Akerman LLP’s Florida-based corporate practice group is geared to handle a broad range of middle-market deals, including buy and sell-side M&A work, domestic IPOs, as well as leveraged recapitalizations and buyouts. In Miami, Jonathan Awner co-heads the practice and has a strong track record in transactional work connected to the automotive retail sector. Also in Miami, Carl Roston‘s practice encompasses the representation of investors and companies in distressed situations and transactions. Fort Lauderdale-based David Birke completes the leadership team and frequently assists private and public companies in matters ranging from executive compensation to corporate governance. Birke’s Fort Lauderdale colleague Martin Burkett is well-versed in acquisitions in the healthcare sector. Kenneth Wiggins, Santiago Assalini and Sergey Kotelnikov are further key contacts in the Miami office: Wiggins’ expertise in corporate mandates encompasses venture and growth capital investments as well as executive employment agreements, Assalini is frequently sought out by private equity and healthcare clients for transactional advice, and Kotelnikov is noted for his experience handling leveraged buyouts.

Sitting at the heart of the firm’s corporate and finance division, the M&A practice at Arnold & Porter is well-equipped to handle the the negotiation of mergers, leveraged buyouts and tender offers. The team is additionally well-placed to assist strategic buyers and sellers with stock, asset, and whole-business acquisitions. In New York, co-chair Derek Stoldt has a strong track record in cross-border transactions in Europe and South America and is a key driver behinds the firm’s strength in the life sciences sector. Fellow co-chair Ronald Levine is based in the firm’s Denver office and counts takeover defense and M&A work in the energy and cannabis sectors among his areas of expertise. In the New York office, Tracy Belton is a key contact for real estate clients and financial institutions. and Lowell Dashefsky further extends the practice’s expertise in healthcare and life sciences transactions. San Francisco-based lawyer Edward Deibert is frequently handles buy- and sell-side M&A for privately held as well as publicly traded businesses, while Benjamin Fackler, who is also located in San Francisco, leverages his background as a senior investment banker when handing transactions in the financial services and asset management sectors. Seasoned practitioner Kevin Lavin and healthcare specialist Matthew Owens are further key contacts and are located in the firm’s Washington DC office. Nicholas O’Keefe left the firm in February 2024.

All‑stock mergers of equals, competitive auctions and buy- as well as sell-side acquisitions stand out among key areas of focus for the corporate and financial transactions team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner. Regional leader Joel Lander and San Francisco-based managing partner Seth Frederiksen jointly head up a versatile team that has amassed considerable experience in industries such as energy, sports and franchising. Seasoned practitioner John Welge has a proven track record of leading domestic and cross-border middle market deals. Public companies, closely held businesses and venture capital firms trust Stephanie Hosler to steer them through a diverse array of transactional matters. In Washington DC, Jonathan Nesher, who is praised by clients as ‘amazing to work with’, frequently handles cross-border transactions for US-based and Israeli companies, while Atlanta-based Amy Wilson has deep-seated experience in SPAC transactions. Unless otherwise stated, all mentioned lawyers are based in St Louis.

Praised for ‘adding value right off the bat’, the team at Eversheds Sutherland assists its roster of blue-chip clients with a diverse range of domestic and international M&A transactional work. The unit is well versed in topical issues affecting the market, routinely providing advice on sanctions and CFIUS regulatory developments in connection with cross-border deals, and it is additionally adept at handling transactions in highly regulated areas such as energy and insurance. In New York, head of US M&A Robert Copps is geared to handle instructions from a range of both publicly traded and private corporate clients. US corporate practice head Robert Pile is based in Atlanta and sports an in-depth knowledge of work involving technology-driven and service businesses. Also in Atlanta, Michael Voynich’s practice encompasses private equity-backed leveraged buyouts and venture capital investments, and Wade Stribling, Hill Jeffries, and Rob Ellis are advisers of choice to both regionally- and nationally-focused private equity funds.

Noted by clients for its ability to ‘deliver on both structure and execution’, Holland & Knight LLP’s ‘very solid M&A group’ has a wide national and international reach, with cross-border deals involving Europe and Canada making up a significant area of focus for the team. Key industries for the team include consumer products, financial services and energy. A Florida-based trio of David Barkus, George Mencio and Robert Grammig leads the practice: Grammig, who is described as the ‘hardest working M&A attorney in Florida’, stands out for his experience with public M&A, while Mencio is noted for his international trade expertise and Barkus is an expert on private equity-backed deals. In Denver, Stephen Dietrich is a key contact for transactions in the retail automotive space. Philadelphia lawyer Paul Jaskot is active across sectors including materials and wealth management. Adam August has a strong track record in heavily regulated transactions and is based in the firm’s Tysons office, while Tampa-based partner Alyse Latour is well versed in defense, aerospace and government services M&A.

