Editorial: Merger & Acquisition

• August 2008

This edition of The International Who's Who of Merger & Acquisition Lawyers identifies 503 individuals from 70 jurisdictions for their expertise on large, high-profile combinations between prominent publicly traded companies.

Most Highly Regarded Individuals - Global
Lawyer	Firm
David A Katz	Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, New York
Nigel Boardman	Slaughter and May, London
Martin Lipton	Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, New York
Maximilian Schiessl	Hengeler Mueller, Düsseldorf
Charles Cogut	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York
Roger S Aaron	Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, New York
James C Morphy	Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, New York
Stephen Cooke	Slaughter and May, London
George R Bason Jr	Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York
John Finley	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York
Faiza J Saeed	Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, New York
Daniel A Neff	Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, New York
Richard Hall	Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, New York
Jean-François Prat	Bredin Prat, Paris
Peter Allan Atkins	Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, New York
Andrew R Brownstein	Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz, New York
Allen Finkelson	Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP, New York
Sergio Erede	Bonelli Erede Pappalardo Studio Legale, Milan
William Underhill	Slaughter and May, London

The fact that 149 individuals and 13 jurisdictions make the publication for the first time this year highlights the truly international nature of the practice area. Perhaps unsurprisingly, North America and Europe provide a large percentage of the individuals on the following pages. However, a number of other jurisdictions put in strong performances.

INTERNATIONAL

Many firms boast strong international credentials, offering clients their services in the world's largest markets. A number stand out from the crowd: Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP is a prime example. Recent highlights for the firm's mergers and acquisitions group include representing Anheuser-Busch in an unsolicited US$44.6 billion proposal by Belgian brewer InBev. Lawyers from the firm are also representing News Corporation in partnership with UK private equity firm Permira in the US$3.6 billion going-private acquisition of NDS Group. Skadden's largest contingent in this publication comes from its New York heartland, where three highly rated individuals make the grade. Roger Aaron leads the group in terms of nominations, with one source labelling him the "dean of the Bar". Aaron is the senior partner in charge of the firm's corporate practice areas and is joined on the following pages by the equally well regarded Peter Allan Atkins. Rated for his "exceptional quality" and "unparalleled experience", Atkins represented BHP Billiton in its proposed US$150 billion acquisition of Rio Tinto. Paul Schnell appears in the publication for the first time this year; sources noted his strength in the Latin American markets. Schnell's prominent clients include UnitedHealth Group, American Express, Citigroup and Union Pacific to name but a few. "First-rate" Kenton King represents the firm on the West Coast, where he heads the corporate group in the Bay Area. His work on behalf of technology clients was noted and he represented Yahoo! in Microsoft's unsolicited US$44.6 billion acquisition proposal. Charles Mulaney is considered a "real market leader" in Chicago, where he tops our findings. Sources describe Mulaney as "formidably bright and consistently excellent" and he represented Guidant in its acquisition by Boston Scientific for US$27 billion. The firm appears in the London section for the first time this year, where Scott Simpson heads the European M&A group. His highlights include representing Basell Polyolefins in its US$22.2 billion acquisition of Lyondell Chemical. Further entries in Hong Kong and Paris complete what is once again an excellent showing from one of the legal world's premier corporate powerhouses.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP has eight nominees in three jurisdictions. The firm advised principals in six out of the 10 largest M&A deals announced in 2007, including Endesa's US$58.4 billion acquisition by Enel and Acciona, the second-largest merger of the year. The firm's greatest contingent remains in New York, where James Morphy, former managing partner of the firm's M&A group, collected the most recommendations. Research shows that Morphy is one of the practice area's most respected figures, and he has recently been involved in Microsoft's bid for Yahoo! as well as InBev's proposed acquisition of Anheuser-Busch. The firm's chairman Rodgin Cohen received universal praise for his work in the banking sector, while Joseph Frumkin and Benjamin Stapleton also put in strong performances. Frumkin has represented AT&T on a number of transactions and also recently represented TXU in its acquisition by a consortium led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co and Texas Pacific Group. Dominique Bompoint is a leading figure in Paris; among other matters he advised the financial advisers to Business Objects in its announced €4.8 billion acquisition by SAP. Tim Emmerson appears in the London section for the first time this year thanks to a number of high-profile recommendations. Emmerson's practice focuses on M&A, capital markets and securities matters and highlights include working on the merger of travel agent Thomas Cook with MyTravel.

