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Ranking tables

USA Illinois Corporate/M&A & Private Equity

This chapter includes company acquisitions, dispositions and related financing arrangements, mergers, joint ventures capitalizations, entity selection and formation, operating and partnership agreements and governance matters. Also covers those transactions designed to help restructuring within companies and their subsidiaries by change of ownership. Priority is placed on primary representatives, those acting for buyers and sellers, whilst those acting for financial advisors, underwriters and the banks financing such transactions are also considered. This section focuses on the transactional aspect of private equity funds work. It takes into account LBOs, M&A, recapitalization and restructuring-related matters at both the high-end and mid-market level.

All Departments profiles

1
Band 1
  1. Kirkland & Ellis
    1
    Kirkland & Ellis
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Market-leading transactional practice with a stellar reputation for its expertise in high-value, international transactions. Demonstrates outstanding credentials in private equity buyouts and exits, alongside deep strengths in public M&A. Leverages its extensive resources in wider practice areas to offer an integrated transactional service, drawing from experts in tax, intellectual property and litigation.
  2. Latham & Watkins LLP
    1
    Latham & Watkins LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Prominent corporate practice with extensive capabilities in handling the full gamut of corporate matters, including restructurings, acquisitions and sales of both private and public companies. Represents a diverse range of clients from private equity firms to large privately held companies and family offices. Utilizes its strength in takeover defense and the breadth of its international network to advise on complex transactions covering multiple jurisdictions.
  3. Sidley Austin LLP
    1
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Acclaimed corporate practice representing a broad list of private equity sponsors and global companies in high-profile M&A and private equity-related transactions. Draws upon its experience in capital markets and financial services regulation to further inform its offering. Represents clients across a range of industries including insurance, automotive, industrial, finance, technology, healthcare and consumer products.
  4. Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    1
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Highly-esteemed corporate practice recognized for the formidable strength of its bench, which extends across its US and international office network. Demonstrates top-quality handling of a catalog of transactional matters for public and private companies and private equity firms in the structuring of some of their most sophisticated business deals. Also experienced in representing financial sponsors, governmental entities and investment banks.
2
Band 2
  1. Mayer Brown LLP
    2
    Mayer Brown LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 2 | 18 Years Ranked
    Recognized for the depth of its bench, comprising an impressive array of attorneys with extensive expertise in domestic and cross-border transactions. Solid offering for international as well as domestic clients, acting for a client base which includes global financial institutions, multinational corporates and private investment funds.
  2. McDermott Will & Emery LLP
    2
    McDermott Will & Emery LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 2 | 18 Years Ranked
    Strong M&A and private equity practice group with notable abilities in sophisticated M&A. Its signature strength in the healthcare and life sciences field is complemented by additional expertise in the food and beverage, technology and industrial sectors. Advises a range of public and private businesses, financial institutions and investors.
  3. Paul Hastings LLP
    2
    Paul Hastings LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Distinguished private equity practice with a strong track record in buyouts, divestitures and portfolio company work, calling upon added expertise in its impressive borrower-side financing practice. Also highly proficient in an array of M&A work for corporates, acting for clients in industries including healthcare, aerospace, information services and manufacturing. Offers impressive transaction-adjacent strengths in its IP, tax and employment practices, alongside roles advising clients on FCPA and wider regulatory compliance.
  4. Winston & Strawn LLP
    2
    Winston & Strawn LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 2 | 18 Years Ranked
    Robust practice advising an array of corporate clients and investors on complex M&A, leveraged finance and private equity transactions. Represents global public and private companies in some of their most high-profile cross-border deals, including strengths in distressed acquisitions, carve-outs and joint ventures. Frequently advises clients in the banking, energy, education, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
3
Band 3
  1. Baker McKenzie
    3
    Baker McKenzie
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    Handles a broad spectrum of transactional work on behalf of an array of leading investors and corporations, with particular expertise in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Frequently seen handling major cross-border M&A, utilizing its global reach and impressive depth of resources. Offers particular expertise advising multinationals on carve-out and spinoff work.