Praised for its ‘incredible commercial knowledge of the market’, Jones Walker LLP is sought out by acquiring companies and target companies from a wide range of sectors for assistance with transactions such as negotiated stock purchases, mergers, and tender offers. The team handles domestic and international acquisitions and is a key port of call for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. New Orleans-based partners Marshall Page, Kelly Simoneaux and Britton Seal co-lead the practice alongside Beau Grenier, a master of the details’ who works from the firm’s Birmingham office. Also in New Orleans, Curtis Hearn is described as a lawyer who ‘goes deep for his clients’, and is well positioned to handle transactional matters with a maritime dimension, while Brett Beter stands out for his experience handling transactions in the sports, gaming, and entertainment sectors. In the firm’s Baton Rouge office, Dionne Rousseau frequently assists equity firms with portfolio company disposals.

Praised for providing clients with 'calm guidance', Loeb & Loeb LLP‘s capital markets and corporate team assists a wide range of public and private companies, investment funds and family offices with a range of domestic and cross-border M&A work. The unit is frequently sought out by clients from industries in the such as entertainment, technology and financial services to guide them through impactful transactions. Leadership duties are divided between the New York-based Mitch Nussbaum, who routinely counsels growth companies on IPOs and SPAC transactions, and the Los Angeles-based Arash Khalili, who is well versed in brand monetization issues in the sports industry. Further key contacts in the New York office include Tahra Wright, who focuses on public M&A and securities law matters, Lloyd Rothenberg, who specializes in advising Israeli startups on mergers as well as on stock and asset purchase agreements, and Ronelle Porter, who handles a broad array of transactional and corporate finance mandates. Also in New york, Megan Stombock has developed a market reputation for her knowledge of the entertainment industry.

Serving clients in sectors ranging from industrials and information technology to real estate, McGuireWoods LLP‘s M&A practice operates across the middle-market spectrum. The team has developed a particular market reputation for its in-depth understanding of the energy and healthcare sectors, with the practice a key destination for advising major solar and wind developers on transactional matters and joint ventures. In Richmond, Michael Woodard heads up the M&A and energy transactions group, while the corporate and private equity team is steered by the Pittsburgh-based Thomas Zahn. Also in Richmond, Joanne Katsantonis has a proven track record in energy sector M&A, Patrick De Ridder's practice extends to working with businesses connected to South America, Europe and Asia, and Brian Hager maintains close relationships with the firm's manufacturing and construction clients. Charlotte-based lawyer Chris Scheurer guides national, regional and local clients through acquisitions and divestitures.

Active across domestic and cross-border deals including all-stock mergers of equals, de-SPAC mergers and buy- and sell-side acquisitions, Venable LLP‘s team of ‘subject matter experts’ maintains a diverse roster of clients that includes healthcare providers, automobile manufacturers and companies active in the TMT space. In Washington DC, Robert Bolger co-chairs the firm’s corporate practice group and offers deep-seated expertise in hospitality sector M&A. Also in DC, co-head Frank Ciatto receives frequent praise in the market for his handling of complex mergers, while Karen Hermann is well-equipped to handle cross-border transactions involving a broad range of jurisdictions. New York lawyer Mark Vecchio excels at navigating acquisitions within the heavy industry sector. Baltimore partner Charles Morton Jr‘s diverse practice is centered around private-equity-led transactions, and Baltimore-based lawyer Anthony Rosso is acquainted with the intricacies of transactions in the data and cybersecurity industries. A further name to note in the Baltimore office is Nicholas Collevecchio, who advises etsablished corporate entities and growth companies on debt financings and inbound equity investments.