Linklaters LLP is another firm that leaves an international footprint on the following pages. While Skadden and S&C feature heavily in the United States, Linklaters' strength lies in the European and Asian markets. Lawyers from the firm have worked on some of the largest transactions in recent years, including advising Rio Tinto on its US$38 billion recommended cash offer for Alcan. Senior partner David Cheyne is one of the most respected figures in the London market and is joined in the section by Matthew Middleditch, who was variously described as "top-class", "excellent" and "an outstanding lawyer". Among other high-profile matters Middleditch was part of the Linklaters team advising RBS on its €71.1 billion takeover of ABN AMRO. Thierry Vassogne emerges as one of the leading lights in the French market. He concentrates on public takeovers, M&A and joint ventures. Ralph Wollburg is a "big name" in the German market, enjoying a "fantastic reputation". Wollburg joined the firm from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer towards the end of 2007 and helped to set up the new Düsseldorf office. Jean-Pierre Blumberg serves as managing partner of the Brussels office and is one of two Linklaters lawyers listed in that city. Sources note he is "great to work with" and last year he worked on public takeover bids for Arinso and Brantano. Further entries in Sweden, China and the increasingly important legal market in the United Arab Emirates highlight the international platform on offer to clients.

Clifford Chance LLP is another Magic Circle firm with an excellent reputation in the M&A sector. Lawyers from the firm are engaged in a wide array of transactions. Johannes Perlitt is a new entry into the German section this year, joining Thomas Gasteyer as one of the country's leading lights. Adam Signy leads the charge in London, with rivals regarding him as "first-rate for private equity". Guy Norman also fares well; his recent highlights include acting for George Wimpey UK on its merger with Taylor Woodrow. Clifford Chance is the only firm with two entries in the Hong Kong section. Roger Denny, who heads the M&A group in Asia, recently led a team advising Toll Holdings on its HK$2.24 billion takeover of BALtrans Holdings. Marc Bartholomy is considered by one leading source as "the best business lawyer in Moscow". Aside from working on M&A, he also advises international corporations and their Russian operations on competition law, project finance and real estate transactions. Richard Lock in Budapest completes the firm's contingent. Lock comes recommended for his experience of public company takeovers and transactions in the financial services sector.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP boasts the greatest geographical presence of any featured firm, with 12 individuals listed from eight of its offices. As with the other featured Magic Circle firms, the largest concentration is in London where three partners performed exceptionally well. Mark Rawlinson heads the corporate department in London and leads the trio in terms of nominations. He is seen by sources as "first-rate for contested matters". Highlights include advising music giant EMI on the takeover offer by Terra Firma. Andreas Fabritius heads the firm's corporate practice group and is one of two Freshfields nominees in the German section. In the first half of 2008 the firm advised on 36 deals in Germany to the value of €13.7 billion. The "experienced" Chris Sunt features prominently in Brussels, where he is joined by Vincent Macq. Last year Sunt was part of the team advising Norddeutsche Affinerie on its planned public tender offer and merger with Cumerio. This helped to create Europe's first pan-European copper maker and processing group. Jan Willem Van Der Staay is a new entry in the Netherlands this year with respondents recommending him as "a definite leader" and "extremely well known in the market". Van Der Staay was part of the Freshfields team that advised ICI on Akzo Nobel's £8 billion takeover of the company. Joaquín Hervada in Madrid and Willibald Plesser in Vienna complete the firm's strong European contingent in this publication. Jacky Baudon is considered "one of the leading names in Russia" and Robert Ashworth emerges among the most nominated lawyers in Hong Kong. Last year Ashworth led the team advising Hutchison Telecom on the sale of its stake in India's fourth-largest mobile phone operator, Hutchison Essar, to Vodafone for US$11 billion.

NEW YORK

New York is home to some of the practice area's leading firms and individuals. Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz once again tops the bill with a reputation as "the most uniformly excellent M&A firm in the world", according to one prominent source. David Katz received more nominations than any other lawyer and comes recommended by many of the practice area's most influential players. Martin Lipton remains among the industry's leading names with one rival noting, "no book would be complete without mention of Marty's continuing contributions to the field". Daniel Neff also features on our breakdown of the practice area's leading lights and has been involved in a number of the most significant transactions of recent years for corporations including Mirant, Pinnacle Entertainment, Knight-Ridder and American International Group. Adam Emmerich also comes consistently recommended, having represented the likes of Iscar, J Crew Group and Intermagnetics General Corporation on high-profile deals. With a further five highly rated individuals making the publication, Wachtell maintains its reputation as "an industry powerhouse", and is "blessed with some of the biggest names in the business".

