Investment Funds & Asset Management (International & Cross-Border) | Global

Clifford Chance remains one of the leading law firms in the UK for its strength working on funds and asset management mandates for global clients. Driving significant cross-border work, the London office regularly works closely with its Luxembourg and Italian counterparts. Adding the expertise of the firm's top-tier tax and regulatory departments, Clifford Chance is considered to be a firm of choice for clients concentrating on private equity fund formation and high-end buyouts.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett combines a well-established London team with a top-tier New York practice and is renowned for handling complex cross-border work with a strong focus on transactional mandates. The UK team is primarily responsible for the law firm's work and clients across Europe as well as working in conjunction with lawyers in the law firm's principal hub of resources in New York, which means it is chiefly engaged on high-value international work.

Debevoise & Plimpton is known for providing clients with access to a fully-integrated funds team spread across its London, New York and Hong Kong offices to support clients with global fund-raising matters. The team has substantial experience in GP representation in the formation of major closed-end funds that attract a global investor base.

Goodwin is an impressive firm in the international arena, which has bolstered its excellent reputation in the USA by expanding its global platform. Primarily highlighted for its appeal to growth companies and private equity investors with international businesses, the firm's attractive combination of well-regarded experience in cross-border corporate M&A and buyout transactions is coupled with its strong industry focus and expertise related to the life sciences and new technology spaces.

Recognised as one of the most internationally-focused law firms in the UK, Linklaters offers an outstanding full-service practice in London which is renowned for the quality of its international work throughout its wide-ranging scope of expertise. The London team holds an elite reputation for coordinating both transactional and contentious cross-border matters and often acts as the driving force behind strategic advice on global mandates. The firm's distinguished global platform is also noted as a key attraction to clients, extending the firm's reach across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Africa and various emerging markets.

US-headquartered firm Proskauer Rose offers clients access to offices across Europe, Asia and Latin America, serving a global client base consisting of sponsors and institutional investors. The UK team closely works with colleagues in the USA and is a key part of the firm's global private equity platform, regularly handling transatlantic mandates and other cross-border work involving European and Asian jurisdictions. The London team offers a strong fund formation practice with broad capabilities across transactional areas, as well as expertise in the real estate sector.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has forged an excellent reputation internationally through a global platform principally built around its transactional capabilities. The law firm's primary headquarters in New York and its impressive London base both act as important global hubs and are coupled with a far-reaching network of offices which extends across the USA and Europe, with Asian operations run from China. All the law firm's offices have a principal focus on advising international banks, large multinational corporations and private equity funds. The firm typically offers strength in cross-border finance, restructuring, high-end M&A and tax across its platform.

Akin has impressive global coverage including 11 offices across the USA and seven located throughout the world in key jurisdictions in Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe. The firm supports multinational clients by utilising this global network to coordinate cross-border transactions and investigations as well as drawing on carefully selected local counsel from jurisdictions outside of its network.

Dechert is widely acknowledged to have an extensive international footprint with which it is able to deal with major complex matters concerning multiple jurisdictions. With a significant focus on the financial, private equity and life sciences industries, the law firm is able to provide clients with assistance on a myriad of mandates, including fund formation, transactions and disputes from key offices across the major markets in the USA, Europe and Asia. To complement its significant global reach, the firm also frequently collaborates with co-counsel from other jurisdictions to provide a complete service.

Schulte Roth & Zabel's UK office consists of a mix of English- and US-qualified lawyers and is focused purely on investment funds work. The London office works closely with the firm's US offices and plays a major role handling the international aspects, often involving European and Asian jurisdictions, particularly with regard to hedge funds. The law firm is recognised for its expertise across the spectrum of hedge fund matters, and the premium transatlantic service is supplemented by a network of leading local firms in international financial centres.

Regarded as a highly-capable global practice, CMS provides a comprehensive service to international clients in areas such as M&A, dispute resolution, and banking and finance. The sector-oriented London team exhibits real strength advising clients from the energy, insurance, technology and life sciences spaces. Cross-border mandates are often coordinated from the UK, but the law firm also stands out for its excellent network of offices throughout continental Europe, which is strengthened by its presence in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The Freshfields London office combines top-tier private equity and tax teams to provide comprehensive advice to asset managers on high-end buyouts and the structuring of investment funds. The London team regularly coordinates cross-border matters involving Luxembourg and offshore jurisdictions while working closely with the firm's network throughout Europe and Asia. The law firm is also active in the venture capital space.

Hogan Lovells has extensive experience advising on international acquisitions for private equity, real estate and infrastructure funds. The London office frequently works across Europe handling fund-raising and management, working closely with the Luxembourg office to provide unified cross-border support throughout the entire fund formation process.

Ropes & Gray is highly regarded for its very impressive teamwork across jurisdictions andstrong global funds practice. The law firm has strong international and cross-border capabilities and leverages its partners in the UK, the USA and Europe to provide an extensive service. The London team also offers high-level service, experience and depth across specialist areas. It is further sought out by a range of notable international clients including global private equity firms and banks.

Sidley Austin is frequently sought out by international clients for its global sector expertise, with the firm's focus built around strong relationships with clients in financial service, energy, life sciences and biotechnology. While the firm's US base remains the key central hub of its global operations, Sidley Austin also attracts ample praise for its ability to join up experts across its platform throughout Europe and Asia, with offices in London, Singapore and China among others also playing a vital role in the firm's international appeal. The firm has an impressive ability to handle global transactions, disputes and investigations, enabling it to provide a comprehensive service on sophisticated matters for clients in its key industry groups.