Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Financial services regulation Tier 1

Finance > Fintech

Commended for its ‘second-to-none domain knowledge and deal skills’, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s broad offering spans private equity, M&A, and capital markets matters, the team is also well-equipped to handle an array of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and NFT regulatory issues. Operating out of New York, Conrad Bahlke often handles derivative transactions as well as commodities and banking regulations, while Jeffrey Poss is knowledgeable of private equity and venture capital transactions for both public and private companies. Christopher Giancarlo previously acted as 13th Chairman of the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission, while Kari Larsen’s digital asset practice encompasses drafting and negotiating third-party agreements and regulatory requirements. In Washington DC, A. Kristina Littman is experienced in digital asset investigations and enforcement actions, and Justin Browder assists investment advisers, broker-dealers, and digital asset ecosystems on federal securities laws.

Insurance > Insurance: non-contentious Tier 1

Described as ‘highly responsive, very experienced and a pleasure to deal with,’ Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s insurance transactional and regulatory practice is renowned for its handling of significant M&A, capital markets, and ILS/alternative risk transfer transactional matters within the insurance industry. The practice boasts a unique strength in alternative risk transfer reinsurance cessions, catering to both risk sellers and buyers. Co-headed by Alexander Dye and John Schwolsky in New York, the practice focuses on M&A, capital markets insurance transactions, and the restructuring of troubled insurers, alongside demutualization transactions. Other key figures in the New York practice include corporate and securities law specialist Michael Groll, reinsurance transactions expert Elizabeth Bannigan, and Allison Tam, co-chair of the insurance regulatory group, renowned for her strong national and international restructuring transaction expertise. Kara Baysinger, based in San Francisco, serves as co-chair of the firm’s insurance regulatory and insurtech groups, representing national and international insurance and reinsurance companies, insurtech, and technology companies on a wide array of regulatory, compliance, and strategic matters.

Investment fund formation and management > Mutual/registered/exchange-traded funds Tier 1

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s ‘deep expertise’ across all types of funds is appreciated by their client base of global fund and asset management firms and their independent fund directors and trustees. The firm supports registered open-end mutual funds, exchange traded funds, closed-ended funds and business development companies. Margery Neale and Lior Ohayon jointly lead the department from New York, with the former also chairing the registered funds practice where she has extensive experience in the creation and operation of registered open-end mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds and BDC’s among others. Further key names in the department are New York based Elliot Gluck who contributes extensive knowledge in closed-end fund capital markets offerings to the team while in Washington DC Benjamin Haskin regularly acts for broker-dealers on various fund products. In New York Jay Spinola is a member of the 1940 Act Bar and has extensive experience with ETF products, regulations and related corporate matters. Anne Choe and Neesa Patel Sood are based in Washington DC, with the former focusing on securities regulation and ETFs, and the latter advising closed-end funds on secondary offerings, tender offers and other transactions. Barry Barbash retired in June 2023.  

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

The white-collar defense and investigations team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is co-chaired by William Stellmach , Michael Schachter, and San Francisco-based Michael Li-Ming Wong. Stellmach is located in Washington DC and has a broad range of experience advising on matters related to economic sanctions, corruption, bribery, and false claims. Based in New York, Schachter has a strong track record defending high-profile individuals facing allegations of fraud. Marina Torres and Koren Bell joined the office in Los Angeles in January 2023 and May 2023 respectively. Torres joined from Halpern May Ybarra Gelberg LLP; bringing experience of internal corporate investigations to the firm. Having previously worked at Larson LLP, Bell frequently represents major companies and high-profile individuals embroiled in complex litigation cases. Jeffrey Clark and Martin Weinstein departed the Washington DC office in February 2023, while Randall Jackson left the New York office in September 2023.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 2

