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FIRMS TO WATCH 2018
W W W. I F L R 10 0 0 . C O M
IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Introduction
4 & 8 Bouverie Street, London EC4Y 8AX
e-mail: [initial][surname]@iflr1000.com
Customer service: +44 20 7779 8610
Editor Welcome to the first edition of IFLR1000 Firms to Watch.
Ben Naylor
Journalists Firms to Watch is a spin-off supplement from the IFLR1000, the guide to the world's leading
Hanna Choi, Sam Duke, Adam Majeed, Rani
Mehta, Jon Moore, Kurt Stumpo financial law firms, designed to highlight firms which have recently been developing in
interesting ways.
Production manager
Richard Oliver
Production editors From a pool of thousands of firms researched by the IFLR1000 team last year, less than 45
Ana Mesquita, Katy Heales made the final group which appear in Firms to Watch.
Head of Business Development
IFLR/IFLR1000
Liam Sharkey
Those firms selected to feature in the supplement were chosen for successfully breaking into
new markets or generally expanding astutely in footprint or headcount (or a combination of
Business development managers
Anicette Indiana, Sanawa Mtalo, Paul Ptaschne both), for gaining in market share of interesting transactional work, and for adopting new
Global Head of Sales, LMG
and innovative client services and internal programmes.
Richard Valmarana
Managing Director, LMG Firms in the supplement vary from one-office domestic boutiques to some of the largest
Tim Wakefield international firms in the world and groups of regional firms linked through a centralised
Divisional Director, Specialist Information network.
Division
Danny Williams
The appearance of some firms in the supplement may seem surprising given these are already
Directors: David Pritchard (Chairman), Andrew
Rashbass (CEO), Colin Jones, Sir Patrick household names (in legal circles at least). Some international firms were included on the
Sergeant, Andrew Ballingal, Tristan Hillgarth, basis of developments at the firm as a whole, others in relation to specific markets where they
Imogen Joss, Tim Collier, Kevin Beatty, Jan
Babiak, Lorna Tilbian have recently grown in prominence.
© Euromoney Trading Limited 2018
What all firms appearing in Firms to Watch share is ambition, and a strategy to develop
The copyright of all editorial matter appearing in
this guide is reserved by the publisher. No which has proven successful in the short-term and bodes well for the near future.
matter contained herein may be reproduced,
duplicated or copied by any means without the
prior consent of the holder of the copyright,
requests for which should be addressed to the
publisher. No legal responsibility can be
accepted by Euromoney Trading Limited or
IFLR1000 for the materials which appear in this
publication.
Printed in the UK by Buxton Press, Buxton, UK.
Contents
2 | Africa Legal Network 17 | Meysan Partners
3 | Allen & Gledhill 18 | Morgan Lewis & Bockius
4 | Balcıoğlu Selçuk Akman Keki 18 | Norton Rose Fulbright
4 | BDGS Associés 20 | Ogier
5 | BDK Advokati 20 | PeliFilip
6 | BlackOak 21 | Pérez-Llorca
7 | BLP 21 | Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU &
7 | Bruun & Hjejle Uría
8 | Buddle Findlay 22 | Pinsent Masons
8 | Dechert 22 | Riolo Calderaro Crisostomo
9 | Dentons 23 | Sidley Austin
9 | DLA Piper 24 | Simmons & Simmons
10 | Domański Zakrzewski Palinka 25 | SRS Advogados
10 | Erdinast Ben Nathan Toledano & Co 25 | Taylors
12 | Fenwick & West 26 | Trilegal
12 | Ferrere 27 | Walder Wyss
13 | Fieldfisher 28 | Waselius & Wist
13 | Garrigues 28 | Watson Farley & Williams in
14 | Gibson Dunn & Crutcher association with LVN & Associates
14 | Goodwin Procter 29 | White & Case
15 | Jingtian & Gongcheng 30 | Yulchon
16 | Latham & Watkins 31 | ZICO Law
16 | Mayora & Mayora
F I R M S TO W AT C H 2 0 1 8 | I F L R 10 0 0 . C O M | 1
IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Africa Legal Network
Who are they? firms were previously employed by
Africa Legal Network (ALN) is a network of international firms in Paris and London. Recent transactional highlights
16 independent African firms (all in Further south, the network signed up new • ajinomoto $532 million acquisition
different countries), which work in domestic members in Botswana, Guinea, of 33% stake in Promasidor
association with Webber Wentzel in South Madagascar, and Mozambique between (acquirer)
Africa, a firm which itself has a formal 2016 and 2017. Of these additions, Desai • moatize-Nacala railway and port
relationship with Linklaters. The network Law Group in Botswana and ABBC in project (lenders)
also has one member firm in the Middle Mozambique were arguably the most • Nairobi-mombasa Expressway
East, through the-Dubai based Anjarwalla significant, with both firms boasting good (project developer)
Collins & Haidermota. reputations in their markets. ABBC also has • Neptune Energy Group $3.9 billion
The member firms in the network are all recent experience of high profile domestic acquisition of ENGiE E&P
generally active in transactional work and work, including advising on the financing of international (acquirer)
most are among the leading firms in their the Moatize-Nacala railway and port project. • sangaredi bauxite mine (borrower
markets for this type of advice. In addition to more wholesale expansion / project developer)
Looking at ALN’s geographical strength, by the network, ALN’s member firms have
its member firms with a Tier 1 IFLR1000 also grown through mergers and hires. IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
ranking are in Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, ALN’s Mauritius member (BLC Robert & Highly regarded: 26
Mauritius, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Associates, as it is now called) merged with Rising star: 3
Zambia. Etude Robert in July 2016, adding 22
lawyers to its team, including partner Andre
Why now? Robert. In Botswana, Desai Law Group consultant Jean-Baptiste Blanc since 2016.
ALN grew substantially between 2016 and merged with Akheel Jinabhai and Associates, In Uganda, MMAKS Advocates appointed
May 2017, expanding its capacity in giving the firm additional corporate capacity Shellomith Irungu as a director and head of
Lusophone and Francophone Africa and and a strong property practice. banking and finance. In Zambia, Musa
entering five new markets. There have been numerous senior lateral Dudhia & Co recruited senior associates
The recent additions to the network hires within the network in the previous two Yosa Yosa and Mulopa Ndalameta.
included two member firms in North Africa years. In Kenya, Anjarwalla & Khanna has
– Bourabiat Associés in Algeria and BFR & recruited partner Aleem Tharani, senior
Associés. The founding partners of both associate Gunraj Singh Arora, and
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Allen & Gledhill
Who are they? than 25 years’ experience.
