Europe's Leading Lawyers for Business 2008: Investment Funds
On an annual basis, Chambers & Partners conducts extensive research and analysis in compiling its objective list of talent available at the highest level of European legal practice. Its research methodology has been independently audited and confirmed to be thorough, robust and complete.
In Chambers' 2008 review of legal talent in the area of Investment Funds, our Firm is listed among the best in Europe.
Chambers' comments:
Europe Ranking: Tier 3
The Firm: Thanks to a successful recruitment drive in London, this prominent Chicago-headquartered firm has become a serious contender in the European funds landscape. The addition of a specialist team recruited from fund giant SJ Berwin, combined with the firm's expertise in the US private equity market, also "puts it firmly on the map" as a significant player in the private equity fund formation sector. Although based primarily in London, the group has all the ingredients for success on a much wider scale, sources agree. Its transatlantic platform is a major draw for European clients, as well as US clients looking to expand into Europe, while the breadth and depth of the practice makes it a destination of choice for funds operating across a broad variety of industries and jurisdictions. Recent instructions include representing Actera Partners on the formation of the largest ever buyout fund focused principally on Turkey, and advising Mid Europa Partners LLP, a private equity investment firm focused on CEE, on the formation of its third fund, Mid Europa Fund III LP.
The Lawyers: Mark Mifsud, who joined from SJ Berwin in early 2007, now heads the firm's London private funds group.
Clients/Work Highlights: Further highlights include advising Terra Firma on its third fund, Terra Firma Capital Partners III, which closed with total commitments of EUR5.4 billion in May 2007. The group also regularly represents Candover Partners and CVC Capital Partner in fund formation matters.
Investment Funds: Private Equity
UK Ranking: Tier 4
The Firm: This team debuts in the Chambers rankings, on account of the significant lateral hires it has made of late. The addition of a notable ready-made fund-formation team from SJ Berwin "puts this US firm on the map" as a significant player in the private equity fund formation arena. Clients describe this firm's international platform as a major draw, while the "big-name" additions ensure this will be a team to watch in the future. Mark Mifsud is a specialist in fund formation, co-investment plans, secondaries, carried interest structuring and related matters. Richard Watkins advises on private equity fund structuring carried interest, co-investment and other private equity incentive schemes.
