Ranking tables
Banking & Finance | USA
USA - Nationwide
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
A&O Shearman 24 Years Ranked
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 18 Years Ranked
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP 14 Years Ranked
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 17 Years Ranked
King & Spalding LLP 9 Years Ranked
Mayer Brown LLP 13 Years Ranked
McGuireWoods LLP 4 Years Ranked
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 15 Years Ranked
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP 9 Years Ranked
Band 5
Cooley LLP 1 Years Ranked
Dechert LLP 6 Years Ranked
Goodwin 3 Years Ranked
Greenberg Traurig, LLP 1 Years Ranked
Haynes and Boone, LLP 3 Years Ranked
Holland & Knight LLP 4 Years Ranked
Jones Day 14 Years Ranked
Katten 9 Years Ranked
Moore & Van Allen, PLLC 3 Years Ranked
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 8 Years Ranked
Morrison Foerster 2 Years Ranked
Vinson & Elkins LLP 2 Years Ranked
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedCahill Gordon has a market-leading practice, with a significant presence in the lending market, acting for some of the world's largest investment banks and private equity firms. Highly regarded for its high-yield bond work, offering seamless coordination between its capital markets and leveraged finance partners. Works across a range of sectors including technology, healthcare and retail. Noteworthy proficiency representing lead arrangers in the financing of big-ticket M&A.
1 Davis Polk & Wardwell LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 1 | 18 Years RankedDavis Polk has a prominent group acting for major financial institutions and corporate clients. Handles a range of transactions, including investment-grade acquisition finance, leveraged finance, debt restructurings and recapitalizations. Represents an enviable spread of leading clients across a range of industries including retail, healthcare and manufacturing. Cross-border capabilities emphasized by track record of transactions involving Latin American, European and Asian jurisdictions.
1 Kirkland & EllisBanking & Finance2024 | Band 1 | 17 Years RankedKirkland & Ellis has a highly regarded debt finance practice, acting for both borrowers and lenders. Well equipped to handle high-yield offerings and mezzanine and bridge financing transactions. Particularly highly regarded for its syndicated finance work on behalf of private equity funds and continues to excel in restructuring matters. Advises on transactions involving companies across a wide range of industries including energy, technology and telecommunications. Banking capabilities synchronize seamlessly with firm's capital markets, real estate and M&A practices. Adds in the middle-market strength to its capabilities in the large-cap and investment grade markets.
1 Latham & Watkins LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 1 | 18 Years RankedLatham & Watkins has a truly nationwide financing team with strong bases across the country. Combines strength in traditional bank lending, where both financial institutions and corporate borrowers seek its expertise, with work for an enviable list of private equity sponsor clients. Impressive national footprint facilitates broad industry focus, with strength ranging from energy and oil and gas to technology and healthcare.
1 Paul Hastings LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 1 | 13 Years RankedPaul Hastings boasts a widely spread national group with a particular focus on lender-side and private equity sponsor representation. Particularly noted for its significant presence in the asset-based lending space, and its work with clients on term loans and bridge loans, as well as restructuring matters. Represents a good choice of firm for cross-border transactions, with a pronounced focus on energy financings.
1 Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 1 | 18 Years RankedThe Simpson Thacher team remains at the forefront of the market with wide-ranging experience across the entire gamut of transactions. Handles both lender and borrower-side deals and offers expertise in refinancings, acquisition financing and opportunistic event financings. Regularly sought by leading investment banks and corporate borrowers, with connections to leading private equity houses bolstered through its prominent funds team. Strong national and international capabilities allow for seamless deal integration on domestic and cross-border transactions.
Band 2
2 Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 18 Years RankedCravath, Swaine & Moore has a comprehensive practice notable for its enviable roster of lender and borrower-side clients, which it advises on both domestic and cross-border banking and finance matters. Highly skilled in syndicated leveraged finance, M&A finance and high-grade investment. Offers additional expertise across asset-based financings, recapitalizations and restructuring.
2 Debevoise & Plimpton LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 14 Years RankedDebevoise & Plimpton has an accomplished finance practice that is widely regarded for its representation of leading borrower clients, particularly private equity funds. Highly adept in leveraged finance matters and routinely sought after for its skills in high-yield debt offerings, second-lien financings and mezzanine capital matters. Active in transactions across an enormous range of industries, with demonstrable expertise in healthcare, media and insurance.
2 Milbank LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 18 Years RankedMilbank boasts a compact team of renowned finance lawyers who offer in-depth market knowledge and expertise. Noted for its reputation with leading lenders, and is also adept at acting for borrowers and private equity sponsors across the whole spectrum of finance transactions. Highly regarded for its cross-border expertise on large-scale transactions, including LBOs. Notably represents companies in the energy, technology and transportation sectors.