Full-service Singapore firm Allen & Gledhill The firm has advised on a number of Recent transactional highlights
is one of the largest in the country and has significant deals in Myanmar recently, • international Beverage company
international offices in Malaysia and including the largest ever inbound $742 million acquisition of 75% in
Myanmar. The firm employs 300 lawyers acquisition (International Beverage myanmar Distillery company
domestically and another 100 abroad. Company’s acquisition of 75% in Myanmar (seller)
In transactional work, the firm ranks in Distillery Company) and only the fifth IPO • olam holdings $1 billion revolving
the top tier in all IFLR1000 practice area on Myanmar’s stock exchange (TMH credit facility (bookrunners and
tables domestically, and internationally it is Telecom’s IPO). Other notable work arrangers)
generally in the second tier. As these includes lead partner Oo’s regular advice to • tata steel $1.3 billion 4.45% and
rankings suggest, the firm’s Singapore team the Ministry of Commerce on drafting 5.45% notes issues (issuer)
is its strongest. trade, investment, and arbitration laws, and • tmh telecom YsX iPo (issuer and
to the Central Bank of Myanmar on bookrunner)
Why now? transaction law. • Unilever joint venture with Europe &
Allen & Gledhill has made impressive The firm is committed to developing asia commercial company (joint
progress in Myanmar since opening an office lawyers from the local market, demonstrated venture partner)
in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial centre, in by its internship programme and the
2014. Since launching, the firm has training opportunities it offers for young IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
improved its position in the Burmese legal Burmese lawyers. Highly regarded: 21
market, leveraging successfully off the Market leader: 4
experience of its domestic lawyers. Rising star: 6
The expertise of the firm’s Burmese team
is a key asset. Lead partner Minn Naing Oo
has a good understanding of the local legal
market and how the government and
authorities operate. The team also includes a
former advisor to the president, U Nyan
Naing Win, and Saw Yu Win, who has more
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Balcıoğlu Selçuk Akman Keki
Who are they? its recent activity. In a market rocked by
Balcıoğlu Selçuk Akman Keki is the Turkish social and political challenges for a number Recent transactional highlights
partner office of Dentons. This connection of years, the firm has managed to not only • akbank $1.2 billion multicurrency
gives the firm access to a global network maintain its activity levels and market dual tranche syndicated term loan
covering more than 50 countries and position but also grow and develop its facilities (underwriters)
including more than 7500 lawyers, with a offering. • coca-cola icecek $500 million
significant presence in both the US and in Recent transactions by the firm in the e- 4.215% notes issue (issuer)
China. commerce, real estate and energy spaces • Delivery hero frankfurt stock
The Istanbul-based firm boasts a team represent some of the largest and most Exchange iPo (shareholders)
including 13 partners in a group of more significant matters ever completed in those • DP Eurasia UKla iPo (issuer)
than 75 legal professionals. The firm is able sectors in Turkey. • Vitol Group €1.37 billion acquisition
to offer clients advice in Turkish, English, With more than 35 lawyers advising on of omV Petrol ofisi (seller)
French, German and Italian and the breadth M&A, the firm has one of the largest
of its offering covers more than 20 practice dedicated practices in the country. And, IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers:
areas and 17 industry sectors. It was despite being part of one the of largest legal Highly regarded: 3
established in 2007 and serves all manner of networks anywhere in the world, the firm
clients, ranging from individual makes a particular effort to service its
entrepreneurs through to major international client base in-house, operating
international conglomerates. Japan, Germany, France and Iran desks in
While the firm does cover a wide range of the Istanbul office.
different areas, it is perhaps in M&A that it Outside of M&A work, the firm has a
is most prominent in the Turkish market. prominent banking team. The practice
Other notable offerings are its energy and managed to secure several notable panel
banking teams. wins in the recent past, most significantly
places on those of the European Bank for
Why now? Reconstruction and Development, Lloyds
Balcıoğlu Selçuk Akman Keki’s work in the TSB Bank, and the Mitsubishi Corporation.
M&A space has certainly been a highlight of
BDGS Associés
Who are they? The firm has adopted a similar model to
Formed in 2013, BDGS is a Parisian contemporaries around Europe like Campos Recent transactional highlights
boutique focusing on competition, M&A, Ferreira Sá Carneiro & Associados in • abertis infraestructuras acquisition
private equity and general corporate matters. Portugal, the disputes focused Three Crowns of sanef (seller)
The firm was founded by partners, and in London and Paris, and Riolo Calderaro • airbus safran launchers joint
M&A specialists, from leading French firm Crisostomo in Italy (featured elsewhere in venture (Safran)
Gide Loyrette Nouel, Antoine Bonnasse, this guide), in establishing a smaller more • crédit agricole assurances €715
Youssef Djehane, and Jean-Emmanuel focused group of elite lawyers drawn from million acquisition of 12.95% stake
Skovron, and competition lawyer Antoine leading international firms. in icade (acquirer)
Gosset-Grainville, who joined the firm from Creating a successful high-level boutique • Groupe fnac acquisition of Darty
a position as Deputy Director of the Cabinet is no easy feat. While individual lawyer (acquirer)
of Prime Minister François Fillon. reputation as a guarantee of quality is a good • total acquisition of 23% indirect
The firm soon expanded further adding starting point, it can be a battle to win over stake in Eren renewable Energy
Linklaters M&A partners Marc Loy and clients used to working with larger (acquirer)
Thomas Meli in 2014, Gide tax lawyer established brands. Nevertheless BDGS’s
Guillaume Jolly in 2015, Freshfields steady expansion and transactional record IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
competition partners Maria Trabucchi and speaks for itself. Highly regarded: 4
Jérôme Fabre from in 2016, and Weil To give just a few examples, Bonnasse and
Gotshal finance lawyer Anne-Sophie Noury, Gosset-Grainville advised on a significant
also in 2016. joint venture between Airbus and Safran areas and perhaps signals the intention to
Safran in 2016, which was shortlisted for an compete on more fronts with France’s larger
Why now? IFLR award, and in late 2017 Skovron and firms.
