Ranking tables
Securities: Litigation | USA
USA - Nationwide
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
- Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Latham & Watkins LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates 15 Years Ranked
- Sullivan & Cromwell LLP 15 Years Ranked
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
- Debevoise & Plimpton LLP 15 Years Ranked
- King & Spalding LLP 3 Years Ranked
- Morrison Foerster 11 Years Ranked
- Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP 14 Years Ranked
- O'Melveny & Myers LLP 13 Years Ranked
- Williams & Connolly LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP 15 Years Ranked
- Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 13 Years Ranked
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedCravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is acclaimed for the depth of its expertise in securities litigation, most notably with respect to issuer representation and M&A litigation in Delaware courts. It also has significant experience in Rule 10b-5 class actions and Section 11 and 12 claims. The firm is capable of providing expert representation to accounting and audit firms, as well as acting on high-value litigation for financial services institutions. It represents companies in a variety of sectors, including energy, pharmaceuticals, technology and media.1 Davis Polk & Wardwell LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedDavis Polk & Wardwell LLP boasts an impressive securities practice with strength in a wide-ranging set of litigation matters. It represents an enviable roster of major financial institutions and blue-chip public companies in connection with a range of bet-the-company matters, including M&A litigation, accounting cases and securities fraud actions. The firm continues to play a major role in ongoing RMBS litigation stemming from the 2008 financial crisis.1 Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedGibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP exhibits far-reaching capabilities for domestic and international clients, housing expert securities litigators and advisers across its US offices and global network. The firm's areas of strength include securities class action defense, M&A litigation and shareholder derivative suits. It is sought after by clients from a range of industries, including technology and manufacturing, in addition to major financial institutions.1 Latham & Watkins LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedLatham & Watkins LLP boasts an excellent team with growing strength in the securities litigation space. It is particularly noted for its representation of accounting firms. The firm is impressively active on the issuer side, handling numerous securities fraud class actions and major Section 11 IPO cases. It acts for leading corporate issuers in the technology and life sciences spaces and also acts for globally recognizable financial institutions in connection with their role as the underwriters of securities.1 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP boasts a premier securities litigation practice offering undeniable strength to leading public companies across the globe. It has unparalleled expertise in handling bet-the-company securities litigation for clients from the financial services industry. The firm demonstrates huge capacity in the representation of corporate issuers, with notable victories in securities fraud and ERISA class actions, IPO cases and M&A litigation. It achieves notable success at trial and in settlement negotiations in these areas as a result of the courtroom experience brought to bear by its expert litigators.1 Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedSimpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP hosts a sophisticated group of securities litigators expertly handling the representation of major financial institutions and private equity clients. It has global capacity when it comes to M&A-related litigation, particularly for foreign clients operating in US markets. The firm remains a go-to for underwriters on a range of high-value matters, with particular strength in connection with the class actions and derivative suits that follow high-profile public offerings. It also acts for blue-chip corporate issuers, including those in the technology and pharmaceutical sectors, as well as a number of corporate issuer clients from East Asia and Latin America.1 Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & AffiliatesSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedSkadden, Arps, Slate, Meager & Flom possesses an elite offering in the securities litigation space. It is known to represent both corporate clients and financial institutions. The firm is active in a number of high-profile litigation matters arising from IPOs, on which it has represented both underwriters and public company issuers. It retains its status as a preeminent class action defense team, with numerous successes in securities fraud and excessive fee lawsuits. It also fields noteworthy expertise in insider trading and FCPA-related issues. The firm boasts considerable strength across the country.1 Sullivan & Cromwell LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 1 | 15 Years RankedSullivan & Cromwell LLP is considered a go-to for major financial institutions involved in bet-the-company securities law disputes, and achieves particular success in matters with cross-border elements. The firm is recognized for its work on major cases coming out of the financial crisis, and draws praise for its representation of banks as underwriters in stock offerings. It acts on precedent-setting matters for both issuers and banks, with a number of victories for leading corporate issuers in event-driven class actions. Noted for the global reach of its practice, often representing non-US clients in multijurisdictional matters.