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is the firm of choice for many blue-chip companies and six highly rated partners make it into our book this year. "First-rate" John Finley emerges as one of the area's most respected figures, and recently represented Mars in its announced acquisition of Wrigley. Charles ‘Casey' Cogut boasts a "huge reputation", particularly in the private equity arena. Cogut serves as global head of the firm's mergers and acquisitions group and was part of the team that represented Northwest Airlines in its merger with Delta Airlines, which is subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. Robert Spatt comes recommended for his special committee work and among other matters was part of the STB team advising the Dow Jones Board of Directors in the announced sale to News Corporation. Richard Beattie also played a prominent role on the same matter and comes recommended as a "dean of the Bar". Alan Klein, a new entry to this year's publication, completes the quintet in New York. Earlier this year Klein was part of a team representing Aluminum Corporation of China in its acquisition of a minority stake in Rio Tinto for over US$14 billion. Richard Capelouto affords the firm a presence on the west coast and high-profile deals include advising Google in its acquisition of YouTube.

The names of lawyers at Cravath Swaine & Moore LLP were often mentioned to researchers and four highly rated partners feature prominently in the publication. Faiza Saeed builds upon an excellent performance in the last edition, appearing for the first time in our breakdown of the practice area's most highly nominated individuals. Among other matters she worked in a team representing JPMorgan Chase as adviser to Wendy's International in its merger with Triarc Companies. Richard Hall is another of the firm's high flyers with one respondent noting that he's "universally respected". Hall was recently part of a Cravath team advising Orbotech in its agreement to acquire Photon Dynamics. Allen Finkelson and Alan Stephenson also fared well in our research and form what one source labelled "an excellent team at an excellent firm".

No analysis of the New York M&A scene would be complete without mention of George Bason, head of the mergers and acquisitions practice at Davis Polk & Wardwell. Bason has been involved in a number of high-profile transactions in recent years and was part of a team advising VF Corporation on its acquisition of one-third of the capital stock of Mo Industries Holding. Victor Lewkow at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP also comes highly recommended. Lewkow is co-chair of Tulane's prestigious corporate law institute and among other matters is representing Hewlett-Packard on its pending US$13.9 billion acquisition of EDS.

WEST COAST

The West Coast provides a number of high-profile individuals and firms. Larry Sonsini at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati has worked on high-profile matters such as Google's IPO and Hewlett-Packard's merger with Compaq. Richard Climan heads the M&A group at Cooley Godward Kronish LLP and comes recommended for his work in the technology sector. Partner Keith Flaum is also "highly regarded" and "one of the leaders of the practice", according to rivals. His work in the IT and life sciences sectors was noted and he gained national recognition for his work on behalf of eBay in its acquisition of Skype Technologies. Andrew Bogen at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP is a "clear leader in the field", according to sources and in recent years has represented clients such as Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Hilton Hotels. Michael Kennedy heads the West Coast mergers and acquisitions practice at O'Melveny & Myers LLP and comes recommended as "most impressive", particularly for technology, biotech and health-care work. Latham & Watkins LLP is the only firm with three individuals in the California section; one source labelled them "the leading acquisition firm in the state". Christopher Kaufman leads in terms of nominations and his "tenacious and effective" manner was noted. Paul Tosetti is "always a pleasure to deal with" and he served as co-head of the firm's global M&A group for 10 years. Peter Kerman is global chair of the corporate department and completes the trio.