The French market, and Paris in particular, Marc Loy advised Total on the acquisition of
has seen quite a change in the last few years a 23% stake in Eren Renewable Energy.
in terms of new nimble firms setting up In 2018 the firm moved into the litigation
shop and challenging the larger more market with the hire of Kyum Lee from Weil
established outfits, but BDGS is arguably Gotshal & Manges. The move marks the
the most successful example. first step away from the firm’s core practice
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
BDK Advokati
Who are they? Why now?
Established in 2004, BDK Advokati has While BDK has long been one of the Recent transactional highlights
grown to become one of the leading firms in leading firms in the Serbian market, the past • Expobank cZ acquisition of marfin
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and few years has seen it act on significant Bank Beograd (acquirer)
Montenegro and an established brand projects that have garnered attention outside • hesteel Group €46 million
alongside contemporaries such as JPM and of its home market. acquisition of Zelezara smederevo
Karanović & Nikolić. The firm is frequently According to managing partner Tijana steel mill (acquirer)
seen on some of the largest deals in the Kojović, the firm has placed an increased • Kovačica 104.5mw wind farm
market, rubbing shoulders with emphasis on infrastructure work as this part (project developer)
international firms and CEE regional firms of the market has grown. As well as advising • italy-montenegro 1000mw subsea
headquartered in Austria. on several notable energy projects electricity interconnector (project
The firm is part of the SEE Legal (particularly wind farms), the firm has also developer)
network, which covers not only the Western acted on matters including the electricity • Pančevo 208mw gas power plant
Balkans but also has member firms in interconnector between Italy and (EPC contractor)
jurisdictions such as Greece, Romania and Montenegro, the City of Belgrade waste
Turkey. The network can back up its claims management PPP, and the concession for the IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
of being a group of leading firms, with operation of Nikola Tesla Airport. Highly regarded: 5
nearly all its members (which includes the The firm has also picked up notable work
likes of Kalo & Associates, Kyriakides in other practice areas, including work on
Georgopoulos, and Nestor Nestor Diculescu acquisitions and restructurings for British clients. Designed primarily to cater for
Kingston Petersen) securing one or more top American Tobacco and the privatisation of clients’ ‘corporate and employment
tier ranking positions in the latest edition of the Zelezara Smederevo steel mill. housekeeping’ needs, the new platform will
the IFLR1000. In line with the approach taken by provide clients with access to basic
BDK also has well established links with international firms, BDK has also created a documentation and resources to handle day-
international firms including Allen & Overy, number of industry sector groups to better to-day matters for which a full team of
Dentons, Eversheds, and Freshfields. serve clients. The latest to launch was lawyers is not required. With so much of the
gaming, hospitality and construction. firm’s work now cross border, the initiative is
Kojović also highlights another new designed to engage and expand the firm’s
initiative undertaken by the firm, the domestic client base.
introduction of more online resources for
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Blackoak
Who are they? The firm is active in the wider region in
Blackoak is a young Singapore boutique addition to domestically and represents Recent transactional highlights
specialising in restructuring and insolvency funds clients in Hong Kong. It is planning • BlD investments $155 million debt
work. The firm was founded in 2016 by the to expand its focus to provide cross-border restructuring (debtor)
former head of restructuring and insolvency mediation and advising start-ups on • Blue ocean resources $325
at TSMP Law Corporation, Ashok Kumar, corporate finance and alternative fund million debt restructuring (ad-hoc
and his team. raisings. committee of bond holders)
The firm has a team of 12 fee-earners The firm’s founder, Kumar, is one of the • Kreuz corporate restructuring
based on Singapore’s main island. leaders in his field within the domestic legal (debtor)
market. His accolades include being director • rickmers maritime trust s$100
Why now? of the Insolvency Practitioners Association million debt restructuring (bond
Blackoak is the only firm in Singapore of Singapore. holders)
focused solely on restructuring and • trikomsel s$215 million debt
insolvency work. The firm has already built restructuring (coordinating
up a decent track record of notable committee of bond holders)
mandates and, with the local government
attempting to transform Singapore into a IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
global hub for cross-border regional matters, Highly regarded: 1
looks set to prosper in the near future.
The boutique has expanded significantly
since opening, growing from a team of five
lawyers to 12. The firm made lateral hires in
its early stage of development between 2016
and the first quarter of 2017, but is now
focusing on recruiting and developing
younger lawyers. The firm has demonstrated
its commitment to developing young talent
by launching an undergraduate training
programme.
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
BLP
Who are they? defunct Arenales & Skinner-Klée.
Founded in 2003, Costa Rica-based BLP is Further recent expansion by BLP has Recent transactional highlights
present in four other Central American included the firm’s hire of banking and • alternegy $320 million bond issue
countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua finance lawyer Claudia Prado from real (issuer)
and Guatemala. estate developer Grupo Calso in Nicaragua. • autopistas del sol $350.75 million
On a regional level the firm is broadly In 2018 the firm promoted Prado to project bond issue (issuer)
active in financial and corporate work. partner, bringing the number of partners in • Girardot-honda-Puerto salgar
Capital markets and project finance are two its Nicaragua office to two. highway PPP (lead manager)
areas where the firm has recent experience in Some further notable international • medtronic sale of Patient care
high-end work. growth by BLP saw the firm open a (seller)
The firm’s strongest office is in Costa representative office in Madrid in September • one Equity investment in onelink
Rica, where its team maintains a Tier 1 2017. The branch is led by David Gutiérrez, (investor)
IFLR1000 ranking and has received IFLR’s a Costa Rican partner who splits his time
national Firm of the Year award for the past between Costa Rica and Madrid. IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
three years. Pro bono work is a focus of the firm. This Highly regarded: 10
is exemplified through its involvement with Market leader: 1
Why now? the promotion of the ‘Yo Puedo Y Vos’ Rising star: 2
Regionalisation is a buzz-word in Central campaign and foundation, which is focused
America’s legal market as firms seek to meet on the social, employment and educational
client demand for multi-jurisdictional inclusion of people with disabilities. The
advice. After BLP moved into Guatemala firm has also been recognised by the Costa
the firm was able to boast offices in all Rican government as carbon neutral.
