skilled in transatlantic leveraged buyouts, take-privates, recapitalisations and other complex M&A transactions. In the wider group, Jonathan Kim 's practice covers leveraged buyouts, sponsor exits and minority investments, and Marie Mast provides technology, education and life sciences expertise in the Philadelphia office.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acts for both mega-funds and mid-market sponsors on complex domestic and cross-border acquisitions, take-privates, recapitalisations and structured equity transactions. The New York-based outfit is jointly led by Steven Steinman, whose work frequently involves structurally complex transactions, including carve-outs and sponsor-to-sponsor exits, and Randi Lally, who routinely advises on acquisitions and dispositions of fund management interests. Key figures in the wider practice include Mark Lucas, who is well versed in the infrastructure and industrial assets sectors; Christopher Ewan, who specializes in representing investment management clients; and Robert Schwenkel. Stephen Amdur joined the firm from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in 2026.

Sidley Austin LLP advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and institutional investors on large-cap buyouts, take-privates, minority investments and sponsor exits across a broad range of sectors. All sat at the head of the practice are Chicago-based Sean Carney and Perry Shwachman, who are both the resident insurance experts; Mehdi Khodadad, who is an expert at representing technology and life sciences companies in the Century City office; Scott Parel, who advises private equity sponsors, pension funds and corporate clients from the Dallas office; and New York-based Jonathan Kelly, who is acitve in the insurance and financial services sectors, and Brien Wassner, who represents sponsors and their portfolio companies across the full transaction lifecycle. Former Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP co-head David Perkins joined the firm in August 2025.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds and strategic investors on large-cap and mid-market transactions across the investment lifecycle, including leveraged buyouts, take-privates, carve-outs, strategic investments and co-investment structures. Its sector activity is concentrated in areas driving sponsor activity, including technology, energy and infrastructure, financial services, insurance, industrials and life sciences. The New York-based team is anchored by Allison Schneirov, who is known for her involvement in sponsor-led transactions for financial sponsors, corporates and boards. Brett Fleisher is also an active figure in the practice, notably on cross-border acquisitions, divestitures, carve-outs, and strategic investments.

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s private equity buyouts practice is particularly distinguished for its strength in energy, infrastructure and energy transition transactions. The team advises a high-profile sponsor client base on sophisticated domestic and cross-border transactions spanning buyouts, carve-outs, joint ventures, continuation vehicles, preferred equity investments and platform acquisitions. The team is jointly helmed by New York-based Jim Fox, whose strengths lie in energy and infrastructure transactions, and Dan Komarek, who advises across the full investment cycle; Danielle Patterson, who focuses on private equity, M&A and joint venture transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors in the Houston office; and John Grand, who is active across the upstream and midstream energy sectors in Dallas.