With notable strengths in the Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania markets, the team at Ballard Spahr LLP assists a wide range of public and private companies with all aspects of their buy-and sell-side transactions and merger negotiations. In Philadelphia, practice co-head Brian Doerner is well versed in cross-border transactions. Co-head Barbara Rummel is based in Minneapolis and has developed a strong market reputation for her ability to advise on deals in the pharma and healthcare sectors. Rummel's Minneapolis colleague Maggie Tatton is noted for her private equity expertise and handles buyouts in industries such as food distribution and engineering. Phoenix-based Karen McConnell is noted for her in-depth understanding of corporate and securities law. Seasoned transactional attorney Gregory Seltzer has a focus on venture capital clients and growth companies and operates from the firm’s Philadelphia office. Michael Kuhn, a Minneapolis-based expert on strategic investments and capital raising transactions, is another name to note.

Choate, Hall & Stewart’s strong track record in public and private mergers and acquisitions makes the firm a key port of call for both strategic buyers and sellers as well as private equity investors. The Boston-based team has an international reach and is frequently active across cross-border transactional work, with a penchant for advising international companies on their entries into and expansions in the US market. John Pitfield co-chairs the practice and is well placed to assist clients in the health services, life sciences, and technology sectors on strategic transactional matters. Fellow co-chair Brian Goldstein is also well versed in matters involving clients from the health services and life sciences sectors and maintains close relationships with domestic clients as well as with middle-market and growth companies in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Israel. Tobin Sullivan further expands the team’s life sciences expertise and is a key contact for companies ranging from high-growth start-ups to multinationals.

Dentons‘ corporate division stands out for its experience in handling middle market M&A deals in regulated sectors, including manufacturing, health care, energy, and financial services. The team’s broad client roster includes Fortune 100 companies, financial institutions, and privately held companies. Michael Froy chairs the firm’s global corporate practice from Chicago and has a proven track record in acting on behalf of manufacturers. Retail propane, midstream assets and internet publishing are among the sectors in which Kansas City-based Mitchell Albert excels. In Salt Lake City, Rick Guerisoli brings his real estate expertise to bear on matters such as asset acquisitions. Washington DC-based Jeffrey Sivek‘s transactional expertise is relied upon by clients ranging from start-ups to major North American manufacturers. Further key lawyers include Christopher Jones in Louisville, Mark Stabile in Pittsburgh, Russell Smith in Lehi, Utah, and Joseph Ritchey in Birmingham.

The team at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton is active across a broad reach of buy and sell-side transactions and stands out for its ability to handle transactions with a major intellectual property component, transactions in the banking and financial services sector, and deals requiring specialist regulatory advice. Louis Barbieri co-chairs the practice and is noted for his handling of complex exit transactions, while Washington DC-based co-head Christina Gattuso handles a diverse range of corporate and securities issues. Richard Cicchillo has a storied track record in both domestic and international deals. Benjamin Barkley‘s focuses on cross-border strategic transactions, and Mick Cochran is a key contact for private equity and venture capital clients. Kelsey Donnalley handles a wide variety of M&A and joint venture mandates, particularly in the TMT and consumer sectors. Unless otherwise specified, all named lawyers are based in Atlanta.

Frequently tasked with handling strategic acquisitions for the likes of Blackrock, VICI Properties and Deloitte, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP‘s transactional expertise encompasses leveraged buyouts, strategic alliances and going-private transactions. The versatile team is particularly active across transactions in the agribusiness, real estate and fintech sectors. Practice head Ernest Wechsler counts longstanding experience with SPAC transactions among his key strengths. Howard Spilko‘s area of focus lies in the strategic use of representations and warranties insurance in acquisitions. Clients ranging from growth companies and start-ups to S&P 500 companies rely upon the transactional expertise of Todd Lenson, while Adi Herman has in-depth experience with transactional work involving wealth management and payments organizations. Eitan Tabak is frequently sought out by middle-market private equity funds for advice on investments and leveraged buyouts. All named lawyers are based in New York.

The corporate work at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP is underpinned by the firm’s expertise in areas including tax, data security, IP and antitrust, allowing it to offer integrated advice on all aspects of buy- and sell-side M&A. The team handles transactional matters for a broad spread of clients, with the team notably active across deals in the media, financial services and software sectors. Thomas Poletti heads up the practice from Los Angeles and advises a range of clients on both stock and cash acquisitions as well as disposals; he is also very well-versed in SPAC work in the cannabis space. In Washington DC, ‘first-class lawyer’ Scott Schwartz wins plaudits for his work on the risk management aspects of M&A deals. Craig Miller, who is based in San Francisco, frequently leverages his expertise to lead transactions involving clients from the financial services sector. LA-based Veronica Lah is another name to note.

Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. leverages the interdisciplinary knowledge at the firm to handle employment agreements, retention plans and transition services agreements as well as core corporate issues in connection with all types of M&A. The practice is headed up by a trio of Boston-based partners, Michael Fantozzi, Dean Zioze, and Matthew Tikonoff, along with Stephen Gulotta, who is based in the firm’s New York office. Fantozzi focuses on strategic deals and public offerings, Zioze is equipped to advise on issues including complex earn-out arrangements and management buyouts, and Tikonoff's diverse caseload includes carve-outs and private equity deals. Structuring and negotiating transactions for financial services clients stands out as an area of activity in Gulotta’s diverse portfolio of work. Also in New York, Joseph Ronca is a reference for clients in the technology sector. Boston lawyer Larry Naughton‘s practice extends to pre-acquisition work, including company reorganizations and corporate cleanups.

The ‘thoughtful and commercial’ team at Nixon Peabody LLP has an established practice that frequently works with clients from the manufacturing, energy and consumer products sectors. The team is well positioned to handle both strategic M&A and work for private equity clients. Practice chair Todd Tidgewell specializes in private equity buyouts and is based in the firm’s Albany office. In New York, Richard Langan is frequently tasked with leading multijurisdictional deals, such as the sale of AMP Capital’s global infrastructure equity management platform. Boston lawyer David Martland routinely handles transactional matters for healthcare non-profits, while Chicago-based Brian Krob regularly assists clients with complexly structured deals, such as leveraged buyouts and reverse triangle mergers. In Rochester, Lori Green has a notable focus on the cannabis, healthcare and energy sectors. The ‘outstanding’ Christopher Keefe in Boston is a further name to note.

Praised for being ‘sensible and reasonable in its approach to negotiation’, Seward & Kissel LLP‘s sector focus makes it a popular address for clients from the financial services sector, such as investment management firms and broker-dealers, as well as for shipping and offshore wind companies. The New York-based team’s sizeable roster of non-US-based clients is a testament to its cross-border expertise. Leadership duties are divided between partners Craig Sklar and James Abbott. Sklar, who is praised for his ‘impressive, collaborative approach’ to M&A deals, is well-versed in maritime transactions, while Abbott is a key contact for inbound US work.  Nick Katsanos is geared to handle roll-ups in the veterinary industry. Danielle Lemberg, who was promoted to partner in July 2023, handles a broad spectrum of transactional work and is a popular choice for private equity clients.

The ‘business-forward and strategic‘ team at Seyfarth Shaw LLP is sought out by clients ranging from start-ups and middle-market companies to major multinational firms to advise on transactions involving specialized industries such as business services, technology and life sciences. Leadership duties are divided between Suzanne Saxman, who operates from the firm’s Chicago office and is praised for her ‘deep expertise‘ in transactions and joint ventures, and New York-based Andrew Lucano, who is noted for his ability to stay on top of trends in the market such as fraud carveouts in private target acquisition agreements. Further key contacts at the practice include the ‘exceptional attorney’ Aaron Gillett, who is based in Chicago, and Paul Pryzant, a Houston-based practitioner who excels at handling transactions involving private equity funds. In New York, Stanley Bloch has a focus on transactions involving clients from the communications sector, while Breanne Vaclavik is regularly called upon to act as outside general counsel to clients and is based in the firm’s Chicago office.

Fielding a team that is ‘hyper-focused on achieving solutions’, Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP assists entrepreneurs, private equity investors, venture capital funds and strategic clients with a range of buy- and sell-side transactional work encompassing acquisitions, divestitures and mergers and both multistate and multijurisdictional mandates. Sectors in which the practice has expertise include aerospace, retail and consumer products. In San Diego, healthcare specialist Jeralin Cardoso and capital markets expert John Tishler oversee the firm’s offering alongside the New York-based venture capital specialist John Hempill. In the firm’s Los Angeles office, Lawrence Braun's portfolio of work includes deals for healthcare and food service clients, David Sands handles transactions in the in the media, entertainment and technologies industries, and Zachary Turke is well acquainted with the cannabis and beauty sectors.