ILLINOIS

The Chicago market is another hotbed of talent, contributing a total of 11 individuals to this year's publication. Sidley Austin LLP comes recommended as a "stand-out firm in all respects" and in the figure of Thomas Cole it boasts one of the state's leading lights. Cole "commands a vast amount of respect" according to sources. He led the team representing the Tribune Company in its US$8.2 billion privatisation by Samuel Zell. Frederick Lowinger heads the corporate practice as well as co-heading the M&A and private equity groups; he "stands comparison with anyone in Illinois", according to one rival. Among other matters he worked on the sale of First Data Corporation in a leveraged buyout by KKR. Imad Qasim completes the highly rated trio, with a reputation as "one of the pre-eminent figures in the market". Highlights include leading the team representing Equity Office Properties Trust in its US$39 billion acquisition by The Blackstone Group. Kirkland & Ellis LLP also boasts multiple representation in the state with both Jack Levin and Scott Falk consistently endorsed. Levin is widely regarded as "the godfather of private equity" and his treatise Mergers, Acquisitions, and Buyouts, co-authored with Martin Ginsberg, remains one of the "seminal works in this area". Falk represented Molson Coors Brewing Company in its US$6.6 billion US joint venture with SABMiller and comes recommended as a "phenomenal deal lawyer". Robert Wall at Winston & Strawn LLP is "held in the highest regard" by our sources with his work on behalf of investment banks noted on more than one occasion. Herbert Wander at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is similarly well regarded, boasting a reputation as a "senior statesman" and "dean of the Chicago Bar". One source went on to note that "it is hard to think of anyone with a more in-depth understanding of the local corporate landscape".

LONDON

As highlighted previously, a number of Wall Street's leading firms have a strong foothold in the London market, while a number of Magic Circle firms also lead the way when it comes to deal flow. When one looks at the sheer weight of nominations, however, Slaughter and May once again comes out on top. The firm provides seven nominees this year, four of whom are new to the publication. The newcomers join regular feature Nigel Boardman who needs little introduction and was variously described as "absolutely first-class", "top of the pile" and "intellectually outstanding". Boardman emerges as one of the publication's most nominated individuals. Earlier this year he was part of the team advising BHP Billiton on the offers for Rio Tinto Limited and Rio Tinto plc. Sources hold Stephen Cooke "in the highest regard"; he currently heads the firm's M&A practice. Among other matters he is advising British Airways on its merger talks with Iberia. William Underhill also performed well with sources praising him as "one of the top guys at Slaughters". Earlier this year Underhill was part of a team advising Thomas Cook Group on the acquisition of hotels4U.com from Centurion Holiday Group. Christopher Saul became senior partner in May 2008 and enjoys an excellent reputation among peers and clients alike. Recent highlights include advising Akzo Nobel in relation to the prospective acquisition of ICI. With three further high-quality nominees (Frances Murphy, Charles Randell and Glen James), Slaughter and May retains its reputation as one of the leading players in the City.

Charles Martin enjoys an excellent reputation for M&A work. He is part of a three-strong contingent from Macfarlanes LLP on the following pages. Martin boasts an "excellent private equity pedigree" and is the firm's relationship partner for clients including Goldman Sachs, Lazard and Candover. Martin was elected senior partner earlier this year and among other matters worked on Hilton Hotel corporation's £3.6 billion acquisition of Hilton International. Lewis took over the senior partner role from Robert Sutton, who remains one of the leading names in the market, particularly when it comes to acting for investment banks and corporates. Tim Lewis is a new entry this year and comes recommended by some of the industry's most senior names. Recent highlights include leading the team advising Pernod Ricard on its acquisition of state-owned Vin & Sprit from Sweden.

Herbert Smith LLP once again puts in a strong performance with both James Palmer and Anthony Macaulay consistently recommended. Palmer was praised by sources as "an outstanding lawyer who does a lot for the profession", in reference to his leadership role within the Law Society and City Law Society joint working party on takeovers. At the end of 2007 he led a team advising Resolution plc on Pearl's recommended £5 billion cash offer. Charlie Geffen heads the private equity and buyouts practice at Ashurst LLP and was variously described as "outstanding" and "first-rate". Earlier this year Geffen led a team advising General Atlantic on the sale of its 11.8 per cent shareholding in Northgate Information Solutions to NIS Acquisitions. Adrian Clark heads the firm's corporate department and comes recommended for his knowledge of public company takeover bids, having been secretary to the takeover panel from 1988 to 1990. Clark led a team from the firm advising NM Rothschild as financial adviser to ECI Partners on its £60 million acquisition of Premier Research Group, a clinical trials business. Allen & Overy LLP completes our breakdown of the London market, with of its partners highly rated in this section. Mark Wippell is a new entry this year, joining the "outstanding" Alan Paul on the following pages. Wippell is said to be particularly strong when advising US companies on transactions, and highlights include advising Tyco on its US$65 billion spin-off - the largest of 2007. Paul has advised on more than 120 UK public takeovers and is "vastly experienced" and a "safe pair of hands". He recently led a team advising on Heineken and Carlsberg's recommended cash offer for Scottish & Newcastle. Wim Dejonghe recently relocated to London following his appointment as worldwide managing partner. The firm's expertise in the field is not limited to London, with further listings in Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates. Dirk Meeus in Brussels, Johan Dirk Kleyn in Amsterdam and Hans Rolf Koerfer in Düsseldorf are particularly noteworthy.

