His practice focuses on advising private equity clients, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds on mergers and acquisitions, including public bids, and the wider corporate aspects of domestic and cross-border transactions and restructurings. His clients include private equity sponsors such as BC Partners, Blackstone and Permira.

Stephen Wilkinson, Joint Managing Partner of the firm’s Global Corporate practice, commented:

“I am delighted to welcome David to our global corporate practice. Private equity is an important area for the firm and David’s appointment will bolster our offering to clients in this sophisticated market. David has strong relationships with PE houses and financial sponsors. His experience and expertise will complement the excellent work our PE team has been doing, and further strengthen our capabilities in private equity across different sectors. This strategic hire reflects the increasing client demand and opportunities in private equity, and our commitment to investing in our global corporate practice.”

David D’Souza added:

“I am excited to join Herbert Smith Freehills and its top-tier global corporate practice. I look forward to working with the talented private equity team and contributing to its continued success.”

Herbert Smith Freehills’ global private equity practice advises on both high-end and mid-market sector-led work globally. The firm is recognised for advising on complex high-value transactions drawing on specific sector expertise, in particular TMT, energy, infrastructure and real estate, involving multiple jurisdictions. Its key clients include Antin Infrastructure Partners, Blackstone, Cabot Square, Carlyle, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, GIC, Hanover Investors, iCON Infrastructure, Impilo, Sherborne, Three Hills Capital Partners and Oaktree Capital Management.

This is the second key lateral hire the firm’s top-tier corporate practice has made in London in just over a month, following the recruitment of Michael Jacobs into its ECM team in June.