The Firm: This respected firm advises on a number of issues including employee benefits and executive compensation matters, private equity fund formation, M&A, tax controversy resolution and cross-border transactions. Its clients include investment advisers Auda International, Falcon Investment Advisors and Mesirow Financial Private Equity.

Sources Say:“A practical team that does a terrific job.”

Key Individuals: Arnold May focuses on tax planning for private equity fund managers in connection with fund-raising and internal organizational matters, as well as investment activities, and “balances deep legal knowledge with a very practical business perspective.” He represented Ares Management in structuring a number of funds, including Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund III, which totaled over $3.5 billion in commitments and several credit-related funds.