  2. Jones Day
    3
    Jones Day
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    Represents leading corporations across industries such as energy, technology and financial services in a comprehensive range of M&A matters. Noted for its significant strength in private equity, corporate governance and capital markets work. Offers significant global capabilities in transactional work, bolstered by its extensive national and international network of offices and corporate law experts.
  3. Katten
    3
    Katten
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 3 | 18 Years Ranked
    Esteemed corporate practice which offers particular strengths in midmarket transactions. Fields a number of expert corporate advisers representing clients from industries including life sciences, financial services and healthcare, alongside private equity firms and wider investors. Draws upon additional strength in tax structuring and cross-border matters to provide full-service transactional representation.
  4. Ropes & Gray LLP
    3
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    Acts for a range of private equity clients and their portfolio companies in significant transactional work, including notable midmarket deals. Skilled in multijurisdictional matters, with expertise in transactions arising in the technology, pharmaceutical and financial services sectors.
4
Band 4
  1. DLA Piper LLP (US)
    4
    DLA Piper LLP (US)
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 4 | 17 Years Ranked
    Respected corporate and securities offering, acting for both public and private clients and investors in a variety of high-profile M&A and private equity transactions. Boasts an excellent reputation in cross-border and multijurisdictional matters as a result of its extensive international footprint. Sector expertise covers healthcare, technology, business services, food, energy and real estate.
  2. Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    4
    Greenberg Traurig, LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 4 | 17 Years Ranked
    Highlighted for its capabilities in advising on a broad range of corporate and private equity-related matters. Additional strengths in complex financial markets including the structure of sophisticated investment transactions for hedge fund clients. Supported by a broad range of resources across the firm, providing additional expertise in such areas as real estate, IP and healthcare.
  3. Perkins Coie LLP
    4
    Perkins Coie LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 4 | 10 Years Ranked
    Notable Chicago practice with a strong midmarket presence. Widely recognized for its representation of private equity funds and their portfolio companies along with major businesses. Maintains a strong bench of advisers with a depth of expertise in LBOs as well as a broad array of corporate and portfolio company matters. Acts for clients in many industries including manufacturing, healthcare and technology.
  4. Reed Smith LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 4
5
Band 5
  1. McGuireWoods LLP
    5
    McGuireWoods LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    Adept at advising on midmarket deals. Frequently handles private equity acquisitions, general corporate issues and venture capital matters. Noted for its depth of expertise in healthcare transactions.
  2. Much Shelist, P.C.
    5
    Much Shelist, P.C.
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Notable team with strength in representing private equity firms in domestic and cross-border transactions. Recognized for its expertise in equity financing, M&A and sales. Holds additional experience in joint ventures and buyouts. Clients include companies from the manufacturing, technology and real estate sectors among other areas.
  3. Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
    5
    Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 5 | 13 Years Ranked
    Noted for its strength across various areas of corporate transactions including M&A and regulatory compliance issues, with additional capabilities in private equity and venture capital-related matters. Offers experience in deals arising in sectors such as mining, technology and energy. Its wide-ranging client base includes multinational corporates, family offices, entrepreneurs and wider investment firms.
  4. Vedder Price PC
    5
    Vedder Price PC
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 5 | 12 Years Ranked
    Robust private equity practice with a broad transactional offering, with strengths in areas including complex M&A and LBOs. Boasts an impressive clientele, representing private equity funds and companies in a range of industries, including financial services, healthcare and manufacturing.
  5. White & Case LLP
    5
    White & Case LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    Nationwide firm with expertise in national and cross-border private equity M&A and financing. Boasts further experience in joint ventures, divestitures and recapitalizations. Clients come from a variety of sectors, from manufacturing and consumer products to technology and telecommunications.
  6. Jenner & Block LLP
    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
    2022 | Band 5