Equity capital markets (ECM) lawyers are hoping for an increase in initial public offering (IPO) activity as the effects of the credit crunch spill over into the public markets, where IPOs could be seen as an increasingly attractive exit route.
Firms including Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Herbert Smith, Linklaters and Travers Smith have all landed roles on IPOs in recent weeks despite a slow pickup after the summer and the collapse of high-profile floats such as Smartstream Technologies and Wagamama.