Central America’s key markets, placing it in
strong position to secure significant
mandates in the region.
The firm launched in Guatemala in 2016,
hiring partners Luis Ruiz, Rodolfo Salazar
and María Inés Arenales from the now
Bruun & Hjejle
Who are they? partner and two competition partners in
Based in the heart of Copenhagen, Bruun & 2016, all from market-leading firms. In Recent transactional highlights
Hjejle is one of the oldest extant firms in the 2017 the firm brought in another partner, • aP møller holding $1.171 billion
Danish capital, being able to trace its lineage on this occasion to its real estate practice, acquisition of maersk tankers
as far back as 1878. The firm took its and promoted four of its existing team to (acquirer)
current form in 2009 and now boasts a team partners. • atP DKr6.9 billion acquisition of
of more than 30 partners in a group that As a result of the firm’s development 50% stake in Danica shopping
includes more than 130 legal professionals. strategy it has seen activity in its core areas centre portfolio (seller)
In the firm’s current form it is focused on boosted significantly in the last 12 months. • cic capital corporation, china
three key areas of practice: M&A (including Capitalising on the growing importance of life, munich rE Group, and Pfa
private equity and alternative investments), Danish pension funds to the national Pension $1.1 billion acquisition of
real estate, and litigation and arbitration. In investment market – an area where the firm interPark (acquirer)
terms of sectors, the firm has a strong focus already had one of the strongest practices – • New Energy investment DKr6.49
on the financial sector and institutional it has advised a number of key clients in this billion sale of shares in Dong
investors and boasts one of the strongest and area on, initially, private equity investments Energy (seller)
most experienced pension funds practices in and, more recently, debt financing matters • PKa/Pfa acquisition of a 50%
the Nordic region. and investment in large-scale energy and stake in walney Extension 659mw
infrastructure projects. offshore wind farm (acquirer)
Why now? The energy sector has increasingly become
Since 2014 Bruun & Hjejle has been an important area of focus for the firm, IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
developing its offering to be focused on having recently advised on a number of Highly regarded: 9
three core areas – contentious work, M&A, regulatory, M&A and arbitration matters in Market leader: 1
and real estate – rejecting some work that this area. Additionally in 2017, the firm Rising star: 2
falls outside these practices and developing managed to secure a significant market share
its team through lateral hires and of work in the real estate sector.
promotion.
Recent hires by the firm have included the
addition of two M&A partners, a finance
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Buddle Findlay
Who are they? Malaysian and Singaporean clients – will be
Full-service New Zealand independent Buddle an asset. Recent transactional highlights
Findlay has offices in Auckland, Christchurch, Of late, Buddle Findlay’s M&A practice is • Dick smith Electronics insolvency
and Wellington. getting busier and attracting more market (creditor)
The firm is strong in banking and finance leading mandates. For example, last year the • caltex australia NZ$340million
and restructuring and insolvency. The firm has firm acted for Sky Network Television on the acquisition of 77 gull service
specialist knowledge in agricultural lending, proposed NZ$3.44 billion merger with stations and terminal fuel assets
aviation finance, payments, securitisation and Vodafone NZ, which would have been New (acquirer)
alternative off-balance sheet finance, and in Zealand’s largest ever corporate deal had it • Newell Brands NZ$660 million
M&A it is steadily becoming more been approved by the Commerce acquisition of sistema Plastics
prominent. Commission. The firm also advised Chevron (acquirer)
South Asia Holdings in the $785 million sale • sky Network television NZ$3.44
Why now? of 100% of its shares in Chevron New billion merger with Vodafone NZ
The ‘big three’ was a moniker habitually used Zealand to Z Energy. The deal involved the (merger party)
to refer to the established elite in New divestment of all of Chevron’s downstream • Z Energy $785 million acquisition of
Zealand’s legal market; however, the term has assets in New Zealand, including Chevron’s chevron New Zealand (seller)
fallen into disuse in recent times as the gap interests in the Caltex branded service
between the traditional three and others has stations, various terminal assets and IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
narrowed. Buddle Findlay played a significant infrastructure assets held by Chevron New Highly regarded: 6
role in this reversal and continues to. Zealand through joint venture vehicles.
In January 2018 the firm hired partner In the near future the firm is expected to be
Terence Ng from DLA Piper New Zealand to involved in large infrastructure projects in refreshed its overall strategic outlook and is
shore up its banking and finance, corporate Auckland as it acts for the New Zealand looking to implement a strong internal culture
and commercial, and property-oriented Asian Transport Authority (NZTA) and Auckland alongside client experience. Pro-bono work is
business practice. With increasing inward Transport, and has now established a joint integral to this aspect of the firm’s culture and
investment from Asia into New Zealand, Ng’s venture with Bell Gully to support it is among the lead sponsors of the Halberg
strong links with the Asian business infrastructure projects. Disability Sport Foundation and is active for
community – including Chinese, Hong Kong, Finally, in the past year Buddle Findlay has the Child Health Foundation.
Dechert
Who are they? Why now?
Originally from Philadelphia, Dechert now In the last three years Dechert has made a Recent transactional highlights
operates from 28 offices in 15 countries concerted effort to expand its footprint in • arab republic of Egypt $4 billion
around the world with more than 900 the EMEA region. As well as its formation sovereign bond issue (issuer)
lawyers in its ranks. of an association in Saudi Arabia, the firm • chrysaor holdings £3 billion
The period between 2008 and 2012 was has also grown its London practice through acquisition of shell North sea oil
the firm’s busiest era of global expansion as it several high profile hires. assets (acquirer)
opened offices across Asia and Europe. In Focusing on banking and finance and • crown holdings proposed $3.91
2012 the firm entered the Middle East, private equity, the firm has raided its US billion acquisition of signode
opening in Dubai, and in 2015 it formed an contemporaries for a number of partners in industrial Group (acquirer)
association with Saudi firm Hassan this period. In the banking space these have • Gméxico transportes $2.1 billion
Mahassni. included Philip Butler and David Miles acquisition of florida East coast
The firm is best known for investment from DLA Piper, and John Markland and railway holdings (acquirer)
funds, structured finance, M&A and private Rob Bradshaw from Kirkland & Ellis. In the • mid-Europa Partners €533 million
equity work, and high level financial M&A and private equity area, the firm acquisition of Profi rom food
regulatory advice. Outside of the financial returned to Kirkland for partner (acquirer)
and corporate sphere, anti-trust and Christopher Field and raided White & Case
litigation are areas of strength. for Ross Allardice. The firm also hired IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
Individual offices have developed their financial services regulatory partner Monica Highly regarded: 27
own specialties, with the London team Gogna from Ropes & Gray. Market leader: 2
known for its debt capital markets work, Hiring in itself is no guarantee of success, Rising star: 19
particularly sovereign issues from the of course, but in Dechert’s case these new
MENA region. This specialty was recognised recruits have already proven their worth by
at IFLR’s 2017 Middle East awards when delivering on high profile mandates. Food. As well as being the largest private
head of the practice, Camille Abousleiman, A clear example was Allardice and equity deal in Romania’s history, it saw the
received that year’s lifetime achievement Markland’s work on CEE focused private firm secure a key role on a CEE inbound
award for his work in this area. equity house Mid-Europa Partners’ acquisition investment deal, an area traditionally
of Romanian supermarket chain Profi Rom dominated by the UK ‘magic circle’.