2 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 13 Years RankedPaul, Weiss has a highly regarded practice that is known for its representation of leading private equity and borrower clients, as well as its capabilities in direct lending. Offers expertise in debt financing, including LBOs and asset-based loans, and is regularly sought after to advise on recapitalizations and restructurings. Possesses additional strength in distressed situation lending matters.
2 Ropes & Gray LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 17 Years RankedRopes & Gray attracts a wide array of leading private equity clients and continues to be highly regarded for its expertise in leveraged finance work acting for borrowers in both domestic and cross-border transactions. Renowned for its expertise on the whole spectrum of financings, including acquisition financings, private equity investments and whole business securitizations. Also noted for its strengths in mezzanine debt and direct lending matters. Maintains client relationships across a diverse range of sectors, with noteworthy activity in the technology, healthcare and consumer products spaces.
2 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 18 Years RankedWeil, Gotshal & Manges has a robust finance practice, which is highlighted for its balanced approach in representing prominent lender and borrower clients. Noted for its adept counsel on cross-border acquisition financing and also enjoys a fine reputation for its work on restructurings in the energy sector. Also excels in its representation of private equity clients and their portfolio companies, and is increasingly active on behalf of non-bank direct lenders. Expert capabilities when handling sophisticated investment-grade acquisition financings.
2 White & Case LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 2 | 18 Years RankedWhite & Case has a thriving finance practice representing a loyal following of clients on both domestic and international transactions. Offers experience in syndicated lending, acquisition finance and asset-based lending, among a host of other areas. Highly regarded for its debtor-in-possession work. Client base includes heavyweight underwriters, investment banks and household-name corporations, as well as private equity firms and their portfolios.
Band 3
3 Proskauer Rose LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 3 | 11 Years RankedProskauer Rose has a burgeoning nationwide finance practice, with significant market presence in Massachusetts, California and New York. Highlighted for its balanced and wide-ranging finance expertise, representing a variety of traditional lenders, alternative lenders, sponsors and corporate borrowers. Possesses expertise across the whole spectrum of financings including multitranche finance, leveraged finance and distressed lending.
3 Sidley Austin LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 3 | 18 Years RankedSidley Austin has an esteemed group that handles a range of financing transactions including sponsor finance, secured finance, investment-grade and junior financings. Offers experience in cross-border transactions and has expertise in a range of industries including energy, media and entertainment, and technology. Represents an impressive roster of clients including leading investment banks and corporate borrowers. Impressive national footprint includes financing expertise in New York, Chicago and Texas markets, with additional international capabilities in Europe and Asia.
3 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesBanking & Finance2024 | Band 3 | 18 Years RankedSkadden, Arps has an established finance group that is recognized for its strategic representation of leading borrower and lender clients. Well equipped in both domestic and cross-border financing matters and much sought after for its strengths in acquisition financing and leveraged recapitalizations. Also excels in corporate restructuring and asset-based loan matters. Boasts a diverse client base, extending across the real estate, pharmaceuticals and energy sectors.
Band 4
4 A&O ShearmanBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 24 Years RankedA&O Shearman has an established practice that is routinely sought after for its expert counsel by borrower, lender and sponsor-side clients. Displays particular strength in syndicated lending, acquisition financing, asset-based lending, mezzanine financings and bond offerings. Possesses significant experience representing clients on complex cross-border transactions with a prominent London office that allows for seamless transatlantic coordination. Finance capabilities are bolstered by firm's regulatory, tax and capital markets practice. Extensive experience acting for its diverse roster of clients in industries such as retail, energy and technology.4 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 18 Years RankedCleary Gottlieb has an esteemed and experienced finance practice representing corporate borrowers and sponsors. Enjoys a fine track record for its expertise in syndicated credit facilities and high-yield bond offerings. Demonstrates particular expertise on strategic acquisition financings, both domestically and abroad. Extensive international footprint, with especial strength in Europe, Asia and Latin America.4 Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 14 Years RankedFried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson has a robust finance practice which involves representing private equity sponsors, banks and corporations on a wide range of financings, including senior secured credit facilities, syndicated loans and recapitalizations. Offers complementary expertise in M&A and is regularly engaged to handle big-ticket sponsor work, as well as matters across the middle market.4 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 17 Years RankedGibson, Dunn & Crutcher has expertise in key markets, including New York, California and Texas, across the whole gamut of financing transactions, and is renowned for its work on behalf of borrowers and private equity clients. Possesses substantial experience in financing transactions across a wide range of sectors including energy, consumer products and telecommunications. Regularly handles complex acquisition financings.4 King & Spalding LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 9 Years RankedKing & Spalding has an esteemed practice that is recognized for its expertise on middle-market deals, as well as strength on investment-grade transactions. Able to advise a host of clients including leading national banks, private equity funds and public companies. Capabilities span the full breadth of syndicated and single-lender transactions, boasting expertise in leveraged transactions and asset-based lending.4 Mayer Brown LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 13 Years RankedMayer Brown has a strong multi-office financing team operating across the USA, with notable offerings in Texas, North Carolina, Illinois and New York. Equally strong offering for global banks and borrowers, including major corporates. Regularly called upon to advise on the financing aspects of major transactions, including corporate, real estate and infrastructure matters.4 McGuireWoods LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 4 Years RankedMcGuireWoods' team is well known for its work representing commercial banks as lenders, regularly advising on complex syndicated financing deals. Combines acquisition finance capabilities with expertise in restating and amending long-term credit facilities.4 Sullivan & Cromwell LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedSullivan & Cromwell has a multifaceted finance practice with particular strength in international financing transactions. Clients include private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, financial institutions and major corporates.4 Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 4 | 9 Years RankedWillkie Farr & Gallagher has an expanding finance practice which is reinforced by nationally recognized M&A and bankruptcy groups. Handles a wide array of finance transactions, frequently representing some of the leading private equity funds, corporate borrowers and investment banks. Additional experience representing hedge funds and registered funds in high-value redemption and subscription credit facilities. Highlighted for its significant cross-border expertise and a wealth of experience in the energy sector.
