US firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius has bolstered its funds practice as it continues to build its City presence with DLA Piper’s London head of funds Gawain Hughes – adding to the structured finance trio hired from K&L Gates last week.
Hughes joins Morgan Lewis in London as a partner after having headed up DLA Piper’s investment funds practice for five years and previously leading CMS Cameron McKenna’s funds practice from 2004 to 2010. Before this, he had the same management role at Osborne Clarke for eight years.
His experience has focused on the UK and Europe, acting for institutional fund managers, administrators and investors on all aspects of fund formation, investment and regulation. Recent work includes advising Jones Lang LaSalle Investment Management on the transfer of management mandates and equity/debt interests in eleven real estate funds to a spin-out, Marick Capital; and acting for Harbert Management Corporation on its first European growth debt fund.
Hughes’ arrival builds on the recently recruited finance partner trio – Matthew Duncan, Julian Goodman and Paul Matthews – from K&L Gates in London, as the firm expanded its global structured transactions capability to add to its offering in the US, Asia and Europe.
Morgan Lewis chair Jami McKeon said: ‘His addition further enhances the comprehensive spectrum of services we offer to clients from New York, London, Singapore, and other global financial centres.’
Earlier this year, DLA Piper lost its structured trade and receivables finance head Alex Dell as Mayer Brown boosted its City banking and finance team.
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk
