Cleary Gottlieb has attained excellent results in the 2011 edition of Chambers UK, with praise from clients and peers including: “The degree of client-partner attention is unrivaled among the larger firms.”
The guide has introduced two new sets of rankings this year, for firms that excel in commercial awareness and client service. Cleary Gottlieb received recognition for commercial awareness and client service in capital markets: debt and equity, and for commercial awareness in private equity.
The following Cleary Gottlieb practices are recognized for being among the best in the UK based on Chambers and Partners’ interviews with firm clients and competitors, with some selected quotes:
Banking and Finance: Sponsors: “This compact team is highly respected for its representation of private equity firms in high-value, multi-jurisdictional acquisition finance transactions.”
Capital Markets: Debt and Equity: “Cleary’s London debt capital markets team continues to attract work from many of the firm’s long-standing clients as well as from several new clients. ... On the equity side, Cleary has a stellar reputation for its emerging markets capabilities, especially in Russia and Eastern Europe.”
Client Service: “The degree of client-partner attention is unrivaled among the larger firms.”
Commercial Awareness: “They know the markets as well as we do.”
Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability: “The long-established London office of Cleary Gottlieb houses ‘extremely skilled corporate partners.’ Sources praise the firm for its ‘well-configured business structure that understands what it means to be international.’ The four-partner team is seen to be particularly strong with regard to mineral resources and financial institutions.”
Private Equity: Buyouts: “This firm’s key asset is its commerciality and ability to deliver innovative solutions. With lawyers based in the UK, USA, Europe and Asia, it is also able to provide an integrated international service. Sources say: ‘They are good at dealing with things that are a little out of the ordinary and require people to think outside the box.’”
Commercial Awareness: “They are able to apply the law to our specific situation and tell us what to do.”