Ranking tables
Corporate/M&A: Takeover Defense | USA
New York
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 1
Band 2
Derek Zaba Sidley Austin LLP5 Years Ranked
Elizabeth Gonzalez-Sussman Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates5 Years Ranked
Lawrence Elbaum Sullivan & Cromwell LLP5 Years Ranked
Scott A Barshay Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP21 Years Ranked
Shaun Mathew Kirkland & Ellis LLP5 Years Ranked
Band 3
Daniel E Wolf Kirkland & Ellis LLP15 Years Ranked
Eduardo Gallardo Paul Hastings LLP9 Years Ranked
Josh Dubofsky Latham & Watkins LLP6 Years Ranked
Melissa Sawyer Sullivan & Cromwell LLP12 Years Ranked
Michael Aiello Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP21 Years Ranked
Patrick Gadson Sullivan & Cromwell LLP5 Years Ranked
Sean M Donahue Paul Hastings LLP2 Years Ranked
Up and Coming
Associates to watch
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Sidley Austin LLPCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 1 | 4 Years RankedSidley Austin LLP handles a wide range of domestic and cross-border transactional matters, including joint ventures, tender offers and spin-offs. The corporate team represents clients working in a range of areas, such as manufacturers, investment firms, financial services companies and real estate businesses. The New York office also houses market-leading expertise in shareholder activism defense. The firm is active on behalf of corporates and private equity sponsors.
1 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 1 | 4 Years RankedSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is a powerhouse in M&A that continues to handle an array of high-profile, 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.
1 Sullivan & Cromwell LLPCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 1 | 3 Years RankedSullivan & 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.
1 Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & KatzCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 1 | 4 Years RankedWachtell, 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.
Band 2
2 Kirkland & Ellis LLPCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedKirkland & 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.
2 Paul Hastings LLPCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 2 | 2 Years RankedPaul Hastings LLP represents clients from a wide range of industries, including life sciences, telecommunications and energy. The corporate team's expertise spans issues such as international joint ventures, activism defense, private M&A and cross-border deals. The firm is a top choice among a number of corporations, financial institutions and private investment funds. The group's international reach extends across Asia, Latin America and Europe.
2 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedPaul, 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.
2 Vinson & Elkins LLPCorporate/M&A: Takeover Defense2025 | Band 2 | 4 Years RankedVinson & Elkins LLP regularly handles high-value mergers, acquisitions and dispositions. The firm is particularly well known for its capabilities in energy-related transactions. Other sectors covered include healthcare, logistics and chemicals. The corporate team has experience in cross-border deals, including Latin American transactions. It advises a diverse client base of public and private companies and financial sponsors and also routinely undertakes high-profile takeover defense work.