Band 5
5 Cooley LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedCooley's team is experienced handling and lender and borrower matters. The team is renowned for its work in the technology and life sciences sectors. Its practitioners have experience routinely advise on acquisition financings and asset-based financings, as well as debt and equity restructuring.5 Dechert LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 6 Years RankedDechert's funds-focused team serves some of the largest sponsors globally, with particular strength in midmarket financing transactions. Most regularly consulted by funds and companies undertaking major buyouts or M&A. Additionally offers lender-side expertise, with multiple real estate finance experts housed in the firm's Pennsylvania office.5 GoodwinBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedGoodwin's team boasts significant strength in handling acquisition financings and restructurings. The group demonstrates the capacity to assist organizations stemming from a broad range of sectors, including real estate, life sciences and technology. The team has notable experience of providing counsel on issues containing cross-border elements.5 Greenberg Traurig, LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 1 Years RankedGreenberg Traurig is a highly respected firm that handles a host of banking and finance matters. Its clients include borrowers, lenders and arrangers The team often advises on acquisition financings and unsecured credit facilities.5 Haynes and Boone, LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedHaynes and Boone's team is well versed in advising clients on complex credit facilities. The team regularly represents hedge funds and banks in sophisticated financing matters. The group also has recent experience handling matters in the real estate sector.5 Holland & Knight LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedHolland & Knight has a large group of banking and finance practitioners who leverage the strength of its offices based across the United States, in particular in the Southeast and Midwest. Combines expertise in lending transactions with access to experts in debt capital markets within the firm, providing a joined-up service in debt financing.5 Jones DayBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 14 Years RankedJones Day has an exemplary group of finance practitioners that assists both borrowers and lenders in an array of financings. Regularly sought after for its strength in the debt finance space, boasting experience on syndicated, multicurrency and acquisition financings. Skilled across the spectrum of industries, with an established presence in the midmarket space.5 KattenBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 9 Years RankedKatten has an active banking and finance practice with a strong foothold in the middle-market space. Typically works with lenders on sophisticated commercial financings. Highly regarded for its capabilities in the direct lending space.5 Moore & Van Allen, PLLCBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedMoore & Van Allen boasts a strong practice in the market. It is noted for its ability to handle issues in the lender-side space. The group has a diverse client base which includes well-known banks and investment firms. The practitioners demonstrate their ability to guide clients through a broad spectrum of matters, including asset-based lending and acquisition financings.5 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 8 Years RankedMorgan, Lewis & Bockius has a deep lending offering with a huge national and global presence. Utilizes an unmatched clientele of big-name institutional investors, advising these clients as both direct lenders in private placement financings and as borrowers when investing in funds. Also advises on more traditional lending transactions, acting for financial institutions and corporates.5 Morrison FoersterBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedMorrison Foerster has a well-regarded finance practice. The group routinely demonstrates its ability to handle complex issues, including acquisition financing, asset-based lending and restructuring matters. The practitioners represent both lender and borrower-side clients, with a real specialism in the technology and healthcare sectors. The team has further experience of handling international deals in the space.5 Vinson & Elkins LLPBanking & Finance2024 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedVinson & Elkins' team has significant experience of handling banking and financing issues related to the energy industry. The group is noted for its strength in advising borrowers in the space on syndicated loans. The practitioners are also highlighted for their strength in handling acquisition financings.