Thompson Hine LLP is a midwestern firm whose work is dominated by M&A transactions for small-to-medium sized public companies, start-ups, and investment managers. Team head Frank Chaiken splits his time between Chicago and Cincinnati and assists with a diverse range of corporate transactions, with a notable penchant for advising on foreign direct investment into the US. William Henry is based in Cleveland, where he advises private equity firms and Fortune 1000 companies on mergers and acquisitions as well as on commercial contracts and governance matters. Also in Cleveland is Tony Kuhel, who is noted for his ability to advise major corporate clients such as The Home Depot on corporate takeovers. Emma Off departed the firm in December 2023.

‘A very solid organization that makes the complex look easy‘, ArentFox Schiff assists a range of private and public companies with a mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, standing out in particular for its ability to handle private transactions as well as add-on acquisitions for private equity clients. In Chicago, David McHugh leads the team and is well-versed in organizational, governance, and compliance issues alongside M&A work. In the same office, Steve Isaacs is equipped to assist with major deals involving firms in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences, Matthew Galo handles financial services M&A, and Chris Bollinger is singled out as a ‘standout individual’ for his knowledge of e-commerce matters. In Washington DC, Jay Halpern frequently brings his knowledge of the food and beverage sector to bear on buy-side strategic transactions.

The team at Bass, Berry & Sims PLC has M&A experience that spans both the public and private sectors, including a significant focus on private equity-backed transactions. The Nashville-based practice is overseen by a trio of seasoned dealmakers: Michael Holley has significant experience assisting private equity investors in the software and technology sector, while Ryan Thomas and Angela Humphreys have a focus on private equity buyouts of targets in the healthcare sector. Page Davidson receives frequent plaudits for his expertise in corporate and securities matters, while strategic acquisitions and sales of portfolio companies are notable strengths of Riney Green‘s practice.

Public and private companies, family-owned enterprises, start-ups and entrepreneurs are among the clients placing their trust in Cozen O'Connor‘s expertise. Philadelphia-based practice co-head Ira Gubernick counts sports, entertainment and marketing among the sectors in which he is equipped to handle major deals. Also in Philadelphia, co-head Larry Laubach wins plaudits for his ability to handle successive acquisitions for corporations seeking to expand their operations. In New York, Christian Moretti completes the leadership trio and is frequently tasked with handling cross-border acquisitions involving jurisdictions such as Italy and Germany. Minneapolis-based Christopher Bellini acts for both strategic and private equity buyers, while Martin Schrier, who operates from the firm's Miami office is well-versed in transactions in the digital media, consumer products, and software sectors.

Offering clients extensive expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, divestitures, and internal reorganizations, the corporate team at Dickinson Wright PLLC has a broad national and international reach: The unit frequently handles both domestic and cross-border matters spanning various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer goods. In Columbus, public and private M&A specialist Benton Bodamer jointly heads up the practice with venture capital and tax specialist Scot Crow; both lawyers are known names on the market for their ability to handle transactions in the rapidly growing cannabis space. Detroit-based Amy Kwiatkowski‘s broad practice spans M&A, corporate governance and corporate finance. Also in Detroit, Richard Bolton is a key contact for private equity clients.

Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.‘s healthcare and life sciences-focused team handles a range of transactional work for clients spanning hospitals, physician groups and long-term care companies. The firm additionally frequently leverages its specialized knowledge to carry out regulatory due diligence for private equity sponsors on major transactions in the medical and pharma industries. Transactional and healthcare regulatory specialist Mark Lutes and litigation expert George Breen co-head the team from the firm’s Washington office alongside fellow co-head Amy Dow in Chicago, who regularly advises acquiring companies on the risk profiles associated with their acquisitions. Newark-based Anjana Patel further extends the healthcare transactional expertise at the firm.

A Boston-based trio of William Kolb, Corey Brown and Erica Rice heads up the M&A team at Foley Hoag LLP, which is praised for its ‘ deep knowledge of its clients and the market’ and is well-equipped to handle matters related to acquisitions involving SPACs, distressed M&A, and private equity buyouts. Kolb has longstanding experience of assisting life sciences and healthcare clients with their transactions, Rice is a recognized authority the cannabis space, and Brown’s practice encompasses leveraged buyouts and carve-out acquisitions. Mark Haddad, who is also based in Boston and chiefly provides transactional advice to start-ups in the media and tech industries, is a further name to note.

