Dechert has hired private equity and infrastructure lawyer Jarlath Pratt from Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC to strengthen the firm’s global private capital coverage.
Pratt joins as a partner in the firm’s London corporate and securities practice group. He brings more than two decades of experience in private practice and in-house across the private equity, infrastructure and M&A markets.
Mark Thierfelder, co-chair of Dechert, said: “I have admired Jarlath for many years, and his extensive experience and proven success align with our goal of attracting top-tier talent and expanding our global private capital capabilities as we help business leaders lead.”
Pratt spent close to 13 years at GIC where he was a managing director and assistant GC based out of its London office. He previously spent two and a half years at Barclays Capital, following six years as a corporate lawyer at Travers Smith, specialising in private equity and M&A.
Jay Alicandri, co-chair of Dechert’s corporate and securities practice, said: “[Pratt’s] deep understanding of the private equity and infrastructure landscapes, coupled with his strong client relationships, make him a perfect addition, accelerating the momentum of our growth in London and globally.”
Pratt is the latest partner addition to Dechert’s London private equity and M&A team following the hires of Nick Tomlinson from Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in February last year and Joseph Dennis from legacy firm Herbert Smith Freehills in July.
Pratt said: “[Dechert’s] dedication to excellence and its presence in the world’s major financial centres provide a great platform to drive growth and innovation for our clients in an increasingly complex market. I am leaving behind a great organisation and an incredible team full of very talented people, however I am tremendously excited about the opportunity ahead.”
Other firms have also recently been strengthening their London private equity and M&A benches. In December, Sullivan & Cromwell hired private equity lawyer Aprajita Dhundia from Kirkland & Ellis to boost its deals coverage, while in November private equity partners Dan Oates and Angela Becker swapped Ropes & Gray for Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld.
Kirkland also lost another London private equity partner – Nick Appleton – who joined Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in October.
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