Corporate/M&A: The Elite | USA

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP demonstrates exceptional strength in M&A and houses a deep and impressive bench of attorneys that regularly handle high-value and complex transactions. The firm delivers expert knowledge across all areas of M&A and frequently advises both international and domestic clients on divestitures, joint ventures and hostile takeovers. It is active in a range of industries, including energy, technology, healthcare and pharmaceuticals. The client base includes household-name corporates, investment banks and other financial institutions.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP continues to be sought out by clients for a range of transactions, including cross-border deals. It is highly adept in handling large, complex M&A in a broad variety of industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals, chemicals and energy. The team offers notable expertise in joint ventures, carve-outs and leveraged buyouts. The firm's clientele includes market-leading public and private companies and financial sponsors.

Kirkland & Ellis is a highly regarded firm that offers first-class expertise in M&A, including contested transactions and private equity. The corporate team is supported by integrated practices such as antitrust, tax, financing and capital markets, allowing it to handle the biggest of deals. The team's sector expertise covers pharmaceuticals, energy and telecommunications, among others. Kirkland's offices in Europe and Asia support the group's strong international capabilities. The corporate group also houses significant capabilities in matters of takeover defense.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is a market-leading transactional practice that has considerable strength in M&A and in its representation of private equity firms. The group's broad-ranging sector expertise covers financial services and energy, among others. The team regularly handles high-profile cross-border transactions and displays strength in transformative joint ventures, buyouts and investment matters.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is a powerhouse in M&A that continues to handle an array of high-profile and high-value deals. The firm houses a deep bench of highly regarded transactional specialists. The corporate team offers strong capabilities in matters such as public and private deals, contested takeovers and joint ventures and is active across the complete range of industries, including energy, chemicals, transportation and technology. It displays strong capabilities in both domestic and international transactions.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP is an exceptional choice for high-stakes M&A and is regularly called upon by leading multinationals to handle their transactions. The corporate group is well supported by strong complementary departments such as antitrust, tax, litigation and employee benefits and executive compensation. The firm is frequently sought after by clients in the energy, financial services, healthcare and insurance industries. Sullivan & Cromwell's strong corporate governance and takeover defense expertise bolsters the team's transactional offering.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz remains a standout practice for transactional work, including high-profile domestic and cross-border M&A. The firm counts leading companies across numerous sectors as key clients, including those in the financial services and pharmaceutical industries. The group's deep understanding of corporate governance issues underpins its sterling transactional work. Wachtell also offers top-flight counsel to clients in matters of takeover defense.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP has a strong track record in advising corporations, financial services institutions and private equity firms on M&A. The team regularly works with well-known names in the communications, food and drink and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. The firm houses strong capabilities in international deals, aided by a global network of offices. Its transactional expertise is bolstered by a deep understanding of corporate governance matters.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP regularly advises on multibillion-dollar transactions across a range of sectors, including construction, energy, technology and telecommunications. The corporate team is well positioned to handle global mandates and private equity buyouts, and stands out for its corporate governance and takeover law expertise. The firm is utilized by a client base of significant public and private companies, their directors and private equity houses.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP houses solid capabilities in domestic and international M&A, aided by a global network of offices. The corporate team regularly represents leading names in the chemicals and energy infrastructure arenas, among others, advising public companies, boards of directors and special committees. Clients also benefit from its takeover defense offering.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP impresses with its ability to handle significant transactions in the technology, banking and industrial sectors, among others. It is highlighted for its strong network of global offices and is highly capable in handling complex cross-border deals. The corporate team draws upon the firm's complementary experience in areas such as financing, antitrust and litigation. Its clients include major corporate entities, their boards and investment banks.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is well known for handling complex cross-border transactions in close collaboration with its international offices. The corporate team regularly works with major clients from the technology, aerospace and pharmaceutical industries, among others. The team advises public and private companies and financial sponsors. The group handles mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances and spin-offs, among other matters.

Latham & Watkins LLP has a solid standing in the M&A field, advising on sophisticated deals both in the USA and internationally. The firm works with leading names in the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and media and entertainment sectors, among others. Latham's clientele includes household-name corporations, financial entities and private equity firms. The corporate team's expertise includes public company M&A, carve-outs and spin-offs. Clients also benefit from the team's strong grasp of corporate governance issues.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP possess expertise in joint ventures, restructurings, hostile takeovers and strategic investments. The firm is adept at handling cross-border deals and regularly works with clients from the energy, healthcare, life sciences and real estate sectors, among others. The corporate team routinely advises public and private companies, financial sponsors and investment banks.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has expertise that covers M&A, joint ventures and spin-offs, among other areas. The firm's diverse client portfolio includes Fortune 500 companies, boards of directors and investment banks. The corporate team is active in a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, financial services, telecommunications and real estate. Gibson Dunn's extensive international capabilities include experience in deals involving European and Asian interests.

Jones Day offers an impressive practice that is able to handle complex M&A and joint ventures, among other transactions. An extensive national and international footprint allows it to advise on cross-border mandates with ease. The corporate team often works with clients from the automotive, banking, chemicals, media and real estate sectors and counts market-leading public and private companies and private equity houses among its client base.

Shearman & Sterling LLP offers services in domestic and international transactions, including M&A, carve-outs and Reverse Morris Trust transactions. The corporate team works with clients from numerous sectors, including those in the energy, communications and technology industries. The team advises private corporations, financial institutions and private equity funds.

White & Case LLP is renowned for its strength in cross-border transactions, which is ably supported by its global network of offices. The firm's broad sector coverage spans M&A in the pharmaceutical, insurance and electronics industries, among others. Its expertise also covers joint ventures and dispositions, with a strong track record in representing financial advisers. The firm's client base includes significant corporates and private equity sponsors.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises on the full spectrum of transactions. The firm has solid capabilities in matters such as contested takeovers, management buyouts and corporate auctions. The group works with a range of clients, including buyers, sellers, financial advisers and debt and equity investors. The corporate team's diverse industry experience spans energy, healthcare and financial services, among others. The firm is also highly regarded for the quality of the advice offered to activist hedge funds in their campaign activity.