Lauded as an ‘excellent quality team with a deep bench of experienced practitioners’, Clifford Chance LLP advises marquee industry players across a host of international markets. Team head Spencer Baylin is routinely sought out by a host of global investment firms for his expertise in M&A, leveraged buyouts, public to privates and IPOs. Fellow co-head Jonny Myers – whose practice balances both PE and corporate finance – is highly experienced in multijurisdictional, multi-specialist transactions. Neil Barlow‘s substantial cross-border practice is especially concentrated in European and North Americans markets. Graham Phillips handles a wide array of transactions for a series of investment management firms and financial investors, while Neil Evans is a key relationship partner for the likes of KKR, Blackstone and The Carlyle Group. Other key figures include Shimin Lee, who was promoted to partner in May 2024. Christopher Sullivan left the firm in May 2024 to join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, while Oliver Marcuse joined in September 2024.

An ‘absolute powerhouse’ in the London market, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP continues to be leading name for sponsor-backed transactions, with a strong track record in take-privates and buyouts. David Higgins, who helms the group, has recently advised on a number of multi-billion dollar deals, including acquisitions and disposals. Fellow team head Stuart Boyd is praised as an 'exceptional dealmaker’ and is the key relationship lead to some of the firm’s most consequential financial sponsor clients. Matthew Elliott is a go-to in the practice for private equity-backed real estate deals, while Adrian Maguire is active on both public and private M&A, as well as disposals. Alvaro Membrillera joined from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in September 2023, and has subsequently advised on substantial deals in the telecoms and healthcare space. Roger Johnson, Niklas Ahlklo and Andreas Philipson all joined Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in 2023.

Latham & Watkins‘ diverse and multi-specialist PE practice boasts an impressive list of market-leading financial sponsors and considerable sector coverage. Over the past year, the firm has handled a significant flow of UK take-privates, cross-border M&A, carve-outs, and disposals – many within the sports, fintech and life sciences spaces. Practice head Tom Evans is a highly proficient adviser who works with funds and financial investors across M&A, minority investments and disposals. Fellow co-head Thomas Forschbach is particularly well-regarded for his cross-border leveraged buyout work and is a key port-of-call to a host of international PE outfits. Mike Bond, a close adviser to Onex Partners, handles a number of consequential UK and European deals, while Paul Dolman, who possesses ‘great deal management skills’, has a strong track record in complex cross-border public to privates, restructurings, and leveraged acquisitions. Noted for his wide-ranging coverage, Kem Ihenacho handles international PE transactions for some of the firm’s largest global investment firm clients. David Walker ‘has a wealth of experience to bring to bear’ across a number of transactions, and Farah O’Brien’s tech and life sciences expertise ensures she’s sought out by an array of large and mid-cap sponsors. Linzi Thomas is a further name for cross-border M&A and PE work, while Huw Thomas is noted by clients as a ‘balanced and considerate thinker’. Katie Peek has increasingly taken a leading role advising premium PE houses and infrastructure funds on multi-billion dollar disposals and exits. Mateja Maher and Adrian Grocock joined from Sidley Austin LLP in August 2023, further bolstering the team’s investment fund capabilities.

Leveraging its deep team of highly experienced advisers, each with unique sector specialisms, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP maintains a dominant position in the London PE market, acting for many of the foremost buyout houses, growth equity firms, pension funds, and impact investors. Highlighted by clients as ‘technically excellent’ and possessing ‘deep experience’, Marco Compagnoni fronts the practice, drawing on a broad skillset which is frequently utilised leading global funds. Jonathan Wood handles an array of PE transactions, including complex take-privates, strategic partnerships, and IPOs. Simon Lyell advises alternative investment managers, impact funds, and pension funds as part of a varied domestic and cross-border practice, while James Harvey ‘consistently delivers commercial and practical advice’ to financial sponsors engaged in buyouts, carve-outs, minority investments and exits. Lewis Blakey and Max Oppenheimer work for a host of global private equity firms – as well as their portfolio companies – on M&A, disposals and corporate restructurings. Martin Weatherston-Wilson was promoted to partner in January 2024.

Able to advise on ‘the most complex transactions, particularly given the strength of their sector and specialists teams’, Linklaters LLP provides a full-service international offering to a host of stellar PE outfits. The team is steered by the highly experienced Alex Woodward, whose far-reaching expertise is trusted by an array of high-end financial sponsors. Co-chairing the team alongside Woodward, Ben Rodham‘s recent engagements include a number of multi-billion dollar buyouts, particularly in the UK and the Middle East. Chris Boycott handles public and private M&A across a wide range of sectors. Tracey Lochhead is particularly well-noted for her work in the banking and finance and mining spaces. A number of heavyweight financial sponsors rely on Daniel Law’s digital infrastructure capabilities, while Peter McCabe – who is also well-regarded for his infrastructure acumen – leverages previous in-house experience to advise on complex acquisitions and carve-outs. Alex Lehtinen‘s ever-growing M&A practice strongly features sponsor-backed public-to-privates. Ben Suen’s broad practice regularly sees him advising on cross-border deals in the healthcare, tech and infrastructure sectors. Genna Marten joined the firm from Travers Smith LLP in June 2023, while Will Aitken-Davies left the firm to join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in December 2023.

