Tax: Corporate & Finance: Nationwide

THE FIRM A tremendous name in corporate tax nationally, this superior group excels at handling financial products, M&A, restructurings, bankruptcies and cross-border matters. Clients praise its comprehensive knowledge of regulations and in-depth understanding of government. Work highlights from the last year include advising BHP Billiton on its $40 billion all-cash offer to acquire Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and counseling Citi Global Markets and the underwriters on the structuring and offering of the sale by the Treasury Department of $2.25 billion of floating-rate trust preferred securities.

Client Service "Superstar tax lawyers that are as good as anybody on the globe."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based James Peaslee, Erika Nijenhuis and Leslie Samuels are a powerful trio of advisers.

THE FIRM This elite New York-based practice has outstanding strength in mergers, spin-offs, joint ventures, securities offerings and sophisticated private equity acquisitions and financings. Highlights from the last year include counseling Pepsi Bottling Group in connection with its $5.7 billion acquisition by PepsiCo, and representing Santander Consumer USA with its acquisition of a $3.2 billion auto loan portfolio from Citi. Other clients of note are the J. Crew Group, Johnson & Johnson and Kraft.

Sources say: "Extremely impressive with a great deal list and an excellent transactional department."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based Michael Schler and Stephen Gordon earn accolades for their strength in transactional matters.

THE FIRM This superb tax team maintains a leading position in the market due to its expertise in financial products, M&A, restructurings and international tax. Operating out of New York, this elite group is often on the cutting edge of financial products and derivative transactions, handling inbound and outbound investments and cross-border matters. Of significance was its representation of Comcast in connection with its $37 billion NBC Universal joint venture with GE. Notable clients include Deutsche Bank, PepsiCo, UBS and China Investment.

Sources say: "Always moving the ball forward, these are consistently impressive, thoughtful and responsive attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Avishai Sachar and Samuel Dimon are two highly regarded practitioners in New York.

THE FIRM This transactional juggernaut earns accolades for its expertise in a broad range of taxation; the team advises on high-end M&A, restructurings, financial products and real estate. Market commentators praise the consistently innovative and cutting-edge advice offered by the practitioners. With key strengths in Chicago, New York, Washington, DC and Los Angeles, this group is a potent national force. Highlights from the last year include advising Access Industries in the ongoing worldwide reorganization of LyondellBasell and its hundreds of US and non-US affiliates, and representing BlackRock in its participation in a $2.8 billion joint venture with the US Treasury under the public-private investment program.

Commercial Awareness "An excellent firm that always impresses due to extremely responsive, tenacious, smart and practical attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based Matthew Rosen is a standout practitioner, while Chicago is home to Louis Freeman, and Fred Goldberg has impeccable credentials in Washington, DC.

THE FIRM This premier team wins widespread praise for its performance on financial products, real estate and complex M&A work, and interviewees also recommend its partner-intensive approach. In the last year it represented Barclays in the $15.2 billion sale of its Barclays Global Investors business to BlackRock and counseled AIG and ALICO Holdings with the $15.5 billion disposition of American Life Insurance to MetLife. Other notable clients include BP, UBS and GE.

Sources say: "An impressive group that can handle the gamut of taxation matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based David Hariton and Andrew Mason receive accolades for their transactional expertise.

THE FIRM This elite group has an international reputation for sophisticated and high-profile M&A work. Based in New York, the compact team advises on spin-offs, restructurings, joint ventures and financings. JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and MetLife are notable clients and the practice regularly advises companies from the finance, real estate, insurance and aviation sectors.

Sources say: "This stellar group has outstanding technical capacity and is very deal-oriented."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Deborah Paul and Jodi Schwartz are two leading practitioners.

THE FIRM Noted for its insurance and fund expertise, this New York-based group is a powerful player in the corporate finance, restructurings, M&A and real estate fields. Market commentators praise the team's experience, knowledge and cutting-edge advice. Highlights from the last year include representing Hewitt Associates in its $4.9 billion merger with Aon and acting for GE in the $5.8 billion repurchase of Vivendi’s stock of NBC Universal.

