Kirkland & Ellis is set to boost its London bench with the hire of Paul Weiss’ head of European M&A, Will Aitken-Davies.
Aitken-Davies, who joined the New York firm’s ambitious London office from Linklaters in September 2023, is set to join Kirkland as a corporate partner in the City.
His practice focuses on private equity and infrastructure investor transactions, including acquisitions, carve-outs, and public M&A deals. He recently played a key role on a transatlantic team from Paul Weiss advising Joe & the Juice on its minority investment from the Emirates International Investment Company.
‘Will is a trusted adviser to leading financial investors on sophisticated, cross‑border European transactions,’ said Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland’s Executive Committee. ‘His arrival strengthens our market-leading team’s ability to support sponsors executing at scale across London and Europe.
Matthew Elliott, member of Kirkland’s Executive and corporate partner, added: ‘Will is a market‑leading dealmaker and a natural fit for our London private capital team. His diversity of experience leading European M&A for global sponsors and infrastructure investors will further enhance our ability to deliver integrated, top‑tier advice to private capital clients across London, Europe and the broader Kirkland platform.’
Aitken-Davies is ranked as a leading partner for high value private equity in the Legal 500 in London.
Aitken-Davies’ move comes less than three years after debt finance rainmaker Neel Sachdev led a team of high profile partner defections from Kirkland & Ellis to Paul Weiss, to launch the firm’s English law practice in London.
The bold City play saw Sachdev joined at Paul Weiss by a number of Kirkland partners including private equity partner Roger Johnson, debt finance partner Kanesh Balasubramaniam, and capital markets partners Matthew Merkle and Deirdre Jones.
Earlier this year, Kirkland & Ellis became the first law firm in history to make more than $10bn in revenue, riding a 20% increase to hit $10.56bn, up from $8.8bn last year.
Profit per equity partner (PEP) also rose by 20% to reach a record $11.1m, putting clear daylight between it and its closest rivals in the Global 100.
