Private Equity Rising Stars: Europe's Best Up-and-Coming Lawyers 2022

The Private Equity Rising Stars 2022 highlights the best of the up-and-coming talent within the U.K. and European legal industry. Law.com International spent months seeking out recommendations and calling for submissions on the top private equity lawyers aged under 40 seen to be rising stars in the market. Submissions and recommendations of close to 100 of the best private equity lawyers in Europe were then whittled down to find the top 25 based on the quality of their client base; the scale, significance and complexity of their deals; their client feedback and general market reputation; the standing of their mentor; and other examples of career success and innovation. Read on to find out why this year's 25 rising stars were selected for this list.

James Adams of Baker McKenzie. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1983
• Position: senior associate since July 2015
• Key clients: Bain Capital, Silver Lake, Core Equity

Bain Capital's attempt to acquire ENGIE was the talk of the French M&A market in 2021, with London senior associate James Adams at the centre of the Baker McKenzie deal team on it. Clients have described Adams as "knowledgeable and responsive", while a particular praise is that he's "highly numerate, unusually so for a lawyer". This means that his clients, which include the likes of Bain Capital, Silver Lake and HiG, really value his ability to navigate the numbers on the deal and ensure these dovetail with the legal documents, whether its fund flows, financial models or cap tables. He says being numerically proficient is a skill really suited to the PE industry, as well as "getting straight to the point on issues and thinking of practical solutions and implications". Adams' biggest achievement, he says, is home-schooling a six-year-old during lockdown while carrying on with discharging transactional work. "That really tested my patience, ability to juggle conflicting demands and multi-tasking", he says.

Tessa Agar of Goodwin Procter. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1986
• Position: partner since October 2022
• Key clients: Accel-KKR, Mayfair Equity Partners, TA Associates

Private equity lawyers are busy by the very nature of the role, but Goodwin Procter's Tessa Agar also has two young children, a husband, a dog, two cats and six chickens in the mix. This hasn't stopped Agar from working for renewed private equity clients, including Accel-KKR and Mayfair Equity Partners. For the latter, Agar was a key member of the advisory team on its investment in Tangle Teezer, valuing the company at more than £70 million. "There was no lightbulb moment to me becoming a PE transactional lawyer but it plays to many of my strengths", she says. Her efforts in the firm also go beyond the client work, as she plays a pivotal role in the firm's diversity work. She has recently been appointed co-chair of Women@Goodwin and is a trainee supervisor and volunteer mentor to junior women in the London office. Agar was also recently promoted to partner while on maternity leave, something she counts as her biggest professional achievement.

Alice Brogi of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1984
• Position: partner since October 2021
• Key clients: KKR, Asterion, Blackstone, Apollo

Becoming a lawyer wasn't always the end goal for London Gibson Dunn partner Alice Brogi. It was only when she was interning in the corporate team of a large U.S. firm, that she realised that the profession was suited to her skills. "I have always loved devising strategies to help friends and families solve problems and achieve goals. I quickly realised that being a lawyer was an extension of what I had done until then: providing analytical and problem-solving guidance to people who come to you", she explains. The choice clearly worked out, given Brogi's reputation as an accomplished private equity and M&A lawyer advising the likes of KKR, Blackstone and Axa. Something that makes Brogi stand out is the cross-border nature of her expertise. She has studied French, German and English corporate law and is fluent in all three languages. Dual qualified in the U.K. and France, she has developed a particular expertise on transactions in France, Spain, Germany and the Nordic region.

David Christmas of Fried Frank Harris Shriver Jacboson. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1984
• Position: partner since 2018
• Key clients: Neuberger Berman Permira, Cerberus Capital Management, Rutland Partners

Fried Frank partner David Christmas advises fund managers, sponsors, financial institutions, family offices and investors on the structuring and establishment of alternative investment funds. In particular, he is considered as "instrumental" in expanding the firm's relationship with Neuberger Berman in Europe, having a key role in its expansion into the alternative asset space in Europe. He credits himself as becoming a "trusted business advisor" to his clients, and "not just the guy who does the contracts—although we do that as well". He counts the firm's European funds head Kate Downey and London head Mark Mifsud as mentors and now plays a central leadership role in managing all aspects of the London team from recruitment through to business strategy and growth. He balances his work with being a father to three daughters: two five-year-old twins and a three-year-old. When he can find the time, you'll often find him walking the dog or—on the occasional twilight evening or Sunday afternoon—at the golf course.

