Weil Gotshal & Manges private equity partner Samantha McGonigle is leaving the firm's City base to become a co-founder of a growth fund.

McGonigle joined Weil in 2006 as an associate and made partner in 2013. She joined Weil from Hogan Lovells.

During her time at Weil, McGonigle advised a number of funds including Oaktree Capital Management on its sale of dental business Hesira, and Avista Capital Partners and Nordic Capital on their joint offer for Swiss pharma company Acino.

A spokesperson for the firm said: "We are very happy for Sam as she makes this exciting next step and we look forward to working with her in her new role."

McGonigle's departure is the second from the US firm's London office this month, after tax partner David Irvine left the firm for Kirkland & Ellis a fortnight ago. Weil's London banking head Mark Donald left last year, though his move to White & Case has been hit by delays due to client issues.

Other departures in 2018 included co-head of dispute resolution Hannah Field-Lowes' move to White & Case.

Weil boosted London profits by 40% during 2017, the US firm's first audited London accounts revealed last autumn. The accounts also showed that turnover for the UK arm of the business grew 18% during the year to £126.1m, up from £106.6m.