David Perkins, a seasoned private equity attorney with Cravath, Swaine & Moore, has joined Sidley Austin as a partner in New York, adding to the recent influx of partner hires at Sidley, according to a report by Reuters.
Perkins, who co-led Cravath’s highly regarded private equity group, brings a multifaceted practice that spans private equity, fund formation, and clients in the insurance sector.
Despite the market uncertainty fuelled by the Trump administration’s policies, including new tariffs and a global equities sell-off that has dampened M&A activity and IPOs, Perkins remains optimistic about the deal landscape. He suggests that the current volatility could spur increased activity in certain sectors, particularly among asset managers.
Historically, Cravath has been known for its retention of partners, rarely losing talent to competitors or hiring externally. However, recent years have seen a shift, with several partners departing and new talent joining the firm.
In just the past week, Sidley Austin has also secured multiple high-profile partner hires in New York, including M&A attorneys Andrew Fadale from Milbank and George Hunter from Jones Day.
Additionally, Sidley added former Weil, Gotshal & Manges partner Amy Rubin, who now co-chairs the firm’s employee benefits and executive compensation practice, within its M&A and private equity group.
