Representing domestic and international clients from across the automotive, construction, and energy industries, A&O Shearman specialises in handling complex private placements, SEC registered offerings, and acquisition financing matters. The firm acts on behalf of both issuers and underwriters, regularly overseeing liability management transactions and leveraged finance proceedings, with Ilir Mujalovic spearheads the outfit from New York. Jeffrey Pellegrino assists private equity funds and financial institutions, Roberta Cherman concentrates on M&A and corporate governance issues, while Alejandro Gordano is also cited as an integral member.

Spearheaded by Jesse Brush in New York and John Clayton in Dallas, Akin has a strong track record in advising companies and investors on convertible debt offerings, IPOs, and liquidity management transactions. Specialising in debt restructurings and private placements, the practice is especially active in the oil and gas industries. Clayton concentrates on  follow-on and secondary offerings, high-yield debt offerings and PIPE financings, Garrett DeVries leads public offerings and private placements of debt and equity securities, and Houston’s John Goodgame is also highlighted as a key individual.

Displaying extensive expertise in senior notes offerings and upsized private placements, Baker Botts L.L.P. routinely acts on behalf of both issuers and underwriters within the finance, energy, and waste management fields. The team has experience in advising foreign investors in redemptions of Series A preferred stock shares, leveraging its solid multi-jurisdictional capabilities across North America and Europe. The division is headed by the trio of Samantha Hale Crispin, Josh Davidson, and Doug Getten, with the Dallas-based former being a capital markets specialist, while in Houston, Davidson and Getten frequently represent initial purchasers and dealer managers.

Overseeing multi-jurisdictional offerings relating to senior secured notes and Rule 144A, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton routinely acts on behalf of domestic and international issuers and underwriters. The practice is well equipped to handle cross-border inaugural green bond offerings and complex high-yield debt transactions, with the primary areas of focus being finance, aviation, and oil. The New York-based outfit is particularly active in South American and European markets, with Duane McLaughlin being highly experienced in representing investment grade and leverage borrowers. Adam Brenneman is an expert in liability management transactions, DIP financings, and insolvency proceedings, while Jorge Juantorena covers US securities law and regulations applicable to foreign issuers. The team is especially knowledgeable on the disclosure and covenant aspects of complex high-yield transactions.

Spearheaded by the New York-based duo of Gary Brooks and Jonathan Zonis, Clifford Chance oversees high-profile offerings of step-up senior secured notes and high-yield novel notes issuances. The team showcases extensive cross-border capabilities, primarily with Latin America, Africa, and Europe, frequently representing both issuers and underwriters. Brooks has vast insight into securities offerings, Zonis is well versed in public and private transactions in equity and debt offerings, while Trevor Lavelle mainly concentrates on IPOs. Andrew Epstein is a corporate finance expert, and both Hugo Triaca and Jason Ewart are also cited as key practice members.

With the New York-based trio of Craig Arcella, William Fogg, and Andrew Pitts leading the team, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is highly regarded for its representation of issuers and underwriters, constantly overseeing high-yield debt financings and covenant packages. The firm’s client roster includes investment banks, financial sponsors, and corporate issuers, with standout work coming from within the aerospace and healthcare industries. Arcella is knowledgeable in convertible bond offerings, Joseph Zavaglia is an expert in complex IPOs, and Douglas Dolan stands out for his work in equity financings and capital markets transactions. The whole team is New York-based, with Ryan Patrone and Kelly Smercina also being highlighted.