Band 2
2 A&O ShearmanSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedA&O Shearman is a destination firm for financial institutions involved in securities litigation as underwriters, as well as corporate issuer clients. It often advises on matters involving multiple jurisdictions for domestic and international companies, with significant activity for Asian clients entering US markets. Its noted recent activity includes lawsuits in connection with benchmarking matters relating to the financial services industry.2 Freshfields US LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 2 | 2 Years RankedFreshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has an emerging securities litigation practice group with experience representing leading issuers, their executives and directors in a variety of securities matters, including class, derivative and books and records actions. It has impressive expertise defending clients in the tech and pharmaceutical sectors, among others. The firm is particularly strong in the California and New York markets.2 Kirkland & EllisSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 2 | 12 Years RankedKirkland & Ellis is a well-regarded firm with significant nationwide securities litigation capabilities. It handles the full range of securities disputes including M&A litigation, securities class actions and shareholder derivative suits. The firm acts for an impressive range of issuer-side clients, as well as their officers and directors, and possesses noteworthy experience of accounting firm representation. It also has a significant practice representing private equity firms, often in derivative and fiduciary duty cases.2 Sidley Austin LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 2 | 13 Years RankedSidley Austin LLP boasts a highly regarded securities litigation offering with impressive coverage of all key US markets. The firm is particularly noted for its representation of issuers and their officers and directors, while also offering recognized experience of underwriter representation. It regularly handles major M&A litigation in Delaware and elsewhere, covering both breach of fiduciary duty suits and contract disputes. It has additional strength in connection with the representation of accounting firms.2 Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & KatzSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedWachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz utilizes its position as one of the most highly acclaimed M&A firms in the US in order to offer effective counsel to clients facing securities litigation arising out of these transactions. It is also well versed in handling shareholder derivative litigation and securities class actions.2 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 2 | 15 Years RankedWeil, Gotshal & Manges LLP maintains a dedicated group of securities litigators coupled with firmwide M&A and private equity expertise. It represents financial institutions and public companies in the full range of securities disputes, retaining a particularly strong reputation for the representation of boards of directors and independent committees. The firm demonstrates excellent capabilities in securities litigation related to M&A proceedings, with a large presence in major Delaware cases.
Band 3
3 Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedCleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has a respected securities litigation offering fielding experts in securities fraud defense and M&A-related litigation. It acts for both issuers and underwriters, as well as corporate officers and directors. It represents major financial institutions alongside tech and energy sector clients.3 Cooley LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years RankedCooley LLP offers a highly skilled team with a practice that covers both coasts. It specializes in the representation of corporate issuers, and draws on huge corporate depth to represent leading companies in the life sciences field, as well as in technology. The firm regularly defends against Rule 10b-5 class actions, IPO suits and M&A litigation.3 GoodwinSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedGoodwin demonstrates complementary litigation and M&A expertise to great effect when advising on securities disputes relating to major corporate transactions. It draws an impressive set of clients from the technology and life sciences sectors, as well as representing major financial institutions acting as underwriters. The firm offers an impressive geographical coverage, with securities litigators present in the firm's Boston, New York, DC and California offices.3 Ropes & Gray LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 3 | 12 Years RankedRopes & Gray LLP boasts a versatile and highly rated practice, with capabilities spanning the securities litigation area. It is known in the market for its strength in the mutual fund area, representing leading investment funds and managers in excessive fee disputes, derivative suits and various fiduciary duty cases. It is highly active on the issuer side, particularly for life sciences clients. The firm also has a growing presence representing financial institutions in underwriter cases and RMBS disputes.3 WilmerHaleSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 3 | 15 Years RankedWilmerHale boasts a solid securities litigation practice covering all aspects of the practice area, including securities class action, derivative suits and M&A litigation. It draws upon its outstanding capability in regulatory and white-collar matters to hold an impressive record in cases involving allegations of insider trading, breaches of fiduciary duty and corporate misconduct. The firm frequently represents corporate issuers, with a notable focus on life sciences and technology companies.