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Dentons
Who are they? Murray & Spens in July 2017, which added
By headcount the largest firm in the world, 200 lawyers to the firm’s roster. Other recent Recent transactional highlights
Dentons employs more than 8800 lawyers EMEA growth includes launching in • Budapest airport €1.32 billion debt
across 66 countries. The firm operates under Georgia after taking over DLA Piper’s Tblisi restructuring (borrower)
a Swiss verein model (Salans FMC SNR branch, and in Iran through an association • carillion insolvency (receiver)
Denton Group) comprising four legal with a local firm. The firm also secured • KKr £6 billion acquisition of
entities. presences in Luxembourg and the Unilever’s spreads business
Dentons’ strength in terms of Netherlands through mergers with national (acquirer)
transactional advice tends to be in finance outfits OPF Partners and Boekel • sultanate of oman $6.5 billion
(lending and debt securities) and project respectively. In Germany the firm opened an three tranche sovereign bond issue
work. Energy and oil and gas are sectors additional office in Munich. (bookrunners)
where the firm is highly visible. In Latin America, Dentons has been • tuban grass root refinery (sponsor)
The firm’s geographical strength is broad, expanding aggressively since January 2016 and
with Central Asia, Central and Eastern now has offices in a number of markets. In IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
Europe, China, Latin America, and the late autumn 2017 the firm merged with Gallo Expert consultant: 1
Middle East all places where it is involved in Barrios Pickmann in Peru and entered into a Highly regarded: 119
high-end work. strategic alliance with Vella Pugliese Buosi Market leader: 8
Guidoni in Brazil. Earlier last year Dentons Rising star: 27
Why now? and Costa Rica based firm Muñoz Global
In the context of the global legal market the merged, which also gave the firm branches in
scale of Dentons’ recent growth is Guatemala and Panama. Going back to early combined with Australian firm Gadens in
unparalleled. Since the firm’s merger with 2016, Dentons launched in Mexico (it has late 2016, giving it an additional 500
what was one of China’s biggest firms, since added a second office) and Colombia lawyers and new branches in Sydney, Perth,
Dacheng, in 2015, it has expanded into new through mergers with two national firms and Papua New Guinea. Earlier in 2016,
markets in the Americas, Asia, and Europe López Velarde and Cardenas & Cardenas. Singapore firm Rodyk & Davison joined
through a spate of smaller combinations. In Asia-Pacific, new markets for Dentons Dentons’ network. Further expansion in
One of Dentons’ more substantial recent since January 2016 include Australia, Asia-Pacific included new branches in
mergers was with Scottish firm Maclay Myanmar, and Singapore. The firm Melbourne and Myanmar.
DLA Piper
Who are they? include private equity partner Jeff Legault in
DLA Piper is a UK based international firm New York, real estate partner Ying Deneve Recent transactional highlights
with an extensive international network of DuBois in Miami, and Adam Ghander in • atlantia €16.3 billion acquisition of
offices in more than 40 countries. The firm’s Boston. abertis infraestructuras (acquirer)
footprint extends from Europe to the DLA has grown in Latin America too. • Darden restaurants $780 million
Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia- The firm entered into cooperation acquisition of cheddar’s scratch
Pacific. agreements with Chilean law firm Kitchen (seller and target)
The firm’s offices generally have a broad Bahamondez Alvarez & Zegers and Peruvian • regional airports PPP programme
focus when it comes to transactional advice firm Pizarro Botto & Escobar in December (project developer)
but projects work is an area where the firm 2016 and March 2017, respectively. • sinopec $900 million acquisition of
often performs well. Asia, and Central Outside of the Americas, DLA has formed chevron south africa and chevron
Eastern and Western Europe are where the some significant international alliances. One Botswana (acquirer)
firm is strongest. came in May 2017, when the firm reached • swansea Bay 320mw tidal
an agreement with Lagos-based firm Olajide lagoon Power Project (project
Why now? Oyewole. The move gave the firm a Nigeria developer)
DLA Piper has been expanding at an presence and made history as the first
impressive pace recently. In the US, the firm agreement of this type between an IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
has grown through mergers and partner international and Nigerian firm. Expert consultant: 1
hires. In October 2017, it merged with Los In Europe, DLA has extended its reach in Highly regarded: 98
Angeles boutique Liner, increasing DLA’s the previous two years. In March 2017, the Market leader: 2
corporate offerings in the media and firm merged with Portuguese firm ABBC Rising star: 20
entertainment and real estate sectors. On (previously the firms had a formal
top of that, the firm’s San Diego branch relationship but ABBC was not integrated
hired corporate partner Michael Brown from into DLA’s network) and it added Danish Nordic region, with five offices.
firm Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth in firm LETT to the network. This latter Rounding off the firm’s recent notable
January 2017. move, along with the earlier addition of global moves, it added project finance
DLA has also added partners to its US Finnish firm Peltonen LMR in February partner Matthias Schemuth in Hong Kong
East Coast offices. Some of the 2017 hires 2016, made DLA the largest law firm in the from Ashurst in February 2017.
