Regularly working with some of world’s most prestigious private equity firms, Kirkland & Ellis LLP continues to be a powerhouse in the US market, advising on substantial takeovers, investments and disposals across a multitude of sectors. Based in Chicago, Jon Ballis’ extensive expertise is sought after by a range of high-end financial sponsors, while Richard Campbell, also based in Chicago, has recently advised on multi-billion-dollar investments in alternative credit managers, investment management firms, and packaging solutions providers. New York’s Srinivas Kaushik and Peter Martelli handle complex domestic and cross-border M&A and leveraged buyouts, while Los Angeles’ Hamed Meshki has played a key role in advising Oaktree Capital Management on several highly structured acquisitions and disposals. Jennifer Perkins and Sanford Perl are based in New York and Chicago respectively and are noted for their broad sector coverage, with the latter also recognised for his venture capital and growth equity practice. Michael Weisser acts on a number of deals for TPG from New York, including investments in the food and beverage sector and major tech disposals. San Francisco’s Sean Kramer and New York’s Maggie Flores also come recommended. Claire Campbell joined in July 2024, and Carolyn Vardi joined the team in June 2025.

Latham & Watkins LLP provides strategic counsel on complex cross-border transactions, regulatory challenges, and financing structures, leveraging its integrated M&A, capital markets, and tax expertise to deliver top-tier counsel. Team head Paul Kukish serves as a key advisor to investment firms such as LGP and Odyssey, recently leading SRS Distribution’s $18.25bn sale to The Home Depot. Co-head Alex Kelly is active across multiple sectors, advising on public and private M&A in infrastructure, technology, and retail. Kristen Grannis has played a crucial role in expanding the firm’s private equity offering in Boston and is highly regarded for her growth equity and venture capital expertise. David Allinson handles leveraged buyouts, take-privates, carve-outs, and joint ventures, with recent work for the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. David Beller is widely recognised for his leveraged buyout expertise. Paul Sheridan, noted for his work with Carlyle and Onex, is another key figure in leveraged buyouts. Matthew Cohn joined from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in July 2024, strengthening the Boston practice, while Justin Rosenberg arrived from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in April 2024, bringing additional public and private M&A expertise. Eric Press, who joined from Apollo in February 2024, is valued for his in-house funds knowledge. Meanwhile, Neal Reenan  and Ian Bushner departed in March 2024, Tana Ryan and Navneeta Rekhi in July 2024, Eric Schwarzman in January 2024, and Justin Hamill in May 2025.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP advises leading private equity firms on complex buyouts, investments, and exits, offering strategic counsel across M&A, financing, and regulatory matters. Team head Matthew W. Abbott remains a key advisor to General Atlantic, overseeing acquisitions across the infrastructure, financial services, and technology sectors. Co-head Angelo Bonvino is frequently instructed by financial sponsors such as KPS Capital Partners, Oak Hill Capital, and Kohlberg & Co, while Ted Ackerman advises on a broad range of transactions, including acquisitions, strategic partnerships, carve-outs, and equity financings. Ellen Ching’s considerable sector breadth—spanning healthcare, hospitality, and shipping—coupled with her expertise in leveraged buyouts and investments, makes her a trusted adviser to a strong roster of sponsors and funds. Ross Fieldston, a key advisor to Apollo, has recently been active on high-profile take-private transactions, while Brian C. Lavin is noted for his skill in public and private M&A, leveraged buyouts, and joint ventures. Cullen Sinclair and Sarah Stasny also come recommended. Strengthening the practice further, Matt Collin, David Hepp, and Nick Olson joined from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP in August 2024. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises private equity firms on fund formation, acquisitions, investment structuring, financing, and exit transactions. The firm handles complex buyouts, growth investments, and strategic M&A, providing legal expertise across regulatory, tax, and transactional matters. Marni Lerner leads the team in New York, drawing on a broad skill set to advise private equity firms such as KKR, Charlesbank, and Integrum on multi-billion-dollar acquisitions and investments. Co-head Elizabeth Cooper remains a key adviser to Blackstone, Silver Lake, and New Mountain Capital, recently overseeing transactions across the healthcare, retail, media and entertainment, and professional services sectors. Atif Azher is recognised for his expertise in public and private M&A, bolstering his transactional practice with strength in corporate governance and financial advisory matters. Anthony Vernace, another key adviser to Blackstone, is noted for his sector-spanning capabilities and ability to handle high-stakes domestic and cross-border M&A. Naveed Anwar and Michael Holick represent a range of financial sponsors and their portfolio companies on acquisitions, investments, and disposals, while Sven Mickisch joined from Skadden in March 2024. The team saw several departures in 2024, with Sebastian Tiller departing in October, Justin Rosenberg, in April, and Jihyun Chung in June.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advises private equity sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and institutional investors on fund formation, M&A, financing, and exits. The firm provides integrated legal counsel across tax, antitrust, capital markets, and regulatory matters, handling complex global transactions. Team head David Leinwand is a key relationship partner to Warburg Pincus, recently overseeing several transactions in the software and digital infrastructure space. John Kupiec has a strong track record advising on complex, cross-border M&A and is well versed in energy, retail and consumer products-oriented work Matthew Salerno is regularly engaged on public and private M&A, as well as growth equity investments, while Paul Shim is experienced on substantial global carve-outs. Paul Imperatore has a growing practice that includes significant software, engineering and insurance deals. James Hu joined from White & Case LLP in March 2024. Nickolas Bogdanovich left the firm in August 2024.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP provides comprehensive legal counsel to private equity clients, covering M&A, fund transactions, leveraged finance, tax, and regulatory matters. The firm advises on complex buyouts, strategic investments, and fund restructurings, offering integrated, cross-border expertise. Practice chair Kevin Schmidt is a highly experienced advisor who frequently handles big-ticket acquisitions and disposals for leading firms and their portfolio companies. Paul Bird has most recently advised on acquisitions and investments in the healthcare, insurance and construction sectors. Kevin Rinker is routinely engaged on multi-billion dollar buyouts, particularly for longstanding client Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, while Jennifer Chu acts on significant market mergers and strategic partnerships. Uri Herzberg’s key clients include Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, HarbourVest, Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, and Stone Point Capital. Christopher Anthony and Spencer Gilbert both come recommended for their skill in public and private M&A, investments, and joint ventures. Gordon Moodie joined in late 2024.

