Sidley moves private equity co-lead to London as City push continues

Sidley Austin has relocated private equity co-leader Sean Carney to London, adding senior leadership firepower to its rapidly expanding City platform.

Carney, a member of Sidley’s executive committee and a co-leader of both its global private equity and insurance practices, has moved from Chicago after more than two decades at the firm. He joined Sidley in 2002 and has spent his entire career there.

Private capital push

The move adds further momentum to Sidley’s private equity-led London build-out, which has accelerated sharply over the past 18 months. The US firm has been aggressively targeting top-end private capital talent in the City, with a particular focus on leveraged finance, funds and capital markets.

That push has included a host of marquee lateral hires, many from Latham & Watkins, including leveraged finance partners Jay Sadanandan and Sam Hamilton, high-yield specialists Scott Colwell and Patrick Kwak, and, more recently, former Latham global real estate co-chair Jeremy Trinder.

Sidley has also strengthened its funds capability with a three-partner team from Weil, led by Ed Gander, as well as capital markets partner David Stewart, also from Latham.

Carney advises private equity sponsors, insurers and other private capital investors on cross-border deals, including leveraged buyouts and carve-outs. He was involved in one of Sidley’s most high-profile recent London mandates, advising Apollo-backed Athora on its £5.7 billion takeover of Pension Insurance Corporation (PIC) last summer.

London as a growth hub

Sidley said the move reflects growing client demand for senior dealmakers on the ground in London, particularly for cross-border deals.

London managing partner Tom Thesing added: “Our clients continue to see London as a core hub for growth, and Sean’s move to be based in London will unlock further opportunities for clients and colleagues alike.”