Chris Cowley of Taylor Wessing. Courtesy photo.

• Year of birth: 1984
• Position: partner since May 2021
• Key clients: Newton Europe, Apollo Therapeutics, STAR Capital

A group reorganisation, a private equity buyout acquisition structure and a large equity financing. And that's just in one mandate! Taylor Wessing's Chris Cowley stood out in particular for the uniquely complex and novel mandate of advising Apollo Therapeutics on its corporate reorganisation and $145 million series A financing. Cowley worked to develop an innovative structure to facilitate the investment, as well as showcasing real stamina with the daily coordination calls over an eight-week period as well as the significant project management and coordination skills. In praise of Cowley, an opposing counsel at Kirkland & Ellis described him as "thoughtful and collegiate" and having played a "critical role". It could have all been different, as Cowley wanted to be a medieval historian at university. "I love exploring past worlds. Having shelved the history dream, I thought about being a barrister, but I decided to be an M&A lawyer when I realised that I preferred building something new rather than fighting over something broken", he says.

Ed Freeman of Weil Gotshal & Manges. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1985
• Position: partner since January 2022
• Key clients: AMP Capital, Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners, Polhem Infra

Weil, Gotshal & Manges partner Ed Freeman "has never looked back" since moving into the private equity team, having moved over after qualifying into the corporate M&A team with a focus on TMT transactions. "If you are looking for premium, high-paced transactions across a variety of industries and sectors with differing structures and complexities, then you should consider private equity", he advises junior lawyers. With a client book of major global infrastructure investors, including Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners and Polhem Infra, it's no wonder that Freeman makes this years' list. In fact, Freeman's accession to Weil's partnership came down to the strength of these client relationships. "Private equity clients look to their lawyers as trusted advisers and I enjoy developing long-lasting relationships with clients", he adds. His career path could've been totally different had it not been for a "series of unfortunate injuries", as in his early years as a lawyer, he played water polo at a national level. Now, in between deals and family time, he makes regular trips to the physio.

Thomas Glauden of White & Case. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1988
• Position: partner since January 2022
• Key clients: EQT, Hg Capital, Triton Partners

Since joining White & Case as an associate in Brussels in 2015, Thomas Glauden has gone from strength to strength, and is now the executive partner of the firm's Luxembourg office, having played a key role in the launch of the office in 2022. "I am thrilled to be among the first men and women on the ground and very excited about the further expansion of our office", he says. The first lawyer in his family, Glauden splits his time between Luxembourg and Brussels, juggling the travel between heavy-hitting deals. Although "juggling between both capitals may still be challenging at certain times, whether from a professional or private standpoint", he explains that the benefit of hindsight has taught him that it's worth it. On top of these achievements, his work co-leading EQT-owned Karo Pharma's €300 million acquisition of Sylphar is noteworthy as is the fact that he was this year promoted to partner at the age of 33. For junior lawyers looking to qualify into PE, he says key skills include a strong analytical mind-set, resilience under high pressure and to show a certain sense of humour, to "make the working atmosphere enjoyable for all involved".

Sara Hamzawi of Ashurst. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1989
• Position: senior associate since May 2021
• Key clients: Axiom Equity Capital Partners, Three Hills Capital Partners, WM Morrison Supermarkets

The £7.3 billion takeover of WM Morrison Supermarkets was a headline deal of 2021, and Ashurst's Sara Hamzawi's work as the lead senior associate on the cross-practice deal team has not gone unnoticed. In fact, she counts it as one of her biggest career achievements so far, as the experience of navigating "a variety of complex issues throughout a demanding process" was "rewarding". She has been described as somebody who "naturally creates the aura of trust and ownership of the deal and its parameters that result in the client quickly adopting her as main counsel". Braeden Donnelly, who made the 2021 Rising Stars List, is a key mentor for Hamzawi. When asked why junior lawyers should consider qualifying into private equity, she says "no two deals are ever the same and so you are constantly developing your skillset", but emphasises that the ability to multitask is a valuable tool to have. She's taking multitasking to a new level, however, having recently taken up boxing. "I don't think I will be challenging for any titles anytime soon", she jokes.