The ‘knowledgeable’ team at Husch Blackwell LLP handles a broad array of M&A-related matters, advising on poison pill and merger defense plans, asset and equity purchases, and hostile takeovers. In Kansas City, Kirstin Salzman heads up a team that is praised for its ‘well-reasoned arguments’ and centers her practice on transactions that involve the manufacturing, distribution, and healthcare sectors. Salzman’s Kansas City colleague Edward Wilson is a key contact for private fund clients. In Milwaukee, Philip Koutnik frequently leverages his transactional expertise to advise dentists and physicians on the expansions of their businesses.

Katten chiefly advises on transactions in the life sciences, sports, aviation and education sectors, with the unit’s sports expertise exemplified through its advice to an ownership group on the acquisition of the Charlotte Hornets NBA team. In Chicago, the team is helmed by global chair of the corporate department Kimberly Smith and co-chair of the M&A and private equity group Christopher Atkinson. Fellow M&A co-chair David Washburn is based in the firm’s Dallas office and is highlighted for his experience structuring and negotiating contested M&A deals. Washburn’s Dallas colleague Peter Bogdanow is frequently called upon by private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies to advise on transactions in sectors such as energy and waste management. Chicago-based Thomas Lamprecht has a proven track record in assisting private equity clients with platform acquisitions and exits. In the same office, Mark Grossmann has vast experience in handling transactions across a broad array of sectors.

The ‘exceptionally attentive, responsive and reliable’ team at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP acts for a roster of clients that includes private equity funds as well as American arms of international companies across industry sectors including healthcare, technology and banking. Demonstrating the firm’s solid footprint on the East Coast, practice leaders Colleen Pleasant Kline, Gus Dixon, and are Michael Hollingsworth are based in Baltimore, Columbia, and Atlanta, respectively. Atlanta-based William Ching has longstanding experience handling the buying and selling of private businesses. Also in Atlanta, Brian Galison handles transactional work for a range of companies in sectors such as technology and manufacturing.

Handling middle-market investments and acquisitions throughout the US, Troutman Pepper’s corporate team is sought out by private equity sponsors and strategic clients to handle deals, with a substantial number featuring a noteworthy cross-border element or incorporating corporate carve-outs. Auction sales and transactions connected to the technology sector are further practice strengths. Matthew Greenberg co-heads the team from the firm’s Wilmington office and routinely advises on roll-ups and distressed transactions. In Richmond, practice co-head Mason Bayler is a key contact for both public and private M&A. Bruce Fenton  in Philadelphia has in-depth knowledge of the healthcare sector, while transactions in the food industry represent a key area of focus for Fenton’s Philadelphia colleague Solomon Hunter Jr.

The ‘professional, reasonable and commercial’ practice at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP assists clients with all aspects of their M&A transactions, advising on corporate and financing arrangements as well as on governance, disclosure and compliance matters. ‘Strong lawyer’ Helene Banks heads up the team and is well versed in the ESG aspects of transactional work. Donna Bryan has specialist expertise relating to telecoms and insurance, while Emeka Chinwuba, who joined in January 2023 from McDermott Will & Emery LLP, has expertise which aligns with the firm’s increasing focus on deals involving renewable energy and infrastructure clients. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York.

Praised for its ‘understanding of the intersection of business and law’, Duane Morris LLP handles a range of acquisitions and divestitures involving both publicly and privately held companies, with operations spanning the US and abroad. In Chicago, seasoned corporate expert Brian Kerwin heads up the team. Justin Santarosa, who works from the firm’s Los Angeles office, receives plaudits for his transactional work in sectors such as cannabis, consumer products and energy. New York-based Michael Schwamm is described as a ‘champion and thought leader’ for his ability to advise family offices on their corporate acquisitions, while Shelton Vaughan in Houston has a proven track record in a wide range of strategic transactions.

Technology, energy and transport transactions are among the areas of recent activity for the ‘totally reliable’ team at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP. A quintet of partners combine to oversee the firm’s M&A offering: In New York, Michael Adelstein chairs the securities and capital markets practice; his colleague Deepak Nambiar chairs the India practice. In Chicago, Timothy Lavender chairs the national corporate practice, Andrew Pillsbury chairs the M&A practice, and Michael Ryan chairs the technology transactions and sourcing practice. Also in Chicago, Jennifer Norkus is well-positioned to handle acquisitions and divestitures in the transportation sector and has a notable focus on rail transactions.

