Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above | UK

Clifford Chance is highly skilled in high-end private equity deals, offering clients excellent strength in depth and cross-border capabilities, with significant expertise in transactions involving Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. It advises established private equity houses as well as alternative buyers and new entrants to the market. The department covers the full range of private equity work, including buyouts, buy-ins, emerging market transactions and portfolio company acquisitions, and is boosted by a superlative global finance practice.

Freshfields maintains its position at the cutting edge of the private equity market, drawing from an impressive stable of M&A experts to advise on a range of complex and cross-border deals. It is known particularly for the strength and breadth of its expertise in high-end private equity deals, and for its wider strengths in other financial, regulatory and strategic investment matters. The group maintains an impressive client base, which includes many of the leading private equity houses, and demonstrates particular sector strength in technology, healthcare and financial services.

Kirkland & Ellis is recognised for its outstanding, international sponsor-side practice, which handles complex, high-end private equity transactions. It continues to act for a range of high-profile investors in the industry, with its client base spanning a broad spectrum of leading UK, US and European investors. The department's extensive expertise covers issues such as LBOs, going-private deals, restructurings and recapitalisations.

Latham & Watkins maintains a market-leading buyouts practice that is routinely seen handling high-end, cross-border transactions for a host of well-known private equity houses. It offers significant expertise in complementary practice areas, with top-tier strength in financing and high-yield bonds. The department counts upon an extensive international network to provide an integrated practice in global M&A.

Linklaters has a strong bench of transactional lawyers who are particularly active on European buyouts but also have wider international expertise. It often acts for pre-eminent sponsor clients on a range of market-leading transactional matters, including buyouts, exits and restructurings. The group also represents portfolio companies, pension funds and other institutional investors. Linklaters' sector expertise includes healthcare and financial institutions.

A&O Shearman maintains notable proficiency in the private equity space. The firm draws from a high-calibre team of transactional experts, with particular skill in complex cross-border investment work, complemented by leading finance and capital markets teams. It has diverse industry experience that includes particular expertise in financial services deals. The firm's established client base is composed of many leading European and US sponsors, as well as other equity providers.

Cleary Gottlieb advises major private equity companies and their portfolio companies. In addition to representing sponsors, it also advises sovereign wealth funds and pension funds. It is able to leverage its expertise in the USA, Europe and the Middle East to augment its London practice.

Gibson Dunn boasts a strong group that has notable expertise advising on private equity deals. The firm draws upon its premier global offering to advise on complex transactions across various continents. The team routinely handles matters for private equity firms and portfolio companies. It also exhibits strength in ancillary corporate areas such as tax, financing and equity capital markets.

Paul Hastings enjoys a strong platform in the private equity space, with notable experience advising on complex buyouts, disposals and investments. It maintains an impressive cross-border practice, with particular expertise in matters covering the USA and Europe. The firm's client base includes a host of notable financial sponsors. Paul Hastings' sector expertise includes life sciences, healthcare and manufacturing.

Sidley Austin has a notable deals practice that is frequently engaged on high-end deals for established private equity houses. The firm boasts significant cross-border capabilities and is able to assist on transactions involving Europe, North America and Asia. The department has diverse industry experience and regularly advises on a range of different transactional matters, including buyouts, investments and carve-outs, among other matters. It also boasts significant expertise in private equity finance matters.