Jamie Holdoway of Paul Hastings. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1986
• Position: partner since July 2020
• Key clients: Abry Partners, Francisco Partners, Wipro Limited

"I always thought I would pursue a career in finance, but it was reading an interview with Michael Hatchard [retired Skadden corporate partner] that led me to realise that transactional law would better suit my skillset", says Paul Hastings partner Jamie Holdoway. Holdoway's technology expertise has meant he has worked with some of the most respected financial sponsors in the European mid-market with a focus on tech. Standout mandates include advising on the merger of Consignor and Unifaun to form nShift and Oakley Capital on its merger of Grupo Primavera with Cegid. One of his mentors, Anu Balasubramanian, global vice chair of private equtiy at Paul Hastings, said Holdoway had taken a lead role on over 15 mandates since arriving at the firm in early 2020, "and has proved himself to be smart, able and very client-friendly", marking him out as important for the firm's future ambitions. Holdoway says his biggest achievement is "navigating the transition to partnership whilst having 'two under two' at home", and that his best thinking is done on morning cycle rides.

Kaisa Kuusk of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1987
• Position: partner since January 2022
• Key clients: Apollo Global Management

At 34-years-old, Paul Weiss London partner Kaisa Kuusk has become a key adviser in private equity transactions, counting Apollo Global Management as a key client. It's no surprise then that two of her standout mandates in the last year were advising Apollo: first on its strategic partnership with Sofinnova and then on its multibillion dollar acquisition of TSS business from Worldline. In January, she became the first woman partner in Paul Weiss's London operation. Having first decided to become a lawyer after an internship at a law firm in Estonia, she recalls working with "an extraordinary lawyer who showed me how intellectually stimulating law in real life could be". Despite the incredible run so far as a private equity advisor, Kuusk is clear that being a lawyer is not her distinguishing label. "I always try to make time for my interests and the people who matter to me; the key for me is to recognize that my professional identity is not the only identity I have", she says.

Daniel Lloyd of Simpson Thacher. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1984
• Position: partner since January 2020
• Key clients: Carlyle, CVC Capital Partners, Astorg, EQT, Charterhouse, Apax Partners

It's his second year on the rising stars list—a testament to yet another exceptional year for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's Daniel Lloyd. His work with Astorg, a longstanding client of the firm, showcased his continued private funds expertise in the last year. He counts London managing partner and funds legend Jason Glover as a mentor and sits on the firm's business development committee. Since making partner in 2020, Lloyd has advised on global fundraisings totalling more than €30 billion, which also enables him to see likely trends before they happen. "The speed at which managers have been returning to market has meant that investors' allocations have been squeezed this year', says Lloyd of the market. "This is likely to continue into 2023 given that many fund managers will be holding open their fundraisings into next year to accept capital from investors that have maxed out their allocations this year, which will in turn will mean that investors' allocations for 2023 vintage funds are less than they would typically be."

Giorgia Lugli of Latham & Watkins. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1983
• Position: partner since January 2021
• Key clients: Apollo, TA Associates, Platinum Equity

Milan-based Latham & Watkins partner Giorgia Lugli was always "fascinated by maths and its practical use" and "classic rhetoricians, especially Demosthenes and Cicero", which ultimately led her to her legal career. "Business law lets me cultivate both passions", she explains. Making partner in her 30s, that passion is very clear and evidenced by her solid advice to multinational private equity firms, financial institutions, and companies doing business in Italy on a range of investments, M&A transactions, and restructurings. Notable work includes leading the Latham team advising Bain Capital on the sale of Fedrigoni to a joint venture between BC Partners and Bain Capital—one of Italy's biggest private equity investments in 2022. "I am very proud of becoming a partner at Latham & Watkins in my 30s and I am very proud of my family and friends that have always supported me, but in my daily life I am even prouder to see junior associates and trainees coming to me for guidance and advice", she says. Outside of work, Lugli loves seeing the world through the eyes of her two-year-old daughter.

