"[T]he knowledge and depth of the practice's bench for multi-faceted transactions is superb." - Legal 500

In recent years, Cadwalader has emerged as a leading mergers and acquisitions firm, with a nationally recognized team of attorneys that has been called on to handle some of the largest and most complex deals in the marketplace.

Providing assistance beginning at the earliest stages of a transaction, Cadwalader attorneys advise clients—buyers, sellers and financial advisors—in evaluating and developing alternative strategies for achieving business objectives, structuring and documenting deals, arranging financing, and obtaining regulatory approvals. We are known for our ability to structure and coordinate creative and complex transaction structures with long-term tax benefits, operating efficiencies, and enhanced rate of return and for our expertise in the areas of law that frequently affect mergers and acquisitions, such as antitrust; environmental; employee benefits; insolvency; tax; litigation; and securitization. In addition, we are proficient at coordinating and guiding other professionals, such as investment bankers, accountants, and actuaries, to complete transactions efficiently and effectively.

Experience

• Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. in its pending $14.5 billion acquisition by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
• Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. in its acquisition of Civitas Therapeutics, Inc.
• Forbes Media LLC on its pending sale of a majority stake to a group of international investors as part of the Company's global growth strategy.
• Salix Pharmaceuticals in its terminated combination with Cosmo Technologies, a subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, to form Salix Pharmaceuticals, plc.
• Air Products and Chemicals in its agreement with Pershing Square Capital Management following the 9.8% investment position taken by Bill Ackman.
• Dell Inc.’s financial advisor in connection with Dell’s $24.9 billion acquisition by Michael Dell and Silver Lake Partners.
• Elan Corporation in its $8.6 billion acquisition by Perrigo Company.
• Elan Corporation in its successful defense of a hostile tender offer by Royalty Pharma.
• Elan Corporation in its plan to spin-off discovery science and Neotope Biosciences to shareholders.
• AngioDynamics, manufacturer of minimally invasive medical devices for vascular access, surgery, peripheral vascular disease, and oncology practices, in its acquisition of Navilyst Medical in a $372 million transaction.
• Towers Watson & Co. in its $435 million acquisition of Extend Health Inc.
• DPL Inc. in its $4.7 billion sale to AES Corp.
• U.S. Treasury Department in the sale of its remaining equity interests in Chrysler Group LLC to Fiat S.p.A, marking the end of the U.S. government's ownership stake in Chrysler.
• Pfizer Inc. in the $2.38 billion sale of its Capsugel unit to private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
• The Renco Group's $1.2 billion stock purchase of three steel companies from Russian-based OAO Severstal through its wholly-owned subsidiary RG Steel.
• Societe Generale in connection with acquisition of an equity interest of J.C. Penney by Pershing Square and Vornado Realty.
• Procter & Gamble in its $2.35 billion sale of the Pringles brand to Diamond Foods.
• Pfizer Inc.'s acquisition of King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Pfizer Inc.'s acquisition of Wyeth.
• CVC Capital Partners Group in its proposed acquisition of Barclays' iShares unit, a leading global provider of exchange traded funds.
• Bear Stearns acquisition by JP Morgan Chase.
• Pfizer Inc.'s sale of its consumer healthcare business to Johnson & Johnson.
• The Procter & Gamble Company's acquisition of The Gillette Company.
• Pfizer Inc.'s acquisition of Pharmacia.
• Pfizer Inc.'s acquisition of Warner-Lambert.
• The sale of Quaker Oats to PepsiCo.
• Pfizer Inc.'s sale of Schick-Wilkinson to Energizer.
• Pfizer Inc.'s sale of its Adam's Confectionary division to Cadbury Schweppes.
• The sale of Storage Tek to Sun Microsystems.
• Pfizer Inc.'s acquisition of Vicuron Pharmaceuticals.

We believe that our continued strength lies in ensuring that we attract, retain, and nurture the very best talent from all backgrounds, and we expect the future complexion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP will, with each passing year, more closely reflect the global community that we serve. 

Cadwalader has worked diligently to promote an inclusive work environment and, over the years, has developed many initiatives to fit our unique goals and challenges on issues of diversity and inclusion.  With the creation of the Cadwalader Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CCDI), a central resource for the firm’s diversity programs, initiatives and policies, we aim to improve upon our successes and follow through on our promise to weave diversity and inclusion principles into the fabric of our culture. 

The mission of the CCDI is to enhance gender, racial/ethnic, and LGBT diversity and inclusion within the firm to create an unrivalled environment that attracts, retains and promotes the best and brightest talent available to serve our clients. Governed by the Global Diversity Committee, chaired by Patrick T. Quinn, Managing Partner, the CCDI is a vehicle to support the work we currently perform, to reinforce our dedication to that work, to recognize outstanding effort and to communicate - to each other and to the clients we serve - our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Recent Programs & Events

The Cadwalader Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosts programs and events throughout the year that are designed to increase cultural competence, celebrate history and heritage and educate attorneys on how to work effectively on diverse teams.

From Megan’s Law to Bernie Madoff: A Conversation with Judge Chin

- July 23, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group hosted a conversation with the Honorable Denny Chin, United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.  During the interactive conversation, Judge Chin discussed his experiences as a federal judge and his path to the bench. Attendees had the opportunity to network and speak with Judge Chin during the cocktail reception that followed.

The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court

- June 9, 2015

The Cadwalader LGBT Network and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hosted a Pride Month event, The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court, featuring Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and Janson Wu, GLAD’s Executive Director. During the presentation Mary discussed her experience arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court for marriage equality and Janson discussed the future of the LGBT rights movement.

Justice Denied: Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio

- May 12, 2015

Members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, including Cadwalader attorneys and the Honorable Denny Chin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit presented a case reenactment of Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, a landmark employment discrimination case. The presentation told the story of the Wards Cove workers through narration, reenactment of court proceedings, and historic photographs. To view the performance, click here.

The Partner Track

- May 5, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group and the Women’s Leadership Initiative co-hosted a panel discussion with Cadwalader Partners, Ingrid Bagby, Kathy Chin and Athena Eastwood, focusing on their career experiences and paths to partnership. The panel was moderated by Helen Wan, author of The Partner Track, a fictional story about a young Asian-American corporate associate up for partner at her New York law firm.

“From Selma to Ferguson to Today: Why Civil Rights Matter,” featuring Professor Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School

- April 29, 2015

The Cadwalader Black and Latino Association hosted a conversation with Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice.  The conversation was followed by a cocktail reception where attorneys had the opportunity to network  and speak with Professor Ogletree.

The Art of Building Business Relationships and Executive Presence

- March 25, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative and Diane Darling, Founder of the Darling Institute, hosted a workshop on building business relationships and executive presence.  This interactive presentation explored how professionals at all stages of their career can integrate networking and relationship-building into their everyday lives. 

WLI London Client Event: “Walking the Nile” by Levison Wood

– March 12, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative hosted a special evening at our London office with Levison Wood, explorer, writer, and photographer. Formerly an officer in the British Parachute Regiment, Wood has led pioneering journeys into undiscovered regions, travelling to more than 80 countries. His nine-month walk along the length of the Nile, from source to sea, is chronicled in a recent Channel 4 documentary. During the presentation Wood described the amazing people, breathtaking places and shocking sights he encountered on his ground-breaking expedition.