Antitrust, restructuring, class actions, intellectual property, securities, and trade secrets are among the core specialisms of the ‘exceptionally smart, professional, and highly prepared’ practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP. Practice head Tariq Mundiya is based in New York and is widely regarded as an expert on internal investigations, securities litigation and post-M&A disputes. Midwest chairman Craig Martin works out of Chicago and routinely appears as lead counsel in both trial and appellate cases on a state, federal, and international level. New York contact Todd Cosenza is ‘remarkably experienced and skillful’ in all aspects of financial litigation, with his practice emphasizing securities class actions. Washington DC-based attorney Sameer Advani advises on M&A disputes, federal securities class actions and shareholder derivative claims.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a strong track record in securities litigation, having achieved notable victories in both securities fraud class actions and derivative litigation, as well as having a strong regulatory enforcement practice. The firm is particularly strong in busted IPO cases, though it handles a broad spectrum of work for both major financial institutions and large corporates. Litigation chair Tariq Mundiya and co-chairs of securities litigation Todd Cosenza  and Antonio Yanez in New York are the principal practitioners. Cosenza recently succeeded in resolving a high-stakes securities class action against CBS, which was accused of making false or misleading statements related to sexual misconduct by its former CEO. The firm’s IPO work includes the on-going representation of underwriters to Uber’s $1bn listing. Litigation partners Charles Dean Cording in New York and Laura Leigh Geist in San Francisco also feature in high-profile cases.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s business reorganization and restructuring department in New York consists of a group of restructuring experts, including Thomas Mark , who represents debtors and strategic investors. The firm is noted for their company-side practice and can assist distressed companies both in and out-of-court, while also maintaining a creditor side practice, with specialists including Brett Miller that represents tort claimant committees, ad hoc bondholder and lender committees and official committees of unsecured creditors. The team has also advised on cross-border assignments, including involvement in the Cineworld and Imerys Talc America cases. Ana Alfonso  and Shelley Chapman are key names in the team. Andrew Mordkoff and Rachel Strickland have left the firm.

Labor and employment > ERISA litigation Tier 2

Comprising a large specialist team, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is well-equipped to take on 401(k) class actions lawsuits, putative ERISA actions and ESOP matters. Other areas of expertise include reimbursement rights, recovery of pension overpayments, ERISA estoppel and ESOP valuations. Craig Martin is a key name in the Chicago-based team, representing many of Chicago’s leading companies and notable families, appearing before courts and tribunals on a whole host of complex and technical litigation trials. Amanda Amert leads the team and brings a diverse portfolio of business litigation, appellate and arbitration experience. Matt D. Basil brings deep experience representing Fortune 500 companies on ERISA litigation, breach of fiduciary duty and internal investigations. Matthew Thomas specializes in high stakes litigation and arbitration, whilst LaRue Robinson brings significant trial experience as a former US Army prosecutor and focuses on class actions, employee benefits litigation and investigations. Laura Norris is another key name to note in the firm.  

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s practice remains prolific in private equity transactions, supervising a large volume of upper middle-market and bulge-bracket deals from its offices across the United States and abroad. Wide geographic breadth and sector expertise enables the team to advise on a diverse array of platform deals, add-on acquisitions, take-private transactions, and portfolio company mergers, including a growing number of transactions in sectors such as energy and healthcare as well as investments in the industrials and tech sectors. Jeffrey Poss is a key contact for the latter and recently advised Cetera on a $1.2bn take-private acquisition of fintech company Avantax. Poss co-leads the practice from New York with Neil Townsend, who is an expert on structuring, negotiating and implementing leveraged buyouts. Key contacts in Houston include energy transactions experts Sarah McLean, who joined from A&O Shearman in January 2024, and Archie Fallon. New York lawyer Matthew Rizzo is a specialist for private equity buyouts in the healthcare sector.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2

In its shareholder-side activism practice, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents investors who regularly engage in activist campaigns and proxy contests. It counts Third Point Capital among its key investor clients, and the practice’s recent slate of matters has included successful proxy contests for investment companies and individual shareholders. Seasoned litigator and litigation department chair Tariq Mundiya is a key contact for proxy contests and advises on both the shareholder and board sides of matters. He co-leads the department with Russell Leaf, a corporate governance and M&A expert who also has experience acting on either side of shareholder activism matters, and Robert Stebbins, whose corporate governance practice is particularly strong in SEC compliance and enforcement issues. Jared Fertman is a further key contact who has recently acted for a number of prominent activist investors in high-profile campaigns. All named lawyers are based in New York.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 2

