Highly regarded for its ‘strength in depth, with partners and associates making us their top priority‘, Clifford Chance LLP‘s private equity practice works with many of the top buyout houses on big-ticket transactions, both domestically and internationally. In particular, the team is noted for the depth of its European offering, fielding PE specialists across the continent who regularly work in conjunction with the London office on multi-jurisdictional matters. The firm’s global PE head Jonny Myers ‘brings unrivalled experience as trusted adviser’ across both national and international work, most recently for clients engaged in technology and life sciences-focused deals. Spencer Baylin is a key relationship partner for many of the firm’s most high-profile sponsor clients, while London PE head  Christopher Sullivan – ‘a star who works incredibly hard‘ – is particularly noted for his capabilities in the financial services and healthcare sectors, acting for both PE firms and their portfolio companies. Graham Phillips is well versed in energy and resources-oriented work, while Oliver Marcuse is roundly praised for his expertise in secondary transactions. Since joining from Mayer Brown International LLP in January 2022, Neil Evans has advised on multiple high-value acquisitions for various large sponsors. Shimin Lee, who regularly advises on some of the firm’s most consequential deals, is also recommended.

‘City powerhouse‘ Kirkland & Ellis International LLP is variously praised by clients for its ‘deep market knowledge‘ and ‘high customer service’. It maintains a dominant position in the London market, acting for leading buyout names on multi-billion-pound acquisitions, exits, and take-privates. In recent months, the team has taken steps to concentrate its position further with the hire of infrastructure specialist Sara Pickersgill, who joined from Allen & Overy in January 2023. The large practice is jointly chaired by David Higgins, a key contact for many of the firm’s top clients, and Matthew Elliott, whose recent highlights include big-ticket acquisitions and divestments in the infrastructure and real estate sectors. Adrian Maguire is regularly engaged on multi-billion-dollar transactions, most recently in the manufacturing and life sciences arenas, while the ‘vastly experienced‘ Stuart Boyd is lauded for bringing ‘a real gravitas to the negotiating table.‘ Other names to note include Celyn Evans, whose sponsor-side practice is focused on the infrastructure and real asset sectors. David Holdsworth left to become general counsel at TDR Capital in January 2023, while Tom McCarthy left for a position at Triton Partners in October 2022. Rachel Wolfenden joined Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in December 2022. Partner Roger Johnson left the firm in August 2023.

Many of the foremost private equity houses in the market – both domestic and international – turn to the sizeable team at Latham & Watkins for its expertise in high-value transactions across a range of sectors, ranging from multi-billion-dollar take-privates to corporate carve-outs. Practice co-chair David Walker is a highly experienced adviser who frequently handles big-ticket deals for major American and European PE firms. Fellow co-chair Kem Ihenacho, who serves as global co-chair of the firm’s PE practice group, has most recently advised on acquisitions and divestitures in the financial services, energy, and manufacturing sectors, to name a few. Paul Dolman regularly works with clients on leveraged acquisitions and investment transactions, while Tom Evans‘ recent highlights include multi-billion-pound buy and sell-side mandates across a range of industries. Other key figures include Farah O’Brien, a tech and life sciences specialist who also serves as co-chair of the firm’s London corporate department; Mike Bond, a key contact for various investors and portfolio companies; and Linzi Thomas, whose recent engagements span the life sciences and consumer goods sectors. Katie Peek and Maarten Overmars, both of whom were promoted to partner in January 2023, are also recommended.

‘A first-class outfit with a well-earned reputation for effectiveness and responsiveness‘, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP draws superlative praise from a number of clients for the strength of its sponsor-side transactional practice. Regarded by clients as ‘one of the very best PE lawyers in London‘ Marco Compagnoni – global co-chair of the firm’s private equity practice – regularly works with leading firms and their portfolio companies on high-value acquisitions and disposals. Jonathan Wood‘s broad practice encompasses buyouts, exits, and minority investments, most recently for clients in sectors including tech and professional services. ‘First point of call in an emergency‘ Simon Lyell‘s ‘highly technical‘ but ‘commercial‘ practice spans both buyouts and growth investments. Lewis Blakey‘s recent engagements include big-ticket acquisitions with pan-European and transatlantic dimensions. Max Oppenheimer is also recommended.