Oliver Marcuse of Clifford Chance. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1988
• Position: partner, since May 2022
• Key clients: Cinven, Onex, BlackRock, abrdn

His client list may be strong (Cinven, BlackRock to name a few) and he may have led on some standout deals (Cinven's €2.8bn sale of Envirotainer—one of the largest European PE buyouts in 2022), and he may have just made partner, but Clifford Chance partner Oliver Marcuse's regards his biggest achievement as something less obvious: "Remaining a loyal supporter of Watford FC after 30 years notwithstanding there have been (many) more downs than ups!" At least the experiences mean clients can count on Marcuse when the going gets tough. A key client, abrdn, described Marcuse as "the perfect example of what an asset manager looks for in a transactions lawyer—pragmatic, proactive and personable". Notably, he is one of the youngest to reach the partnership at Clifford Chance, at the age of 33, owing in part to how he "quickly engenders client trust due to his ability to demonstrate a clear understanding of their business and commercial objectives".

Genna Marten of Travers Smith. Courtesy photo.

• Year of birth: 1985
• Position: partner since July 2018
• Key clients: Bridgepoint, Equiston, Inflexion

Genna Marten could be described as the comeback kid, reappearing in the 2022 rising stars after placing in the list in 2018, when she first made partner at Travers Smith. Now, four years on, she has maintained that momentum and cemented her status as a rising star. "As clichéd as it sounds, I loved (and still do love) the adrenaline of a deal and the interaction between commercial points, tactics and human emotions", she explains. A key mandate for her was advising Epiris on its acquisition of Sepura in July, where Ian Wood, partner at Epiris, described Marten as "highly committed to the process and tenacious in getting the deal done", and somebody who was able to remain "calm and good humoured throughout". Her impressive list of mentors have included Travers Smith senior partner Kathleen Russ, Latham & Watkins private equity partner Paul Dolman and Bridgepoint general counsel Rachel Thompson. In the last year she has also been elected as a member of the firm's diversity and inclusion board.

Kazik Michalski of Kirkland & Ellis. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1983
• Position: partner since October 2018
• Key clients: Blackstone, Brookfield, GIC, KKR, TPG

The go-to lead partner for GIC, Kirkland & Ellis' Kazik Michalski has recently advised the sovereign wealth fund on the financing of its c.€3billion acquisition of a portfolio of European logistics assets from EQT Exeter. This is just one notch on his mega-deal track record, having advised on deals valued in aggregate over €25 billion in the last year alone. On top of this, he plays an active role in training and mentoring associates, helping to bring them through to partner and co-lead client relationships with him. He is also one of the lead partners responsible for recruitment in Kirkland's real estate finance team. "There is no other industry where you can, in your 30s, be in charge of multi-billion dollar transactions, working with other young, like-minded individuals in other organisations", Michalski says. His key advice however, is perhaps one that applies to lawyers across all practice areas, not just those in private equity: "Be nice to others, and people will want to work with you."

Mathan Navaratnam of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1985
• Position: special counsel since January 2022
• Key clients: Lloyds Bank, Deutsche Bank, StepStone

Funds finance expert at Cadwalader Mathan Navaratnam can occasionally be found sporting a bleeding lip due to his regular kickboxing training. He counts partners Samantha Hutchinson and Nathan Parker as key mentors. In fact, he also worked with Samantha at Dentons when he was an associate, and says his mentors have "had a hand in shaping my career for which I will always be grateful". In the past year, Navaratnam has led some of the largest and complex fund finance transactions, including advising a syndicate of banks on a €4bn three-year capital call revolving loan facility involving pricing dependent on a variety of ESG and sustainability metrics and advising a syndicate of six banks in their provision of a €1 billion umbrella capital call facility. He is also a mentor for the firm's younger lawyers, but outside of work his time is largely spent with his wife Rachel and his five-year-old daughter. His favourite family trips include the Museum of Zoology and Clip 'n' Climb.