f i r m s to w at c h 2 0 1 8 | i f l r 10 0 0 . c o m | 9IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Domański Zakrzewski Palinka
Who are they? Fulbright, Hajduk acted on projects
Domański Zakrzewski Palinka (DZP) is a including the development of the Toruń Recent transactional highlights
Polish firm established in 1993. With offices power plant. • abris capital Partners Zl825 million
in Warsaw, Poznań, and Wrocław employing The firm has also been expanding in other acquisition of GetBack (seller)
140 lawyers, DZP is one of Poland’s largest areas, adding disputes and industry sector • invesco real Estate acquisition of
firms. specialists, and English law capacity in the sheraton Grand Kraków (seller)
DZP primarily advises on domestic work form of David Shasha, who will act as a • Kraków fast tramway – stage iV
and is active on M&A, real estate, and bridge to UK clients in London. PPP (grantor)
energy and infrastructure projects. More The firm has also taken steps to support • toruń 330mw gas power plant
generally, the firm has a broad practice but is its domestic client base in relation to (lender)
best known for disputes and tax work. outbound investment and deals abroad. The • toyota Zl650 million manufacturing
In a market that features a lot of ‘Go Global’ programme is specifically aimed investment (investor)
international firms, DZP is seen as one of at providing advice to Polish corporates
the leading independent firms alongside the which are looking at global expansion. The IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
likes of Sołtysiński Kawecki & Szlęzak and firm reports picking up more regional work Highly regarded: 11
Wardyński & Partners, and is often engaged across the CEE generally in the past few Market leader: 1
(though by no means exclusively) by Polish years. Rising star: 2
domestic clients and referring firms. Recent standout deals include advising
Idea Bank on the sale of GetBack, and work
Why now? on the power plant projects at Kozienice and
While DZP has been consistent in the Toruń.
quality of its work for several years, 2017
saw it take the fairly unique step, for a Polish
firm, of hiring a partner from an
international brand. Projects and energy
lawyer Rafał Hajduk and his team joined the
firm in April 2017 in what was quite a coup
for the firm. Previously at Norton Rose
Erdinast Ben Nathan Toledano & Co
Who are they? Zellermayer Pelossof Rosovsky Tsafrir
Erdinast Ben Nathan Toledano & Co (EBN) Toledano & Co, Doni Toledano. Although Recent transactional highlights
is a full-service Israeli firm which employs the firm already had a good M&A practice, • ashalim 110mw concentrated solar
around 120 lawyers and has one office in Tel the arrival of Toldeano, who joined with a power plant (sponsor)
Aviv. large team and has expertise in private • Bank mizrahi-tefahot $400 million
EBN’s strongest transactional practices are equity, has helped propel the firm up Israel’s acquisition of Union Bank (acquirer)
M&A and project development, and it is the M&A league tables. Among the practice’s • mexichem $1.9 billion acquisition of
preferred Israeli legal adviser of a number of prominent transactions were advising Netafim (seller)
domestic and international private equity Permira on selling its stake in Netafim to • sirius international insurance $656
houses. Mexichem for $1.5 billion. million acquisition of 47% stake in
EBN’s sector expertise encompasses A further sign of the firm’s ambition was Phoenix holdings (acquirer)
energy, infrastructure, and technology, the recruitment of one of the top three • Xio Group acquisition of meitav
media and telecommunications. project finance teams in Israel in 2017. Dash (acquirer)
Again this was large practice led by a partner
Why now? with a formidable reputation in his field, IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
In the past two years EBN has demonstrated Jonathan Finklestone. Unfortunately this Highly regarded: 3
its intention to become one Israel’s leading integration was not without challenges, and Market leader: 2
firms with some eye-catching hires to the practice subsequently moved on.
expand and strengthen its transactional A productive 2016/17 saw the firm not
practices. In the M&A area particularly this only perform well in the IFLR1000 Israel after one of the original sponsors Abengoa
recruitment has proven astute, enabling the M&A ranking – moving up to Tier 2 – but entered insolvency, the firm advised Shikun
firm to gain a significant share of the also in the newly formed Project & Binui, another private sector sponsor, on
market’s large cross-border M&A deals, development table, where its work was the complex process of replacing Abengoa
especially high-end transactions involving acknowledged with a Tier 1 ranking. A and renegotiating the project contracts.
private equity. stand-out role for project head Uri Noy and EBN’s achievements in 2017 were
In terms of impact on EBN the most his team was their part in salvaging the BOT recognised by IFLR at its annual awards,
significant recent addition to the firm was project relating to plot A of the Ashalim where the firm received Firm of the Year for
former name partner at the now defunct thermo-solar power plant. A first in Israel, Israel for the first time.
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IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Fenwick & West
Who are they? Kristine Di Bacco were recruited from the
Fenwick & West was founded in Silicon West Coast to establish the new branch, Recent transactional highlights
Valley’s Mountain View in 1972. The firm signaling to New York’s many storied law • cisco systems $1.9 billion
has three other domestic offices – San firms that the office was not just an outpost acquisition of Broadsoft (acquirer)
Francisco, Seattle and New York – and an and Fenwick was coming to compete for • cisco systems $7 billion six
office in Shanghai. market share. tranche notes issues (issuer)
True to the firm’s Silicon Valley roots, its The New York office also meant significant • facebook acquisition of msQrD
corporate practice has technology expertise growth in size for Fenwick’s corporate (acquirer)
and primarily advises on M&A, private practice. Goldstein announced his move to • hewlett Packard Enterprise $1.09
equity, and capital markets transactions. Life Fenwick from Drinker Biddle & Reath at billion acquisition of Nimble storage
sciences is another specialty. roughly the same time as the firm made its (target)
The firm is most active in the US, expansion to New York public. Shortly after • sage Group $850 million
particularly for entities headquartered along officially opening in New York in early 2017, acquisition of intacct (target)
the West Coast. The Shanghai office allows the firm added M&A and private equity
the firm access to Asia-Pacific’s busy partner Ethan Skerry from New Jersey IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
technology market. headquartered firm Lowenstein Sandler. Highly regarded: 1
The firm has an outstanding reputation
Why now? for tech M&A. The reason for this is not
Fenwick & West’s recent growth and difficult to determine – the firm’s M&A
experience leading headline deals makes it a practice consistently represents household-
firm deserving of increased attention. In last name technology sector companies such as
year’s IFLR1000 the firm broke into the Cisco Systems and Facebook on multi-
rankings for the first time, a tremendous feat billion dollar deals.
in the States for a firm with such a relatively The firm’s capital markets group has
narrow industry focus. garnered similar attention, while its private
The firm’s latest expansion was its entry equity practice – even at only six years old –
into the New York market in May 2016. has gained traction as an important middle-
Corporate partners Ian Goldstein and market industry player.
