Capital Markets: Equity: Issuer Counsel | USA

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP demonstrates prowess in a range of capital markets transactions, both domestically and on an international scale, with a host of talented and experienced associates supporting a team of renowned partners in the space. The team acts for an enviable roster of clients and is particularly adept at handling the largest traditional IPOs in the market, as well as assisting on transactions involving SPACs. The attorneys also have experience in high-yield and investment grade debt offerings and provide complementary advice on convertible debt transactions.

Latham & Watkins LLP houses a deep bench of highly regarded practitioners, offering coast-to-coast expertise on the full range of capital markets matters. The attorneys are regularly sought by managers for counsel on a variety of equity transactions and possesses significant experience advising issuers from a variety of industries. With a comprehensive debt practice, Latham offers expertise in convertible debt and has a particular skill in handling high-yield offerings.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is renowned for its ability to handle large and complex debt and equity transactions, representing issuers, underwriters, and private equity sponsors. The firm is particularly noted for its skill and experience advising on major IPOs and follow-ons. It also possesses a number of specialists distinguished in the high-yield and investment-grade debt space.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is a fully integrated capital markets practice whose lawyers are able to draw upon specialties and experience from the firm's tax, bankruptcy, and M&A teams. The attorneys are adept at handling a variety of high value transactional matters for a broad client base, possessing significant capacity in complex cross-border transactions. The firm possesses notable experience advising on both SEC-registered and private securities offerings.

Cooley LLP is an enviable life sciences and technology practice, representing some of the fastest-growing startups in the country on capital markets transactions. On the East and West coasts, the firm maintains a comprehensive overview of the market, working with companies and investment banks on sophisticated equity offerings, showing considerable strength in IPOs. The attorneys also offer specialist knowledge of convertible debt and SPACs.

Kirkland & Ellis is a strong team renowned for its work on traditional IPOs and in advising SPACs on their route to market. Attorneys at Kirkland are also recognized for capabilities in high-yield and investment-grade transactions. The firm brings together a suite of specializations across the firm to provide the debt and equity practice with well-rounded support. It acts for clients across a range of industries and is a popular choice for private equity funds engaging in complex capital markets transactions.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP represents issuers across a range of fields, including energy, telecommunications and leisure, as well as global investment banks acting as underwriters on capital markets transactions. The firm brings to bear recognized strength in IPOs and high-yield debt and boasts an impressive roster of clients including household name issuers and leading private equity sponsors.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is a well-regarded capital markets team, able to bring significant prowess in the full range of debt and equity securities offerings. The firm acts for a broad client list that includes investment banks and private equity firms, as well as public and private companies across a multitude of sectors. The team routinely receives plaudits for its strength in high-yield and investment grade debt offerings. The attorneys offer a depth of expertise in equity transactions, most notably in the SPAC market, where the group is deemed to have a particular niche.

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati is acknowledged as a significant market player for capital markets transactions in the technology and life sciences sectors. The firm possesses a proven track record in IPOs, as well as high value Rule 144A and SEC-registered offerings. The attorneys act for a combination of corporates and investment banks and the strong equity practice is complemented by expertise in convertible bonds.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a respected team, particularly known for its representation of issuers. The firm has been able to remain at the forefront of regulatory changes while maintaining a strong transactional offering, with both domestic and cross-border capabilities. The attorneys are regularly engaged by clients to advise on complex equity deals, including IPOs and secondary offerings.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP acts for a range of clients in the capital markets space, including issuers, underwriters, dealer-managers, and private equity sponsors. The New York-based outfit is recognized for its work on debt offerings and private placements, possessing notable experience handling IPOs and secondary offerings. Clients hail from a range of industries, notably shipping, pharmaceutical and financial services.

Goodwin covers the full spread of equity capital markets transactions, offering legal expertise in IPOs, follow-ons and refinancing. The firm acts across a range of sectors, including technology and financial services, and life sciences, with a noted specialty in REITs. Goodwin bolsters its strong equity practice with expertise in convertible debt and is able to advise on cross-border transactions owing to its international network.

Ropes & Gray LLP has a broad experience handling complex debt and equity matters. Clients range from private equity outfits and investment banks to corporates, including high-end companies operating in the healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors. The firm is particularly acknowledged for its expertise in equity transactions, including SPACs, and is often called upon to advise technology and life sciences companies.

Sidley Austin LLP has a noted issuer practice to complement a historic strength in advising underwriters. The firm has deep industry expertise, with significant areas of focus including insurance, life sciences, energy, and real estate. The attorneys advise on a raft of investment-grade debt offerings, IPOs and transactions involving equity-linked products.

Vinson & Elkins LLP remains a top tier practice, offering expertise in a wide variety of capital markets deals. From its headquarters in Houston, the firm is particularly strong in handling MLP IPOs and fields a deep bench of highly experienced practitioners with a range of specialties in both debt and equity offerings. The attorneys provide clients with ancillary expertise in areas such as tax, regulatory and energy law and are active in the technology, aviation and real estate industries, with additional capability across the energy space.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is experienced in handling high level matters for a significant book of issuer and underwriter clients. The firm is regularly sought for advice on complex or esoteric capital markets issues and gains recognition for its expertise in high-yield and investment grade debt offerings. An impressive equity practice arises out of strong links with institutional corporate clients, granting the team an enviable level of market awareness.

Fenwick's team boasts a strong bench of significant market players. The attorneys routinely provide counsel to clients on high profile IPOs, as well as debt offerings. The team's client base is composed of organizations in the life sciences and technology sectors. The group has considerable strength in handling matters involving cross-border elements.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is an established capital markets practice, with particular capabilities in equity transactions, including in traditional IPOs and SPAC IPOs. The firm represents both issuers and underwriters in complex transactions, as well as possessing notable experience working with private equity firms. The capital markets team maintains close relationships with Weil's banking and M&A departments to provide clients with a comprehensive service.

White & Case LLP remains a prominent firm, actively engaged in representing both issuers and underwriters on a diverse range of capital markets transactions. The attorneys are particularly skilled at advising on transactions involving high-yield debt securities. The significantly bolstered team rounds out its capital markets capabilities with standout knowledge of the SPAC market.