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a key destination for blue-chip tech providers, social media platforms, and corporations in the life sciences sector. The firm is well-placed to handle cloud services arrangements as well as deals related to software licensing, generative AI projects, and quantum computing technologies. The department is jointly led by the ‘smart and strategic’ Palo Alto-based Matthew Berger and experienced partner Matthew Makover, who is based in New York. Berger focuses on complex tech projects for clients in the alternative energy sector and also handles matters relating to semiconductors and computer hardware, while Makover concentrates on IP matters involving the licensing of patents, data, and software. In Palo Alto, Tiffany Lee counsels clients from the media and entertainment industries on various licensing and IP issues, while New York-based Eugene Chang is noted for his expertise in IP commercialization.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 3

Craig Martin, Midwest chair at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in Chicago, is a well-respected trial lawyer with the ability to act in both civil and criminal trials. Martin represents clients in court at both state and federal level and has a great deal of trial experience. A standout matter in 2023 was an ongoing matter for Northwestern University, a case whose significance lies its impact on retirement plans for corporate America and specifically, individuals in higher education more generally.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in New York has standout litigators in head of litigation Tariq Mundiya, and co-chairs of M&A litigation Sameer Advani and Shaimaa Hussein. Together they handle complex matters for large corporates, controlling shareholders, boards of directors, special committees and financial advisors. The work includes Delaware activism and takeover litigation, contentious going private transactions, and matters concerning alleged conflicts of directors or financial advisors. Hussein led a team that is representing directors of Spruce Power Holding Corporation, formerly known as Pivotal Investment Corporation, in a challenge to a SPAC transaction in which Pivotal bought vehicle electrification company XL Hybrids.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is praised for its ‘broad and deep experience in the entire energy space’, which the firm leverages to advise a wide range of clients active in the electric power sector, including generation and transmission clients, commodity traders, and utilities. Norman C. Bay, hailed by clients as ‘the strongest FERC lawyer in the country’, has a very active regulatory practice that spans enforcement and compliance as well as transactions and ratemaking, while Paul Pantano complements his know-how of the energy industry with expertise in commodities and derivatives law. All named attorneys are based in Washington DC.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 3

From its Houston, New York and Washington DC offices, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP routinely handles a mixture of energy-related transactions spanning the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. In addition to advising on the acquisition and divestiture of upstream and midstream assets, joint ventures and drilling partnerships, the team also handles financing and capital markets projects in the energy sector, including syndicated debt restructuring and structured energy commodities.  The ‘exceptional’ Archie Fallon leads the team and represents private equity funds and corporate clients in a variety of energy transactions, while Brad Honeycutt is the go-to choice for upstream and midstream North American oil and gas companies. Tan Lu joined the firm from Vinson & Elkins LLP in early 2023, bringing expertise in upstream and midstream acquisitions and divestitures. All mentioned attorneys are based in Houston. Jay Hughes left the team in January 2024.

Finance > Commercial lending Tier 3

Leveraged buyouts and dividend recapitalizations are key areas of expertise for Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and the team is prominent on the borrower side of high value acquisition financings. Viktor Okasmaa and Andres Mena co-lead the practice from New York; Okasmaa advises an impressive roster of public and private companies on acquisition financings and leveraged buyouts, and Mena focuses his practice on debt financing transactions, particularly private equity matters. Also in New York, Joshua Deason advises on secured and unsecured financings, such as bridge, mezzanine, mutual fund and subscription financings, while Jason Pearl handles loan and capital markets transactions, including first- and second-lien financings and ABL facilities. In Chicago, Jacob Schtevie excels in the negotiation and documentation of credit facility structures. An expert in debt financing, Andrew Thomison advises on working capital credit facilities, asset-based financings, and high-yield debt offerings from Houston. Timothy Landwehr is also highlighted as a standout member of the team.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is greatly experienced in listed and OTC derivatives, supporting its clients in transactional, regulatory and enforcement matters. Its clientele includes entities from across the sector, such as dealers, financial institutions, trading houses and commercial end-users of derivatives. Based in New York, John Thomas, who specializes in commodity derivative matters, heads the practice alongside Neal Kumar, who works in Washington DC and is expert in regulatory matters concerning the CFTC and NFA as well as regulations surrounding digital assets. Margo Bailey left the firm in June 2024.

