The Firm: Historically, this firm has been well known for its premier labor and employment practice, which has provided the ideal platform for benefits and compensation work. The practice is at its strongest in New York, but has successfully established itself as a national player. It recently consolidated this reputation through the acquisition of McDermott Will & Emery's Washington, DC benefits team. The team is renowned for its skill in advising plans on compliance and administration. It is also highly rated for its executive compensation advice and is considered preeminent in the context of advising CEOs and other senior executives on employment and severance agreements.

Key Individuals: Michael Sirkin is regarded as one of the premier executive compensation lawyers in the country, specializing in negotiating and drafting employment agreements on behalf of CEOs and other senior executives. Sources praise his calm and collected approach: "He is grounded and focused, and great in what can be highly charged situations." New recruit Paul Hamburger has given the firm's Washington, DC practice a massive boost. He has a broad-ranging practice, which encompasses advice on defined benefits plans, tax-qualified retirement plans and ESOPs; however, he attracts most praise for his COBRA expertise.