Hugo Nocerino - Willkie Farr & Gallagher

• Year of birth: 1987
• Position: partner since January 2022
• Key clients: Syntagma Capital, PAI Partners, K Partners

"Private equity is meant for all lawyers who love challenge, complexity and variety", says Paris-based Willkie Farr partner Hugo Nocerino, who is certainly up to that challenge. A range of transactions for a mix of Brussels, Paris and Los Angeles-based clients, paired with meticulous dedication meant Nocerino's rising star quality shone through. A €2.3 billion sale of PAI Partners' Perstorp to Petronas Chemicals Group is just one example, as well as the fact that he made partner after just one year as counsel. Reflecting on challenges for the private equity market going forward, his response was unique compared to his peers: "I believe that climate change is one of the key challenges that humanity is facing for the coming decades and that private equity sponsors can be a true partner for public authorities and other stakeholders in this fight. To that effect, sponsors will need to continue their efforts to take into account ESG matters in their investment policies, the supervision of their portfolio companies and their own governance."

Hélène Parent of Hogan Lovells. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1986
• Position: partner since January 2021
• Key clients: Accel, Eurazeo, Felix Capital

French unicorns and tech disruptors are among Hélène Parent's major clients, with an incredible track record of advising 21 out of the 27 French unicorns, and a close involvement in some of the most iconic tech deals in France. One such deal is advising healthcare tech startup Doctolib on its USD$6.4 billion valuation. This niche has carved the Paris-based Hogan Lovells partner out as a rising star, bringing a unique technicity, dedication and ability to the private equity market. One of the only female partners in this space, clients have described Parent as a smart negotiator and a "trusted advisor…who brings calm in any situation". She advises junior lawyers that PE is "never boring and the perfect choice for someone with curiosity". Despite anticipated challenges in the market, Parent "remains optimistic" due to new tech developments as well as the fact that "France is a very active, attractive and agile market". The last two years, with various lockdown restrictions, has meant Parent has been able to rediscover France.

Monika Przygoda of Allen & Overy. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1984
• Position: partner since May 2022
• Key clients: Advent, Eurazeo, Cinven

A glamorous family friend who was a lawyer was the inspiration for Monika Przygoda's desire to be a lawyer. "Whether it is as glamorous as I thought back then remains to be seen!", she jokes. Juggling the Allen & Overy partnership process and the workload while heavily pregnant certainly doesn't seem glamorous, but it's something Przygoda is most proud of. "I was on my way to a swimming lesson with my daughter when I found out I'd been successful in the partnership process and when I called my husband to give him the news, I used some adult language which of course my three year old immediately heard and repeated on a loop for all at the swimming pool to hear", she recalls. Described as an "outstanding private equity specialist", she boasts a top-tier client list. Her notable mandates include leading a team across three continents on the Eurazeo sale of 50% of Planet Payment to Advent and the subsequent joint venture—both multi billion euro deals.

Adam Runcorn of Sidley Austin. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1988
• Position: partner since January 2020
• Key clients: Clearlake Capital, TowerBrook Capital Partners, Great Hill Partners

"His written work is top notch, he is meticulous, hardworking, mature and poised, and displays impeccable judgment". This is how a former London private equity partner described Sidley Austin's Adam Runcorn when he was an associate, and he's continued to soar since becoming partner in 2020. Two years since first making the rising stars list, Runcorn has once again demonstrated some major mandates, including co-leading the Sidley team advising Clearlake on its landmark £4.25 billion acquisition of Chelsea Football Club. It's not just building out the firm's PE offering that he has under his belt: Runcorn has also sailed across the Southern Ocean from Cape Town, South Africa, to Albany, Australia, in a round the world yacht race—something he considers his biggest personal achievement. If that isn't tiring enough, he spends the remainder of his time "chasing after my 17-month-old son—he's quick!"

Gregory Scott of Kirkland & Ellis. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1985
• Position: partner since August 2021
• Key clients: Blackstone, Carlyle, Preservation Capital Partners

Kirkland & Ellis' Greg Scott is leading some of the firm's largest European client relationships, including Blackstone, Brookfield, Carlyle, Cinven and EQT—and he's only been at the firm since August 2021. In just over a year, he has already co-led on over £20 billion worth of transactions. "Not only is [private equity] fast paced and fun, but you get to work with the very best and brightest clients and colleagues", Scott says. Working closely with private equity heavyweights such as David Higgins and Adrian Maguire, his experience with the world's biggest and most prestigious private equity firm clients on traditional large-cap deals means he stands out as a clear rising star. He's also working to ensure that the younger generation of private equity lawyers at Kirkland are well-equipped for their work. Reflecting on his own learning, he says: "The most successful PE lawyers I've seen have been collaborative, motivational, decisive, pragmatic, prepared to make sacrifices and go above and beyond for their clients and colleagues."

