King & Spalding taps Goodwin and Paul Hastings for latest London hires

King & Spalding has added two partners to its London practice.

Corporate real estate partner Ray Fang has joined from Goodwin, while competition specialist Jade-Alexandra Fearns arrives from Paul Hastings.

The hires add further depth to King & Spalding’s roughly 50-partner London office.

Real estate and regulatory focus

Fang spent seven years at Goodwin and advises across the full spectrum of real estate private equity transactions, including M&A, joint ventures and GP stake investments. Before joining Goodwin, he held roles at firms including BCLP.

Commenting on the hire, King & Spalding’s real estate and funds co-head Erik Andersen said: “The firm is investing in the London practice, with corporate real estate an important component of that plan, and Ray’s experience aligns well with those strategic objectives.”

Fearns joined Paul Hastings in 2022 from Proskauer and focuses on antitrust and competition law, alongside sanctions and broader regulatory and compliance matters.

Government matters and regulation practice co-leader Nikki Reeves said: “Our clients’ increasing demand for sophisticated UK and EU competition counsel on cross-border M&A, private equity, and investment matters aligns closely with Jade’s practice and portfolio. It is a great combination.”

Active lateral market

The move marks another London departure for Goodwin, which has seen a series of partner exits and arrivals over recent months as competition for private capital talent remains intense across the City market.

Earlier this year, a three-partner private equity team left Goodwin for Ashurst, while the firm itself added a three-partner private equity group from Paul Hastings in December led by Anu Balasubramanian.