Lev Fin Surge, Key Legal Market Shifts, and Readiness Strategies

Lev Fin Surge, Key Legal Market Shifts, and Readiness Strategies

As September arrives after the long labor day weekend and many return from their holidays, we anticipate a surge in recruitment activities and a wave of new roles. Numerous partners have indicated a desire to review more resume's this month, particularly in core transactional practices. 

In the U.S., the demand for mid-level M&A, private equity, and investment fund lawyers remains high. The capital markets sector has also experienced notable growth, fuelling the need for skilled lawyers across various U.S. legal markets. We are currently working on a unique off-market opportunity with a leading firm in Houston; for more information, please contact Stefano Barbagallo. Additionally, there is a strong demand for litigation lawyers throughout California, with multiple recruitment processes underway assisted by our L.A. office. Feel free to reach out to Michael McGinnis to discuss interviewing firms.

In London, the leveraged finance sector is busy. Firms are recruiting across all levels and are open to considering Australian and New Zealand-qualified lawyers from top-tier firms. You can learn more about the factors driving this demand in our latest article, from Jonathan Taylor, below. Given London’s tendency to mirror the New York market, we foresee an increase in capital markets opportunities in the coming months.

In Australia, there is consistent demand for professionals in projects, energy, infrastructure, and banking and finance at the 'big 6' firms in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. Corporate roles are becoming more prevalent, and we have successfully assisted Australian-qualified lawyers in transitioning to top-tier firms in Dublin and London in recent weeks. You can discuss suitable opportunities with Matthew Mayes

Whether you are actively seeking new opportunities or keeping an eye on legal market trends, we are here to support you. Continue reading for insights on significant partner movements, tips for getting started, and hot job listings.

For more information, get in touch here.


Significant Partner Moves

The number of partner moves through the first two quarters this year (338) is tied for the second-highest total through Q2 of the last six years. Heading into September this momentum is not slowing down. Here is an overview of some of the most significant partner moves in recent weeks.

U.S. Partner Moves

  • Kerri Durso joins Paul Weiss in New York, strengthening their derivatives practice after leaving A&O Shearman.
  • Holland & Knight adds former McDermott M&A partner Ibrahim Barakat to its Miami office, expanding its presence there.
  • Locke Lord partners Jennifer Brough and Bruce Gabow transition to Sheppard Mullin's San Francisco and D.C. offices amid ongoing merger talks with Troutman.
  • Daniel Nicholas, a former Weil tax lawyer, joins Paul Hastings in Washington, D.C., enhancing their tax capabilities.
  • Chip Cannon, an energy regulatory expert, moves from A&O Shearman to Hogan Lovells in D.C.
  • Willkie Farr & Gallagher expands its Chicago capital markets practice by adding an 11-attorney team from Mayer Brown.


London Partner Moves

  • A&O Shearman hires private equity pair Paul Dunbar and Dan Graham from Sidley Austin.
  • Ian Wallace strengthens Milbank’s London restructuring team after nearly a decade at White & Case.
  • Cooley expands its London litigation practice with the addition of seasoned litigator Bryony Hurstfrom Bird & Bird.
  • Kai Zeng joins Paul Weiss in London as a restructuring and special situations partner, moving from Kirkland & Ellis.
  • Gibson Dunn & Crutcher adds a partner from White & Case's private equity team in London, significantly boosting its European practice.
  • Paul Weiss continues its European expansion with the hire of David Pritchett, the third funds partner from Kirkland & Ellis in London.
  • Sidley Austin welcomes a leveraged finance team of five partners from Latham & Watkins.
  • Milbank attracts a finance team from Latham & Watkins’ London office, led by partner Alex Martin, to join its alternative investments practice.
  • Davis Polk bolsters its London private equity team with the addition of senior partner Gordon Milne.
  • Latham & Watkins taps Baker McKenzie for London corporate hire Melanie Howard, who will join their healthcare and fintech groups.


Other International Partner Moves

  • Global law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has brought on two insolvency and restructuring partners from Johnson Winter & Slattery, as it continues to expand in Australia.
  • Dechert expands its Dubai practice by adding partner Amanjit K. Fagura, enhancing its investment funds capabilities.
  • CMS strengthens its funds offering in Asia by appointing Paul Moloney as a partner in its Hong Kong office from Mayer Brown.
  • CMS appoints Rizwan as the new partner and head of corporate in Saudi Arabia, joining from an international law firm in Riyadh.
  • Kirkland & Ellis grows its Frankfurt office by hiring two restructuring specialists from Gleiss Lutz, strengthening its European practice.
  • Anne-Sophie Noury joins White & Case in Paris, moving from Weil to focus on restructuring, debt funds, and public takeovers.
  • Morrison & Foerster’s Singapore managing partner Shirin Tang is leaving the firm with fellow partner Lip Kian Ang to join Baker McKenzie.


