Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton 's City private equity practice is regularly called in to advise on transactions including minority stake deals and financings. Practice head Michael Preston – who is praised, along with Michael James, as ‘responsive, and incredibly knowledgeable’ - is an active transactional adviser whose recent engagements include investments and majority stake acquisitions for various foreign sponsor clients. Gabriele Antonazzo is well regarded for his multijurisdictional capabilities, regularly advising on deals involving European and Asian markets.  The team has seen significant investment in recent months, with highly experienced partner Ian Shawyer joining from Travers Smith LLP in May 2023.  The team was further boosted by the addition of leveraged finance partner Edward Aldred and counsel Christy O’Connell, both of whom joined from Linklaters LLP the same month.