Sources say: "A great group that continually gives the highest quality of advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York is home to the department chair, Burt Rosen, and talented attorneys Gary Friedman and Andrew Berg.  

THE FIRM Kirkland & Ellis is known for its impressive work on private equity, bankruptcy, restructurings and M&A matters. Recently the team has been busy with high-profile restructurings, advising Charter Communications, Station Oilfield Services and the Reader's Digest Association. The 50-strong group also handled substantial transactions for Bristol-Myers Squibb, The Carlyle Group and Apax Partners in the last year.

Commercial Awareness "Creative, effective and business-oriented - it gets deals done."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Greer Phillips and Patrick Gallagher are two key contacts in New York, while Chicago is home to esteemed practitioners Todd Maynes and Donald Rocop.

THE FIRM This sophisticated and well-integrated practice has 70 fee-earners nationwide and handles a workload focused on structured finance, M&A, REITs, restructurings and capital markets. The team operates on a national scope with key offices in Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, while a new office in Houston focuses on partnerships in the energy sector. In the last year the group advised Questar in its $5 billion spin-off of QEP Resources, as well as counseling The Carlyle Group in its $4.1 billion sale of MultiPlan and Welsh Carson to BC Partners and Silver Lake.

Client Service "Outstanding and seasoned business lawyers; they are tireless when it comes to getting the deal done!"

KEY INDIVIDUALS New York-based David Raab chairs the global practice.

THE FIRM Housing some superior transactional attorneys, this New York-headquartered team is focused on complex M&A, joint ventures, fund formation and restructurings. Of note is the group's recent transactional activity in China, representing Shanghai Shendi Group, the PRC state-owned enterprise, in its joint venture with Disney to build its first theme park in mainland China. Other highlights include advising AbitibiBowater on complex US and Canadian bankruptcy filings involving the restructuring of over $8 billion in debt.

Commercial Awareness "Detail-oriented, smart lawyers with practical, commercial sense."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Bronstein and Jeffrey Samuels are two leading attorneys in New York.

THE FIRM This outstanding tax team receives plaudits from all corners of the market for its corporate M&A and fund formation expertise. The group is also reputed for its strength in capital markets. In the last year it represented PPL in its $7.6 billion acquisition of E.ON and counseled The Carlyle Group in connection with the establishment of Carlyle Partners V, a $13.7 billion fund focused on LBO transactions. Notable clients include RBS, Tyco International and KKR.

Sources say: "A quality firm with a leading corporate practice and top technical expertise."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steven Todrys is a prized practitioner in New York.

THE FIRM Noted for its bankruptcy and restructuring expertise, this New York-based group fields tremendously talented practitioners who handle complex M&A, private equity, fund formation, real estate and capital markets matters. In the last year, it has advised on numerous high-profile bankruptcies, including representing General Growth Properties in its Chapter 11 case with $27.3 billion in debt, the largest real estate bankruptcy ever, and acting for Extended Stay in its Chapter 11 restructuring with $7.4 billion in debt.

Commercial Awareness "This top-notch group continues to focus on offering practical advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Martin Pollack and Kenneth Heitner are practice cochairs.

THE FIRM This high-caliber group has a transactional practice of global renown, focusing on transfer pricing, international tax planning, M&A, joint ventures and cross-border structures. Commentators praise the breadth of the team's expertise, also advising on litigation and controversy matters.  In the last year the team advised XL Capital on its $6 billion redomiciliation from the Cayman Islands to Ireland, as well as counseling Abbott Laboratories on its $7.1 billion acquisition of Solvay’s pharmaceutical business.

Client Service: "A tremendous tax firm with in-depth knowledge and experience; they really are trusted advisers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based Len Terr, Gregg Lemein in Chicago and John Peterson in Palo Alto are three leading attorneys.

