Investment Funds: Private Equity
Europe Guide 2024 : UK
Band 2
Email address
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(020) 7786 9000About
Provided by Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
In Europe, Debevoise remains a premier private equity firm, with its Funds practice one of the few to have senior European, English- and U.S.-qualified fund formation practitioners on the ground.
The Europe practice is one of the most active in the market. It is part of an integrated global practice that has advised sponsors of, or investors in, over 3,300 private equity funds worldwide, with committed capital of over $4.3 trillion. This experience means Debevoise’s European lawyers have deep insight into funds pursuing every major investment strategy, including buyouts, venture capital, mezzanine, workouts and distressed debt, secondaries, real estate, infrastructure, media and telecommunications, healthcare, energy and other sector and regional funds, as well as funds of funds.
At a time of increasing regulatory complexity, the practice draws on its significant experience, as well as heavy involvement with the main European and emerging markets private equity trade associations, to ensure clients are well equipped to navigate the latest regulatory developments.
Chambers Review
Debevoise & Plimpton has a strong private equity funds practice that is regularly called upon for large pan-European formations by managers, large secondary transactions for buyers or sellers, and complex alternative capital raises. Debevoise's funds team also has additional experience in acting for investors in private funds. Funds targeting assets in emerging markets continue to be a core focus for the department, which offers sponsors full compliance and tax advice for both the US and EU regulatory landscapes.
Work Highlights
- Debevoise & Plimpton advised LCM Capital on the formation and fundraising of the client's flagship fund, LCM Credit Opportunities 4. The fund closed in April 2023 with EUR4.1 billion in capital commitments.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team is very user-friendly, always available to help, and their work product is at the highest level."
"Debevoise & Plimpton is a solid firm in the private funds and secondaries space. The firm acts for a number of private equity sponsors, so they have a real feel for the market."
"We have been positively impressed with the team’s professionalism and legal expertise across different subject matters, including SFDR-related topics."
"Debevoise & Plimpton offers exceptional quality."
"The team is very user-friendly, always available to help, and their work product is at the highest level."
"Debevoise & Plimpton is a solid firm in the private funds and secondaries space. The firm acts for a number of private equity sponsors, so they have a real feel for the market."
"We have been positively impressed with the team’s professionalism and legal expertise across different subject matters, including SFDR-related topics."
"Debevoise & Plimpton offers exceptional quality."
Notable Practitioners
Geoffrey Kittredge is chair of Debevoise's European funds group. He is US-qualified and is able to advise clients on US regulatory and compliance issues, as well as European regulatory matters. He advises sponsors on the formation of international private equity and credit funds.
"For commercial sense, Geoffrey is second to none."
"One of the most established lawyers in the London market. He’s a highly skilled negotiator who readily identifies the key commercial issues on a matter."
"Geoffrey is who you want on speed dial for bet-the-company moments."
"Geoffrey always delivers."
John Rife is highlighted for his experience in forming European and emerging market buyout and credit funds. He can also assist on secondary transactions.
"John is an extraordinary lawyer and, more importantly, a very trusted business partner. He has a keen ability to provide solutions to complex problems and can work in the most commercial ways with all involved parties."
"John Rife is a tirelessly hard-working and talented individual who richly deserves all of the great success he has achieved."
"John is a tremendous transactional secondaries lawyer. He has really made the secondaries market in Europe his own."
"An exceptional lawyer with a hard-working, helpful and pragmatic approach to work."
Matthew Dickman enjoys a burgeoning practice in the private equity and secondaries space. He frequently advises both new entrants to the market and long-established European and US investment managers on flagship fund formation and launches.
"Matthew is a great lawyer who is always available and always provide top-notch service. The work product he and his team deliver is at the highest levels. A very user-friendly, very valued counsellor for us."
"A rising star of the next generation."
"Matt is responsive, knowledgeable, and commercial."
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Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
UK
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