MINNEAPOLIS - During the first quarter of 2008, international law firm Dorsey & Whitney ranked #2 among law firms for the number of U.S. merger and acquisition (M&A) deals completed. The firm ranked #3 for the number of deals completed worldwide. Thomson Financial, a provider of financial information and services, compiled the rankings.
Since Thomson began publishing law firm M&A rankings in 1994, Dorsey has ranked #5 or higher for the number of U.S. deals completed annually.
“While the current economic uncertainty is clearly impacting the M&A market, we saw continuing strong activity in the first quarter by corporate clients who have less need to finance transactions pursuing strategic opportunities,” said Dorsey partner Matthew J. Knopf, chair of the firm’s M&A practice. “This is a pattern we expect to continue in the second quarter.”
The firm’s #3 ranking for worldwide deals during the first quarter of 2008 compares to a #19 ranking for the first quarter of 2007. Strong performance as U.S. counsel in Canadian cross-border transactions contributed to the firm’s worldwide performance. Dorsey ranked #5 for completed deals involving Canadian companies.
Dorsey M&A activity worldwide also reflects the firm’s position as the market leader for advising on international capital markets deals out of India. Since the start of 2007, Dorsey has advised on more than 75 capital market transactions by Indian issuers.
"Dorsey's leading capital markets position in India has helped the firm continue to grow its practice in outbound M&A for Indian companies," said Dorsey partner Richard Baumann, chair of the firm’s International Capital Markets practice.