THE FIRM This 44-strong practice, headquartered in Texas, is renowned for its specialist expertise in oil and gas matters. Other areas of strength include M&A, partnerships, MLPs and international tax. Highlights from the last year include advising Dominion Resources in the sale of its Appalachian E&P business to a subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, one of the nation's top four coal producers, for $3.4 billion. Other notable clients include Liberty Media and Reliance Industries.

Sources say: "Impressive and extremely knowledgeable, they are always able to come up with practical and beneficial structures."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Houston-based chair of tax, Greg Nelson is a leading practitioner.

THE FIRM This team is particularly strong in partnerships, joint ventures, international tax, M&A, transfer pricing, financial instruments, restructurings and energy tax. It offers a national reach with key offices in Boston, New York and Washington, DC. In the last year the group has been busy advising high-profile financial institutions and energy companies on complex transactions and deal work. 

Sources say: "This fabulous group of lawyers always delivers expert advice that is consistent with business objectives."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based Bill McKee and Will Nelson are two key contacts.

THE FIRM This New York-headquartered group has racked up an impressive highlights list over the past year, advising corporate heavy hitters on substantial matters covering fund formation, capital markets, restructurings and bankruptcies. The team is renowned for its sophisticated handling of financial products and institutions, recently advising on more than 2,000 structured note issuances by Barclays, UBS and others, valued at over $1 billion.

Client Service "Fantastically efficient, this group is best in class when it comes to advisory and negotiating contracts."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Miller and Linda Swartz are two highly regarded New York practitioners.

THE FIRM Offering an integrated service between the New York and Washington, DC offices, this practice is known for its expertise in transactional tax, planning, financial products, insurance, real estate, exempt organizations and legislative matters. Highlights from the last year include counseling MetLife on its $16 billion acquisition of ALICO from a special-purpose entity that is an affiliate of AIG and the New York Federal Reserve - the largest acquisition of a life insurance company in history. The client base includes CapMark Financial Group and EnCana.

Sources say: "The lawyers have working relationships with IRS personnel that makes them go-to advisers for any corporate tax advice requiring an IRS ruling or even general guidance about the government's latest thinking on corporate tax issues."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based Joseph Pari is esteemed for his transactional expertise.

THE FIRM Corporate tax stalwarts, this well-regarded group wins acclaim for its skilled handling of asset management tax issues, fund work, restructurings, real estate and international tax planning. The team has key strength in Washington, DC and New York and recently represented Simon Property Group in connection with the acquisition of all of the outlet shopping center business of Prime Outlets Acquisition Company, a $2.32 billion transaction. Notable clients include Northrop Grumman, Goldman Sachs Mezzanine Partners and Virgin Media.

Sources say: "Excellent corporate practitioners who always give valuable and practical advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joel Scharfstein and Robert Cassanos are strong choices in New York.

THE FIRM Commentators note the superior quality and diversity of work that this California-headquartered team undertakes, advising on business transactions, international acquisitions, finance and restructurings. Recent highlights include advising Heineken on its $7.6 billion acquisition of Femsa Cerveza and representing Intel in the restructuring and disposition to Micron Technologies of its interest in Numonyx, a $1.3 billion Dutch joint venture.

Client Service "An excellent group with very high-quality tax attorneys."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Hatef Behnia is a key contact in Los Angeles.

THE FIRM It is no surprise to find a firm with such a strong global tax brand has an outstanding nationwide practice. The team advises on a broad range of matters, covering partnership, M&A, restructuring, planning, and government relations. Key centers of strength are Chicago, New York, Miami and Washington, DC. In the last year the team counseled Caterpillar in its $8.6 billion acquisition of mining equipment manufacturer Bucyrus International. Notable clients include Bayer, Bank of America and The Carlyle Group.

Client Service "This tax practice is one of the best in the country - responsive and creative; they are great at customer service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Joel Williamson and George Craven are strong choices in Chicago.