Regularly working with some of the world's most prestigious private equity firms, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP demonstrates its deep sector specialism as it handles a wide variety of complex, pan-European transactions. Ben Spiers, who spearheads the group, has recently overseen large takeovers in the real estate sector, while James Howe is a key contact for Silver Lake, handling multi-billion dollar public takeovers and investments. Geoffrey Bailhache leverages his previous in-house experience at the firm to advise Blackstone and its various business arms, covering infrastructure and life sciences, among other fields. Clare Gaskell maintains a substantial cross-border practice; her public and private M&A expertise is complemented by her capital markets acumen. Amy Mahon is highly regarded in the infrastructure space for her work with sophisticated investors like KKR and EQT. Adam Signy‘s expertise covers M&A, PE and equity capital market transactions, and Christopher Vallance routinely advises on high-value deals across myriad sectors, from fintech and technology to consumer goods and retail. James Campisi and Paul Foote were both promoted to partner in January 2024.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is on an upward trajectory as it continues its push on the London PE market through strategic lateral hires, recently adding Kirkland & Ellis International LLP partner Andreas Philipson, Linklaters LLP duo Dan Schuster-Woldan and Rohan Dey, and Clifford Chance LLP dealmaker Christopher Sullivan. These new arrivals join a team led by Roger Johnson, lauded as ‘one of the best lawyers in the industry’, and former Linklaters partner Will Aitken-Davies, a highly skilled cross-border adviser.  The team was further strengthened by the September 2024 arrival of Clifford Chance LLP’s Oliver Marcuse  and the addition of former Kirkland partner David Holdsworth , who joined the practice after a stint as GC at TDR Capital. Ramy Wahbeh and Kaisa Kuusk left the firm to join Sidley Austin LLP in May 2023, while Alvaro Membrillera and Adam Wollstein moved to Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in August 2023.

A firm with ‘great capabilities’ and the ability to be ‘hyperlocal in their knowledge of European transactions’, Ropes & Gray LLP handles sponsor-side M&A, carve-outs, demergers and sell-side transactions for a wide pool of clients, with a notable focus on the healthcare and education sectors. Angela Becker brings extensive transactional capabilities to the fore on a host of cross-border acquisitions and disposals, while the ‘outstanding’ Helen Croke is praised for having a ‘brilliant legal mind’ and for being ‘truly client-oriented’. Shona Ha and Victoria McGrath provide transactional and corporate law advice to a host of asset managers, financial sponsors and corporates, while John Newton is noted for his M&A and venture capital work in the healthcare, life sciences and TMT spaces. Dan Oates handles leveraged buyouts, public-to-privates and disposals across a swathe of sectors; IT and software are key focus areas in recent months. Simon Saitowitz and Elizabeth Todd are further names of note for UK and cross-border transactions. Paul Armstrong joined the team from Permira in January 2024, bringing further M&A and IPO expertise to the practice.

Sidley Austin LLP significantly bolstered its London private equity offering through the hire of Ramy Wahbeh and Kaisa Kuusk from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2023, further strengthening the complex, cross-border M&A capability among its bench of advisers. Wahbeh heads up the practice alongside the London office’s Managing Partner Tom Thesing. Wahbeh and Kuusk are chiefly noted for their extensive work with Apollo Global Management as well as a number of its investment funds and portfolio companies. The duo join a team which also includes Adam Runcorn, who handles leveraged buyouts, investments, and debt and equity restructurings for a broad client base, particularly in the sports world.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP supports clients across the full range of M&A and PE deals, complementing its transactional prowess with expert knowledge across a multitude of sectors. Practice head Richard Youle is routinely engaged by financial sponsors and their portfolio companies, with recent highlights including high-end mandates in infrastructure, IT and software, and financial services. Co-head of the firm’s UK corporate practice, Katja Butler is praised as ‘dynamic, effervescent, and relentlessly positive’, advising on a wealth of transactions, including strategic bolt-ons, reinvestments, and disposals. Steven Hannah’s considerable sector breadth and ability to oversee complex leveraged buyouts, investments and disposals ensures that he is sought out by an array of European and global PE outfits, while Sandro de Bernardini is praised as ‘proactive, knowledgeable, and very practical in his approach.’ George Gray’s practice balances both domestic and cross-border deals, as well as instructions related to corporate governance. Noted for her experience working with funds and sovereign-wealth backed investors, Emma Ghaffari joined the team from A&O Shearman in July 2023.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton made a significant impression on the London market in 2023 through the hire of new team head Ian Shawyer, a highly experienced practitioner who joined in May from Travers Smith LLP. Shawyer is noted for his skill in leveraged buyouts and bolt-on acquisitions, working with a host of multinational financial sponsors and their portfolio companies. Co-head Mike Preston serves a number of these PE outfits, and is particularly well-known for his work in emerging markets. Gabriele Antonazzo draws strong praise from clients, who regard him as ‘a standout partner in the M&A private equity practice in the UK due to his extensive experience and expertise in handling complex cross-border transactions.’ Christy O’Connell handles acquisitions, restructurings and disposals across an array of sectors, advising on a number of significant banking and finance transactions in recent months. Chris Gollop is a crucial supporting presence on a number of the team's mandates.

