Milbank LLP’s Global Leveraged Finance Group was recognized in the highest tier of the Banking rankings in the United States (Nationwide) and New York sections of IFLR1000’s 2025 guide, a directory of leading transactional and financial services lawyers and firms. In addition to the group recognition, six leveraged finance partners were individually recognized, solidifying the team’s leading position within the market.
Milbank was ranked in Tier 1 for Banking in the United States: Nationwide rankings and Tier 1 in the regional New York rankings, and the following partners were ranked:
- Marcus Dougherty – Market Leader (Banking)
- Lauren Hanrahan – Market Leader (Banking); Women Leaders
- Charles Stern – Highly Regarded (Banking)
- Benjamin Miles – Notable Practitioner (Banking; Capital Markets: Debt, Equity)
- Benjamin Sayagh – Rising Star Partner (Banking)
- Spencer Pepper – Rising Star Partner (Banking)
Marcus Dougherty, who leads the US Leveraged Finance Group and co-leads the global practice, and partner Lauren Hanrahan earned IFLR1000’s highest individual recognition as Market Leaders – defined by the publication as distinguished partners who are “true leaders in their practice area and jurisdiction, actively leading on the most sophisticated, impactful and demanding transactions.” Ms. Hanrahan was also recognized in the Women Leaders category, “an elite ranking reserved for prominent women lawyers with outstanding transactional reputations for leading innovative deals while retaining market status for their leadership abilities.” Mr. Stern earned the publication’s second-highest ranking as a Highly Regarded lawyer, for “partners who have outstanding deal records in the practice, are highly regarded by clients and peers and actively leading on complex transactions.”
Mr. Dougherty stated, “Our clients are at the center of every transaction, and we are truly honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with them on deal after deal, across a range of industries. To be recognized at the highest tier by IFLR is a testament to the caliber of work product we strive for and the complex nature of financing deals the team is involved in within the banking industry.”
Milbank’s Global Leveraged Finance team of partners, special counsel and associates, distinguishes itself as one of the few firms with a deep bench having the market knowledge and experience to handle both syndicated financings and private credit and direct lender financings. In 2025, the team was shortlisted as “Banking Team of the Year” at the IFLR Americas Awards, and the team was recognized as a leading practice for banking and private credit in the Legal 500 and Chambers USA 2025 ranking guides.