THE FIRM This Chicago tax powerhouse is praised by commentators for its breadth and depth in corporate taxation. The team advises on large M&A transactions, corporate restructurings, high-profile advisory work and cross-border matters. The group has specialist expertise in state and local taxation and energy and renewables issues. Recent highlights include advising Tyco International in connection with its acquisition of Brink's Home Security Holdings in a cash and stock deal worth $2 billion. The team regularly advises American Airlines, Barclays, MasterCard and Merrill Lynch.

Sources say: "Many of the attorneys have specialist expertise in one area of tax, but also have impressive breadth and depth of knowledge on many other areas of tax law. That's uncommon to find in today's tax practice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chicago-based Lowell Yoder is the head of US and international tax.

THE FIRM Ropes & Gray has developed a talented national team that focuses on M&A and private equity fund matters. The group has taken on substantial international work in the last year, advising Genzyme, a leading biotech company, in connection with the sale of assets for $925 million to Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and a private offering for $1 billion in senior notes. The team has expanded its global presence with new offices in the Far East and London. Notable clients include TPG Capital, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and PineBridge Investments.

Sources say: "Extremely highly regarded in the industry for funds work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS In Boston, Chris Leich is an esteemed practitioner.

THE FIRM  This quality tax group is lauded for its expertise in international tax, handling financial products, cross-border structuring, M&A, spin-offs and restructurings. The team has a national presence with particular strength in Washington, DC and New York. Recent highlights include counseling Dow Chemical on its $1.6 billion carve-out and subsequent sale of its global styrenics business to STY Acquisitions. The prestigious client base also covers Credit Suisse, Daimler, Citi and Vivendi.

Commercial Awareness "The S&S tax practice is very responsive to needs and likes to spend time understanding our business, always providing insight going forward as our business model changes."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Robert Rudnick and Douglas McFadyen are core attorneys.

THE FIRM This 55-strong Chicago-headquartered team also has strength in New York and wins praise for its expert handling of sophisticated insurance, derivatives and M&A transactions. Recently the team has been focusing on REIT matters, advising the underwriters on two securities offerings by Simon Properties: a $650 million public offering of senior notes and a $540.5 million public offering of common stock. Other notable clients include Barclays Capital, Morgan Stanley, PepsiCo and Fortress Investment Group.

Client Service: "An excellent, efficient group with broad knowledge of the markets."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Key contacts are Robert Krietman in New York and Jay Zimbler in Chicago.

THE FIRM This group is sought after for its high-quality federal and state advice on cross-border transactions, restructurings, transfer pricing, REITs and exempt organizations. Key offices are Washington, DC, Atlanta and New York and work highlights include representing ING in connection with Clarion Property Trust’s registration with the SEC to sell $2.25 billion of common stock. Honda, Sara Lee, Bose and Fifth Third Bank are part of its blue-chip client base.

Sources say: "A well-connected, go-to firm that is always knowledgeable and responsive."

KEY INDIVIDUALS In Georgia, John Colson is highly recommended for his state and local tax expertise.

THE FIRM This 38-strong group has bolstered its practice recently, taking on several lateral additions. The Washington, DC-based team advises on international tax, financial institutions and products, foreign tax credits and transfer pricing. In the past year the group advised a European investment bank in regard to tax, corporate, and financing work behind a proposal to secure $1 billion of funding from a variety of foreign investors. Notable clients include NASCAR, Barclays, Hitachi and IBM.

Sources say: "This outstanding group has great access to the IRS and specialized knowledge across a broad variety of matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Washington, DC-based William Paul is a strong choice for financial products work.

THE FIRM This team has recently been busy acting on high-profile M&A, private equity and financing matters. The group has key strengths in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC and clients praise it for offering expertise in a broad variety of taxation areas. Recent highlights include advising Versa Capital Management, Bumblebee Foods and Elliott Associates on multijurisdictional, high-profile tax matters.

Commercial Awareness "An impressive group, Dechert always takes a much more practical and businessperson's approach to getting things done."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The team is led by New York-based practitioner Daniel Dunn.