Investment fund formation and management > Alternative/hedge funds Tier 3

Specializing in advising a range of hedge fund and investment managers on the full range of SEC and CFTC related regulatory matters, the hedge funds team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is led by a six-person team including Phillip Isom, Margery Neale, Lior Ohayon, Joseph Cunningham, Rita Molesworth, and Mark Vandehaar. The team's key strengths include assisting with management structuring, acting as fund counsel in negotiations, and advising on fund manager formations. Gabriel Acri regularly handles related cross-border matters, assisting international investment advisers and other clients on securities and alternative investment vehicles, while Deborah Tuchman advises advising on the distribution of real estate investment trusts. All listed lawyers are based in New York.  

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a popular choice for financial institutions and wealth managers, private equity sponsors and managers who praise the ‘highly knowledgeable and responsive team’ for their ‘strong representation across traditional product structures and the evolving product landscape’. The practice covers liquidity solutions including LP secondary transactions, GP-led transactions as well as fund formations and restructurings across diverse asset classes. New York based partners Phillip Isom and Lior Ohayon jointly lead the practice, with the former counting spin-out transactions and buyer and seller representation during secondaries transfers to some of his areas of expertise, and the latter focusing on private equity, credit, infrastructure and real estate funds, both on a national and a global level. Further key members of the department also based in New York include Arash Farhadieh who advises private funds across the US, Europe and other emerging markets, Laura Friedrich, who works with private equity, venture capital and hedge funds and Matthew Block, who is well versed in secondaries and liquidity solution focused transactions and joined the practice from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in August 2023. Chicago lawyer Nathaniel Marrs joined the team in April 2024, bringing with him a focus on funds investing in the infrastructure sector from his previous position at DLA Piper LLP (US).

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP frequently advises private equity sponsors, investment funds, and boards of directors on employee benefits, executive compensation, and ERISA aspects within corporate transactions. The firm has a notable track record in the insurance sector, exemplified by its role in advising Alleghany on its $11.6 billion acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway. Practice co-head Michael Katz, based in New York, is experienced in equity awards, the tax consequences of golden parachutes, and the liabilities associated with employee benefits in contexts such as leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, and corporate restructurings. Also in New York, fellow practice leader Jordan Messinger counsels public and private entities, boards, and compensation committees on a range of compensation and benefits issues, including those related to tax, securities law, and corporate governance. Rose Ohanesian, another New York-based attorney, deals with Section 280G parachute payment matters, employee tender offers, and the establishment of ongoing equity programs. In Washington DC, Alexander Ryan focuses on ERISA Title I issues, while San Francisco’s Scott Thompson offers expertise in complex equity and incentive compensation agreements.

Media, technology and telecoms > Telecoms and broadcast: regulatory Tier 3

The communications and media team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises key players in the sector, such as Comcast Corporation and the NCTA. With experience before various federal and state regulatory authorities, the group provides compliance advice, represents clients in rulemaking and investigatory proceedings and advises on challenges to regulators. The team’s expertise encompasses Open Internet, set-top boxes, business data services, intercarrier compensation reform and broadband deployment. Michael Hurwitz and Jonathan Friedman lead the team in Washington DC, both bringing extensive experience advising on regulatory compliance matters before the FCC and other agencies. Melanie Medina has a broad wireless spectrum practice that spans spectrum auctions, licenses, secondary-market transactions and representation in rulemakings and other proceedings. David Murray focuses on litigation and arbitration matters within the media and communications industry. Mia Hayes represents clients in FCC rulemakings and enforcement proceedings, while Michael Jones advises on investment in media and telecoms companies, including foreign investment.