Massumi + Consoli LLP‘s team has a focus on assisting active, acquisitive clients, including growth companies, private investors, and established strategics, with a range of work that includes ‘minority financings, control buyouts, add-on acquisitions and exits’. Practice co-head Peter Massumi is frequently sought out by private equity and growth equity funds for assistance with domestic and cross-border transactions. Fellow co-head Anthony Consoli is additionally equipped to assist private equity funds with a range of transactional work. Michael Young and Alice Yuan are further key contacts. All named lawyers are based in Los Angeles.

Praised for bringing a ‘balance of legal and commercial perspectives to each deal’, Moore & Van Allen, PLLC‘s practice handles a broad range of domestic and cross-border transactional work, standing out in particular for its ability to handle impactful mergers in a diverser range of industries. Jeremy Godwin and Joe Fernandez jointly oversee the Charlotte-based team. Godwin excels at leading negotiations for sales agreements, while Fernandez frequently leverages his broad knowledge of the power and energy sectors. Bill Zimmern maintains fruitful relationships with local and national financial sponsors. Rob Rust is frequently tasked with leading on major deals for the firms’s strategic manufacturing clients.

Regularly tasked with assisting clients in both sell-side and buy-side transactions, Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP‘s Atlanta-based team is a particularly popular destination for venture-backed and private equity-owned companies, who value the team’s deep experience in the technology sector. Public and private M&A expert David Calhoun and private equity specialist Scott Allen are the practice leads. Chris Maxwell is noted for his proven track record in acquisitions involving software companies, while Nick Reuter is a key contact for work with an international dimension.

Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP assists a diverse client base spanning emerging companies, publicly-traded companies, private equity firms and family-owned businesses with M&A work across sectors such as financial services, information technology and life sciences. The team, lauded for its 'innate dealmaking instincts', also wins plaudits for its ability to mitigate corporate risk in transactional work. Shannon Zollo  co-chairs the firm’s Boston-based M&A and private equity practice group and is equipped to assist with work extending to succession planning and reorganizations, while co-head Matthew Doring is noted for his experience handling financing matters. Tom Rosedale and Michael Kushnir are praised for their ability to ‘cut through challenging legal and business issues to focus on what matters’.

Pryor Cashman LLP is well positioned to assist operating companies and private equity funds with all aspects of the their transactions, advising on the bidding process and the structuring and negotiation of a broad range of deals. A triumvirate of New York-based partners head up the team: John Crowe frequently handles transactions on behalf of strategic buyers and sellers and portfolio companies, Ali Panjwani focuses on securities matters and capital market transactions, and Lawrence Spector is noted for his knowledge of tech and consumer products M&A. Strategic add-on acquisitions and dispositions form a key part of Michael Weinsier‘s portfolio of work.

Early-stage companies, publicly traded corporations and private equity firms are among the clients that rely on Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth's extensive knowledge of acquisitions and roll-up mergers involving the life science and medical device sectors. In Newport Beach, Chris Ivey co-heads the California-based team and excels at advising start-ups and scale-ups on sell-side transactions and VC-backed financings. Los Angeles-based Tom Waldman is well-placed to assist private equity funds, strategic buyers and sellers with target company acquisitions. Shoshana Zimmerman in Los Angeles is notable active in transactional matters involving early-stage companies, while Arash Lessantiz is a further name to note at the firm’s Newport Beach office and handles a wide range of M&A.

Sullivan & Worcester LLP has established itself as a key middle-market firm for seller clients across a diverse set of industry sectors, including fintech and gaming. The team is also known on the market for its ability to handle public-to-public mergers. In Boston, team heads Lewis Segall and Benjamin Armour spearhead the firm’s offering. The latter is a key contact for transactional work involving private companies, while the former is regularly called upon by financial institutions to advise on financing matters and investments. Also in Boston, Avinash Rao‘s expertise encompasses internal reorganizations and restructurings, while New York-based Natalie Lederman is singled out for her knowledge of regulatory issues relating to blockchain and digital assets.

Lauded for its ‘pragmatic approach’, Wiggin and Dana LLP‘s M&A practice group handles work such as mergers, stock and asset purchases and equity investments, with public companies, closely-held businesses, and private equity funds among the clients benefitting from the firm’s transactional expertise. The group takes its cues from the firm’s Stamford office, with leadership duties divided between Mark Kaduboski and William Perrone. The former is well-versed in the intricacies of cross-border transactions, while the latter frequently takes the lead on venture capital investments and financings. Deals in the manufacturing, educational technology and consumer products sectors are chiefly the responsibility of New Haven-based Evan Kipperman.