Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz - Who's Who Legal 70

What is the Who's Who Legal 70?

Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz in Who's Who Legal

	Corporate Governance
	12

	Real Estate
	2

	Insolvency & Restructuring
	3

	Commercial Litigation
	4

	Corporate Tax
	3

	Commercial Litigation
	4

	Corporate Tax
	3

	Banking
	2

	Competition
	4

	Business Crime Defence
	2

	Mergers & Acquisitions
	7

In less than 50 years, Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz has built an international reputation as an “outstanding” firm. Founded in 1965, it is the firm’s corporate practice that has truly excelled. Boasting a wealth of talent in this practice area, the firm is home to an incredibly talented and much respected M&A team. Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz is also the winner of our Law Firm of the Year – Corporate Governance award for a fourth consecutive year.

This New York powerhouse has a formidable corporate practice. 12 lawyers feature in the corporate governance chapter and from this group six boost their credentials with an appearance in the M&A section.

The six that appear in multiple chapters include the “legendary” Martin Lipton. Described by one source as “the most influential corporate lawyer in New York”, a former chairman of the NYSE’s legal advisory committee, he ranks “among the best in the world”. He advises some of the world’s leading corporations on matters of corporate policy and strategy and has been influential in the development of M&A global techniques and practices. David Katz is one of the most highly regarded lawyers internationally. Hugely respected for his corporate governance expertise, he is unrivalled when it comes to M&A. The most highly nominated lawyer in our research overall he earns the title “Who’s Who Legal M&A Lawyer of the Year” for the third consecutive year. Andrew Brownstein is also well thought of for his work advising corporate entities in high-profile leveraged buyouts, proxy fights and takeover defences. Theodore Mirvis is recognised as a corporate litigation expert and was described as a “lion of the bar”, having acted in numerous landmark governance and transactional disputes. Edward Herlihy is co-chair of the firm’s executive committee and specialises in work for banks and financial institutions, particularly in relation to takeover battles and proxy contests. He adds a third chapter to his expertise and also features in the banking section. His co-chair Daniel Neff, is hailed as “top flight” by peers. Adam Emmerich is also held in particularly high regard for his transactional and governance work relating to real estate. He too adds a third chapter to his listing. In addition to the corporate governance and M&A chapters, he also features in the real estate section.

The globally recognised and much respected Ilene Knable Gotts is singled out as a “terrific” competition lawyer. With a wealth of experience across a range of antitrust matters, she is “one of the finest lawyers I’ve ever come across.” Adding to the strength of the competition practice is Michael Byowitz. He represents many clients at the Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the State attorneys general in the United States and consults on investigations by foreign antitrust authorities in a host of countries.

The commercial litigation chapter includes three prominent individuals including the much-respected Herbert Wachtell and Bernard Nussbaum. Also featuring is the highly regarded Lawrence Pedowitz. With a focus on complex civil and corporate litigation, his expertise extends to white-collar criminal and professional liability matters, earning him a place in our business crime chapter.

The firm has a strong tax practice headed up by the excellent Peter Canellos. One of the most highly nominated practitioners in our research, he is described as a “formidable opponent” and respondents admire his “outstanding intellect and tremendous experience”. He is accompanied by Jodi Schwartz and Deborah Paul.

A trio of lawyers also feature in the insolvency and restructuring chapter including chair of the restructuring and finance department, Harold Novikoff. With 34 years of experience his focus is on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, debt restructuring and financial market transactions. Scott Charles and Richard Mason join him.

Lawyers from Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz are listed 38 times across nine practice areas.