Ropes & Gray LLP provides comprehensive legal counsel to private equity firms, advising on M&A, fund structuring, financing, and regulatory challenges. David Blittner leads the team from New York and is highly experienced in leveraged buyouts, investments, and divestitures for major private equity firms.  Julie Jones, who continues to chair the firm from New York and Boston alongside vice-chair and fellow private equity adviser Neill Jakobe, has been a longstanding adviser to TPG, handling acquisitions and investments across multiple sectors. William Shields has recently taken the lead on significant transactions for Bain Capital alongside Charlie Boer in Boston. Boston’s Taylor Hart and Chicago’s Matthew Richards are also noted for their transactional expertise, while Boston’s Michael Lee co-heads the firm’s global finance practice group.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP leverages a deciated private equity team across the US, Europe and Asia to provide comprehensive counsel to global funds and their portfolio companies. Doug Warner leads the team from New York and is the key relationship partner to many of the firm’s most high-profile sponsor clients, bringing extensive transactional expertise to domestic and cross-border acquisitions and disposals. Co-head Kyle Krpata, based in Silicon Valley, is well-placed to advise on significant deals in the tech and manufacturing sectors, while New York co-head Christopher Machera is widely recognised for his expertise in leveraged buyouts. Based in Boston, co-head Ramona Nee continues to lead multiple high-value acquisitions for clients such as Advent, Providence, and TruArc. New York’s Timothy Burns is noted for his skill in public and private M&A, take-privates, and recapitalisations. Nicholas Doloresco is active on extensive tech sector deals from Silicon Valley, whereas Jenna McBain is frequently instructed on infrastructure and energy transactions from New York. Jakub Wronski also comes recommended, operating from Boston. The team saw several key lateral hires in 2024, with Jacqui Bogucki joining from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in April, Luke Laumann arriving from White & Case LLP in September, and Navneeta Rekhi and Tana Ryan making the move from Latham & Watkins LLP in July.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises private equity sponsors across the large-cap and middle-market segments, providing comprehensive support on buyouts, platform acquisitions, financings, and exits. The firm is particularly active in financial services, insurance, technology, healthcare, and industrials, with a full-service platform covering regulatory, tax, and transactional matters. Spearheading the practice, Jeffrey Poss maintains a diverse portfolio that includes multi-billion-dollar take-privates and strategic majority investments. Co-head Neil Townsend has recently been active on significant disposals for healthcare and tech-focused sponsors. Morgan Elwyn regularly advises funds on public and private M&A, secondary transactions, and growth equity investments, while Rosalind Fahey Kruse is a go-to for substantial cross-border mandates. Mark Cognetti is praised as a ‘true business partner’ who is ‘adept at finding creative solutions to complex problems’. Matthew Guercio combines M&A and private equity expertise with corporate governance and securities law knowledge. In 2024, Thomas McCaffrey joined from Akin, while the infrastructure and energy-focused Sarah McLean and Holt Foster joined from A&O Shearman and Sidley Austin LLP, respectively. All individuals are based in New York except the new arrivals who join the Dallas and Houston office.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advises top private equity sponsors and middle-market firms on complex transactions, drawing on its integrated strength in M&A, finance, tax, and investment management. The firm is a go-to adviser for major sponsors and portfolio companies, handling acquisitions, financings, and restructurings across diverse industries. The New York-based practice is jointly chaired by John Amorosi, a highly experienced partner who handles acquisitions and disposals across multiple sectors, and William Chudd, who has a robust track record on take-privates and public M&A. Michael Davis well-versed in infrastructure, tech, healthcare and pharma deals, while Harold Birnbaum and Darren Schweiger have an ever-growing practice that seems them take the lead on substantial acquisitions, investments, disposals and joint ventures. Jack Orford, John Perry and Hilary Dengel also come recommended.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP advises leading financial sponsors, sovereign wealth funds, and investment groups on private equity transactions worldwide. Team head Richard Birns handles a broad range of deals, with particular expertise in the sports sector. Co-head Ari Lanin is sought out for his skill in M&A, capital raises, securities regulation and corporate governance, while co-head Michael Piazza is chiefly recognized for his extensive work in the energy space, covering investments in both traditional and energy transition assets. Co-head John Pollack, who is highly experienced handling aerospace and defense-related deals, is strong in high-stakes M&A. Brian Scrivani joined from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2024, and George Sampas joined from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP in June 2024. All individuals are based in New York except Lanin who operates out of Century City.