CANADA

The Canadian market also remains well served by some of the industry's leading firms. Clay Horner at Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP maintains his position at the head of the research with one source noting, "he is the guy we always call". Seen by many to be "the best in Canada", Horner co-chairs the firm and over the past few years has worked on major transactions such as Seagram/Vivendi, Imasco/BAT and Newbridge/Alcatel. Fellow co-chair Brian Levitt in Montreal joins Horner on the following pages. Stikeman Elliott LLP boasts a contingent of three in the publication, led in the voting by William Braithwaite, who competitors noted is "clearly at the very top level" and "unquestionably a leading figure in Canadian M&A". Braithwaite is a former head of the Toronto office's corporate group and is joined in the chapter by John Leopold and Sidney Horn. Leopold, co-chair of the firm's mergers and acquisitions group, is a new entry this year and "uniformly well regarded", according to sources. Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP has two entries in this year's publication, thanks to the strong showing of new inclusion Brock Gibson in Calgary. Gibson will become firm chairman on 1 January 2009, the first time the role has been filled by a partner outside of Toronto. David Jackson once again emerges as one of Canada's leading lights, praised by one rival as "vastly experienced". Alan Bell at Bennett Jones LLP is considered "one of the top in the country" and among other matters represented SSAB corporation in connection with its US$9.1 billion acquisition of Ipsco. Martin Lambert in Calgary is another key figure, and over the years he has worked for clients such as Pengrowth Energy Trust, Anderson Exploration Limited, Canadian Airlines and Burlington Resources. Jonathan Lampe practises at the Toronto office of Goodmans LLP and is reported to be "very talented". Once source remarked, "if I could give Jonathan two votes, I would," and he counts Newmont Mining, 3M, Four Seasons Hotels and Madison Dearborn Partners among his clients. His partner Stephen Halperin comes recommended as "unquestionably first-rate" with highlights including leading the Goodman's team that represented the special committee of the board of directors of ZENON Environmental in its US$800 million acquisition by General Electric. No analysis of the Canadian M&A scene would be complete without mention of Garth Girvan at "leading firm" McCarthy Tétrault LLP. Girvan currently serves as senior partner in the firm's Toronto office. Among other high-profile matters he acted for Cascade Investment LLC in connection with its proposed buy-out of Four Seasons for US$3.7 billion.

FRANCE

The French market for legal services is certainly not short on talent, in both local and international spheres. Two local firms stand out for the strength and breadth of their practices. Bredin Prat has unparalleled six partners in the section. Elena Baxter and Patrick Dziewolski are new entries this year, while Olivier Assant, Didier Martin, Jean-François Prat and Sébastien Prat once again put in excellent performances. Jean-François comes recommended as "a leading light of the Bar" and he consequently emerges as the country's most nominated individual. The "splendid" Didier Martin is similarly well thought of with sources labelling him "one of the best in the world" and "outstanding in every respect". Oliver Diaz is another leading figure in the market and is joined on the following pages by two further partners from Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier - Jean-Michel Darrois and Alain Maillot.

BELGIUM AND THE NETHERLANDS

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek leads our Dutch research with four of its lawyers on our list. Jaap Winter is well-known in the market, sources note his skill particularly for corporate governance advice. Bernard Roelvink is a new addition this year. Highlights include acting as part of the team advising the consortium of Fortis, Banco Santander and the Royal Bank of Scotland on its takeover of ABN AMRO. The "excellent" Arne Grimme and Sjoerd Eisma also feature prominently. NautaDutilh is another stalwart of the Dutch market with three highly rated individuals on the following pages. Erik Hammerstein is a new entry this year, with one source praising him as "the best in the country". High-profile matters include advising Air France in its public bid for KLM. "Stand-out practitioner" Hein Hooghoudt has worked on many significant deals over the past few years. Willem Calkoen remains well known in the market and has acted for clients such as AT&T, General Electric and 3I.

