Richards, Layton & Finger, PA

Richards, Layton & Finger is a law firm that has been in operation since 1899. Throughout its history, the firm has played an integral role in shaping Delaware law, particularly in the area of corporate law. The firm has a reputation for excellence in corporate law, but it has expanded its services over time to include a multidisciplinary approach. As a result, the firm is able to provide clients with a wide array of legal expertise and experience.

The firm has strong roots as local lawyers, but it also regularly handles matters of national significance. In recent years, Richards, Layton & Finger has received a number of achievements and accolades that demonstrate its talent, practice, Delaware edge, and global reach.

In terms of talent, the firm has been recognized by Chambers USA for having 36 attorneys listed, which is more than any other Delaware law firm. Additionally, six of the firm's practice areas have been recognized for excellence. According to U.S. News "Best Law Firms" rankings, Richards, Layton & Finger has 29 listed practice areas, with 22 of those in Tier 1, which is more top-tier practices than any other Delaware law firm. Furthermore, the firm has 73 attorneys named in The Best Lawyers in America, which is more than any other Delaware law firm.

In terms of practice, Richards, Layton & Finger has served as Delaware counsel on more M&A deals valued at or above $100 million than any other Delaware law firm for the past 30 years, according to The Deal's annual rankings. The firm's innovative alternative entity practice is the largest and most active in Delaware, with Chambers USA referring to the firm as "the firm that wrote the book on Delaware single-purpose entities." Additionally, the firm's attorneys have been involved in numerous groundbreaking cases that have defined the duties of corporate directors under Delaware law, including Unocal, Caremark, Paramount, Weinberger, and Disney. Chambers USA has characterized the firm's bankruptcy and corporate restructuring attorneys as "the cream of the crop," noting that the team is comprehensive, proficient, and equipped to handle complex cases from start to finish.

Regarding the Delaware edge, Richards, Layton & Finger plays an integral role in drafting and amending several of the state's business statutes, including the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, Delaware General Corporation Law, Delaware Limited Partnership Act, and Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. The firm is the author of The Delaware Law of Corporations and Business Organizations and Lubaroff & Altman on Delaware Limited Partnerships, two leading reference books on Delaware law that are regularly updated by the firm. Additionally, the firm's lawyers and alumni have been appointed to various state and federal judiciary positions, including the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. District Court, the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Delaware Supreme Court's chief justice, and have held other prominent positions such as United States congressman, the governor of Delaware, Delaware's secretary of state, and state legislator. An attorney at Richards, Layton & Finger currently serves as the appointed chair of the Court of Chancery Rules Committee and was a past chair of the Litigation Rules Committee of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Finally, Richards, Layton & Finger is the exclusive Delaware member firm of Lex Mundi, which gives the firm global reach.

Practice Areas	No. of Attorneys
Bankruptcy	21
Corporate	57
IP	3
Labor & Employment	1
Litigation	43
Real Estate	5
Tax	1
Trusts and Estates	5