Global law firm Goodwin today announced that Ian Keefe and George Weavil will join the firm's Private Equity practice as partners, resident in the London office.
"Our private equity practice in London has seen a robust expansion in line with client demand as our full-service, multi-sector platform has become an increasingly dominant force in the market," said Richard Lever, London-based partner in Goodwin's Private Equity practice. "Attracting talent such as Ian and George, who bring extensive expertise in the types of transactions and industries that our clients frequently engage us for, is yet another indicator of Goodwin's position as the go-to counsel in the UK for sponsors, portfolio companies, senior management teams, and financial institutions. We are delighted they will be joining the firm."
Ian focuses on pan-European and international private equity and M&A transactions. His clients include corporates, institutional investors, alternative asset managers, senior management teams, founders, and portfolio companies. Ian advises on a full range of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, consortium deals, bolt-on acquisitions, carve-outs, co-investments, minority deals, recapitalizations, divestments, distressed M&A, public-to-privates, joint ventures, reorganizations and restructurings, and general corporate matters. He has been recognized as a Private Equity "Rising Star" and one of "the next generation of City private equity talent" by Law.com.
George advises private equity investors and other financial sponsors on a full range of transactions, including buyouts, disposals, bolt-on acquisitions, co-investments, incentivization schemes, reorganizations, restructurings, and general corporate matters. He also has extensive experience advising businesses and investors in making a positive impact on society and the environment and in identifying and assessing ESG-related risks and opportunities in the course of a transaction. George is ranked as a 'Notable Practitioner' for M&A and private equity work in the UK in IFLR1000 and has been recognized as a Private Equity "Rising Star" and one of "the next generation of City private equity talent" by Law.com.
Ian and George are the latest additions to Goodwin's expansive 80-lawyer UK private equity practice, covering M&A, private investment funds, and debt finance. Over the past 18 months, the London team has welcomed partners Jacqueline Eaves, Arvin Abraham, and John Anderson to the platform.
Goodwin was named the number one firm for global M&A by deal count, and ranked in the top ten for deal value in LSEG's Q1 2024 league table. This continues the trend of Goodwin being named the number one firm (by deal count) for global M&A by LSEG in its full-year 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 league tables. The full year 2023 league tables also highly ranked Goodwin for advising clients on a variety of M&A and private equity transactions in multiple jurisdictions, including being named number one firm by deal count for Global and European Buyouts and a top five firms for UK, Germany and France M&A by Mergermarket.
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