Ferrere
Who are they? Recent significant transactions for the
Founded in Uruguay, Ferrere has a network firm’s Ecuador team include advising Recent transactional highlights
of offices incorporating branches in Bolivia, EPMAPS (Quito’s water utility company) • Bosques Del Uruguay iii $172
Ecuador, and Paraguay. on a $70 million loan from the French million land acquisition (acquirer)
The firm is strongest in Uruguay, where it Development Agency and assisting Electricas • cargill / Naturisa joint venture (joint
is generally considered one of top two in the de Medellin Comercial with contracts to venture party)
market, but in general across its network is build high voltage transmission lines for a • i squared capital $1.2 billion
active and experienced in transactional 150MW hydroelectric power plant. acquisition of ic Power’s latin
work. Ecuador is not the only country where the american and caribbean
firm has been expanding. In 2016 the firm businesses (acquirer)
Why now? opened a third Bolivian office in • inretail Perú’s $583 million
Ferrere is firmly established in Uruguay and Cochabamba. acquisition of Quicorp (acquirer)
is becoming one of the leading firms in the The firm has been aggressive in recruiting • Petroamazonas / cPVEN joint
other markets where it has an office. lawyers recently. In Uruguay the firm added venture (joint venture party)
Although the firm has been in Bolivia and banking and finance senior associate José
Paraguay for more than 10 years, its Lima. In Ecuador it has hired four corporate IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
Ecuadorian office is relatively new. Even senior associates and two corporate counsel. Highly regarded: 8
before the firm opened an office in Ecuador In Paraguay, banking partner Carlos Codas Market leader: 2
it began building a team of domestic and two corporate senior associates have Rising star: 3
lawyers, hiring Ecuadorian Jesús Beltrán in joined. Finally, in Bolivia the firm as
2014. When the firm launched it added recruited three corporate senior associates,
partners Javier Robalino, Andrés Donoso energy counsel Diego Bohrt, and corporate
and Paola Gachet. Robalino and Donoso partner Pablo Ordóñez.
joined from what was at the time Paz
Horowitz Robalino Garces. In 2016, the
firm tripled its footprint in Ecuador,
establishing offices in the port of Manta and
Guayaquil, the country’s financial centre.
12 | i f l r 10 0 0 . c o m | f i r m s to w at c h 2 0 1 8IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Fieldfisher
Who are they? of various service providers (as of writing
Fieldfisher can trace its history back to the Cognia Law in South Africa, eClerx in Recent transactional highlights
19th century, though it took on its current India, and Donaldson Legal Consulting in • cryolife $225 million acquisition of
form through the merger of Field Fisher Northern Ireland) and is designed to offer JotEc Group (acquirer)
Martineau and Waterhouse & Co in 1989. clients cheaper technology-driven solutions • Golomt Bank $100 million financing
More recently the firm rebranded from Field to legal problems as an alternative to the (lender)
Fisher Waterhouse to just Fieldfisher. traditional partner-led model. Initially • KazmunaiGas Exploration
Within the financial and corporate space, focused on derivatives and financial trading, Production $1.95 billion GDr and
the firm is best known for its work in the firm is looking to expand the service to share tender offer (issuer)
financial services, particularly areas such as cover other areas such as IT, outsourcing, life • KGal acquisition of Gunillaberg
derivatives and structured products, and also sciences and competition. and lunna wind farms (acquirer)
for work on stock market listings on AIM. While many firms are looking at new • otc Europe acquisition of oil
More broadly the firm also has a good technology as a way to assist clients, Brokerage (shareholders)
reputation in the tech sector and for its work Fieldfisher is one of the few to move directly
in areas such as privacy and outsourcing. into the area of alternative law providers, IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
which is usually viewed as a threat rather Highly regarded: 8
Why now? than an opportunity by traditional firms. Rising star: 1
Fieldfisher is a good example of a firm In addition to the above, the firm has
moving forward through new initiatives done its fair share of expansion in the last
rather than just pure expansion. few years. A clear strategy of Western Europe partners Dougall Molson from Freshfields
A good example of this is the work the expansion has seen the firm open in and Richard Todd from Mayer Brown, and
firm is doing in the area of alternative legal Amsterdam and merge with SASPI in Italy banking and debt capital markets specialist
provision. In early 2017 the firm launched a in the last two years, and several more office Stephen Moller from K&L Gates.
new initiative, Condor, bringing on board openings in the region are on the horizon.
Chris Georgiou from Ashurst to run it, with Further afield, the firm also opened in
input from derivatives partners Luke Beijing in 2016.
Whitmore and Guy Usher. The UK team has also been enhanced
The new platform combines the offering through the hires of structured finance
Garrigues
Who are they? into. But since hiring García, Garrigues has
Based in Spain, Garrigues is a full-service been able to secure roles on several high Recent transactional highlights
international firm with offices in 13 value transactions including ENAP’s $700 • Banco santander chile $500
countries across America, Asia, and Europe. million bond issue, Transmisora Eléctrica del million 2.5% notes issue (dealers)
Geographically the firm is strongest in its Norte’s $111 million project financing to • Enel chile / Enel Green Power
native Spain where it is among the leading fund a transmission line, and Empresas merger (merger party)
firms in the country for all areas of AquaChile’s $280 million refinancing. • KKr €1.275 billion acquisition of
transactional advice. Garrigues’ move into Peru is also 40% of telxius telecom (seller)
Outside of the Iberian Peninsula, the firm noteworthy. The firm hired Oscar Arrus, • la araucana $643 million debt
has its strongest regional presence in Latin Sergio Amiel, Thomas Thorndike and Jose restructuring (bond holders)
America, where it maintains offices in Chile, Francisco Meier from Rubio Leguía • republic of Peru Ns10.3 billion
Colombia, Peru, and Mexico that all have Normand when it opened its Lima office. 6.35% sovereign bond issue (initial
good reputations within their markets for Hiring an experienced team has enabled the purchasers)
transactional advice. firm to work on several innovative
transactions, including Peru’s NS10.3 billion IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
Why now? issue. Highly regarded: 21
Garrigues is well established in several Latin Further recent hires by Garrigues in Latin Market leader: 1
American markets and in Chile in particular America include the addition of Natalia Auli Rising star: 4
it has recently been gaining market share Giraldo and Andrés Ordóñez Rizo in
after a lateral hire. Colombia, and Mario Juárez in Mexico City.
