Goodwin Procter has expanded its market-leading Private Equity Group with the addition of Richard Lever as a partner in the firm’s London office.
Lever will join Goodwin from King & Wood Mallesons, where he co-led the corporate group with his own focus on middle market private equity transactions and portfolio company work, following completion of his notice period.
Goodwin’s London-based private equity practice aims to leverage and replicate the success of the firm’s U.S. team, a nationally recognised private equity legal services powerhouse. The expansion of the practice in Europe through the addition of Lever also builds on the growth and momentum of the firm’s London office since its founding in 2011. Focused initially on expanding the firm’s flagship real estate capital markets and fund formation practice in Europe, Goodwin’s London office has since grown to more than 25 lawyers.
“The addition of Richard to spearhead the growth of our private equity practice in Europe is a significant and long-planned strategic step in the expansion of our London office capabilities,” says David Evans, London Office Chair. “We believe that now is the right time for the expansion and that Richard is the right partner to lead it. As Goodwin Procter continues to deepen its London presence, we look forward, with Richard’s support, to growing our European private equity offering to sit alongside our existing flagship European real estate sector-focused practice.”
“Our private equity work in Europe over the years convinces us that there is a real opportunity to penetrate the middle market and growth equity sectors with a highly commercial, sector-focused, valued-added service offering,” says John LeClaire, founder and co-head of Goodwin’s Private Equity Group. “Those are our areas of focus and strength, and they align perfectly with Richard’s practice focus and strategic vision. He will be a great colleague and we are delighted to have him join our team.”
Lever’s extensive experience spans all areas of private equity and corporate mergers and acquisitions, with an emphasis on advising middle market private equity sponsors, public and private companies and financial institutions. Lever has been named a ‘Star of the Future’ by Legal Business and is ranked as a leader in private equity by Chambers and Legal 500.
Goodwin’s Private Equity Group focuses on buyouts, recapitalisations, growth equity investments, and portfolio company transactions in the United States and internationally, with a focus on the middle market and growth equity sectors. With a full-service team of more than 100 lawyers, the practice covers the full life cycle of clients’ investments, across industries including technology, life sciences, FinTech, financial services, consumer, healthcare, and food – from fund formation to exit.