Stibbe is represented in both the Netherlands and Belgium research, with Fons Leijten and Heleen Kersten in Amsterdam appearing in the publication for the first time this year. Both come recommended as "definitely top-tier" and are joined on the following pages by Jan Peeters in Brussels.Loyens & Loeff has two entries in the Belgium section - Peter Callens and Roel Nieuwdorp. Callens is managing partner of the firm in Brussels and is increasingly known for his work on arbitrations. Nieuwdorp is rated as "one of the deans of the Belgium Bar" with more than 30 years' experience in the sector.

GERMANY AND AUSTRIA

Maximilian Schiessl once again tops the Germany research, as does his firm Hengeler Mueller. Schiessl emerges as one of the publication's most nominated individuals and was part of the team advising Swiss Life on the AWD takeover. Michael Hoffmann-Becking, Oleg de Lousanoff and Hans-Jörg Ziegenhain complete what is the leading quartet in the German market. Gleiss Lutz has three partners listed in the chapter. Christian Cascante is a new entry this year and recently led the team advising Sun Microsystems on its acquisition of Innotek. Gerhard Wirth also comes highly recommended and worked alongside Cascante advising Merck KGaA on the attempted public takeover of Schering. Gerhard Wegen is extremely well thought of and worked as part of a team (alongside Bredin Prat) advising Crédit Mutuel on the acquisition of the total retail banking business of Citigroup in Germany. Reinhard Pöllath and Matthias Bruse of P+P Pöllath + Partners were also consistently recommended to researchers.

According to our findings, Christian Herbst at Schönherr Rechtsanwälte GmbH is Austria's leading M&A practitioner with nominations from leading figures on both sides of the Atlantic. Binder Grösswang Rechtsanwälte leads the local research in terms of numbers, with both Michael Kutschera and Florian Khol featuring. Khol is a new entry this year; outside the M&A arena he recently advised JP Morgan and Merrill Lynch on the capital increase of Vienna Insurance Group. Christian Dorda at Dorda Brugger Jordis is another high-flyer. Lawyers from the firm recently advised the Japanese producer and distributor of alcoholic and soft drinks, Suntory, on the acquisition of an interest in Austrian company Mozart Distilleries.

SPAIN

Juan Miguel Goenechea at Uría Menéndez emerges as the most nominated practitioner in Spain. "The biggest player in the market", Goenechea was recently part of a team advising Caixa Galicia on the sale and leaseback of 41 properties for approximately €270 million. Salvador Sánchez-Terán is another top-tier practitioner from the firm. His high-profile clients include savings bank Caixa Sabadell. Mario Fernández and Christian Hoedl in Bilbao and Madrid respectively also put in strong performances. The firm Pérez-Llorca also has multiple entries in the chapter with, both Pedro Pérez-Llorca and Vicente Conde Viñuelas featuring prominently in our findings. Pérez-Llorca is known for his corporate and dispute resolution skills. Viñuelas's M&A practice was noted, as was his expertise relating to capital markets transactions. Fernando de las Cuevas Castresana from Gómez-Acebo & Pombo Abogados was highly nominated, and is another of the country's most prominent players. Fernando Vives at Garrigues also comes recommended as "an excellent lawyer who is involved in many of the top deals", such as the US$9 billion acquisition of Compass Bancshare by Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria.

ITALY

Justifiably held to be "the best firm in this area" Bonelli Erede Pappalardo Studio Legale tops the Italian list with three lawyers in the following pages. Founding partner Sergio Erede received the highest number of nominations in the country. He is joined by fellow founder Franco Bonelli and the "excellent" Umberto Nicodano. The firm's lengthy deal list includes Olivetti's takeover of Telecom Italia, Pirelli's takeover of UNIM, the privatisation of Autogrill and BNP Paribas's takeover of Banca Nazionale del Lavoro. Also "among the best in the area" is Francesco Gianni of Gianni Origoni Grippo & Partners, who advises investment banks and numerous international corporations on takeovers, acquisition financings and IPOs. The "very skilled" Roberto Casati of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton's Milan office also features prominently here, with recent deals including the €9 billion merger of AEM with ASM Brescia, and ABN AMRO in its €8.2 billion tender offer for shares of Banca Antonveneta. Michele Carpinelli of Chiomenti Studio Legale was described as an "outstanding and approachable lawyer" with "great corporate acumen".

