England - London • Corporate and commercial
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
‘A first-class outfit with a well-earned reputation for effectiveness and responsiveness’, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP draws superlative praise from a number of clients for the strength of its sponsor-side transactional practice. Regarded by clients as ‘one of the very best PE lawyers in London’ Marco Compagnoni – global co-chair of the firm’s private equity practice – regularly works with leading firms and their portfolio companies on high-value acquisitions and disposals. Jonathan Wood‘s broad practice encompasses buyouts, exits, and minority investments, most recently for clients in sectors including tech and professional services. ’First point of call in an emergency‘ Simon Lyell’s ‘highly technical’ but ‘commercial’ practice spans both buyouts and growth investments. Lewis Blakey‘s recent engagements include big-ticket acquisitions with pan-European and transatlantic dimensions. Max Oppenheimer is also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Weil's London PE team is a first-class outfit with a well-earned reputation for effectiveness and responsiveness.’
‘Marco Compagnoni stands out as one of the very best PE lawyers in London. He is a great technical lawyer and unites this with a level of client care and attention that is unparalleled. There are many good client lawyers and a fair few technical wizards, but to be both is Marco's superpower. He also has the drive and wish to win for his client; that makes him the go-to lawyer when a deal is particularly hard to do. His sheer force of personality and mental ingenuity will eliminate obstacles that can block lesser lawyers.’
‘Strong and dedicated team, providing excellent counsel and guidance. Broad suite of services available within the firm with the ability to support clients with off-piste questions and challenges by pulling additional resources from elsewhere within the firm.’
‘Highly skilled individuals with strong commercial acumen and able to propose creative solutions to unlock deadlocks in commercial negotiations. A unique dedication to the provision of excellent service and willing to go the extra mile to ensure the right outcome is achieved for the client.’
‘Very experienced team. Associates are confident and able to play a leading role on transactions.’
‘Simon Lyell acts as valuable counsellor on transactions but also more generally. Commercial in approach but also highly technical. Unflappable. A first point of call in an emergency – you know he’ll get you through it.'
Key clients
- HIG Technology Partners
- Bain Capital Tech Ops
- Apollo YInvestcorp
- 65 Equity Partners
- One Investment Management
- Advent International
- Advent Tech
- Bain Capital
- Bain Capital Credit
- Providence Equity
- Providence Strategic Growth
- Berkshire Partners
- Ontario Teachers’
- CVC
- General Atlantic
- TCV
- OMERS
- Blackstone Growth
- Public Sector Pension Investment Board
- Sun European Partners
- Generation Investment Management
- Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
- TPG
- M&G Investment Management
- Montagu Private Equity
- Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
- Aleph Capital
- PAI Partners
- A&M Capital Europe
- Global Infrastructure Partners
- Wren House Infrastructure Management
- FitzWalter Capital
- Cobham
- Kantar
- Howden
- Laird
- Ardian
Work highlights
- Advised Advent International on the carve out acquisition of Kerry plc’s Sweet Ingredients portfolio.
- Advised CVC on its acquisition of Radwell International.
- Advised Bain Capital and Bain Tech Opportunities on the acquisition, together with Nextalia, of Deltatre.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Marco Compagnoni