Robert Darwin > Sidley Austin LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Sidley Austin LLP‘s team is noted for its ‘deep bench strength‘ and its experience in acting for companies developing gene therapy products and digital health tools. Praised by clients for her ‘confidence and ability‘, Maria Isabel Manley heads up the practice with her vast expertise in damages actions concerning generics, regularly appearing before the CJEU and the Committee of Orphan Medicinal Products. The ‘exceptional‘ Robert Darwin maintains a transactional practice, frequently assisting clients with strategic collaborations, private equity buyouts, and investment deals. Noted for his ‘in-depth and practical‘ expertise, senior managing associate Chris Boyle is adept at handling both contentious and non-contentious issues surrounding paediatric regulations and supplementary protection certificates, while managing associate Zina Chatzidimitriadou is noted for her broad knowledge of product life cycle management, with an emphasis on pricing and reimbursement issues.

Lauded as a ‘strong, deep team with cross-border capabilities, commercial knowledge, and excellent client service‘, Sidley Austin LLP handles a steady volume of sponsor-side deals, both domestic and cross-border. A flurry of lateral hiring activity saw Ramy Wahbeh join as co-head of the global PE practice, arriving from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2023. Wahbeh came from the firm along with Kaisa Kuusk, noted for capabilities in pan-European transactions. Adam Runcorn‘s transactional pedigree sees him working on high-profile deals in the sports, tech, and professional services sectors. Other names to note include Paul Dunbar, whose broad focus encompasses infrastructure, transportation, and healthcare, and Robert Darwin, who specialises in life sciences work. Tony Downes – who joined the team from Proskauer Rose LLP in July 2022 – is also recommended. Fatema Orjela left the firm in April 2024.

Sidley Austin LLP‘s City corporate team regularly advises on cross-border transactions in the insurance, energy and infrastructure sectors. The team benefits from the wider firm’s ‘global expertise’  and has been strengthened with several partner hires, including the addition of Philip Cheveley, former head of Shearman & Sterling LLP’s M&A practice for EMEA and Asia in February 2023. Cheveley, who was previously at Travers Smith, brings significant experience in public company takeovers, mergers, acquisitions and disposals. Practice head Thomas Thesing is a name to note in the team, which also includes James Wood, who handles international transactions and strategic initiatives. Robert Darwin is known for his transactional work with life sciences and healthcare corporations. Also noted in the market is Lyndsey Laverack, who is described by one client as ‘one of the best M&A and private equity lawyers.’ Counsel Ed Perry  has  a broad skillset, handling public takeovers, investments and private equity buyouts in highly regulated industries. Fatema Orjela departed the practice in April 2024.