Goodwin lands three-partner PE team from Paul Hastings

Goodwin has hired three private equity partners from Paul Hastings, strengthening its tech-focused PE bench in London and leaving its US rival with a notably slimmer team in the City.

The incoming team includes partners Jamie Holdoway, Chetan Sheth and Anu Balasubramanian, and marks one of Goodwin’s biggest London hires this year.

Balasubramanian, who will become chair of European private equity, will work with the firm's M&A, debt finance and private investment funds groups in London, Paris, Munich, Brussels and Luxembourg.

She is particularly known for advising on tech-based PE deals, with a client roster that includes buyout firms Abry Partners and Oakley Capital.

Paul Hastings PE setback

The departure of the trio reduces Paul Hastings’ private equity presence in London at a moment when competition for sponsor-side talent continues to be intense.

The firm has seen a number of senior exits this year, with its private equity real estate practice hit particularly hard. It has sought to rebalance things in recent weeks, however, bringing on board several partners across tax, finance and funds.

A steady run

The hires form part of Goodwin’s broader growth drive across its private equity practice, which has seen a steady run of lateral partner additions in London, six in the last two years.

The firm also announced the hire of Travers Smith's leveraged finance head Matt Ayre over the summer, adding more depth to its already strong private equity platform in London.

What they said

Anthony McCusker, Goodwin’s chair, said the hires align with the firm’s 2033 strategy, aimed at strengthening its private equity capability globally.

London partner and executive committee member Carl Bradshaw added: "This team, alongside our other recent hires, demonstrates and enhances the strength of Goodwin’s deep industry expertise in technology, healthcare and life sciences and the advantage this brings to the client experience across our global platform."