The firm first expanded into Chile when The firm also hired Diego Harman as a
it merged with domestic firm Avendaño principal associate in its Lima office. In the
Merino. A few months later, Garrigues made future, the firm hopes to expand into
significant headway when it added Pedro Argentina.
García, in what was a rare lateral hire for
Chile’s legal market. Dominated by large
local firms, Chile has traditionally been a
difficult market for global firms to break
f i r m s to w at c h 2 0 1 8 | i f l r 10 0 0 . c o m | 13IFLR1000 FIRMS TO WATCH
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Who are they? and Jonathan Earle, in 2014. They were
Founded in Los Angeles in the 19th century, followed by finance partner Stephen Recent transactional highlights
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher now has 20 Gillespie, who joined from Kirkland & Ellis • Elliott management $1.6 billion
offices across 10 countries with more than (though he moved in-house in early 2018), acquisition of Gigamon (acquirer)
1200 lawyers in total. and, in early 2015, finance partner Philip • Google $1.1 billion acquisition of
The firm has extended its reach since the Crump, also from Kirkland. htc’s Pixel division (seller)
millennium, entering Asia in 2008, Dubai In late 2015, capital markets became the • lennar $9.3 billion acquisition of
in 2007, São Paulo in 2009, and Frankfurt area of focus, with the firm adding Steve calatlantic Group (target)
in 2016. In 2017 the firm expanded in its Thierbach and Chris Haynes from Herbert • sh 130 concession company
home market, opening a new office in Smith Freehills (HSF). Thierbach, notably, chapter 11 (debtor)
Houston fueled by 21 lateral partner hires. was HSF’s global head of capital markets. In • the williams companies $12 billion
The firm is best known for M&A work 2016-17 further hires were made, with financial repositioning and $2.1
within the financial and corporate space, financial regulatory partner James Perry billion sale of williams olefins to
with the wider firm known for competition joining from Ashurst, M&A and private Nova chemicals (seller)
and antitrust, litigation, and projects work. equity partner James Howe joining from
Kirkland, Anna Howell joining from HSF IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
Why now? (where she had co-led the energy practice), Highly regarded: 34
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher expanded and real estate partner Jeremy Kenley Market leader: 3
significantly in the UK in the past few years, joining from Mayer Brown. Rising star: 3
putting a particular focus on building out its The firm has made clear its intentions in
English law M&A and finance capability. It Germany as well, opening a second office in
is also notable that nearly all the lateral the country in Frankfurt in 2016 and hiring new opportunities, opening a new Houston
partner hires – outlined below – are Leading two more IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers, Dirk office in 2017 with the hire of six energy
Lawyers in the IFLR1000. Oberbracht and Wilhelm Reinhardt. In partners from Baker Botts and lawyers from
The firm’s recent UK hiring spree started Asia, 2017 saw the firm hire a highly rated Latham & Watkins and Apache
with the hire of a number of corporate and private equity team in Hong Kong from Corporation.
private equity partners from Ashurst, Ropes & Gray.
Charlie Geffen, Mark Sperotto, Nigel Stacey Even in the US the firm has looked at
Goodwin Procter
Who are they? Frankfurt. The four were Marc Bohne, Peter
Founded in Boston in 1912, Goodwin Junghänel (both real estate), Stephan Kock Recent transactional highlights
Procter has six domestic and four (finance), and Lars Jessen (private equity). • aXa investment managers €1
international offices (three in Europe, one in Goodwin Procter’s more recent European billion acquisition of Gramercy
Asia). branch opening saw the firm launch in Paris Property Europe logistics portfolio
Transactional work is a specialty of the in summer 2016 after hiring a team from (seller)
firm, particularly capital markets and private King & Wood Mallesons (KWM). A • lennar $9.3 billion acquisition of
equity. The firm has expertise in the life popular a destination for in-bound private calatlantic Group (acquirer)
sciences, real estate and technology sectors. equity investment, Paris is a market which • Pamplona capital $4.5 billion
With the firm’s international branches still makes sense for the firm, and the team it has acquisition of Parexel (target)
relatively nascent, its strongest offices are built is experienced and focused on work in • sanofi €3.9 billion acquisition of
concentrated in North America. this area. In total since opening in Paris, the ablynx (target)
firm has hired three KWM (Christophe • snap NYsE iPo (underwriters)
Why now? Digoy, Maxence Bloch, and David Arnuad)
Since late 2015, Goodwin Procter has and two Shearman & Sterling (Arnaud IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers
doubled its number of international offices, Fromion and Frederic Guillox) partners who Highly regarded: 5
opening two new European offices to all share a focus on funds work.
complement the focus of its London branch In the UK, Goodwin Procter expanded
and enable it to provide a better offering to significantly in 2017, making a substantial Shawn D’Aguiar, Patrick Deasy, and Ajay
target private equity and real estate deals on addition to its practice early in the year. A Pathak.
the mainland of the continent. In addition six partner, 15 associate funds team was The firm also expanded in Hong Kong in
to expanding its European footprint, the recruited from KWM’s City branch. The 2017, adding private equity partners
firm has also increased the headcount of its group includes several well-known names on Douglas Freeman and Victor Chen from
City branch, adding depth and quality to the London market, including Michael Paul Hastings’ office.
the team. Halford, KWM’s former funds head, who
The firm opened its first office in has represented PAI Partners, Triton, 3i,
continental Europe in 2015 after hiring four Macquarie among others. The five other
Ashurst partners in Germany to launch in partners were Ed Hall, Laura Charkin,
1 4 | i f l r 10 0 0 . c o m | f i r m s to w at c h 2 0 1 8You can also read
