America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011: Corporate/M&A: The Elite
Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.
In Chambers' 2011 review of national legal talent in the area of "Corporate/M&A: The Elite," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.
Chambers' comments:
Nationwide Ranking: Tier 2
The Firm: Known primarily as a distinguished private equity firm, Kirkland & Ellis has significantly boosted its corporate transactional offering in recent years and is competing with the biggest players in nationwide M&A. Of its six US offices, New York and Chicago are the chief centers for M&A. The deal-makers in DC are also praised for their commercial nous. Highlights of the team's recent work include 3G Capital Management's $4 billion acquisition of Burger King, advising on Avis Budget Group's unsolicited bid for Dollar Thrifty, and Teva's acquisition of ratiopharm for $5 billion.
Commercial Awareness: "Kirkland & Ellis brings a unique ability to understand the broader business context - you get quick answers that tend to be very practical advice on the issues around deals. They are trusted business partners."
Key Individuals: David Fox and Daniel Wolf are a dream team for many clients, who praise their "even-keeled personalities and ability to remain unruffled in even the craziest negotiations."
New York Ranking: Tier 3
The Firm: Kirkland is well placed to undertake some of the market's most complex and cutting-edge transactional work, aided by its elite private equity offering and an expanding M&A practice. Among its highlights, the team recently completed a number of multibillion-dollar acquisitions for clients Teva and 3G Capital Management, and also acted for Avis Budget Group in its unsolicited bid for Dollar Thrifty. High-profile public company representations include its roles on behalf of Danaher and IMG Worldwide, while Apax Partners and Bain Capital form part of its impressive private equity client list.
Sources Say: "The team delivers a timely and tremendously useful work product." "Its attorneys are attentive, thoughtful and practical."
Key Individuals: The "erudite, tough and experienced" David Fox is highlighted in particular for his leading expertise with cross-border and international transactions. He recently acted as counsel to Israeli client Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in its acquisition of German pharmaceutical manufacturer Ratiopharm. He also represented Avis Budget Group in its bidding war with Hertz Global Holdings over Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group. Both he and Daniel Wolf arrived from Skadden in 2009. Wolf represents public and private companies, and private equity firms, in a variety of domestic and international transactions. He recently advised Bristol-Myers Squibb in its acquisition of ZymoGenetics, and Danaher in its planned purchase of International Techidyne. Sources commend his "superb ability and depth of knowledge." Stephen Fraidin represented 3G Capital Management in its $4 billion acquisition of Burger King Holdings. He is well respected in the market for his representations of large companies and investment groups in acquisitions and proxy contests. He is also skilled in advising special committees and boards of directors on M&A and corporate governance matters.
Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2011— www.chambersandpartners.com.