‘A fantastic one-stop shop for high-quality legal services‘, Linklaters LLP‘s client roster comprises a host of large-cap sponsors, who engage the firm for representation in big-ticket, multijurisdictional transactions – from acquisitions to bilateral carve-outs. The practice is co-chaired by Alex Woodward and Ben Rodham, who jointly head up the firm’s wider global financial sponsors group. Woodward, praised for his ‘super sharp legal mind‘, regularly works on acquisitions, divestitures, and investment transactions for various major PE firms, while Rodham – ‘an exceptional transactional partner‘ – has most recently advised on high-value disposals for clients with interests in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, among others. Tracey Lochhead‘s focus is notably concentrated in financial services and mining, while Chris Boycott‘s sector coverage spans tech, healthcare, and consumer goods. Alex Lehtinen – who was promoted to partner in May 2023 – boasts recent experience in manufacturing and real estate-oriented deals. Ben Suen is also recommended. Genna Marten joined the firm from Travers Smith LLP in June 2023, while the firm strengthened its offering on the infrastructure side with the hire of John Guccione from Latham & Watkins in May 2023. Will Aitken-Davies left the team to join Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in September 2023.

‘Brilliant technical lawyers with good commercial sense and judgement‘, Ropes & Gray regularly works with a number of high-profile sponsors and portfolio companies on the gamut of corporate deals. The firm has made a number of lateral hires over recent years, most notably Dan Oates, who arrived from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. Oates joined from Fried Frank alongside Angela Becker and Simon Saitowitz, both of whom are noted for their transactional acumen. John Newton is a highly experienced partner who draws particular praise for his expertise in healthcare and life sciences-driven work. Drawing superlative praise from clients, the ‘outstanding‘ Helen Croke‘s capabilities span both large cap and mid-market deals, while Elizabeth Todd‘s recent engagements include cross-border acquisitions concerning targets in the media and logistics sectors. Shona Ha, who was promoted to partner in November 2022, is lauded for her ‘incredibly impressive, knowledgeable and commercial’ practice. Former London managing partner Will Rosen left the firm to join Bain Capital as its European general counsel in November 2022.

Praised by clients for its 'fantastic work ethic and commercial approach', Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP's City private equity practice is engaged by numerous leading buyout houses and portfolio companies for assistance with multi-billion-dollar transactions. Practice head Richard Youle, who also now serves as head of Skadden's London office, continues to handle a range of high-value international deals.  Katja Butler - co-head of the UK corporate practice - works with some of the firm's top clients on investment deals and acquisitions, while Bruce Embley leverages his capabilities in M&A to advise on a host of sponsor-side and portfolio company mandates. Steven Hannah is also noted for his active sponsor-focused practice. Further names to note include George Gray and counsel Chetan Sheth, while fellow counsel Alex McCarney joined the team from Latham & Watkins in December 2022.

The team at Goodwin in London acts for a range of clients – both sponsor and management-side – on a steady flow of high-value transactions, particularly in the healthcare, life sciences, tech, and infrastructure sectors. Practice head Richard Lever – experienced in both domestic and multijurisdictional matters – in an active adviser whose recent highlights include a number of portfolio company deals. Carl Bradshaw regularly handles all manner of deals across European markets, while London office co-chair Gemma Roberts is particularly noted for her experience in cross-border carve-outs. Christian Iwasko and James Grimwood are also recommended for their broad transactional acumen.

'Well resourced...very efficient...and extremely responsive',  the majority of Milbank's nascent London private equity practice joined the firm from Dickson Minto WS in March 2023. The practice is jointly chaired by former Dickson Minto partner Jordan Simpson and former Kirkland partner Andrej Wolf, who also co-heads the London office. The pair steer the team across multi-jurisdictional acquisitions, sales, investment deals, and restructurings. Simpson is a highly experienced transactional lawyer whose recent engagements include cross-border sell-side mandates, while Wolf's capabilities span acquisitions and follow-on investments, acting for both PE houses and their portfolio companies. Other key figures include James McClymont, who boasts particular expertise in shareholder arrangements, and Lara Watt, a 'highly knowledgeable and commercial' adviser with experience across buyouts, carve-outs, and bolt-on acquisitions.

White & Case LLP‘s diverse roster of sponsor clients – ranging from major PE houses to sovereign wealth funds and growth funds – turn to the ‘commercial and practical‘ team for its capabilities across a range of transactions, most recently in the tech, payment services, and healthcare sectors. Practice head Richard Jones is particularly noted for his capabilities across energy, real estate, and financial services, with recent engagements including multijurisdictional acquisitions in the renewables space. Ross Allardice is noted for his healthcare and life sciences work, while Kenneth Barry – a prolific adviser within the team – is praised by clients for his ‘unparalleled‘ deal expertise.  Other key figures include Will Summers, lauded for his ‘exceptional talent and dedication‘ on high-profile sponsor-side work, while Lucy Bullock is described by one client as an ‘extremely impressive‘ deal adviser, who works with some of the firm’s leading international clients.

