Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
New York-based firm ranked first in the US for profits per lawyer — 272 attorneys, one office
51 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019
About
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz is a New York-based law firm with a practice concentrated in high-stakes corporate transactions and corporate governance. Founded in 1965, the firm operates from a single Manhattan office with 272 attorneys, and has ranked first among all US law firms in profits per lawyer in the Am Law 100. Wachtell is credited with developing the shareholder rights plan, a corporate governance instrument widely adopted by public companies. The firm has advised on some of the most consequential M&A transactions in recent years, including Capital One's $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial, OpenAI's record private fundraising round, and advice to the US Treasury on the government-sponsored enterprise conservatorships during the 2008 financial crisis. The firm is led by Co-chairs William Savitt and Andrew Nussbaum.
What this firm is known for
- Capital One's $35.3 billion acquisition of Discover Financial
- OpenAI's record private fundraising round
- Advised the US Treasury on the government-sponsored enterprise conservatorships during the 2008 financial crisis
- Developed the shareholder rights plan
Questions worth asking this firm
- What is your fee structure, and do you offer a contingency fee arrangement?
- Which attorneys in your firm would handle my matter day-to-day?
- Have you handled cases in New York state and federal courts?
- Tier:
- Distinguished
- Score:
- Reviews pending
- Founded:
- 1965
- Attorneys:
- 272
- Offices:
- 1
- Primary jurisdictions:
- New York
- Languages:
- English
- Last reviewed:
- October 2026
Credentials & Recognitions
- Am Law 100
The American Lawyer (2025) — #1 profits per lawyer among all US law firms - Vault Law 100
Vault (2026) — #2 overall prestige; ranked most selective firm in the US - Chambers USA
Chambers and Partners — Top-tier — Corporate/M&A, Litigation
Practice Areas
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