Being highly rated for its vast knowledge in both issuer and underwriter-side work, while leveraging extensive cross-border capabilities with the Asian and North American jurisdictions, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP remains as a strong entity in the market. The practice predominantly focuses on managing complex IPOs, private placements, and secondary offerings of common stock shares, with the outfit regularly demonstrating considerable skill in the tech and healthcare spheres. With all the lawyers New York-based, Maurice Blanco has experience in high-profile debt restructurings and equity offerings, Michael Kaplan is renowned for his high-yield debt issuance work, and John Meade concentrates on liability management transactions mainly. The global chair of the firm’s capital markets practice, Richard Truesdell, is well versed in corporate governance proceedings, and both Derek Dostal and Pedro Bermeo are highlighted as key, especially as they’re knowledgeable on all aspects of investment-grade offerings. Meanwhile, Marcel Fausten and Shane Tintle primarily focus on securities law and corporate transactions

Jointly spearheaded by Paul Rodel and Steven Slutzky in New York, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP stands out for its handling of IPOs, offerings of equity, debt, and structured securities, and capital restructuring transactions. The practice has vast insight into managing senior secured notes offerings and the financing aspects of acquisitions, with Rodel being a specialist in the healthcare, insurance, and tech spheres. Slutzky predominantly focuses on securities transactions and private placements, Matthew Kaplan is a corporate governance expert, while Morgan Hayes assists private equity firms and underwriters. The whole team is New York-based.

Specializing in complex private placements, spin-offs, and senior unsecured notes offerings, Dechert LLP has a strong track record of representing sovereign issuers and financial sponsors across domestic and international jurisdictions. The firm is especially active in the healthcare, finance, and manufacturing fields, with Boston-based Thomas Friedmann routinely acting on behalf of investment banks and asset managers. From Washington DC, Harry Pangas is knowledgeable in joint ventures, New York’s David Rosenthal is a venture capital expert, while in Philadelphia, Stephen Leitzell focuses on cross-border M&A.

Fielding a team of specialist lawyers in public and private offerings, often relating to senior first lien notes and Rule 144A debt proceedings, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is highly active in advising both issuers and underwriters. Leveraging extensive cross-border expertise- mainly with North American and European jurisdictions- the team handles the whole gamut of debt and equity capital markets transactions. Situated in New York, Andrew Fabens mainly concentrates on IPOs and derivative securities, Texas-based Hillary Holmes is an expert in the energy field, while Colorado’s Robyn Zolman is also cited as key. In New York, Doug Horowitz is a corporate governance specialist, and from Texas, Doug Rayburn is also highlighted as key.

Representing initial purchasers on offerings under Rule 144A and convertible senior notes, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP routinely handles multi-jurisdictional transactions across Canada and Central America. The team frequently manages capital markets transactions ranging from SEC-registered debt offerings of senior notes to Rule 144A. Courtney Cochran Butler, Peter O’Brien, and Robert Smith co-lead the outfit, while Houston-based James Davidson primarily focuses on securities market regulation. In New York, Michael Fitzpatrick specializes in subordinated and convertible debt, and Steven Friend is knowledgeable in the energy and utility industries.

Demonstrating substantial expertise in complex Rule 144A and Regulation S high-yield offerings, Jones Day draws upon the knowledge across its offices in the US, Europe, and Asia, when providing bespoke advice to domestic and international issuers. The team’s financial markets lawyers predominantly specialize in the aviation, automotive, and media fields, regularly concentrating on debt and equity transactions and follow-on offerings. Operating from New York, Brett Barragate and Jayant Tambe co-head the US offering, while Cleveland’s Michael Solecki is knowledgeable on securities law issues. From NY, Rory Hood stands out for his investment-grade insight, and in Atlanta, Joel May and Mark Hanson are also cited as integral members.

Predominantly specializing in the maritime, real estate, and financial services sectors, the Kirkland & Ellis LLP practice is well versed in all aspects of capital markets transactions, spanning from IPOs to high yield notes offerings. Additionally focusing on complex acquisition financings and SPAC transactions on behalf of both issuers and underwriters. Based in Los Angeles, Pippa Bond is an expert on leveraged buyouts and acquisitions, Chicago-based Bob Hayward is highly knowledgeable in corporate governance proceedings, and Sophia Hudson has expertise in convertible debt offerings from the New York office. In New York, Joshua Korff stands out for his acquisition finance work, while tender and exchange offer specialist Christian Nagler is also highlighted as a key contact. From Houston, Matthew Pacey has vast compliance insight, and Julian Seiguer regularly acts on behalf of portfolio companies and private equity funds. Located in Washington DC, Rachel Sheridan is praised for her liability management work, and Los Angeles’ Monica Shilling is cited as an integral team player.

Displaying vast cross-sector expertise across the aviation, finance, and communications fields, Latham & Watkins LLP is well versed in handling Senior Secured and Unsecured Notes offerings. The practice remains at the summit of multi-jurisdictional high-yield debt offerings, being equally active on both the issuer and underwriter sides. The firm’s client roster includes notable global financial institutions and investment banks, with the New York-based co-heads Ian Schuman and Stelios Saffos each specializing in complex IPOs, convertible notes offerings, and traditional loan and bond structures. Marc Jaffe predominantly acts for US and foreign companies, alongside venture capital funds, Corey Wright is a banking expert, and Keith Halverstam is highlighted for his corporate governance work. Senet Bischoff is a leading capital markets attorney, Erika Weinberg is a bridge lending specialist, and Andrew Baker is knowledgeable in leveraged buyout financings. All the lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Advising major energy corporations, financial institutions, and manufacturing companies, Mayer Brown International LLP has experience in managing all aspects of high-yield debt offerings and bridge-to-bond financings. Being active on both the issuer and underwriter sides, the firm routinely handles Rule 144A and senior secured notes offerings, often spanning across a multitude of jurisdictions. Based out of New York, Anna Pinedo leads the outfit, focusing primarily on equity-linked and debt securities, John Berkery is highly knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts and private placements, while Ryan Castillo assists investment banks and sponsors. Ana Estrada is also noted as a key individual.

Displaying vast knowledge across the insurance, energy, and pharma sectors, Milbank fields a team of lawyers specializing in high-value issuances of senior unsecured notes and complex asset-backed securitizations. The practice is well versed in advising both public and private companies on SEC compliance measures, high-yield debt offerings, and IPOs. Operating out of New York, Jonathon Jackson leads the outfit, being an expert in corporate governance and hybrid capital issues, Rod Miller predominantly represents issuers, underwriters, and investors, while Brett Nadritch is highly knowledgeable in investment grade and structured finance transactions.

Deploying a team with vast expertise in high-profile offerings of senior unsecured notes and complex debt issuances, Paul Hastings LLP represents a diverse array of private equity firms, portfolio companies, and premier investment banks. The practice’s cross-border knowledge is extensive, handling transactions across Latin America, Europe, and Asia, with a primary focus on the telecoms and healthcare spheres. In the New York-based outfit, Frank Lopez specializes in high-yield bonds, John Cobb predominantly concentrates on mezzanine financings and reorganizations, and Joshua Zelig is an expert in leveraged buyouts. Marc Lashbrook stands out for his work in the healthcare, industrials, and real estate sectors, and David Barash is also highlighted for his unitranche financing knowledge.

Continuously representing major private equity, investment, and asset management clients, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP regularly handles both private and public senior secured notes offerings, alongside assisting with securities law implications. The firm’s issuer-focused offering predominantly covers the telecoms, financial services, and leisure industries, covering the whole spectrum of IPOs, convertible, and follow-on offerings. Based out of New York, Brian Janson specializes in leveraged finance matters, Gregory Ezring concentrates on private equity offerings, John Kennedy is also highlighted for his representation of both issuers and underwriters.

Deploying specialist lawyers in Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP has extensive insight in representing both initial purchasers and underwriters from across the insurance, healthcare, and energy sectors. The team covers a broad spectrum of debt products offered in the capital markets, spanning from investment grade and high-yield debt to structured finance and mezzanine finance instruments. Operating out of Washington DC, Joshua Ford Bonnie co-leads the outfit, being an expert in IPOs and securities law matters, while in New York, the other practice heads Roxane Reardon and Kenneth Wallach each specialize in corporate finance transactions and complex restructurings. David Azarkh is knowledgeable on all aspects of leveraged buyouts, William Brentani mainly focuses on follow-on equity and preferred stock offerings from Palo Alto, and Mark Brod is renowned for advising clients on SEC matters. John Ericson is well versed in the consumer and hospitality industries, and Richard Fenyes is also cited as a key port of call. All lawyers are New York-based unless otherwise stated.

