USA California Private Equity: Buyouts

Kirkland & Ellis has attained a commanding reputation for the exceptionally high quality of its private equity counsel. Its strengths include advising on both large-cap and midmarket leveraged buyouts, equity financings and fund formation matters, with clients benefiting from its international pool of outstanding transactional attorneys.

Ropes & Gray houses substantial expertise in private equity transactions, including representation of some of the largest firms and portfolio companies in significant investments, leveraged buyouts and debt financings. Features expertise across a wide array of industries, including technology and entertainment.

Simpson Thacher is recognized for its signature strengths in private equity transactions and investments and offers additional know-how in private equity fund formation. The group displays expertise in buyouts, joint venture formations and corporate governance and frequently handles cross-border deals.

Gibson Dunn enjoys a growing reputation for its pedigree in the private equity sector, with a range of large-cap and mid-midmarket investors turning to the firm for its transactional talents. Clients benefit from a multidisciplinary team, with expertise in the technology, industrials and life sciences sectors, alongside a wealth of resources from the firm's national and global network.

Latham & Watkins enjoys an excellent reputation for the strength of its transactional attorneys, who offer a wealth of experience acting for private equity firms on complex deal work. The firm represents an enviable array of high-end and mid-market investors, who also benefit from the firm's wider pedigree in fund formation and regulatory matters.

Paul Hastings is considered a destination practice for private equity matters, particularly in the technology and life sciences sectors. Its attorneys are held in high esteem for their work in mid-market transactions and venture capital financings, alongside additional strengths in tax, fund formation, and regulatory compliance.

Skadden's signature strengths in high-end deal work sees it frequently engaged in significant private equity transactions, including notable expertise in cross-border transactions. The California team is complemented by strong resources in the firm's offices nationwide, alongside additional teams in Europe and Asia.

Weil Gotshal offers robust strengths across the full gamut of private equity matters, with its highly respected deal attorneys frequently advising clients on issues ranging from growth and venture capital investments through to high-end buyout and exit work. Its transactional talents are also utilized by a range of wider investors, including sovereigns, pension funds and family offices.

Goodwin is widely considered a leading choice for mid and lower-mid market private equity transactions, alongside deep expertise in growth equity matters. The firm's traditional strengths in technology and life sciences sees it frequently advise on transactions in those sectors, alongside additional experience in the financial services and consumer markets.

"Excellent commercial awareness and technical know-how was always prevalent in our work with Morgan Lewis. Combine that with their keen attention to detail and an attitude to take on new challenge, it made for a great experience and outcomes that exceeded expectations."

Sidley Austin acts for a wide spectrum of private equity firms, portfolio companies and other specialist investors on the full range of their transactional, finance and fund formation needs. Its highly talented team is sought after for a broad range of buyout transactions, alongside additional strength in growth equity investments.

Sullivan & Cromwell enjoys a robust reputation for its abilities in private equity transactions, with clients benefiting from the firm's longstanding reputation for excellence in deal work. It acts across the full gamut of transactional activity, advising both investment firms and portfolio companies.

Greenberg Traurig provides excellent counsel to private equity funds and portfolio companies, noted particularly for its strength in mid-market transactions. The firm leverages an extensive network of offices to handle domestic and cross-border buyouts, M&A and governance issues across a range of industries.

Winston & Strawn has a robust pedigree in midmarket private equity deals. The team acts for private equity funds and portfolio companies in a suite of domestic and cross-border transactions in the retail, technology and manufacturing spaces, among others.