Paul Hastings has recruited finance partner Reena Gogna in London, marking the latest hire for the acquisitive US firm in the City.
This development marks another notable move from Weil to US rival Paul Hastings, after Alexander Horstmann-Caines, a specialist in high-yield offerings and leveraged finance, joined in February last year.
Recognised as a leading individual in the Legal 500 for acquisition finance, Gogna will bring with her over two decades of experience. Notable transactions under her belt include advising on the €1.35bn senior secured term loan and revolving facilities for Mehiläinen Oy, and working with major banks such as JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, and Goldman Sachs.
Gogna’s exit from Weil comes after finance counsel Luke Lado’s move to Greenberg Traurig last November, as well as the exit of private equity and infrastructure funds partners James MacArthur and Ed Freeman to Sidley a year ago.
At Paul Hastings, Gogna will reunite with familiar faces such as Patrick Bright, a leader in European high-yield transactions who transitioned from Weil in 2022. She will also join Ross Anderson and Mo Nurmohamed, who arrived as part of a four-member team from Latham & Watkins, where Gogna spent 11 years of her career from 2003 to 2014.
This hire aligns with Paul Hastings’ ongoing strategic expansion of its global finance practice. Her appointment adds to significant lateral hires, such as investment funds and private capital specialist Zach Milloy from Kirkland & Ellis in October 2023, and financial restructuring partner Helena Potts from Shearman & Sterling in February 2023.
However, Paul Hastings has also seen some recent departures, including capital markets lawyer Peter Schwartz, who left for King & Spalding in March, followed by former global finance co-head Luke McDougall, who left for Davis Polk & Wardwell in May.
