MJ Hudson hires new partner for City private equity push

MJ Hudson, the boutique funds firm set up by former SJ Berwin private equity partner Matthew Hudson, has made its first partner hire since launching in the summer.

Former Simmons & Simmons funds senior associate John Dyson is the first of three hires at partner level that Hudson claims to be completing before the end of the year. Dyson previously worked as part of Clifford Chance’s much-vaunted funds team under  Jason Glover, who left left to join Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in July (20 July 2010).

Hudson said: “John is exactly the type of high quality lawyer that we hoped to attract. John’s background and skills offers our clients additional, sector-focussed expertise. His arrival will enhance the niche platform of MJ Hudson and is an important early step towards the firm quickly becoming a leading player in private equity, hedge and alternative assets.”

When the firm was launched in the summer (19 July 2010), Hudson added that he had identified 20 private equity and hedge fund clients that he hoped to bring to the firm.

It was established under a separate holding company with the potential to invest equity into clients’ funds. Options in the investments could then be made available to associates at the firm.

Initial reports claimed that MJ Hudson had secured investment commitments from a number of private equity firms ahead of the proposed implementation of the Legal Services Act next October. However, investors later distanced themselves from the claims.

After leaving SJ Berwin in 1998, Hudson became London private equity head at O’Melveny before helping to set up Proskauer’s City office.