Primarily advising investment bank consortiums and international issuers, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is highly regarded for its vast expertise in Senior Secured Lien Notes offerings and inaugural high-yield issuances. Showcasing extensive experience in representing clients from across the mining, finance, and energy industries, the firm’s lawyers are knowledgeable in all aspects of global refinancing transactions and Rule 144A secured notes offerings. Operating out of New York, the duo of David Goldschmidt and Michael Zeidel spearhead the practice, with the former being an expert on international securities offerings, while the latter routinely assists issuers and underwriters on high-yield debt proceedings. Also in New York, Ryan Dzierniejko leads on high-profile mandates, ranging from venture capital financings to IPOs, Gregory Fernicola is knowledgeable on corporate governance and securities law matters, and Palo Alto-based Gregg Noel and Thomas Ivey stand out for their restructuring work. From Los Angeles, Michelle Gasaway concentrates on global financing issues, and New York’s Michael Hong is also noted as key.

Spearheaded by the Houston-based duo of Sarah Morgan and David Stone, Vinson & Elkins LLP has in-depth knowledge of representing issuers and underwriters in multi-jurisdictional high-yield debt and inaugural securities offerings. The practice is especially experienced in the energy, sustainable finance, and banking sectors, frequently overseeing upsized private placements and ancillary transactions. Splitting her time between Houston and Denver, Morgan specializes in complex IPOs and private placements of debt and equity securities, while Stone routinely advises oil and gas companies, midstream corporations, and oilfield service entities. The firm is regularly involved in the Caribbean, European, and North American markets, showcasing an extensive global outreach and a diverse international roster of clients.

Predominantly advising issuers and underwriters on all types of debt transactions- including acquisition financing, private placements, and investment grade debt- Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP has in-depth experience of representing financial institutions and tech corporations. The team is especially active in the healthcare, entertainment, and tech spheres, with the outfit demonstrating strong multi-jurisdictional capabilities with Europe and Canada. From New York, Alexander Lynch and Michael Hickey co-lead the practice, each specializing in handling IPOs and exchange offers. Merritt Johnson mainly focuses on leveraged buyouts and liability management transactions, Heather Emmel is an expert in mezzanine debt issues and securities offerings, while Ashley Butler stands out for her corporate governance matters.

With a strong track record of advising major financial institutions on issuances of senior secured term loans and multi-jurisdictional offerings, White & Case LLP has a network of offices across the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. The team specializes in assisting both issuers and underwriters on all elements of high-yield debt offerings, predominantly focusing upon the telecoms, financial services, and aviation fields. Operating out of New York, practice head Gary Kashar being an expert in public and private securities offerings and restructurings, while Jonathan Michels is highly knowledgeable in capital markets transactions and tender offers. Also in New York Rafael Roberti is well versed in structured debt financings and liability management proceedings, and Andrew Weisberg is very active in the energy, consumer products, and financial services spheres. Both Colin Diamond and Jim Fogarty left the department in 2024.

Handling a broad range of transactions including IPOs, investment grade, and Rule 144A offerings, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP is especially active in the healthcare, communications, and aerospace fields. The team predominantly assists foreign issuers in capital-raising transactions, with the New York-based co-heads Gregory Astrachan and Cristopher Greer specializing in private offerings of debt and equity-linked securities, alongside joint ventures. Edward Best acts for banks and insurance companies from both Chicago and New York, and John Ablan has insight into de-SPAC transactions. From New York, Anne Barrett stands out for her knowledge in securities law matters.