McDermott Will & Emery is ranked among the leading transactional law firms in a first-of-kind report, Law Firm Leaders and Contenders in the Corporate Transactions Market, just released by BTI Consulting.  McDermott, an international law firm with more than 1,100 lawyers, ranked among the top nine firms overall and was identified as a "major player" among transactional law firms for both domestic and cross-border transactions.

From its global platform, McDermott offers a broad array of transactional services through globally integrated teams with experience in M&A, tax, labor/benefits, intellectual property, regulatory matters and disputes.  The study mentioned McDermott as among an "elite group of law firms [that] shine in international transactions."  According to BTI, McDermott is identified by clients as a "top hiring choice" for international transactions.

"Whether a transaction is large or small, domestic or international, it requires a breadth of skills and experience to manage efficiently and close successfully," stated Harvey Freishtat, Firm Chairman.  "Companies are increasingly looking for teams that understand the client's business goals and execute flawlessly.  I am particularly pleased with our recognition in Europe as well as the United States."

Timothy Alvino, co-head of the Firm’s Corporate Department added:  "McDermott is particularly well suited to meet a company’s transactional needs, because we have premier practice groups in such areas as corporate, finance, benefits, intellectual property, antitrust and tax.  These groups function as integrated deal teams across our platform and link with sector-based teams across a broad range of industries.  This combination of strong subspecialty skill and in-depth industry knowledge provides clients superior levels of competence, practical business sense and service."

"We have an international platform that has the resources, talent and geographic reach to service multinational and other corporations and financial institutions who operate in the key global economic centers," added David Dalgarno, head of the Firm's London office.  "With a proven track record for project management, we have experience in a wide variety of sectors encompassing traditional 'old' economies and the new high tech economies worldwide."

McDermott completed nearly 100 M&A transactions in 2006 according to Mergerstat, an industry data provider.  The Firm's M&A practice is recognized worldwide, placing in the top 20 in several deal tables in 2006 and 2007 by Bloomberg (Global Legal M&A and Global Financial M&A), Thomson Financial (Worldwide Rankings for M&A/Legal Advisors and Americas Rankings for M&A/Legal Advisors) and Mergermarket  (Global M&A, North American M&A, Global Top Deals and North America Top Deals for YTD 2007).

During 2007, the Firm has completed nearly 85 M&A transactions, and was recognized for its involvement in the top ten U.S. deals announced by Thomson Financial through June 2007.  McDermott played a key role in three of the 10 largest deals, including the leveraged buyout of TXU and the spinoffs of Tyco Electronics and the Tyco Healthcare Group.

BTI conducted more than 150 independent interviews with corporate counsel responsible for transactions at large and Fortune 1000 companies.  BTI selected companies active in the deal markets with revenue in excess of $1 billion across 14 industries.  For more information visit www.bticonsulting.com.