'A commercially driven team which gets things done', Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is regularly engaged by a number of sponsors for assistance with big-ticket transactions. Practice head Gavin Gordon is the key relationship partner for a number of the team's leading clients, who turn to Gordon for his expertise in cross-border matters with a European or transatlantic aspect. David Arnold is a seasoned PE partner who regularly handles strategic buy and sell-side mandates, while Claire McDaid's expertise is notably concentrated in distressed transactions. Other active advisers include Philip Coletto, who often works on deals involving tech or financial services assets, and Andrew Gray, who regularly works with a range of established US and UK firms.

Steered by practice head David Innes, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP 's London buyout team regularly works in conjunction with the firm’s offices in New York and Hong Kong on high-value transactions, including a growing volume of secondaries and investment deals. Geoffrey Burgess‘s far-reaching international practice spans Africa, India, and the US, while dual-qualified (England and US) Katherine Ashton, a private funds specialist, is particularly noted for her work on secondaries transactions. Other names to note include E Raman Bet-Mansour – based between the firm’s London and Paris offices – and Dominic Blaxill, whose recent engagements include advising on multi-billion-dollar acquisitions.

Dechert LLP is engaged by various PE firms and sovereign wealth funds for advice on a range of high-value transactions, frequently with a strong cross-border aspect. The London practice is headed up by global PE co-head Christopher Field, whose recent engagements include multi-billion-dollar take-privates and investment deals. Mark Evans is an experienced corporate partner who regularly advises on acquisitions, divestments, and investments for major asset managers. Sam Whittaker - a key contact for some of the team's most high-profile clients - is also recommended.

Able to leverage its significant global presence, DLA Piper is particularly noted for the strength of its portfolio company work, where the group advises a diverse range of management teams on high-value PE transactions. Practice chair Ed Griffiths regularly handles multijurisdictional deals - particularly for clients involved in the tech sector. Tim Wright, responsible for the firm's management-side practice, has recently advised on multi-billion-dollar transactions in the tech, life sciences, and financial services sectors, among others. Philip Allenby , who was promoted to partner in May 2022, is also noted for his capabilities in management-oriented work.

Well-regarded for its 'excellent strength in depth and great quality advice', Macfarlanes LLP is a strong choice for both sponsors and management teams seeking assistance on all manner of transactions. The team is headed up by Alex Edmondson, who is praised as 'a real stand out who is technically very proficient and commercially minded' across buyouts and sell-side mandates. Stephen Drewitt is a highly experienced figure who serves as key relationship partner for some of the firm's major clients, with recent engagements including high value, cross-border investment deals. Other key names include Jessica Adam, noted for her management advisory practice, and Stephen Pike, who is well-versed in all types of PE deals.

Proskauer Rose LLP‘s ‘great client service and pragmatism‘ is valued by asset manager clients, who turn to the team for its capabilities across a range of transactions, ranging from high-value, cross-border equity investment deals to minority stake acquisitions. Practice chair Steven Davis is praised for his ‘incredibly experienced‘ and ‘highly strategic‘ approach, most recently on acquisitions for clients investing in tech and manufacturing assets. Richard Bull‘s focus notably includes insurance and tech-focused deals, while Andrew Wingfield‘s prolific transactional practice covers acquisitions, sales, and investments across the financial services sector. Other names to note include the ‘excellent’ Adam Creed, particularly praised for his capabilities in minority investment deals; Rebecca Villarreal, noted for her insurance acumen; and Rob Day, a key contact for various top sponsors seeking assistance with sports, media, and technology-based deals.  Liam Arthur joined from William Fry in November 2022, while Tony Downes left the practice to join Sidley Austin LLP earlier in the summer.

Counting a number of PE firms and portfolio companies among its client roster, Slaughter and May regularly handles upper mid-market deals, including acquisitions, secondaries, and majority investments. Practice co-chair Harry Bacon is a highly active adviser who works with some of the world’s largest asset managers on strategic transactions. Fellow co-chair Filippo de Falco, noted for his southern European expertise, advises both sponsors and management teams on a host of multi-jurisdictional deals, sometimes working in conjunction with experienced corporate partner Paul Mudie. Other key figures in the practice include Robin Ogle, whose recent highlights include high-value consortium investment deals. Insurance specialist Robert Chaplin left the firm for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP in August 2022.