On the tech transactions front, Sidley Austin handled Hewlett Packard Enterprise's acquisition of computing, data analytics and data management company SGI, valued at $275 million net of cash and debt. The firm also counseled Adobe Systems Inc. in its strategic alliance with Microsoft and, perhaps most impressively, helped Internet Corporation For Assigned Names and Numbers, ICANN, transfer administration for top-level domain names away from the U.S. government on a strict deadline under international scrutiny. In response to questions from The Recorder, Glenn Nash, global co-leader of Sidley's technology and IP transactions practice, briefly summed up the year's work.

What do these deals Sidley Austin is being recognized for demonstrate about the firm's tech transactions capacities? It demonstrates that our tech transactions capabilities span all keys areas of a technology practice and we can go deep in any area. We are able to do that through the combination of experienced technology attorneys and complementary practices such as corporate, regulatory and cross-border.

When people in the market hear the phrase “tech transactions” they often assume Silicon Valley's native firms are likely to get the most complex and interesting assignments. How has Sidley competed for—and won—these types of assignments? Clients seek out tech credentials regardless of the firm and Sidley has them—we're aided by the fact that many of our key practitioners grew up in Silicon Valley's native firms. That, combined with our global reach, corporate, regulatory and litigation practices, and recognized commitment to client service make us a very compelling offering.