Paul Hastings raids Kirkland for private equity hire

US firm Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has turned to Kirkland & Ellis’ UK arm for its latest London partner hire.

Michelle English will join Paul Hastings’ London office as a private equity partner with a focus on cross-border leveraged buyouts and venture capital investments. English was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, where she advised on Bain Capital's €3.5bn (£2.52bn) sale of Brenntag to BC Partners, SigmaKalon's €325m (£234m) leveraged recapitalisation and Madison Dearborn's €800m (£576m) buyout of Sirona Dental Systems from EQT.

Paul Hastings private equity chair William Kirsch commented: “Paul Hastings’ global private equity practice is a targeted area of growth for the firm. Michelle’s arrival will allow for the further development of our practice in London and adds significantly to our ability to offer cross-border private equity capabilities throughout Europe.”

Earlier this year (1 March) The Lawyer reported on Paul Hastings ramping up its New York and London finance and restructuring capabilities with the hire of two finance partners, Thomas Kent and Anthony Princi, from Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe.