Ranking tables

Banking & Finance | Global

USA

The Banking & Finance rankings table below has been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across USA.

Rankings overview for Departments

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. F William Reindel
    F William Reindel Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP14 Years Ranked
  2. James ClarkCahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
  3. Steven M EllisProskauer Rose LLP
  4. William M HartnettCahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
    1
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 1 | 34 Years Ranked
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP maintains its position at the forefront of the financial services regulatory space as the first port of call for institutions seeking up-to-date expertise. A market-leading offering in banking regulatory compliance is bolstered by strong showings in banking enforcement and transactional matters and the broker-dealer regulatory space. Helps bring to fruition sophisticated M&A deals involving financial institutions. Marries traditional legal acumen and experience with the innovative use of technology, producing the industry-standard policy and procedure manual for Volcker matters and a subscription-based Regulatory Tracker. Also noted for its knowledge of global regulatory systems, including the Basel III capital and liquidity rules.
  2. 1
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 1 | 23 Years Ranked

    Latham & Watkins LLP has a compact team with particular strength in the banking and broker-dealer spaces, advising on a range of high-profile regulatory matters, including those pertaining to financial technology such as data capture technologies. Fully equipped to advise on current and emerging requirements implemented by the SEC, CFTC, FINRA and NYSE, among others. An expanding team includes a number of alumni of the major regulatory bodies, enabling it to provide clients with crucial strategic insight. Clients include most of the world's major global banks, as well as international broker-dealers, private fund complexes and fintech companies.

  3. Paul Hastings LLP
    1
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 1 | 22 Years Ranked
    Paul Hastings boasts a widely spread national group with a particular focus on lender-side and private equity sponsor representation. Particularly noted for its significant presence in the asset-based lending space, and its work with clients on term loans and bridge loans, as well as restructuring matters. Represents a good choice of firm for cross-border transactions, with a pronounced focus on energy financings.
  4. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    1
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 1 | 29 Years Ranked
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has a well-established transactional offering with the ability to operate effectively across all facets of deals involving financial institutions. Represents a wide array of financial institutions including banks, credit card issuers, mortgage brokers and insurance companies, granting it an impressive overview of industry-wide trends. Offers a robust grounding in the regulatory directives of every core agency in the space.
  5. Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 1
  6. Kirkland & Ellis
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
    2
    Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2 | 22 Years Ranked
    Cravath, Swaine & Moore has a comprehensive practice notable for its enviable roster of lender and borrower-side clients, which it advises on both domestic and cross-border banking and finance matters. Highly skilled in syndicated leveraged finance, M&A finance and high-grade investment. Offers additional expertise across asset-based financings, recapitalizations and restructuring.
  2. Milbank LLP
    2
    Milbank LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2 | 28 Years Ranked

    Milbank boasts a compact team of renowned finance lawyers who offer in-depth market knowledge and expertise. Noted for its reputation with leading lenders, and is also adept at acting for borrowers and private equity sponsors across the whole spectrum of finance transactions. Highly regarded for its cross-border expertise in large-scale transactions, including LBOs. Notably represents companies in the energy, technology and transportation sectors.

  3. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
    2
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2 | 13 Years Ranked

    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP enjoys a significant reputation for its defense of high-profile financial institutions, including investment funds, banks and mortgage companies, against enforcement and investigative actions. Adept at dealing with regulatory bodies, defending against cases brought by the OCC, DOJ and OFAC, among other federal and state authorities. Counts a number of former regulators and federal prosecutors among its ranks. Works in close conjunction with the firm's market-leading white-collar criminal defense practice.

  4. Ropes & Gray LLP
    2
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2 | 17 Years Ranked

    Ropes & Gray attracts a wide array of leading private equity clients and continues to be highly regarded for its expertise in leveraged finance work acting for borrowers on both domestic and cross-border transactions. Renowned for its expertise in the whole spectrum of financings including acquisition financings, private equity investments and whole business securitizations. Also noted for its strengths in mezzanine debt and direct lending matters. Maintains client relationships across a diverse range of sectors, with noteworthy activity in the technology, healthcare and consumer products spaces.

  5. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    2
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2 | 22 Years Ranked
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges has a robust finance practice, which is highlighted for its balanced approach in representing prominent lender and borrower clients. Noted for its adept counsel on cross-border acquisition financing and also enjoys a fine reputation for its work on restructurings in the energy sector. Also excels in its representation of private equity clients and their portfolio companies, and is increasingly active on behalf of non-bank direct lenders. Expert capabilities when handling sophisticated investment-grade acquisition financings.
  6. White & Case LLP
    2
    White & Case LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2 | 31 Years Ranked

    White & Case has a thriving finance practice representing a loyal following of clients in both domestic and international transactions. Offers experience in syndicated lending, acquisition finance and asset-based lending, among a host of other areas. Highly regarded for its debtor-in-possession work. Client base includes heavyweight underwriters, investment banks and household-name corporations, as well as private equity firms and their portfolios.