Real estate Tier 3

Representing a diverse group of buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s real estate team advises across the full spectrum of real estate assets and sectors with highlights including sizeable transactions and development mandates in residential, condominiums, and offices along with mandates in the hotel and resort sectors. Negotiations and leasing arrangements are also strengths, as is the firm’s strong track record in financing, including mortgage and mezzanine loan structures, restructuring and workouts. The practice is also noted for its ability to draw on the firm’s bankruptcy, tax, and corporate & financial services groups. Operating out of New York is chair of real estate finance Krystyna Blakeslee as well as co-chairs of the real estate department Carly Glover Saviano, David Drewes, and Thomas Henry. In Los Angeles chair of real estate Misty Sanford is a key contact with expertise covering transactions, workouts, and private-public partnerships.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP’s non-contentious tax practice in New York works closely with lawyers in the firm’s other departments, especially corporate, finance, real estate and asset management, to advise on a high volume of middle-market and billion-dollar transactions. Practice head Christopher Peters advises domestic and international clients, including private equity funds and insurance companies, on the tax aspects of taxable and tax-free mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, leveraged buyouts, and joint ventures. Guy Inbar is experienced in the formation of REITs, real estate funds, and joint venture vehicles. Elizabeth Buckley Lewis focuses on advising not-for-profit organizations and asset management clients. Arthur Lynch’s broad expertise extends to matters relating to the convergence of the insurance and capital markets spaces (such as insurance-linked funds, catastrophe bonds, and sidecar investments) as well as public and private offerings of securities of offshore insurance companies. Vadim Mahmoudov offers expertise in M&A, bankruptcy restructurings, and debt workouts.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is active in domestic and cross-border mergers, with expertise in DOJ and FTC approvals, as well as multijurisdictional capabilities, representing international and US-based clients in merger clearances and investigations. The firm handles work in a wide range of regulated industries, with notable involvements in financial services, tech, and pharma. The team is jointly led by Wesley Powell  and Jeffrey Korn -Korn has been praised as a ‘tremendous litigator.’ Matthew Freimuth boasts significant trial experience, with particular expertise handling matters at the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law. The team has been bolstered by the arrival of Katrina Robson from O'Melveny & Myers LLP, who has been lauded by clients as a ‘superstar’ and ‘one of the best antitrust litigators in her generation.’ All attorneys mentioned are based in New York. William Rooney  has left the firm.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s power and renewable energy practice represents a range of utilities companies, independent power producers, investors, and developers in a spectrum of transactional and regulatory matters concerning power and renewable generation assets. The team is co-led by Houston lawyer Archie Fallon, renowned for his representation of private equity funds and corporate clients in strategic transactions – primarily within the energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors, alongside New York's Samantha Leavitt. In New York, co-head Eric Pogue chairs the firm’s global power and renewable energy group, while Washington DC’s Jorge Kamine focuses his capabilities on the debt and equity financing of projects, as well as the structuring, acquisition, and divestment of investments in a diverse array of energy and infrastructure projects. Amanda Rosenberg in Los Angeles is distinguished for her expertise in the development, financing, sale, and acquisition of renewable and clean energy assets. Former practice co-head Jay Hughes left the firm in January 2024.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP advises clients, including developers and financiers, on a spectrum of environmental law issues. This encompasses transactions in M&A and real estate developments. The team is also adept at providing guidance on regulatory developments, environmental compliance, and reporting. Washington DC-based William Thomas heads the practice and is recognized for his expertise in international environmental law, as well as for advising on environmental litigation and compliance.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has an impressive mix of investment grade, high-yield and convertible debt engagements. Healthcare, financial services and insurance are key sectors for the firm. It also advises a number of private equity houses and their portfolio companies, including in note offerings connected to acquisitions. New York partners Cristopher Greer and Gregory Astrachan co-chair the capital markets group. Edward Best  and John Ablan arrived in Chicago from Mayer Brown in August 2024.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has a prestigious history in high-yield debt offerings connected to M&A and private equity buyouts. Among other clients, the firm frequently advises Platinum Equity and its portfolio companies on debt offerings to support acquisitions. The capital markets team is best known for issuer-side representation and is notably active in technology and healthcare sector offerings. Cristopher Greer and Gregory Astrachan are key names, based in New York. Edward Best  and John Ablan joined the team in Chicago from Mayer Brown in August 2024.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 4

