Cleary Gottlieb Wins Award for Excellence in Real Estate and Continues to Receive Outstanding Recognition in Chambers USA 2014

Cleary Gottlieb and its lawyers continue to be recognized as among the best in the United States, as well as in New York and Washington, D.C. The rankings organization included 33 practices and 73 lawyers, many in more than one area of expertise, in the latest edition of Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2014 guide.

In addition, Cleary Gottlieb’s Real Estate practice received a Chambers USA Award for Excellence, a prestigious honor that shines a spotlight on the firms and individuals who have “excelled above all others in the U.S. legal market over the period 2013-14.” Chambers noted that Cleary Gottlieb has had “an excellent year advising on high-value and complex real estate financings including loan originations, restructurings and securitizations. It has frequently represented Goldman Sachs on financing matters, including the recent origination of a loan with an aggregate value of $555 million to General Growth Properties secured by a portfolio of shopping centers located in Kentucky, Minnesota and Florida.”

The following Cleary Gottlieb practices are recognized for being among the best in the United States, based on Chambers’ interviews of the firm’s clients as well as lawyers at other firms:

Antitrust (National) – “An antitrust titan at the nationwide level, able to undertake matters in all corners of the US from its nerve center in Washington, DC. Possesses experienced and savvy practitioners of the highest order. Maintains a fine reputation in litigation and transactional work and an excellent track record in matters before government agencies.” ‘A wonderful law firm with a stellar antitrust practice.’

Antitrust: Cartel (National) – ‘They build great networks with clients, are very smart and hard-working and do it in a way that inspires trust and confidence.’

Antitrust (D.C.) – “Strong presence in antitrust matters, with exceptional bench strength at all levels. Handles a broad variety of litigation and transactional work and is regularly seen in matters before government agencies.” ‘The quality of the work product is exceptional - clarity and succinctness.’ ‘Cleary is the pre-eminent firm in Washington.’

Banking & Finance (National) – “Particularly recognized for its skill representing borrowers, it is frequently chosen to act on behalf of prominent corporates and private equity groups. Offers capability across a range of financing transactions including projects and acquisitions with notable strength in representing clients on leveraged finance transactions.” ‘They’re very responsive, smart and are able to resolve issues quickly. They try to find good solutions for us and bring their own ideas to the table.’ ‘A tremendous firm with a deep bench of talent that knows how to service its clients.’

Bankruptcy/Restructuring (National) – “Significant work on behalf of debtors and individual creditors in the domestic market, along with recognized expertise pertaining to Latin America. Provides significant value to clients involved in cross-border bankruptcy cases filed in the USA. Recent industry expertise includes shipping, media and telecommunications.” ‘The firm’s reputation is great and they have good individual practitioners.’ ‘It goes without saying that they are very good, especially where they are involved with financial institutions.’

Bankruptcy/Restructuring (N.Y.) – “Major representations for debtors, creditors, bondholders and hedge funds in national and international restructuring matters. Experienced in using prepackaged reorganization plans in Chapter 11 cases. Also has extensive experience working in international bankruptcy proceedings.” ‘They are very good and work with a lot of financial institutions. They are right on the mark.’ ‘They have a lot of international experience - that’s their thing.’

Capital Markets: Debt and Equity (National) – “Represents issuers and underwriters in market-leading transactions. Superb reputation for advising clients on high-value transactions with a Latin American component.” ‘They highlight the important issues but they are also troubleshooters.’

Capital Markets: Derivatives & Structured Products (National) – “A popular choice for major financial institutions and other market participants when it comes to sophisticated transactional work. An established market leader in regulatory and enforcement advice, with considerable insight into the developing implications of the Dodd-Frank Act through its influence and involvement in trade groups and industry associations.” ‘Cleary has an excellent understanding of the issues clients face in this space, in terms of both the demands of various regulatory requirements and the interplay between commodities, securities and bankruptcy law.’

Capital Markets: Securitization (National) – “Wins plaudits from market participants for its representation of issuers and underwriters on CLO transactions. Good profile for its expertise on a range of securitization transactions.” ‘We like their willingness to be available and to find solutions to issues.’ ‘They are very responsive and very knowledgeable.’

Corporate/M&A: The Elite (National) – “An established name in the national market, known for high-quality transactional advice on both domestic and cross-border matters.” ‘I was truly impressed by Cleary; their level of service, knowledge and demeanor.’ ‘My experience with Cleary has been that they are very solid and very good practitioners.’

Corporate/M&A: The Elite (N.Y.) – “Longstanding reputation in the New York market. Frequently called upon for complex and cross-border M&A matters.” ‘They were available 29 hours a day. They handled the transaction so well, smoothed things over and made my life a lot easier.’

Corporate/M&A & Private Equity (D.C.) – “International firm with an active transactional and advisory practice. Particularly known for representing financial institutions and provides major clients with cohesive service between New York and DC.“ ‘The quality of the work is always top-notch, and there is real good attention to detail on our projects.’

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (National) – “Considered a go-to for multinational corporate clients. Offers strategic counsel in matters concerning senior management compensation and has particular experience in the investment banking sector, as well as providing extensive coverage in ERISA compliance.” ‘They are very strong in the executive compensation and transactional space.’

Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation (N.Y.) – “Excels in executive compensation and corporate governance. Also advises on ERISA fiduciary matters and complex benefits issues arising in connection with M&A. Counsels a diverse range of domestic and multinational companies, including many Fortune 500s.” ‘They have just great technical knowledge and provide good advice.’ ‘Cleary is always phenomenal.’

Energy: Metals & Mining (Transactional) (National) – “Well-regarded practice acting for clients in the global mining sector. Noted for its depth of experience in the sector and regularly acts for mining clients in large M&A transactions, financings and securities matters.” ‘Apart from the knowledge and experience they have, what caught our attention was the very good accessibility of the more senior lawyers. We were always in contact with the whole team - they were involved throughout, which is very valuable to us.’ ‘They have a deep, deep experience in domestic and global mining transaction work; they know what they are doing and they have experience to fall back on.’

Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Compliance), Financial Services Regulation: Banking (Enforcement & Investigations), Financial Services Regulation: Broker Dealer (Compliance & Enforcement), and Financial Services Regulation: Financial Institutions M&A (National) – “Enduring excellence in the financial services arena, with outstanding consistency across a broad range of areas. Market-leading practice advising systemically important financial institutions on the full range of compliance requirements that continue to emanate from Dodd-Frank and the Volcker Rule.” ‘We think they are a leader in this area, and definitely one of the best, if not the best. They have really brilliant lawyers and the caliber of work is outstanding. They’re highly regarded by the regulators, who value their analysis and opinion, which makes it important to us because we understand that if we have a question, we have the regulator’s ear.’ ‘They’re one of our go-to, bet-the-firm type law firms.’

International Arbitration (National) – “Strong and experienced group, handling a range of disputes throughout the world. Maintains a well-established reputation in both the Eastern European and Latin American markets.” ‘They have accumulated a huge amount of experience in the arbitration field.’ ‘Whoever you work with, they all maintain the same level of expertise in all fields and you do not get variations. It is really amazing, and quite unique.’

Investment Funds: Private Equity: Fund Formation (National) – “Renowned for its global reach and well placed for fund formations with an international element. Transatlantic footprint makes the team a go-to for advice on AIFMD.” ‘They have great expertise across the board and the lawyers are smart, thoughtful and very commercial.’ ‘They provide great advice in relation to emerging markets and the advice tends to be practical rather than academic.’

Latin American Investment (N.Y.) – “Dominant market position across a range of transactional work throughout the region.” ‘Cleary Gottlieb is in a category of its own, it has been in Latin America for many years. I feel very comfortable working with all of their lawyers.’ ‘They are at the forefront of the market in Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil; they’re the only firm who can claim to be a top contender in each country.’ ‘They are consistently good; every single lawyer that we come across has been committed to the work, and they give an opinion because they have thought it out and it holds and stands the test of time.’

Litigation: General Commercial: The Elite (N.Y.), Litigation: Securities (N.Y.) and Litigation: White-Collar Crime & Government Investigations (N.Y.) – “Commended for its leading ability to handle high-value complex litigation for an impressive roster of clients.” ‘They are very smart, have a wealth of experience in these areas and do a good job drawing upon past experience to be able to anticipate six steps ahead in the cases they’re handling. In terms of client service they are the best - they are responsive, get back to me immediately and make me feel I am their only client.’

Private Equity: Buyouts (National) – “Advises major sponsors and their portfolio companies on transactions across a range of business sectors.” ‘They handle a lot of large transactions and bring high-quality partners to bear, which is indicative of their culture.’

Projects: PPP (National) – “Active PPP practice representing bidders in infrastructure projects in North and Latin America. Experience on projects such as ports, airports and roads.”

Real Estate (National) – “Recognized quality representation of clients in finance, capital markets and securitization transactions. Enjoys a good reputation for its work in matters relating to complex bankruptcy and distressed real estate.” ‘The firm is exceptional in terms of service to the client; they are extremely responsive to our needs and deliver world class service.’

Real Estate: Mainly Corporate & Finance (N.Y.) – “Outstanding reputation for its expertise in advising clients on the full range of commercial real estate finance transactions.” ‘They are task-focused, businesslike and responsive to clients.’

Securities: Litigation, Securities: Regulation: Advisory, Securities: Regulation: Enforcement (National) – “A blue-chip firm in the securities space, most notably with respect to regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. An impressive bench comprising a number of SEC alumni is routinely engaged in the most cutting-edge matters on behalf of some of the world’s most recognizable multinationals and financial institutions.” ‘Their litigators have been great. These guys understand the deals - that’s where the rubber hits the road. You don’t have to get them familiar with the transactions - they get the nuts and bolts of practical issues.’

Tax: Corporate & Finance (National) – “Has the ability and resources to undertake the full range of corporate tax work, often working on matters with cross border elements.” ‘Very knowledgeable, very practical and always anticipating what might be coming next in a very complex situation.’

Tax (N.Y.) – “Offers high-quality advice on a broad range of transactions and controversies. Demonstrates particular expertise in the tax aspects of restructurings, capital markets and private equity funds on behalf of a series of prominent financial institutions.” ‘They are very knowledgeable and very practical. They always think one step ahead and anticipate what might be coming next in a very complex situation. The partners are very engaged.’