Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is well regarded for its expertise in the practice area, and benefits from its international network which includes teams across Europe and the US. The group is noted for its strength in the secondaries market, and acts for a diverse range of clients including financial institutions, wealth managers, and family offices. Solomon Wifa leads the UK practice, and has expertise relating to a diverse range of asset classes including private equity, debt, and real estate. Key names in the team include Henrietta de Salis, who has over 25 years' experience in the field with a record of advising clients across Europe and the US, and Colin Fulton, who is 'diligent and pragmatic' and covers fund formation and operational matters, among other issues. Benoît Champon joined the team in 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Solomon Wifa has deep technical knowledge and experience, and is a very capable lawyer. He is always responsive, clear and helpful ’
‘The Wilkie team work extremely hard and ensure our deals complete on strict timeframes. They are a pleasure to work with and have excellent expertise and client focus.’
- 'Excellent law firm, with deep industry expertise and a global reach.'
- 'Our main contact for fund advisory is Colin Fulton. He is excellent, incredibly responsive, diligent and pragmatic. Provides commercial solutions as opposed to some lawyers who simply tell you what you can't do, would highly recommend him.'
Key clients
- CVC Secondary Partners (fka Glendower Capital)
- Insight Partners
Work highlights
Represented Insight Partners in connection with the closing of its thirteenth flagship fund with a dedicated co-investment fund for buyout transactions, as well as the closing of its structured equity fund, Opportunities Fund II. The funds closed with total capital commitments of $12.5 billion.
Advised CVC Secondary Partners (formerly known as) Glendower Capital and its Secondary Opportunities Fund Programs on the completion of multiple portfolio acquisitions of limited partnership interests from institutional sellers.
Worked together with the Paris office to advise Hivest Capital Partners on the structuring of its first continuation fund.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Solomon Wifa
Other key lawyers
Henrietta de Salis; Colin Fulton; Mélina Combeau; Benoît Champon