Clifford Chance has boosted its investment funds team with a high-profile lateral hire. Sonya Pauls, a market leader in advising on private equity fund-raisings, joins Clifford Chance from King & Wood Mallesons as of 1 October 2016.
Sonya Pauls was head of Funds Germany at her previous firm, dividing her time between Munich and London. She will be based in Clifford Chance’s Munich office and will work closely with the German funds team and the International Private Funds Group, advising national as well as international clients. Sonya Pauls is highly regarded as a specialist in the field of private equity/corporate funds. She specialises in new fund-raisings and advising funds throughout their life-cycle, as well as on large fund structuring and a whole range of other fund-related issues such as fund restructuring and mediation processes. Sonya Pauls will in particular be responsible for the German private equity funds practice within the firm’s Corporate practice.
Dr. Peter Dieners, Managing Partner of Clifford Chance Germany, commented: “Sonya Pauls’ move to Clifford Chance is fantastic news for the firm. For us, she is the market leader in Germany for private equity fund structuring and her skills and know-how ideally complement our strengths. Together with our existing funds team, this will create a truly unique and outstanding funds practice, which dovetails perfectly with our national and global strategy.”
Mark Shipman, head of the Clifford Chance International Private Funds Group, said: “We work with all of the major investors across the globe. We know their technical requirements and legal and commercial preferences. Sonya Pauls is a first-class enhancement for our International Private Funds Group since she has an outstanding reputation as a funds specialist both in Germany and internationally. Her private equity fund expertise is a perfect addition to our existing funds practice in Germany and beyond.”
Christopher Kellett, head of the German Private Equity practice at Clifford Chance, added: “Sonya Pauls gives us a unique opportunity to address a need which is of key importance to our private equity clients. There is a very high demand for advice on structuring private equity funds. Sonya Pauls has a very international approach and brings excellent contacts and opportunities among fund managers and investors in Europe and across the world.”
Sonya Pauls is the second high-profile hire by Clifford Chance in Germany during the last year. Dr. Anselm Raddatz joined Clifford Chance as a partner in November 2015. He is regarded as one of Germany’s leading M&A experts with many years of experience advising on complex international M&A deals, corporate restructuring measures and joint ventures. His key focus is transactional work in regulated industries and advising private equity investors both in Germany and around the world. Most recently he advised DIF and EDF Invest on the acquisition of Thyssengas and Triton on its purchase of Fläkt Woods.
Source: www.cliffordchance.com