A ‘knowledgeable and professional’ team that is ‘able to manage complex transactions pragmatically and effectively’, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher showcases significant sector strength in real estate and infrastructure, as well as a growing presence in the education sector. Co-chair of the firm’s European PE group, Wim De Vlieger presides over complex cross-border transactions. Co-head Federico Fruhbeck is the key contact for infrastructure-related PE deals, often working closely with KKR. Till Lefranc has a strong book of work in the tech, healthcare and life sciences spaces, handling a range of acquisitions, divestments and management equity arrangements, while Mark Sperotto’s practice balances M&A and corporate finance work. Nick Tomlinson is a key name in the group for growth capital deals, as well as international capital raisings and investment banking advisory work. Alice Brogi also comes recommended for her transactional skill in the infrastructure sector.

Milbank‘s private equity team works with an ever-growing list of clients in connection with cross-border public and private M&A, fund management, and exits. Team head Andrej Wolf has a strong track record of working alongside some of the world's foremost financial sponsors and asset managers, handling multijurisdictional acquisitions and disposals, secondaries, carve-outs and restructurings. Co-head Jordan Simpson acts across the full spectrum of PE transactions and has recently advised on complex deals in growing areas such as edtech and sports, while James McClymont, who also maintains a broad practice, demonstrates engagement in the healthcare, insurance and luxury consumer space. Lara Watt is a popular choice for a number of mid-market stalwarts, and has deep experience advising on primary and secondary buyouts, bolt-ons, and carve-outs.

White & Case LLP‘s ‘highly experienced, commercial and pragmatic’ team works with a broad client base that includes pure-play financial sponsors, infrastructure funds, growth capital outfits, and sovereign-backed investors. EMEA PE head Lucy Bullock – who also spearheads the firm’s portfolio company advisory team – maintains close connections with market-leading sponsors, overseeing a number of take-privates and disposals. London PE head Richard Jones has strong expertise in the energy, real estate, and financial services sectors, and Ross Allardice is praised for his excellent project management skills, handling an array of M&A and management equity arrangements for some of the firm’s leading PE clients. Ken Barry is active on cross-border leveraged buyouts, carve-outs, restructurings, and disposals, while Ben von Maur comes recommended for his transactional skill. Emily Brown and Lavanya Raghavan joined from Ropes & Gray LLP in 2024, further strengthening the firm’s fund formation and secondaries offering.

 

 

A ‘broad team with diverse expertise’, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP draws on its strong European platform as it works with multinational sponsors and their portfolio companies, handling a significant volume of complex public and private M&A. Team head Gavin Gordon has an established transactional practice with a recent strong track record in big-ticket take-privates and leveraged buyouts. Claire McDaid acts for a trusted pool of clients in domestic and cross-border transactions, handling private M&A, growth equity, recapitilisations, and distressed deals. David Arnold and Andrew Gray are lauded as ‘exceptional’; the duo are chiefly noted for their skill in European and North American buyouts, M&A, divestments, restructurings and capital raises. Philip Coletto is often called upon by some of the firm’s largest PE clients, especially concerning deals in the financial services and tech sectors.

‘A global team with deep expertise in many sectors’, Baker McKenzie LLP works with a range of sponsor clients on corporate, finance,and  regulatory work. A key contact for financial sponsors, funds and management teams, practice head David Allen maintains a global transactional offering. Karen Guch is a highly active adviser on cross-border deals, who is well-placed to advise on high-value leveraged buyouts, minority investments and disposals. Boasting a solid track record in IT and software-driven mandates, Justin Hutchinson has a growing client base of mid- and large-cap private equity outfits, while the ‘incredible’ Alex Lewis is noted for his private M&A, joint venture, and exit work. Nick Rainsford is noted for his strength in infrastructure and telecoms deals.

