Leading M&A Experience

Sullivan & Cromwell consistently ranks at the top of the law firm league tables for M&A transactions as a result of our deep background of experience across industries, geography and transaction types. Our record of success includes representing a principal in seven of the top ten announced M&A transactions worldwide from 2005 to 2009 and leading the league tables with high-profile cross-border and domestic transactions outside the United States.

S&C always seeks to understand our clients’ unique business needs and tailor our legal advice to the requirements of each specific engagement. Through this approach, S&C has remained the leading law firm for global M&A over the last five years, advising principals in more than $1.5 trillion in total transaction value from 2005 to 2009. S&C is proud to represent a broad range of clients in significant M&A transactions in many different industries, including financial services, healthcare, technology and consumer goods, among many others. As our clients faced the challenge of tightened credit markets in 2008-2009, the Firm successfully created innovative ways of financing transactions and was counsel in many of the largest deals of 2008-2009.

Perennial Leader in M&A

• Sullivan & Cromwell has maintained its leading position in global M&A over the last five years. From 2005 through 2009, S&C ranks first (by aggregate deal value) among all law firms for representation of principals in announced transactions worldwide, according to Bloomberg.

2008-2009 Achievements

• In the last two years, among many other accolades, three of our partners were recognized as “Dealmakers of the Year” by The American Lawyer and six were recognized as “Dealmakers of the Week” by The Am Law Daily – more than any other firm.
• In June 2009, for the second consecutive year, Sullivan & Cromwell was named “Corporate/M&A Team of the Year” at the Chambers USA Awards for Excellence.
• In March 2009, International Financial Law Review (IFLR) selected Barclays’ acquisition of Lehman’s North American investment banking and capital markets operations as “M&A Deal of the Year” at the IFLR Americas Awards. S&C represented Barclays in this transaction, one of numerous headline M&A transactions in which the Firm acted on behalf of financial institutions in connection with the global credit crisis.

Leading Advisory Roles in Global Credit Crisis

• At the vanguard of critical issues and developments affecting financial institutions, S&C has remained the chosen firm of leading global financial institutions seeking non-traditional investments, sales and restructuring arrangements in connection with the global credit crisis.
• Selected representations include: Barclays in its acquisition of Lehman Brothers’ North American investment banking and capital markets operations; J.C. Flowers in its investment in IndyMac; JPMorgan Chase in its acquisition of Washington Mutual; National City in its sale to PNC; and Wachovia in its merger with Wells Fargo.