International law firm McDermott Will & Emery today announced that highly respected private equity partners, Mark Davis and Russell Van Praagh, will join the Firm as partners in the London office.  Mr. Davis will become head of the Firm’s Private Equity practice in London.

Mr. Davis and Mr. Van Praagh have worked together since 2007 and have built a strong and well established private equity practice. They join from the London office of a top 25 US law firm. 

“As McDermott continues to expand its global corporate capabilities, private equity continues to be a key area of focus for the Firm,” said David Goldman, partner and head of McDermott’s Corporate Advisory Practice Group, based in New York. “With these additions to our well established private equity practice, we have further strengthened our position in Europe. These hires reflect our commitment to serve our Private Equity clients as they operate on a global basis.”

Mr. Davis, ranked by The Legal 500 as a leading lawyer for private equity transactions, focuses on cross-border and leveraged buyouts and exits, as well as M&A transactions. In recent years he has represented a number of the largest buy-out funds in Europe and the U.S. in connection with complex, cross-border deals. He is lead counsel to several private equity funds, and their portfolio groups, and has advised in a range of sectors, including energy, chemicals, telecommunications, and consumer goods. Mr. Davis also has significant deal experience advising clients in the Middle East and Africa.

Mr. Van Praagh specializes in private equity and investment-related work for both investors and management. His practice also involves advising clients with respect to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and general corporate and commercial issues. He has broad experience advising on deals across a range of industries, including automotive, retail and energy, in the UK, Europe and the U.S.

“With their outstanding reputations and wide-ranging experience, Mark and Russell constitute very important additions to our London office and, indeed, McDermott’s European platform generally,” added Hugh Nineham, partner and head of McDermott’s London office. “Their work with many of Europe’s top private equity players will give McDermott valuable leadership as we continue to expand our capabilities for our clients across Europe. Mark and Russell will work closely with a range of other practice groups, helping to foster collaboration across our international platform.”

The appointments of Davis and Van Praagh continue the expansion of McDermott’s European platform now under way. In just the past six months, and following the opening of the new office in Paris and office moves in London, Brussels and Milan, the Firm has made significant hires in London, Munich, Dusseldorf, Milan and Paris. This further demonstrates the commitment the Firm has to international growth. Additional announcements are expected in the weeks ahead.