IRELAND

Paul Carroll, who was reappointed for a third consecutive term as managing partner of A&L Goodbody last year, confirms his reputation as "one of the best in Ireland" by placing top in our research for the country. Carroll has advised Eircom through numerous transactions including its €420 million acquisition of Meteor Mobile Communications, its €1.3 billion flotation in 2004, and most recently its takeover by BCM Ireland Holdings. Also representing the firm are Michael Greene, chair-elect of the World Services Group and former chairman and head of the firm's corporate department, and the "wonderful" Eithne Fitzgerald whose clients include Britvic, Bupa and Standard Life. Another "big name" in Ireland is Colm Duggan, head of Arthur Cox's corporate department, who recently advised BT on its successful €2.5 billion bid for East Telecom Group. Ciarán Bolger's recent work encompasses Airtricity's €1.8 billion sale to Scottish and Southern Energy and NTL Group on the €325 million sale of NTL Ireland to Morgan Stanley. A "strong player" at Mason Hayes+Curran, Paul Egan is chairman of the firm's corporate department and received a large portion of the vote for his various public-to-private transactions on behalf of quoted companies leaving the Irish stock exchange.

SCANDINAVIA

Roschier, Attorneys Ltd tops our research in Finland. Tomas Lindholm is the most frequently nominated lawyer in country, praised consistently for his "high-grade work". Accompanying him are Lennart Simonsen and Ulf-Henrik Kull, both boasting "great reputations" and placing highly in our research. Roschier's Stockholm office also features in this edition: the "extraordinary" Axel Calissendorff is the most highly nominated Swedish practitioner in our research. Described as "a great firm to work with" by one source, Vinge also performed well in Sweden. Hans Wibom recently advised on the sale of Scania. Carl Gustaf De Geer represented Sweden on the sale of Vin & Sprit. In Norway Erik Thyness of Wiersholm Mellbye & Bech Advokatfirma AS is described as "a very fine lawyer". At Bugge Arentz-Hansen & Rasmussen Svein Gerhard Simonnæs and Øyvind Eriksen are both considered "top-flight" for their corporate work and place the firm in a dominant position within the Norwegian M&A market. In Denmark Klaus Søgaard of Gorrissen Federspiel Kierkegaard is considered "the best" by respondents, a claim that is substantiated by his leading position in our research for this country.

ASIA

"In India it's all about Cyril Shroff", according to one source, and our research confirms this, with Shroff securing the highest number of votes in the country. He is joined by fellow Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co attorney Shardul Shroff, who is also praised as "high-end" by respondents. This performance is equalled by AZB & Partners, one of the country's largest firms, which also places two professionals in the following pages - founding partner Zia Mody and the "well thought of" Ajay Bahl. J Sagar Associates is also well recognised with the "experienced and strong" Jyoti Sagar and the equally "highly regarded" Mohit Saraf enjoying leading reputations.

Singapore firm Allen and Gledhill asserts its authority in the following pages with two partners listed. Its managing partner, the "excellent" Lucien Wong, comes top of our research, while "finance expert" Teong Sit Lim also places highly. Lee Suet Fern of the Stamford Law Association is also highly nominated, with recent engagements including Temasek Holdings' acquisition of a 4.55 per cent stake in China Minsheng Banking Corp and the merger of Comfort Group and Delgro Corporation.

In Japan two partners from Mori Hamada & Matsumoto are nominated, with "elder statesman" Harumichi Uchida emerging as the most highly regarded practitioner in the country. He is joined by the "excellent" Gaku Ishiwata. Shuji Yanase and Kenichi Fujinawa of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu are both considered to be "outstanding corporate attorneys". Anderson Mori & Tomotsune also fields two individuals in these pages: "first choice for corporate work" Akira Kawamura and the "great" Osamu Hirakawa.

