O'Melveny star bulks up Addleshaws' finance team

Addleshaw Goddard has snared a rising leveraged finance star from O'Melveny & Myers to strengthen its London finance team.

Former O'Melveny counsel Michael Crosby joins the firm's London office as a partner. Crosby, who is experienced in private equity sponsor leveraged finance, follows Addleshaws head of private equity Andrew Carpenter, who joined from O'Melveny in November 2006.

Addleshaws head of finance Richard Papworth said: "His experience with investment banks and knowledge of the private equity market is fantastic. The firm's been focusing on building up its banking and finance practice - hiring Michael is a key part of this."

Addleshaws' national leveraged finance team now consists of five partners, three of whom are based in London. Papworth said the firm hopes to add one more partner to the London team.

"We'll recruit associates to ensure the team is adequately leveraged," he said. "We've seen significant growth in London banking last year, both in terms of people and quality of work."

Last year Addleshaws hired former Dundas & Wilson banking partner Rhodri Davies as a legal director in the group.