THE FIRM This well-developed international tax practice wins plaudits for its expert handling of transfer pricing, tax planning and international tax structures. Headquartered in California, the team has substantial global reach, advising several Fortune 100 clients from the corporate and technology sectors including BlackRock, Amazon.com and Agilent.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mountain View, California-based James Fuller is the key contact.

THE FIRM This Houston-based team provides practical and strategic solutions to a wide range of corporate taxation matters, focusing on restructurings, cross-border spin-offs, partnerships, and international, state and local issues. In the past year the group acted for Brink’s Home Security Holdings in connection with its acquisition by Tyco International in a $2 billion cash and stock merger. Prestigious clients also include Transocean, Merck, The Shaw Group and Shell.

Sources say: "Responsive and creative, this is always our firm of choice for big international transactions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS A standout practitioner is John Allender in Houston.

THE FIRM This boutique tax firm earns accolades for its skilled handling of tax accounting, international tax and domestic corporate and business transactions. The Washington, DC-based, 33-strong group regularly advises Fortune 500 and 100 clients, recently representing HJ Heinz, Electronic Arts, Bayer and Northrop Grumman.

Sources say: "I cannot imagine a higher quality of service; these are just outstanding professionals."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner Bob Wellen is a standout practitioner in Washington, DC.

THE FIRM Operating from Atlanta, this talented group is well positioned to handle innovative and sophisticated matters, advising on international, corporate, partnership and joint venture issues. Recently, the team acted for Eclipsys, a leading provider of healthcare IT services, in connection with its $1.3 billion merger with Allscripts. The group also represents GE Oil & Gas, ING Clarion and Archer Technologies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice group leader James Lokey has great expertise in transactional matters.

THE FIRM This California-headquartered powerhouse has stellar international tax capabilities, advising corporations, financial institutions, private equity funds and state and local agencies on M&A, cross-border joint ventures and fund-raising in new markets. The group has specialist expertise in the entertainment, media and technology sectors, recently counseling Yahoo! on its acquisition of Citizen Sports and of Associated Content, a leading online open publishing platform. High-profile clients include Lions Gate, Colony Capital, MGM and Wachovia Capital Markets.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Los Angeles-based Robert Blashek is a key contact for transactional matters.

THE FIRM This group wins acclaim for its handling of acquisitions, restructurings, dispositions, spin-offs, tax accounting, employee benefits and state and local tax. The high-quality, 35-strong team frequently handles matters on a domestic and international basis. The group recently advised TD Bank on a number of legislative and transactional tax projects, handling issues in the USA, Canada and Europe. Notable clients include Amazon.com, the government of Puerto Rico, Nestlé and Liberty Global.

Sources say: "A strong tax practice that is always involved in interesting transactions."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of tax Mark Silverman is the DC-based leading practitioner.

THE FIRM Clients praise this tax team for its innovative approach to M&A, cross-border financing and insurance taxation. The group has recently bolstered its state and local tax offering, handling planning, compliance, controversy and litigation, and policy and legislative matters. The firm operates an integrated tax practice across key offices in Atlanta, Washington, DC and New York, and in the past year advised Time Warner Cable, Altria Group and Kraft.

Sources say: "An impressive tax group filled with preeminent experts in their fields."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice group leader Jerome Libin in Washington, DC is a key contact.

THE FIRM Vinson & Elkins has a strong track record in advising clients from the oil and gas sector, handling domestic investors, private equity funds and non-US-based exploration and production companies, as well as substantial amounts of shale gas assets. The 62-strong team is also highly recommended for its expertise in MLPs, M&A, private equity and tax-exempt organization matters. Recent highlights include representing Energy Transfer Equity with the acquisition of and contribution of assets into Regency Energy Partners, a $900 million series of transactions. Other notable clients are Goldman Sachs, the University of Texas System, Niska Gas Storage and TPG Capital.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The team is led by Edward Osterberg in Houston.