The ‘smart, hardworking, and experienced’ practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is comprised of skilled attorneys capable of handling a wide array of transactional issues, ranging from complex leveraged buyouts to minority investments. The focal point of the firm’s expertise revolves around the asset management, finance, and healthcare sectors, with the New York-based leading trio of David Boston, Russell Leaf, and Adam Turteltaub bringing in-depth knowledge on all types of acquisitions and corporate governance matters to the offering. Steven Seidman focuses on securities law issues, Thomas Cerabino is knowledgeable on joint ventures, and the ‘outstanding’ Gregory Astrachan frequently advises on transactions in the insurance and financial services sectors. Rosalind Fahey Kruse and Houston-based Aaron Savella are also noted as key.

Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 4

The privacy, cybersecurity and data strategy team at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP supports clients in a range of digital innovation, cyber risk, and data breach legal and policy issues, including those involving generative AI. DC-based co-chair Laura Jehl is particularly experienced in AI and emerging technologies matters, combining business and legal expertise. Also in DC, co-chair Daniel Alvarez is noted for his work with innovative data uses along with crisis management experience. Ben Hur  handles data privacy litigation from the firm’s base in San Francisco, litigating both federally and on a state level for technology companies of all sizes. Susan Rohol joined the team in September 2023, bringing in house privacy expertise to her work across the Los Angeles and New York offices.

Media, technology and telecoms > Media and entertainment: transactional Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s entertainment, sports and media practice guides clients such as production companies, A-list actors and publishers through transactions spanning recapitalizations, acquisitions, and strategic investments. The Los Angeles group is overseen by Alan Epstein, who chairs the entertainment transactions practice, Sidney Fohrman, who chairs the music and digital media practice, and Andrew Kramer, who chairs the motion picture, television and entertainment finance practice. Strategic relationships expert Steven Hurdle is described as ‘best in class in terms of corporate counsel in media transactions’.  Shane Nix is a key contact for matters that fall at the nexus between entertainment and technology.

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 4

The New York-based real estate finance practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is a strong firm for lenders requiring assistance with acquisitions, loan originations, and joint venture financing. Krystyna Blakeslee leads the practice and is an expert in commercial real estate finance and investment. She is key to the practice’s commercial real estate transactions, representing real estate companies, funds, institutional lenders, and banks, and is also well-versed in a wide range of asset classes from data centers and retail to hospitality and construction. Co-heads Carly Glover Saviano, David Drewes, and Thomas Henry are real estate specialists focusing on transactions, acquisitions and dispositions. All aforementioned lawyers are based in New York. Misty Sanford leads the recently established Los Angeles real estate team for the firm.

Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage) Tier 5

With comprehensive intellectual property capabilities and ‘a deeply technical practice‘, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represents life sciences and tech clients in patent disputes and related IP litigation across a variety of forums. The team is co-chaired by Sara Tonnies Horton in Chicago and Krista Schwartz in San Francisco alongside Washington DC-based trial lawyer Indranil Mukerji, who frequently represents tech companies in disputes relating to electrical hardware, software and networking products. Other notable practitioners in DC include Stephen Marshall, who focuses on patent litigation with an emphasis on software, mobile devices, and Internet of Things technologies, as well as seasoned IP trial expert Aliza Carrano.

Industry focus > Sport

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A Tier 5

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP has been building its Latin America expertise in recent years, with a notable emphasis on private equity investments, strategic M&A deals and transactions linked to energy and infrastructure assets. Insurance is another key sector for the firm. It now has a strong emphasis on Brazil through native Brazilian and New York-based partner Anna Martini Pereira, although she is also active in deals across the region, including transactions in the financial institutions, technology and consumer goods sectors. Washington DC, New York and Houston-based Jorge Kamine provides further senior expertise in energy and infrastructure transactions. Former Latin America department head Maria-Leticia Ossa Daza left the firm in May 2024. Since the conclusion of research, the firm has hired a group of 11 capital markets and M&A specialists from Mayer Brown (effective as of August 2024), including five partners and six associates, to the firm's Chicago office; among them capital markets expert Jennifer Carlson has considerable experience of Latin America.