  7. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. Proskauer Rose LLP
    3
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked

    Proskauer Rose has a burgeoning nationwide finance practice, with a significant market presence in Massachusetts, California and New York. Highlighted for its balanced and wide-ranging finance expertise, representing a variety of traditional lenders, alternative lenders, sponsors and corporate borrowers. Possesses expertise across the whole spectrum of financings including multitranche finance, leveraged finance and distressed lending.

  2. Sidley Austin LLP
    3
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 3 | 21 Years Ranked
    Sidley Austin LLP offers extensive experience across a range of securities and broker-dealer matters, including the most technical aspects of equity markets, alternative trading systems and municipal securities. Noted representation of broker-dealer clients in connection with regulatory examinations, investigations and enforcement actions. Further recognized for its highly respected consumer finance practice, covering a broad range of matters including the establishment of innovative payment systems. Regularly acts on behalf of banks and non-banks in connection with complex regulatory matters and major litigation.
  3. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    3
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 3 | 30 Years Ranked

    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is a hugely respected firm with an enviable history of involvement at the cutting edge of the US financial services arena. Particular strength in the banking space, advising leading institutions on a range of sophisticated regulatory compliance, enforcement and M&A matters. Advises on all aspects of the Dodd-Frank Act, and adept at dealing with allegations of sanctions and anti-money laundering violations. Offers additional expertise in consumer finance, including CFPB compliance and enforcement matters, and particularly excelling in consumer class action defense. Noted expertise in the emergent fintech area.

4

Band 4

  1. A&O Shearman
    4
    A&O Shearman
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 39 Years Ranked
    A&O Shearman is noted for its talented group in the broker-dealer space, with a respected practice weighted toward the provision of compliance advice. It combines broker-dealer expertise with specialist knowledge of the banking and asset management spaces to provide clients with a holistic advisory service. Advises on all aspects of US broker-dealer regulation, and noted for its work on cross-border transactional matters. The team is also experienced in handling the full range of Dodd-Frank and Volcker Rule matters in the banking space, as well as anti-money laundering rules and sanctions law. It has a strong international presence ensures that the team is also able to advise on EU, UK and other regulatory systems. It has further experience in advising financial institutions on cryptocurrency regulatory issues.
  2. 4
    Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 14 Years Ranked
    Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is recognized for its expansive broker-dealer practice. Significant and often global clients bring complex compliance and enforcement matters surrounding actions and changes by the SEC, FINRA and other regulators. Also noted for its expertise in derivatives litigation.
  3. Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    4
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 18 Years Ranked
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has expertise in key markets, including New York, California and Texas, across the whole gamut of financing transactions, and is renowned for its work on behalf of borrowers and private equity clients. Possesses substantial experience in financing transactions across a wide range of sectors including energy, consumer products and telecommunications. Regularly handles complex acquisition financings.
  4. King & Spalding LLP
    4
    King & Spalding LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked

    King & Spalding has an esteemed practice that is recognized for its expertise in middle-market deals, as well as strength in investment-grade transactions. Able to advise a host of clients including leading national banks, private equity funds and public companies. Capabilities span the full breadth of syndicated and single-lender transactions, boasting expertise in leveraged transactions and asset-based lending.

  5. Mayer Brown LLP
    4
    Mayer Brown LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 27 Years Ranked
    Mayer Brown LLP has a broad practice with an exceptional reputation in the consumer finance space, notably excelling in its provision of compliance advice to clients in the mortgage industry. Also covers the full range of banking regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. A strong global reach allows the team to handle cross-border cases with ease, while the presence of several former regulatory officials provides insight into the most cutting-edge matters. Regularly defends clients in proceedings brought by government regulators including the SEC, the CFPB, the FDIC and the OCC.
  6. Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
    4
    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 23 Years Ranked

    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is a colossus of the US financial services space, handling sophisticated banking regulatory issues on a regular basis. Comfortable negotiating the ins and outs of Dodd-Frank regulations for systemically important clients and defending them against incursions by an array of regulatory bodies. Adept at dismissing harmful allegations relating to such crimes as rate rigging and money laundering, with noted expertise in representing clients before high-level regulatory enforcement actions. Also noted for its continuing excellence in the transactional space, advising financial institutions in connection with industry-defining M&A activity. Increasing presence in the fintech space, alongside an ability to advise on cybersecurity issues affecting banking clients.