Advising on complex, high-value transactions across multiple jurisdictions, White & Case LLP is a go-to firm for financial sponsors seeking counsel on cross-border private equity M&A. Team head Oliver Brahmst has recently been active on significant acquisitions and exits for premium financial sponsors across multiple sectors, including software, legal and professional services, tourism and hospitality. John Reiss has a strong track record on complex, multi-jurisdictional carve-outs. Adam Cieply is a key contact for various investors and portfolio companies, skilled in public and private domestic and cross-border M&A. Daniel Kozin is well versed across a multitude of sectors, working for the likes of CVC Capital Partners, Nordic Capital and Kohler Co. Taurie Zeitzer has departed the team.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP advises private equity firms, financial investors, and portfolio companies on acquisitions, financings, and exits. Peter Feist leads the New York-based team and is routinely instructed by major PE firms on acquisitions, investment and divestiture transactions. David Perkins  is valued for his sector breadth, overseeing deals involving a number of different asset class including substantial real-estate mandates. Richard Hall has recently been a chief advisor to Brookfield across a number of its different verticals, including energy and insurance, while Maurio Fiore has been active on mega-mergers and strategic investment deals. Adam Sanchez promoted to partner in January 2024 and has a growing practice co-leading significant PE deals. Jihyun Chung joined from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in June 2024, while Andrew Compton joined from Linklaters LLP in September 2024.

Advising on complex private equity transactions worldwide, Dechert LLP supports leading sponsors, investment funds, and corporate clients across key sectors, including financial services, healthcare, and technology. The practice is chaired by Mark Thierfelder, who leads some of the firm’s most high-profile transactions, including advising Cerberus Capital Management on Albertsons’ agreement to merge with Kroger. Co-head Kenneth Young’s broad client base spans both the bulge bracket and mid-market, with regular instructions on take-privates, carve-outs, and co-investments. Jonathan Kim remains active across a range of sectors, overseeing acquisitions and disposals in tech, healthcare, financial services, and infrastructure, among others. Marie Mast has a growing practice in Philadelphia, where she leverages previous in-house experience at a local private equity firm.

Providing strategic counsel on high-stakes private equity transactions, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP is a trusted adviser to major sponsors navigating acquisitions, exits, and financings. Philip Richter and Steven Epstein co-lead the New York-based practice. Christopher Ewan has most recently acted on high-value disposals for clients with interests in the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors, while Steven Steinman is a prolific advisor whose workload includes buyouts, minority investments and divestitures. Randi Lally is frequently instructed by private equity firms seeking counsel on public and private M&A, and Mark Lucas’ focus in notably concentrated in financial services. Roy Tannenbaum also comes recommended.

Handling complex private equity transactions across global markets, Jones Day is a go-to adviser for both top-tier and mid-market sponsors. Andrew Levine and Randi Lesnick co-lead the team from New York, with Levine being particularly well regarded for the scope of his cross-border M&A. Lisa Lathrop is noted for her transactional acumen, recently overseeing a range of buy-side and sell-side mandates, while Denise Carkhuff and Jason Grove advise clients across the full fund lifecycle, from formation and capital raising to investments and exits. Joseph Hatina is highly active in the venture capital space, providing early-stage growth companies with transactional and advisory support.