Sophie Smith of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1989
• Position: counsel since January 2022
• Key clients: Flexstone Partners, JP Morgan, TPG

Described as having "sparked a transformation of the London office's private investment funds practice", Cleary counsel Sophie Smith's impact cannot be underestimated. She has helped win three new sponsor clients and two new large investor clients, as well as having a crucial role in expanding relationships with preexisting clients. This has meant clients like Flexstone and TPG have increasingly been using the London office for European work. Smith's parents wanted her to study something at university that she could have a clear career in, leaving her with the choice of medicine or law. After discovering a fear of needles during a short stint at a hospital, it's probably best that she ended up in law! The fear of needles hasn't stopped her from pursuing her passion outside of law though: flexing her DIY skills by working on a fixer-upper in rural France. "This alternates between being a labour of love and a considerable source of great exasperation but having moved around a lot growing up, I am excited about the opportunity to put my mark on something", she explains.

Alexandra Stoicescu of Weil Gotshal & Manges. Courtesy photo.

• Year of birth: 1987
• Position: counsel since January 2021
• Key clients: Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, CVC Capital Partners, InfraVia Capital Partners

For Paris-based Alexandra Stoicescu, private equity is a mix of three crucial ingredients: technical expertise, sound judgment, and a lot of common sense. "It is particularly satisfying when you reach the right mix of all three—it takes practice", she says. If Stoicescu's enviable client list is anything to go by, she has reached the right mix numerous times throughout her career. Counting the likes of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, CVC Capital Partners, and French companies such as Sanofi as major clients, a notable recent deal on her sheet is advising CVC on its €550m acquisition of Panzani, marking herself out as a clear rising star in the European private equity and M&A market. But why did she become a lawyer? Her inspiration was her grandmother who was a judge. "I wanted to emulate her and I felt like a law-related profession would bring me close to that", she says. While juggling multi-billion transactions, training lawyers in the Paris office and her work with the firm's female affinity group, Woman@Weil, she tries to fit in cycling and hiking when she can too.

Alicia Thomas of Macfarlanes. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1986
• Position: partner since May 2020
• Key clients: Bridgepoint, Alcentra, Hayfin Capital

When Macfarlanes partner Alicia Thomas was seven-years-old, her grandma asked her and her cousins a very serious question: what are you going to be when you grow up? "My cousin immediately jumped up and said he was going to be a doctor—and not wishing to be outshone or seen to copy him, I declared quite proudly that I was going to be a lawyer", Thomas recalls. It was a good guess, as Thomas today leads on leading funds mandates that would make her grandma extremely proud, with recent work advising on the design and implementation of a new insurance platform and related venture capital investment structure marking her out as a rising star. The firm credits her with helping to cement some of its key client relationships while also building her reputation in the investment management tax world. And don't let anybody tell you lawyers aren't creative: Thomas has lots of experience creating costumes for her baby to wear to Disney-themed parties and creating elaborate, pop-up scrapbooks.

Sam Whittaker of Dechert. Courtesy photo

• Year of birth: 1988
• Position: partner since August 2021
• Key clients: Ares Management, Columna Capital and Access Industries

A string of industry-leading billion-dollar deals executed with real strength and a "client-first" approach are just some of the reasons why London Dechert partner Sam Whittaker has made the 2022 list. He was first drawn to private equity M&A as a junior because of the "freedom it gives to be decisive, the lack of bureaucracy and and the intelligence of the clients and range of transactions" and has since built up a sovereign wealth and private equity practice which includes a cemented relationship with cornerstone client GIC. Citing David Higgins as a key mentor in his formative years at Kirkland & Ellis, Whittaker has elevated Dechert's trans-Atlantic private equity offering to sovereign wealth clients to "the next level". When he's not building his practice, he's focused on family time with his wife and 18-month-old daughter, as well as "enthusiastic attempts to try lots of restaurants with friends and (resultantly) to exercise as much as I can".