ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Given the volatility that can occur during an election year, coupled with the current concerns on global economies and an ever-evolving regulatory climate, trusted outside legal counsel is of utmost importance to today’s CEOs, boards and general counsel. From industry-shaking technology advancements to the continued presence of activist investors, the need for expert legal advice and consulting has never been greater.

Within this political, regulatory and economic environment, NYSE Governance Services and FTI Consulting Inc. (NYSE:FCN) today announced the rankings of their 16^th annual America’s Best Corporate Law Firms. The study, a comprehensive ranking by U.S. corporate directors and general counsel across the country, is conducted by NYSE Governance Services, a leading provider of corporate governance, risk, ethics, and compliance services for public and privately held companies, and FTI Consulting, the global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance their enterprise value.

New York’s Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and affiliates received the top ranking among corporate directors, a position it has held since the first survey in 2001. Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz also maintained its top ranking among general counsel, a position it has held since 2013. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (general counsel ranking: 4; director ranking: 5) jumped considerably from prior years’ rankings and several previously unranked firms made new appearances on this year’s lists.

America’s Best Corporate Law Firms reflects the views of nearly 700 participating directors and general counsel of publicly traded companies. Conducted from December 2015 to April 2016, the survey was part of NYSE Governance Services’ annual Law in the Boardroom study, which asks directors and general counsel of U.S. publicly traded companies to weigh in on current governance and legal matters.

“We at FTI Consulting join the corporate directors and general counsel who selected this year’s honorees in applauding each and every one of the law firms recognized for the industry-leading service they provide,” said Neal Hochberg, Global Leader of the Forensic & Litigation Consulting segment of FTI Consulting. “These firms have set an example with their dedication, commitment and hard work in delivering the very best to their clients, and they deserve our congratulations.”

“The advisory role and expertise provided by a company’s trusted outside counsel is invaluable,” says Adam Sodowick, President of NYSE Governance Services. “Each year, public company directors and general counsel participate in our rankings because they feel strongly about which firms have the highest caliber of legal advice and consulting. We certainly offer our congratulations to all the firms who appear on this year’s ranking.”

2016 National Law Firm Directors’ Rankings (with 2015 rankings in parentheses)

Source: NYSE Governance Services/FTI Consulting, America’s Best Corporate Law Firms, 2016

2016 National Law Firms General Counsel Rankings (with 2015 rankings in parentheses)

Source: NYSE Governance Services/FTI Consulting, America’s Best Corporate Law Firms, 2016

About NYSE Governance Services

NYSE Governance Services is the leading governance, compliance, and education solutions provider for companies and their boards of directors. Through a complete set of technology-enabled and data-driven solutions designed to address compliance, accountability, and risk management, NYSE Governance Services helps companies comprehensively build a culture of integrity from employee to board level. NYSE Governance Services is a subsidiary of the New York Stock Exchange Group, an Intercontinental Exchange company (NYSE:ICE). For more information, connect with us at nyse.com/governance, @nysegov or LinkedIn.

About NYSE Group

NYSE Group is a subsidiary of Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE), a leading operator of global exchanges and clearing houses, and a provider of data and listings services. NYSE Group includes exchanges, market data and connectivity services. The equity exchanges -- the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE MKT and NYSE Arca -- trade more U.S. equity volume than any other exchange group. NYSE is the premier global venue for capital raising, leading worldwide in IPOs, including technology IPOs. NYSE Arca Options and NYSE Amex Options are leading equity options exchanges.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) operates the leading network of global futures and equity exchanges and provides world class clearing, data, and listing services across many markets. The New York Stock Exchange is the world leader in capital raising and equities trading.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange, Interactive Data, and Trayport. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange Inc. and/or its affiliates is located at www.intercontinentalexchange.com/terms-of-use

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 –Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC on February 4, 2016.

About FTI Consulting

FTI Consulting Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory, and economic environment. With more than 4,600 employees located in 28 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate, and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications, and restructuring. The company generated $1.78 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2015. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn.

SOURCE: Intercontinental Exchange

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Media Contacts:
Brendan McManus, NYSE
media@theice.com
brendan.mcmanus@nyse.com
+1 212 656 2135
or
Nicole Madison
nicole.madison@fticonsulting.com
+1 212 850 5647

Source: Intercontinental Exchange