SOUTH AFRICA

Considered by at least one source as "the leading firm in South Africa", Bowman Gilfillan places an unequalled three nominees in that section, with Jonathan Schlosberg, chairman and former head of the firm's corporate department, coming top in our research for the country. Schlosberg led the team advising Standard Bank on the acquisition of a 20 per cent interest in the bank by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the largest indirect foreign investment in South African history. Accompanying him are Carl Stein, former in-house counsel for Telkom SA, and current head of the corporate group Ezra Davids, who recently handled the US$5 billion acquisition of Investcom by MTN Group. Webber Wentzel also stands out, with two partners listed. John Bellew represented Bain Capital in its acquisition of Edcon, the largest public-to-private transaction yet in South Africa, and he is joined by Christo Els, deputy head of the firm's corporate services department, who counts Cullinan Holdings, Opalton Investments and Barclays Bank among recent clients. Also considered "a leader" in the region is Cliffe Dekker chairman Chris Ewing, whose recent high-profile engagements include advising Business Connexion on the acquisition of its entire issued share capital by Telkom and advising Tusk Casino and Hotel Group on the acquisition by Peermont Global of a controlling interest. Mervyn Taback, one of the founding members of Taback & Associates, comes recommended as "an excellent lawyer". The "superb" Michael Katz, chairman of Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc, also features prominently in our findings.

AUSTRALIA

Two firms dominate the field in the Australia research: Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Allens Arthur Robinson, both have four attorneys listed in this edition. At the top of the Australian list, David Friedlander of Mallesons comes "highly recommended" for his work in this sector, with a practice that encompasses the entire Asia-Pacific region. Co-head of the firm's national mergers and acquisitions group Stephen Minns brings his international merchant banking experience to the table, counting AXA Asia Pacific, Orica and Burswood Limited among his recent clients. The "well-respected" Tim Bednall and "great" Greg Golding add to the firm's excellent representation on the following pages. Jon Webster is co-head of Allens Arthur Robinson's M&A and private equity practice and has advised National Australia Bank and Mobil among many others. Ewen Crouch led the teams advising on the two largest transactions in Australian corporate history: Wesfarmers on its acquisition of the Coles Group and CEMEX on its takeover of the Rinker Group Limited. Guy Alexander and Richard Kriedemann complete the firm's strong showing in this book. The "very experienced" John Atanaskovic, founding partner of Atanaskovic Hartnell, is considered "a real star" in this discipline, with a portfolio of clients including Westfield Trust, Transurban Group and Chase Manhattan Bank. Rodney Halstead, head of Clayton Utz's national M&A practice group, also fared well in our research.

LATIN AMERICA

Marval O'Farrell & Mairal confirms its reputation as a "giant of Argentine law" with Héctor Mairal, undoubtedly "the number-one lawyer in Argentina", coming out on top of our research there once again. Mairal's recent deals include a 20 per cent divestment of YPF worth US$2 billion, as well as managing projects in the shipping, agribusiness and transport sectors. The "very reputable" Alfredo O'Farrell joins him in the publication.

Our research confirms Alexandre Bertoldi as the "top guy" in Brazil. His fellow partner at Pinheiro Neto Advogados, Fernando Alves Meira, features alongside him, and was mentioned for his recent transactions involving foreign investment in Brazil's burgeoning biofuels market. An impressive three attorneys appear from the "very professional and pro-active" Demarest e Almeida Advogados. Altamiro Boscoli comes highly praised by respondents for the "availability, speed and quality" of his services, while the "young and adept" Paulo Frank Coelho da Rocha, and the "well-liked" Rogério Cruz Themudo Lessa also earn recognition as leaders in the field.

With clients including Robicon, Moeller Electrical, Interco and Transbank, Eyzaguirre & Compañía has one of the most impressive corporate portfolios in Chile. Cristián Eyzaguirre was described as "one of the leaders" in the local corporate market, proving this by placing highly in our research. Respondents also praised the "professionalism, expertise, business acumen and customer centricity" inherent in Carey & Cia's corporate practice, and Jaime Carey received the most nominations of any lawyer in the country.

In Mexico the "terrific" Galicia y Robles SC fared well in our research, with Rafael Robles Miaja receiving the most votes in the country. Fellow founder Manuel Galicia is also held as "top-notch" by respondents to our survey. Daniel Del Rio "plays a leading role" in Basham Ringe y Correa SC's corporate group, with recent transactions focusing on the local steel and real estate industries. The "excellent" Thomas Heather from White & Case LLP is another prominent name in our research, recognised for his work as one of the founders and past chair of the Mexican Mediation Institute.

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