Further strengthening its market-leading financial restructuring practice, Paul Hastings LLP has added highly regarded lawyer Helena Potts as a partner in London. Potts joins from Shearman & Sterling and is the London office’s third new partner in 2023, after leading infrastructure and energy lawyers Jessamy Gallagher and Stuart Rowson.

Recognized by Legal 500 UK and IFLR 1000, Potts focuses on high-value, complex, cross-border matters across the full range of stressed and distressed situations, from insolvent liquidations to consensual restructurings and new money opportunities, with broad experience across all types of capital structures. Her experience spans diverse industry sectors, including automotive, financial services, retail and leisure, manufacturing, and oil and gas.

“Helena adds depth to the firm’s London restructuring practice. We are very focused on growth in the restructuring market, and her arrival enables us to further capitalize on cross-border opportunities with our US team,” said Mei Lian, London office co-chair and financial restructuring partner.

“We’re excited to have Helena join the team,” said Kris Hansen, Financial Restructuring co-chair. “She will help us meet our and the firm’s objectives of expanding global relationships and constantly improving the advice and service we provide to them.”

Ten lateral partners joined the London office last year, including a Band 1 global finance team and leading high yield partner Patrick Bright.

“I have been impressed by the targeted investment the firm has made in the London office and in its global restructuring practice,” said Potts. “This is clearly a firm where top-flight talent is fostered and forged.”

The Paul Hastings financial restructuring practice has extensive experience representing sophisticated financial institutions in complex, high-profile restructurings, workouts and insolvency matters worldwide. Unique in the industry, the practice covers committee-side, debtor-side and bank-side work, as well as international bankruptcies, debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing and exit financing transactions.