Paul Hastings LLP delivers comprehensive legal services to private equity sponsors, advising on acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, financings, and restructurings and leveraging deep sector expertise. Based in Chicago, team lead Brian Richards leverages deep experience to comprehensively advise clients across a range of leverage buyouts, joint ventures and disposals. Boston’s Alexander Temel joined from Sidley Austin LLP in April 2024 and now acts as co-chair of the practice, bringing further expertise in sectors such as financial services, tech, energy and infrastructure, and healthcare. Co-head Scott Joachim operates from New York and is primarily recognised for his work in the tech sector. Other key names include the ‘world-class’ Amit Mehta, a Chicago-based partner who is regularly instructed by sponsors such as H.I.G. Capital; Steve Camahort, who is active on tech and healthcare-focused deals from San-Francisco; and Josh Ratner, who arrived from Goodwin in March 2024 to strengthen the New York office.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP advises private equity sponsors, funds, and portfolio companies on all stages of the investment cycle, including acquisitions, financings, restructurings, and exits. Practice head Allison Schneirov – experienced in both domestic and multijurisdictional matters – is an active adviser whose recent highlights include a number of sponsor-side acquisitions and investments. Kenneth Wolff’s capabilities span leveraged buyouts, joint ventures, spin-offs and carve-outs, as well as corporate reorganizations. Blair Thetford advises a wide client base including private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and financial institutions on complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions. Alexandra McCormack has recently handled M&A in the tech space, particularly in relation to software. All individuals are based in New York.

Vinson & Elkins LLP advises leading private equity sponsors on complex, high-value transactions across key sectors, with a standout focus on energy and renewables. Houston’s Sarah Morgan chairs the practice and continues to handle a range of high-value transactions, from capital raises to large-scale leveraged buyouts and spin-offs. Co-head John Grand’s Dallas-based practice is concentrated in the energy sector, particularly in the upstream and midstream, while co-head Jim Fox, who has a similarly energy-focused practice, also covers investments and disposals in transport and industrials from the New York office. Also acting out of New York, Dan Komarek leverages his capabilities in M&A to advise on a host of sponsor-side and portfolio company mandates. Peter Marshall and Robert Hughes also come recommended, operating out of Dallas and Houston, respectively. Sebastian Tiller and Benjamin Heriaud joined from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in October 2024, while Stephen Gill  left the firm in January 2025.

 

Freshfields LLP made several significant partner acquisitions in 2024, futhering its growth in the private equity space. Neal Reenan and Ian Bushner arrived from Latham & Watkins LLP in March, while Claire James  joined from Latham & Watkins LLP in October; the trio now co-chair the practice. Their expertise spans M&A, joint ventures, and restructurings, and they continue to advise major PE firms on both domestic and cross-border transactions. Further strengthening the team, Ryan Blicher arrived from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in November, bringing industry-spanning experience, while Sanjay Murti joined from Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP in January. Additionally, Joshua Ayal, Steven Li, and Eva Mak joined from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in January 2024, bolstering the firm’s bench strength.

Team head Frank Steinherr operates out of New York and has recently advised on acquisitions and investments in a variety of tech spaces, including software, digital assets and MedTech. Co-head Frederic Levenson advises a range of private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies from Miami and underpins acute transactional skill with strong experience in the healthcare sector. The two further team leads Gregory Metz and Kristian Werling sit in Chicago and regularly assist with clients on leveraged buyouts, investments and disposals, with the former also noted for his work in the pharma and healthcare sectors. From Miami, Harris Siskind, Eric Gilbert, Michael Hacker and Alexander Clavero advise a strong roster of sponsors across M&A, joint ventures, restructurings and corporate governance, demonstrating expertise across a multitude of industries. Lindsey Reighard also comes recommended.

A key choice for domestic and global private equity firms, Milbank advises on a range of multi-billion-dollar transactions, leveraging its strength in funds, tax, and regulatory matters. Dean Sattler leads the practice and has a strong track record advising major sponsors on high-value acquisitions, particularly in the aviation industry. Co-head Richard Presutti is regularly sought out by a host of global investment firms for his skill in M&A, while Andrew Fadale is active for client across numerous sectors. Lowell Dyer was a key advisor to Veritas alongside Presutti in Bain Capital Private Equity’s $5.3 billion acquisition of Veritas’ portfolio company Guidehouse Inc. Derek Winokur also comes recommended.

Sidley Austin LLP combines transactional expertise with regulatory strength to advise a growing roster of major sponsors and portfolio companies on acquisitions, investments, financings and exits across a variety of different industries. Dan Clivner and Mehdi Khodadad lead the team from Century City, providing a wealth of experience in leveraged buyouts and cross-border deals. Scott Parel, Dallas, and Brien Wassner, New York, sit as co-heads of the global team, and provide further expertise in sponsor-side M&A, with the former particularly recognised for his skill in distressed investments. The firm expanded its private equity team in 2024 through the hire of Jon Olsen from Goodwin and David D’Urso and Elazar Guttman from Akin.