Derivatives | Global

Davis Polk & Wardwell boasts a broad-ranging practice, able to provide a full-service offering in all types of derivatives, with a leading reputation for its representation of issuers and underwriters in transactions. The firm's extensive deal experience includes OTC derivatives, repurchases and funded-collar transactions. The attorneys are particularly active advising on margin loans and back-leverage financings and draw upon the firm's global network in providing high-end advice to major financial institutions, hedge funds and derivatives organizations.

Latham & Watkins offers a well-regarded transactional team with a notable focus on OTC derivatives and equity-linked products. The firm is also able to offer guidance on regulatory and enforcement issues, including the Volcker Rule. The attorneys in the derivatives practice are able to draw on the firm's significant international presence when acting for clients in transactions, on both the buy side and sell side.

Sullivan & Cromwell has a growing practice with extensive experience working in the banking and financial sectors, which gives the team an enviable overview of market trends and developments. The attorneys are active advising on commodity-linked products and other derivatives, winning recognition for their strength in the full gamut of matters, encompassing transactional, regulatory and enforcement mandates. In particular, the firm stands out as a leading derivatives practice in the digital asset market. Clients include clearing houses, hedge funds and investment banks, as well as exchange and trading platforms.

Allen & Overy is well placed to advise on a variety of complex regulatory concerns thanks to its significant global presence and broad market awareness. The firm is able to provide counsel on the full range of asset classes covered by the OTC derivatives markets, and regularly takes a leading role in developing ISDA documentation. The attorneys offer a wealth of experience advising clients on matters concerning the Dodd-Frank Act, including the Volcker Rule, and assisting clients with the European Market Infrastructure Regulation.

Katten is recognized in the market as particularly strong in dealing with regulatory issues surrounding futures trading, with expertise in cleared and uncleared swaps. The derivatives practice utilizes the firm's bankruptcy and tax and litigation specialists to provide a rounded service. Services are available to a range of different clients, including clearing houses and end users, among others. The firm offers notable expertise in both OTC and exchange-traded derivatives.

Shearman & Sterling represents the full spectrum of significant players in capital markets transactions, including banks, hedge funds and corporate entities. The firm frequently advises clients on regulatory and infrastructure requirements, covering the full range of asset classes, including expertise in the growing digital asset market. It is equally adept at providing counsel on transactions, including advising on equity and credit derivatives, as well as related matters such as repurchase agreements. The firm is also able to draw on notable cross-border experience.

Sidley Austin has a strong team with a comprehensive global practice which integrates its transactional, regulatory compliance and regulatory enforcement operations into a broad single-service derivatives offering, advising clients on both the buy and sell sides. The firm also provides counsel for exchanges and clearing houses on trading protocols and the registration process.

Skadden has a distinguished team of regulatory and transactional specialists advising on the full range of OTC derivatives, with increasing visibility in equity derivatives, especially relating to convertible notes, both domestic and cross-border in nature. The firm possesses renowned strength in enforcement and litigation, including representing clients before the SEC, CFTC, FERC and DOJ. It typically represents issuers but is equally adept at advising financial institutions.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher offers a well-regarded practice with derivatives experience spanning regulatory, enforcement and transactional matters. The firm possesses niche expertise in physical commodities, particularly relating to the energy market. The attorneys are adept at representing clients before regulatory bodies such as the CFTC and NFA, with clients including lenders, swap dealers and energy companies, among others.

Linklaters offers an active OTC derivatives practice able to represent buy and sell-side clients. The group is widely regarded for its knowledge of market developments, including in-depth knowledge of decisions and documentation produced by trade associations, most notably the International Swaps and Derivatives Association. In addition to strong USA regulatory expertise, the practice also has knowledge of EMIR and MiFID II, making it a popular choice for clients requiring guidance on cross-border transaction. The firm's international capabilities are bolstered by highly regarded international teams in other jurisdictions.

Mayer Brown frequently provides regulatory advice to trade associations, asset managers and banks on issues concerning Dodd-Frank regulations, including the Volcker Rule. The firm regularly advises on enforcement matters involving the CFTC and CME. It also handles extensive transactional work for banking clients and offers notable experience advising on the netting process. Attorneys from Mayer Brown work closely with colleagues from the securitization, leveraged finance and bankruptcy teams in providing clients with a comprehensive service and the practice also benefits from a strong network of international offices.

White & Case handles a broad range of derivatives matters, from assisting with transactions to providing regulatory advice. Clients include leading financial institutions and household-name companies. The firm is supported by a network of international offices and is a destination practice for cross-border derivatives mandates.

Clifford Chance has a recognized team able to draw upon its significant global presence when advising clients in the USA. The firm focuses on innovative structured transactions, with notable experience handling foreign exchange issues related to derivatives transactions. It also possesses recognized abilities in the regulatory space, regularly providing market opinions to trade associations.

Jones Day offers a strong nationwide derivatives and commodities practice from its New York office. Attorneys are regularly called upon to act for major underwriters and financial institutions on equity derivatives matters. The firm also possesses notable expertise for clients navigating complex enforcement and regulatory questions.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is recognized for its strong nationwide derivatives practice. The attorneys operate on a range of transactional and regulatory matters. The group has shown particular aptitude for matters pertaining to foreign exchange issues. Its notable clients include large financial entities and asset managers.

Morrison Foerster is well versed in both regulatory matters and transactions. The firm advises clients on Dodd-Frank regulations, including the Volcker Rule, and assists with equity and credit-linked mandates. It is also well equipped to offer support on the tax aspects of derivatives transactions.

Reed Smith has a noteworthy transactional, regulatory compliance and enforcement group. It regularly handles complex cross-border matters and frequently advises on commodity-linked products in the energy sector. The firm also handles derivatives regulations surrounding novel asset classes, such as cryptoassets and is well placed to advise on matters involving the ISDA and the CFTC.