While it is hardly unusual for large U.S.-led law firms to hire well known partners in London, Proskauer Rose’s hire of A&O Shearman’s private capital co-head Philip Bowden and leveraged finance partner Megan Lawrence earlier this month stood out as a statement of intent.

Bowden is no minnow. Up until earlier this year he was viewed as the likely candidate to lead one of the largest firms in the world. He failed to win that election but he and his new colleagues now talk of a different battle they are seeking to win: the fight for market share in the private capital deal market.