Derivatives | USA

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP boasts a deep bench with expertise across both transactional and regulatory derivatives matters. The derivatives practice is able to marshal experience tackling bankruptcy issues in relation to derivatives, including swaps, and has an excellent track record advising on the Dodd-Frank Act. The attorneys are recognized for their skill working on cross-border and international transactions and frequently draw on the expertise of colleagues based in locations across the globe.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 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 LLP 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, both on the buy- and sell-side.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 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.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP offer 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.

A&O Shearman 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. The firm is equally adept at providing counsel on transactions, including advising on equity and credit derivatives, as well as related matters such as repurchase agreements, and represents the full spectrum of significant players in these transactions, including banks, hedge funds and corporate entities. The firm has expertise in the growing digital asset market and is also able to draw on notable cross-border experience.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP provide high quality representation of buyers and sellers in high value derivatives transactions. In addition to advising on cleared and uncleared OTC derivatives, the firm is also noted for its skill in developing innovative procedures and structures in light of ongoing regulatory and market developments, with areas of focus including advising financial institutions on the impact of the Volcker Rule and assisting clients with LIBOR cessation.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP has a versatile transactional and regulatory practice boasting strengths in OTC and exchange-traded derivatives. It is frequently sought for its regulatory expertise, which includes handling matters before the SEC and CFTC. Clients range from asset managers to major corporates across a broad range of industries, including emerging sectors.

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.

Sidley Austin LLP is 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.

Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is a well-regarded derivatives practice able to provide high-end transactional and regulatory advice. Clients include financial institutions and major corporates. The firm is widely recognized for its capabilities in the commodity-linked products in the energy market, as well as for its niche insurance focus.

Jenner & Block LLP has a strong litigation practice able to assist with investigations, both internal and external, across the derivatives market. The firm's capabilities also include advising on derivatives matters in bankruptcy proceedings. Trade associations and high profile companies number among its clients.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP is particularly recognized for its knowledge of credit derivatives, a market in which it has a noted experience. The firm is frequently active in the representation of buy-side clients and demonstrates strength in derivatives-related transactions, including repurchase agreements and total return swaps.

Linklaters offer 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 LLP 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.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is 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.

White & Case LLP 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.

WilmerHale possesses a notable derivatives practice with capabilities across a broad range of asset classes. The firm's impressive regulatory capabilities include advising on US and international futures trading compliance. It is well placed to represent clients in enforcement actions before the CFTC and SEC.

Bracewell LLP is particularly noted for its unique strength on energy derivative matters. The firm has a client base including energy companies, banks and commodity trading advisors. The team frequently appears before the CFTC and advises on compliance matters.

Clifford Chance LLP 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.

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is active across the full gamut of derivatives work. Its attorneys regularly advise financial institutions, swap dealers and brokerage firms on enforcement and regulatory matters. The firm also possesses notable expertise in the digital assets markets and assists clients with enforcement issues and investigations relating to cryptocurrency.

Foley & Lardner LLP's strong Milwaukee roots gives a solid foundation for a nationwide derivatives practice. With particular expertise in regulatory and enforcement, the attorneys regularly handle prominent matters for financial institutions. The group routinely advise clients on regulatory issues, as well as transactions containing cross-border elements. It boasts further strength in providing counsel on regulatory classification of digital assets.

Haynes and Boone, LLP receives market-wide praise for the breadth of its practice. The firm frequently advises leading financial institutions on an array of derivatives enforcement and regulatory matters involving commodities, hedge funds, repos and other products. The team is particularly noted for its strength in the energy sector.

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 LLP 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 derivative transactions.

Steptoe LLP offer an excellent enforcement team able to handle an array of contentious cases. The firm is experienced in the representation of clients before government bodies, such as the CFTC and the DOJ. Clients include asset managers, banks and exchanges, among others. In addition to regulatory enforcement capabilities, the firm's strengths also include regulatory compliance advice.