Navigating the 2024 Leveraged Finance Recruitment Landscape: Insights for London Lawyers

Here, we examine the uptick in leveraged finance activity in London alongside key hiring trends including parter and associates moves this year. 

Read Here


Tips on getting started...

New York Rush Hour: How to Capitalize on Opportunities

→ Read Here

Key Questions to Ask in Your Search for the Right Law Firm

→ Read Here


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Australia Legal Market & Salary Guide


Hot Jobs

London:

  • Structured Finance Associate| Associate | 2-4pqe | Global Elite Firm
  • Leveraged Finance | Associate | NQ-7pqe | US Firm
  • Data Privacy | Associate | 3pqe | US Firm
  • Commercial IP | Associate | 3-6pqe | International Firm
  • Cyber Disputes Associate | 5-7pqe | International Firm
  • Funds | Associate | 3-5pqe | US Firm
  • Private Equity M&A | Associate | 1-3pqe | US Firm
  • Securitisation | Senior Associate | 6+pqe | International Firm
  • Derivatives | Associate | 3-5pqe | International Firm


U.S.:

  • Real Estate | Associate | Class of 2017-2022 | AmLaw20 Firm | New York
  • Tax Associate | Associate | Class of 2019-2021 | AmLaw100 Firm | New York 
  • Private Equity Finance | Associate | Class of 2022+ | AmLaw20 Firm | New York
  • Fund Finance | Associate | Class of 2017-2021 | AmLaw 30 Firm | New York
  • Secondaries | Associate | Class of 2018-2021 | AmLaw 50 | New York
  • M&A/Private Equity | Associate | Class of 2019-2022 | AmLaw 30 | The Bay Area
  • Commercial Litigation | Associate | All levels | AmLaw 30 | Los Angeles
  • Internet & Technology Litigation | Associate | Class of 2020-2022 | AmLaw 40 Firm | San Francisco
  • ECVC | Associate | Class of 2022+ | AmLaw20 Firm | San Francisco / Silicon Valley
  • Commercial Real Estate (Joint Ventures, Finance, M&A) | Associate | Class of 2019+ | AmLaw20 Firm
  • Labour & Employment | Associate | Class of 2021+ | AmLaw 50 Firm | Boston / D.C. / Chicago 
  • Restructuring and Special Situations | Associate | Class of 2016-2019 | DC
  • Project Finance | Associate | 3+ years | DC, NY, LA, Houston
  • Capital Markets | Associate | 3-7 years | NY, Atlanta
  • Labor & Employment | Associate | 3-5 years | DC or Virginia
  • M&A | Associate | Class of 2018-2021 | NY
  • Tax | Associate | 3-6 years | NY, Chicago, Dallas


Australia:

  • Disputes | Associate | Top-Tier Firm | Sydney
  • Baking & Finance | Associate | Top-Tier Firm | Melbourne 
  • Corporate | Associate | Market Leading Firm | Sydney 
  • Projects | Associate | Market Leading Firm | Melbourne
  • Projects | Associate/Senior Associate | Top-Tier Firm | Perth
  • Infrastructure Finance | Associate | Top-Tier Firm | Perth


Dublin:

  • Structured Finance | Associate | 2-3pqe | Leading Offshore Firm | Dublin
  • Corporate | Associate/Of Counsel | 5-8pqe | Leading Offshore Firm | Dublin
  • Corp M&A/PE | 3-5 PQE | Leading Irish Firm | Dublin


International:

  • Construction Disputes | Associate | 2-5pqe | Prestigious International Firm | Dubai
  • Corporate | Associate (Russian speaking) | 3-6pqe | International Law Firm | Dubai 
  • Corporate/Funds | Associate | 2-4pqe | Leading Offshore Firm | Jersey 
  • Funds | Associate | 3-6pqe | Leading Offshore Law Firm | Cayman 
  • International Arbitration | Associate | 4-5pqe | Elite Global Firm | Singapore 
  • Corporate Insurance | Associate | 5+pqe | Global Law Firm | Dubai


Don't see a role that suits your skillset? We provide tailored search services, so don't hesitate to reach with your details, requirements and ambitions for the future, and one of our team will be in touch.

Let's Chat!


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Stefano Barbagallo

AmLaw 100 Recruiter • Lawyer • Former Biglaw, Funds + PE • Associate Director, Sonder Consultants 🇺🇸🇦🇺

2mo

Why is something telling me the Partner moves are only going to get bigger this next Q 😎

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