  7. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    4
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4 | 8 Years Ranked
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher has an expanding finance practice which is reinforced by nationally recognized M&A and bankruptcy groups. Handles a wide array of finance transactions, frequently representing some of the leading private equity funds, corporate borrowers and investment banks. Additional experience representing hedge funds and registered funds in high-value redemption and subscription credit facilities. Highlighted for its significant cross-border expertise and a wealth of experience in the energy sector.
  8. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4
  9. McGuireWoods LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. Dechert LLP
    5
    Dechert LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Dechert LLP is noted for its breadth of work in the financial institutions M&A sector. The team capably advises clients on a range of issues arising from transactions, including for private equity companies and major financial institutions.
  2. Freshfields US LLP
    5
    Freshfields US LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's team represents private equity and portfolio companies in various strategic advice matters and refinancings. Their recent experience includes debt restructuring among other borrower-side matters with a specialty in the technology sector. They also have experience handling cross-border matters.

  3. Goodwin
    5
    Goodwin
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked

    Goodwin has particular strength in the consumer finance space, advising in relation to regulatory compliance and enforcement, and handling class action litigation concerning such topics as mortgages, credit cards and auto finance. Also advises fintech companies in connection with a raft of regulatory matters, including payment systems issues and privacy matters. Highly experienced at representing clients in complex litigation filed by the CFPB, SEC and DOJ.

  4. 5
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 1 Years Ranked

    Greenberg Traurig is a highly respected firm that handles a host of banking and finance matters. Its clients include borrowers, lenders and arrangers. The team often advises on acquisition financings and unsecured credit facilities.

  5. Holland & Knight LLP
    5
    Holland & Knight LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 12 Years Ranked

    Holland & Knight has a large group of banking and finance practitioners who leverage the strength of its offices based across the USA, in particular in the Southeast and Midwest. Combines expertise in lending transactions with access to experts in debt capital markets within the firm, providing a joined-up service in debt financing.

  6. Jones Day
    5
    Jones Day
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 11 Years Ranked
    Jones Day has an exemplary group of finance practitioners that assists both borrowers and lenders in an array of financings. Regularly sought after for its strength in the debt finance space, boasting experience on syndicated, multicurrency and acquisition financings. Skilled across the spectrum of industries, with an established presence in the midmarket space.
  7. Katten
    5
    Katten
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 6 Years Ranked
    Katten has an active banking and finance practice with a strong foothold in the middle-market space. Typically works with lenders on sophisticated commercial financings. Highly regarded for its capabilities in the direct lending space.
  8. 5
    Moore & Van Allen, PLLC
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 5 Years Ranked

    Moore & Van Allen, PLLC comprises practitioners with prior experience at regulatory offices. The group provides large financial institutions with insight into SEC, CFTC and OCC regulatory systems, along with in-depth knowledge on Dodd-Frank and Volcker rules. The team also boasts expertise in contentious matters and investigations by the Department of Justice and US Attorney's offices.

  9. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    5
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 10 Years Ranked
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP has strength in the full range of regulatory matters pertaining to the banking and broker-dealer industries, with a recognized group of securities law experts advising blue-chip clients on the most cutting-edge matters. Particular strength in regulatory compliance matters, but also noted for its handling of high-stakes enforcement actions by the SEC, FINRA and other agencies. Benefits from a highly experienced bench, with over 30 partners having previously served with the DOJ or the major regulatory agencies. Increasing strength in connection with cross-border regulatory matters, with the US team working closely alongside colleagues in London, Frankfurt and Tokyo.
  10. Morrison Foerster
    5
    Morrison Foerster
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 3 Years Ranked
    Morrison Foerster is a highly respected firm in the consumer finance space, noted for its work on the full range of CFPB regulatory matters. Heavily involved in all aspects of consumer lending, undertaking cutting-edge work relating to payment card systems and other matters. Particularly recognized for its expertise in the mortgage and fair lending space, showing great skill advising on federal and state regulations.Also enjoys a fine reputation for its handling of consumer finance litigation, impressing on behalf of lenders in complex consumer class actions. Further expertise demonstrated in diverse bank regulatory matters, including Volcker Rule and Bank Holding Company Act issues.
  11. Vinson & Elkins LLP
    5
    Vinson & Elkins LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked

    Vinson & Elkins LLP's team has considerable experience of advising both lenders and borrowers, including large banks, credit funds and hedge funds. The practitioners are adept at providing counsel on a wide array of issues, including acquisition financings and syndicated loans. The team demonstrates particular expertise in advising clients in the energy sector, as well as the manufacturing industry.

  12. Cooley LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5
  13. Haynes and Boone, LLP
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5
  14. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
    Banking & Finance
    2025 | Band 5