Key Takeaways
- • Dechert LLP adds Leahana Grimley as partner in corporate and securities practice, based in San Francisco office, strengthening the firm's West Coast private equity and M&A platform.
- • Grimley specializes in middle and upper-market private equity transactions, representing leading sponsors on complex leveraged acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and restructurings across multiple industries.
- • Addition brings cross-border transactional expertise spanning the United States, Australia, and Southeast Asia, expanding Dechert's globally integrated M&A capabilities during a period of strong private equity activity in early 2026.
- • Grimley joins from a leading international Bay Area law firm, bringing established client relationships and a sponsor-focused M&A practice focused on high-value transactions.
Summary
Dechert LLP announced the addition of Leahana Grimley as a partner in its corporate and securities practice, effective immediately in the firm's San Francisco office. The hire represents a strategic expansion of Dechert's private equity and M&A capabilities on the West Coast, capitalizing on what the firm has characterized as strong M&A and private equity activity in early 2026.
Grimley's practice centers on middle and upper-market private equity transactions, with particular expertise advising leading private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on leveraged and strategic acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and incentive equity arrangements across diverse industries. Her background includes substantial cross-border transactional experience covering the United States, Australia, and Southeast Asia—a geographic breadth that enhances Dechert's globally integrated platform. She joins from a leading international law firm in the Bay Area, where she was a corporate partner.
Mark Thierfelder, co-chair of Dechert, emphasized that Grimley's addition reflects the firm's momentum and continued investment in corporate and M&A capabilities, particularly its West Coast platform. Ken Young, co-chair of Dechert's corporate and securities practice, noted that Grimley's combination of sponsor-focused M&A experience and restructuring background aligns with the firm's growth trajectory. Grimley expressed enthusiasm for contributing to what she described as "one of the premier private equity and M&A practices in the world" at a time of significant market activity.
Grimley's practice centers on middle and upper-market private equity transactions, with particular expertise advising leading private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on leveraged and strategic acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and incentive equity arrangements across diverse industries. Her background includes substantial cross-border transactional experience covering the United States, Australia, and Southeast Asia—a geographic breadth that enhances Dechert's globally integrated platform. She joins from a leading international law firm in the Bay Area, where she was a corporate partner.
Mark Thierfelder, co-chair of Dechert, emphasized that Grimley's addition reflects the firm's momentum and continued investment in corporate and M&A capabilities, particularly its West Coast platform. Ken Young, co-chair of Dechert's corporate and securities practice, noted that Grimley's combination of sponsor-focused M&A experience and restructuring background aligns with the firm's growth trajectory. Grimley expressed enthusiasm for contributing to what she described as "one of the premier private equity and M&A practices in the world" at a time of significant market activity.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.