Band 4
4 Debevoise & Plimpton LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedDebevoise & Plimpton LLP boasts an experienced and respected group that works closely alongside the firm's market-leading securities regulation and white-collar criminal defense practices. Its areas of expertise include securities fraud class actions, shareholder derivative suits and M&A litigation. The firm's clients include major corporations and their officers and directors, with particular expertise in handling matters on behalf of insurance industry giants.4 King & Spalding LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 3 Years RankedKing & Spalding LLP offers notable securities litigation capabilities, with expertise handling shareholder and derivative actions and M&A disputes, alongside further strengths in investigations and enforcement actions. It particularly excels in the representation of issuers, with a client base spanning the energy, pharmaceutical, technology and financial sectors.4 Morrison FoersterSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedMorrison Foerster is a well-respected firm with strength across the US, known for its expert representation of corporate issuers in class actions, derivative suits and wider shareholder disputes. It is also respected for its work in M&A litigation. The firm handles a number of high-stakes cases on behalf of major investment funds and private equity firms.4 Munger, Tolles & Olson LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 14 Years RankedMunger, Tolles & Olson LLP provides counsel to a variety of financial institutions, including several global investment banks, facing securities litigation across the USA. It draws on comprehensive experience in RMBS litigation, as well as significant bankruptcy expertise. The firm also represents numerous corporate clients in breach of fiduciary duty and stock drop shareholder litigation.4 O'Melveny & Myers LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 13 Years RankedO'Melveny & Myers LLP is a well-respected firm which leverages its recognized strength in litigation in a wide variety of securities cases, including class actions, derivative suits and M&A litigation. It acts for public companies and their directors, as well as underwriters, and is regularly engaged by leading financial institutions.4 Williams & Connolly LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedWilliams & Connolly LLP offers a robust litigation practice offering counsel to accounting and private equity firms, as well as public companies and their senior executives in a variety of securities and M&A disputes. It is recognized for litigating a variety of securities-based cases. The firm is notably active in financial services litigation, having worked on a number of RMBS-related matters. It has a substantial practice advising clients in securities cases arising out of government actions and investigations. The firm draws on its exceptional reputation for trial advocacy to provide clients with highly effective representation.4 Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 15 Years RankedWillkie Farr & Gallagher LLP boasts a highly respected group of securities litigators handling a range of cases, including class actions and other complex litigation catering to asset management and financial services clients. It offers specialist expertise in M&A litigation, accounting and disclosure issues as well as financial fraud.4 Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & RosatiSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 4 | 13 Years RankedWilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati enjoys a solid reputation for its expertise in securities class actions and derivative suits, including cases of accounting and securities fraud. The firm possesses a large client base of corporate issuers, regularly acting for clients from the technology and life sciences industries, with additional experience pertaining to a broad range of other sectors including aerospace, energy and financial services. It regularly features in litigation arising out of IPOs and stock offerings. It is also active in Delaware M&A litigation.
Band 5
5 Dechert LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 5 | 11 Years RankedDechert LLP possesses a noteworthy securities litigation capacity, representing a blue-chip corporate clientele alongside their officers and directors, in high-profile cases across the country. It handles a wide range of matters, including securities class actions, shareholder derivative suits, mutual fund litigation and M&A disputes. The firm is particularly active in defending private equity and mutual funds, as well as pharmaceutical and life sciences clients.5 Jenner & Block LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 5 | 4 Years RankedJenner & Block LLP is noted for its broad securities litigation practice. It is regularly sought after by notable corporates from a wide array of industries to represent them and their officers and directors in shareholder class actions and derivative suits. The firm has particular strength in its Chicago and New York offices.5 Milbank LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 5 | 10 Years RankedMilbank LLP boasts a well-rounded securities litigation group, with additional strength in regulatory and criminal matters. It regularly handles cases for major financial institutions, including benchmarking disputes, financial crisis litigation and underwriters' representation. It also handles matters for corporate issuers, acting for both companies and executives in major securities fraud class actions. The firm is active in matters for asset managers and investment managers, including in excessive fee lawsuits.5 Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLPSecurities: Litigation2024 | Band 5 | 3 Years RankedMorgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP boasts considerable cross-state expertise, with litigation and enforcement capabilities spanning California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York. The firm has notable strength in representing underwriters as well as major corporate issuers and their directors and officers, offering a wealth of experience handling fiduciary duty, M&A and IPO-related disputes, among others.