In its second annual “US Innovative Lawyers” report (Nov. 3, 2011), The Financial Times named Skadden the No. 2 firm in the country for innovation in the legal sector in 2011. The “FT Law 25” rankings were based on the originality, rationale and impact of the firms’ work. The ranked firms “were consistently found to be creating transformative solutions for clients,” according to the report. Skadden received the top overall score in the corporate law category with two “stand-out” deals (the highest ranking), for our work advising SKBHC in its acquisition of AmericanWest Bancorporation and Burger King Holding in its acquisition by 3G Capital Management, and one “commended” deal (the third-highest ranking), for our role in connection with Advantest’s unsolicited takeover of Verigy. No other firm had two stand-out corporate deals, and no other firm had three ranked corporate deals.
The firm also received the second-highest total score in the finance category with two “highly commended deals” (the second-highest ranking), for our work restructuring Centro Properties Group and representing BankUnited in the largest bank IPO in U.S. history, and one top “technology, media and telecom” deal (which were ranked separately but included in finance), for “saving Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s worldwide business.”