International law firm Clifford Chance combines the highest global standards with local expertise. Leading lawyers from different backgrounds and nationalities come together as one firm, offering unrivalled depth of legal resources across the key markets of the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The firm focuses on the core areas of commercial activity: capital markets; corporate and M&A; finance and banking; real estate; tax, pensions and employment, and litigation and dispute resolution.

Through a strong understanding of clients' cultures and objectives, Clifford Chance draws on the full breadth of its legal skills to provide results-driven, commercial advice.

Clifford Chance has more leading global practices than any other firm (Chambers Global 2008) and further recognition includes: Global Banking & Finance Firm of the Year (Chambers Global Awards 2007), Middle East Team of the Year  (IFLR Middle East Awards 2007), Corporate Social Responsibility Award (FT Innovative Lawyers 2007) and Best Client Relationship Management Strategy (MPF Awards 2007).

Main Areas of Practice:

Capital Markets: Our Capital Markets practice is renowned for providing expert advice to underwriters, arrangers, trustees and issuers on first-of-a-kind, innovative transactions across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas, with particular strength in the developing and emerging markets.  We are leading advisors on the full spectrum of capital markets products, including securitisation, equity-linked bonds, IPOs, "straight" debt issuance, hybrid capital and project bonds.  With over 400 capital markets specialists worldwide, our integrated global network of US, UK and locally qualified lawyers offers the breadth and depth of resources required in today’s global business environment.

Corporate: Leads high value, complex M&A, private equity and other corporate finance deals for the world's leading corporations. The practice combines technical expertise in cross-border and domestic deals with leading regulatory, anti-trust and commercial capability. Partners apply a business focused, innovative approach, leading teams of lawyers in working closely with clients to access the full breadth of the firm's intellectual and logistical resources.

Finance: With lawyers located in major financial and commercial centres across the globe, the firm has the world's pre-eminent and largest finance practice. It provides advice on the full spectrum of financial products including bank lending, acquisition finance, asset finance, derivatives, project finance, restructuring, insolvency and structured finance. The practice also works on national and international regulatory developments and strategic issues for financial institutions.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution: This global practice, the world's largest and most comprehensive, has experience in virtually all segments of the business and financial markets across multiple jurisdictions in the Americas, Europe and Asia. It works with clients to resolve disputes through arbitration, litigation and other techniques, as well as developing compliance programmes aimed at minimising future litigation risks.

Real Estate: Acting for the real estate industry's leading players, this global real estate practice advises on the full range of real estate-related transactions. Forward thinking and commercial in approach, with a recognised ability to deliver complex deals, the practice handles the entire property 'life-cycle' from the initial acquisition, development, leasing, joint venturing and financing through to the final exit, as well as tax structuring, PFI/PPP, outsourcing, planning, environment and litigation.

Tax, Pensions and Employment: Clifford Chance's tax group is the largest in the world and advises clients - who include leading investment and commercial banks, corporates and private equity houses - on corporate transactions, M&A, joint ventures, lending transactions, Islamic finance, structured finance, securitisation, funds, real estate and VAT.  The pensions practice advises clients, including trustees, employers, insurers and other product providers, fund managers and investment banks, on all legal issues involving pension schemes, including corporate transactions, buyouts and contentious matters. A dedicated employment group advises on a complete range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues.  A specialist employee benefits team advises both in the UK and on a multinational basis on the full spectrum of employee incentive arrangements from standard share schemes to highly complex bespoke arrangements.

Recruitment & Development: As well as recruiting the best people, we insist on the professional development of all our employees. Our lawyers work continuously to develop both legal and personal skills through the training programmes offered by the 'in-house' law education system, the Clifford Chance Academy. Visit www.cliffordchance.com/careers for more information on opportunities within the firm.

Our international capabilities include offices in: Amsterdam, Bangkok, Barcelona, Beijing, Brussels, Bucharest, Budapest, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Moscow, Munich, New York, Paris, Prague, Riyadh*, Rome, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Tokyo, Warsaw and Washington DC.

*co-operative office