Founded by Herbert Wachtell, Martin Lipton, Leonard Rosen, and George Katz in 1965, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is known for its expertise in mergers and acquisitions. Its headquarters is in New York. It has a total of 217 lawyers who work for the various legal services offered by the firm. In the 1980s, Lipton created a buzz when he thwarted hostile takeovers by using the “poison pill defense.” This approach refers to a business or political strategy meant to amplify the chances of achieving negative results in any kind of takeover.

Considered one of the most renowned business law firms, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz ’s lawyers and employees are highly respected and extensively experienced. Aside from handling complicated mergers and acquisitions, the firm also expertly takes on cases involving Corporate Law, Litigation, Restructuring and Finance, Tax, Executive Compensation and Benefits, Antitrust, and Real Estate.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz handles intricate and high-stakes litigation matters. The firm offers legal advice to those involved in corporate cases like spin-offs, split-ups and financial transactions, as well as counseling on corporate governance. It also takes care of cases in bankruptcy litigation.

A large part of the firm’s cases deal with “bet the company” litigation and government dealings and investigations.

Wachtell’s highly individualized quality service has consistently ranked them on top of various surveys. In fact, AveryIndex recognized the firm as the #1 Most Prestigious Law Firm to Work For. AmLaw 100 Survey has also identified Wachtell as the most profitable law firm. Entry into the firm is a tough process and most of its applicants come from the country’s most prestigious law schools.

Business litigation is one of the areas Wachtell excels in. The firm’s litigation lawyers are highly skilled such that law school classes in several prestigious institutions now utilize a video showing one of Wachtell’s founding partners, Herb Wachtell, arguing cases in an actual courtroom.

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz has handled many notable cases including Home Depot’s sale of its HD Supply and CND Holdings units to Bain, Carlyle and Clayton Dubilier for $1.18 billion, and JPMorgan Chase’s purchase of Bear Stearns, which was worth a whopping $1.18 billion. World Trade Center owner Larry Silverstein, the National Basketball Association, Citigroup, and Mattel are some of the firm’s biggest clients.

The firm strongly supports pro bono work and extends community service through various philanthropic endeavors.

Daniel A. Neff is Wachtell’s managing partner. The firm’s total revenue is estimated at $474 million.

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