Sitting within the firm's wider European platform, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP‘s London team handles multijurisdictional M&A for a range of financial sponsors and investors, with a particular focus on emerging markets. Katherine Ashton, who leads the private fund transactions group, is well-equipped to advise on M&A, secondaries, fund restructurings and recapitalisations. The US-qualified (New York) E Raman Bet-Mansour co-leads the team, supporting private equity groups and their portfolio companies across a range of domestic and cross-border transactions - particularly those involving European markets. Co-head Dominic Blaxill oversees public and private M&A, capital raises, and corporate advisory instructions, while co-head Geoffrey Burgess brings financing and venture capital capabilities to the fore on a series of mandates.

A ‘highly capable and commercial team’, Dechert LLP advises clients across the full investment life cycle, from fund formation and financing to restructurings and exits. The firm handles transactions across a number of sectors, with an especially strong track record in tech deals. Philip Butler is particularly noted for his debt finance practice. Fellow co-head Christopher Field also provides a range of funds with financing support alongside M&A expertise; cross-border carve-outs are a noteworthy niche. Sam Whittaker represents a wealth of funds, asset managers and investment firms in all manner of transactions, while Mark Evans is praised as ‘very commercial and talented in cutting through complex issues to find a solution.’ Jodie Valler-Feltham and Jamal Tuhin are also recommended.

‘A strong team with a good depth of knowledge’, Goodwin combines M&A and PE expertise with embedded European and US debt finance skill to serve a growing roster of financial sponsors, funds and management teams across a range of sectors. Regularly engaged on a number of complex domestic and cross-border transactions, practice head Richard Lever is noted for his M&A, corporate finance, and investment fund work. A diverse roster of clients turn to James Grimwood for substantial leveraged buyouts, minority investments, joint ventures, and venture growth deals. Gemma Roberts is praised as an ‘outstanding lawyer’ with a far-reaching transactional practice, while Michael Miranda has recently added a series of cross-border disposals to an already varied deal sheet. Carl Bradshaw also comes recommended for his multi-sector specialism and his skill in financial restructuring. Christian Iwasko, Michelle Tong, and Priya Rupal left to join Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in March 2024.

Increasingly active in the secondaries market, Macfarlanes LLP‘s ‘exceptional‘ buyout practice is routinely sought out by domestic and multinational financial sponsors and investors. Practice head Alex Edmondson, who also co-leads the firm’s technology practice group, is praised for his ability to ‘get to grips with the most complex of situations’ and showcases particular skill in sponsor-side M&A. Stephen Drewitt has a similarly strong sponsor-focused practice and is especially strong in domestic PE transactions. Alexander Green is a go-to figure in the team for secondaries and GP-led restructurings, while Jessica Adam heads up the firm’s management advisory practice. Stephen Pike –  noted for his growing track record in secondaries – provides transactional advice to a wide range of clients.

Proskauer Rose LLP is a praised for its ‘fantastic delivery high quality and highly commercially-focused advice’ on an array of large-cap and mid-market instructions. Practice head Steven Davis is a highly experienced PE adviser who is regularly called upon by a core group of funds for complex M&A. Renowned for his private M&A expertise, Richard Bull is praised for the ‘genuinely exceptional client care he provides.’ Maintaining a broad sector focus, Andrew Wingfield‘s recent workload includes minority and majority investments, disposals and bolt-ons. Wingfield often advises alongside the ‘incredibly professional and commercial’ Liam Arthur. Adam Creed is a key member of the private capital team who also plays an active role in the firm’s sports group, while Rebecca Villarreal is skilled at cross-border buyouts for global funds and investors.

Particularly noted for its expertise in the financial services industry, Slaughter and May continues to build its dedicated private equity practice under the stewardship of Harry Bacon and Filippo de Falco, working with an ever-growing roster of sponsors on domestic and cross-border transactions. Both Bacon and de Falco advise widely on public and private M&A, reorganisations, governance matters, disposals, and IPOs. Robin Ogle works closely with market-leading infrastructure funds on a host of acquisitions and sales in the energy and infrastructure sectors, while Aleezeh Liaqat - who was promoted to partner in March 2024 - has latterly co-led on a number of the team's most consequential transactions.

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP‘s ascendent London PE team is well-placed to advise on a range of international transactions, utilising its bench of UK and US-qualified lawyers – as well as its dedicated leverage finance and high yield specialists – to cover large-cap buyouts, carve-outs and disposals. Team head Karan Dinamani handles deals for some of the market’s foremost financial sponsors and investors, with a great deal of experience built up in various sectors including financial services, healthcare and tech, among others. Richard Pollack, managing partner of the London office, advises a host of funds and asset managers on cross-border M&A transactions, while Jeremy Kutner has latterly been highly active across a range of practice mandates, including in large-scale acquisitions, investments, and IPOs. Ben Perry has recently worked on high-end deals in the infrastructure sector. Robert Kearns joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in January 2024.