International law firm Bird & Bird today grows its Corporate practice with the hire of Nick O’Donnell as a partner in London. Nick joins the firm from Baker McKenzie where he has been a corporate finance partner in London since 2012. He previously spent more than a decade with Allen & Overy.
With over 20 years’ experience, Nick specialises in cross-border M&A (both public and private), equity capital markets and ESG matters. He has a broad range of experience across the technology, healthcare, industrials, energy, retail, media and financial services sectors.
At Bird & Bird, Nick’s focus will be to continue to work closely with corporate clients, particularly listed companies. He will also collaborate with the sector groups across the firm and lead on executing cross-border deals with a focus on the UK, Europe and, having previously worked in New York, the US. He also has an interest in transactions from, and into, the Gulf and spent two years based in Abu Dhabi. He has spent time on secondment with Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
Nick is highly regarded by IFLR (2021) and has had various Legal 500 recognitions. He is also an Accritas “Star Lawyer” in their 2021 rankings and received the Lexology (Client Choice) Award for UK ECM in 2019.
In recent years, he has acted as a spokesperson on the London market and is regularly interviewed on CNBC and quoted in publications including The Economist, The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times.
Nick Perry, managing partner of Bird & Bird’s London office comments: “We’re delighted to have Nick join Bird & Bird in our London office at such an exciting time for the UK’s M&A market. His vast wealth of experience across several different sectors will be an invaluable addition to our firm as we help clients navigate the challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic world.”
Matt Bonass, head of Bird & Bird’s Corporate practice in London says: “Nick’s appointment comes as part of the Corporate team’s continued strategic expansion of its corporate practice, including in equity capital markets and public M&A. He has an excellent track record of advising on upper mid-market, cross-border deals; and his reputation is outstanding. We’re looking forward to having him onboard!”
Nick himself adds: “I’m really excited to join Bird & Bird with its seamless one-firm international network, stellar sector strengths and outstanding culture and ethos. In a rapidly changing digital world, the cross-border M&A and ECM markets are thriving, with companies and investors alike facing more challenges and opportunities than ever before. I’m looking forward to getting started with my new colleagues!”
