Private Equity | Europe

Latham & Watkins has a top private equity practice with a focus on high-end transactions at both national and international levels, with particular prowess in LBO transactions. The law firm leverages an extensive network of offices across Europe, Asia and the USA to assist with multi-jurisdictional issues. The lawyers provide full-service advice and expertise, representing all types of clients, including investment funds, asset management companies and private equity houses. The team acts across the pharmaceutical, healthcare, technology, and food and drink sectors.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges maintains a leading private equity team advising on a wide range of high-end matters. It is experienced in representing sponsors and corporates in both domestic and cross-border acquisitions and disposals. The team acts for clients on LBOs in a broad range of sectors, such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals and IT. Clients benefit from the firm's global network of offices to assist with pan-European and cross-border transactions.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer acts for an impressive list of French and international private equity funds. The team is able to advise on the full spectrum of private equity-related matters including acquisitions, sales and financing. It boasts expertise in a range of industry sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology and manufacturing. The department regularly works in close collaboration with other offices around the world.

Goodwin has an impressive private equity team acting on major mid-market and high-end LBOs and venture capital investments. It advises leading French and international private equity funds as well as acting for the management of target companies with activity in the technology arena. The team features a strong cross-border offering owing to its international network of offices. It frequently acts on French-US mandates.

"Particularly given the depth of their knowledge base in the French market, their local market legal perspective was terrific. I would say they are extremely responsive, they leverage the knowledge of the Paris scene and helped us reach into other branches of K&E to support our transaction. They did a good job in tapping into the broader K&E perspective."

Willkie Farr & Gallagher has strong international capabilities thanks to an integrated pan-European practice. The department often advises on cross-border acquisitions and sales. The team is active in numerous industry sectors, including TMT, healthcare and consumer goods. Its client roster includes investors and domestic and international sponsors as well as corporates.

Bredin Prat offers considerable expertise in high-end private equity transactions and works in close cooperation with the renowned tax and finance teams within the firm. The team assists with a broad range of matters, including buyouts, financings and disposals. Its clients include international investment companies and private equity houses, as well as corporates. The law firm is notably active within the IT, insurance and life sciences sectors.

Clifford Chance has a sizeable and multidisciplinary team offering a full service to clients. The law firm is noted for its strength in high-end private equity transactions. It is experienced in representing financial investors in different industry sectors, which includes healthcare, infrastructure and energy. The team is capable of handling cross-border matters, with particular expertise in jurisdictions such as the USA, the UK, Luxembourg and Germany. The lawyers routinely collaborate with the firm's highly reputed tax, real estate and finance teams.

Hogan Lovells handles acquisitions and sales as well as majority and minority investments. The law firm maintains a client list of private equity houses, asset managers and corporate entities. It undertakes transactional mandates in sectors spanning technology and manufacturing. The practice is adept at advising on cross-border transactions.

Linklaters has a well-regarded private equity practice working with other teams at the firm to provide a full service. The department assists international financial sponsors and corporations with all their private equity activities, which include sales, acquisitions and public offers. It is active across the energy, infrastructure and pharmaceutical areas. The team is also very active on cross-border deals thanks to close ties with the firm's other European and international offices.

Paul Hastings is a well-established private equity firm covering both mid-market and high-end transactions. The practice advises clients on LBOs, acquisitions and sales. Its impressive client base includes market-leading actors in French and European mid-market private equity, as well as management teams. The law firm has notable abilities in cross-border instructions. The team is well integrated with the firm's tax and finance practitioners.

Shearman & Sterling boasts a solid private equity offering advising clients on both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team handles mid-market and high-end sales and acquisitions for a roster of private equity funds and corporate clients. The law firm additionally represents management teams and founders.

Ayache has a well-reputed practice with extensive experience in mid-market private equity transactions. The team covers M&A, LBOs and financing transactions. Its clientele includes both French and international financial investors, as well as corporations. The law firm handles mandates across the infrastructure, healthcare and retail sectors.

De Pardieu Brocas Maffei is a well-established firm with a strong presence on mid-market private equity matters. The team is skilled in various different areas including LBOs and restructuring matters, working in close collaboration with the firm's tax and finance departments. It acts for banks and funds and is active in a range of sectors such as retail, life sciences and technology. The department also assists managers and founders with divestments.

McDermott Will & Emery acts on majority and minority investments, in addition to undertaking acquisitions and disposals. The law firm acts for a broad clientele of international and domestic private equity firms, with further experience representing management teams. It is well prepared to undertake transactions pertaining to the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.