Key Takeaways
- • White & Case LLP has hired the former co-head of Goodwin Procter LLP's secondaries practice, marking a significant lateral move in the competitive legal market for alternative investment counsel.
- • The hire brings sponsor-side expertise in complex, cross-border secondary transactions to White & Case's New York office, strengthening the firm's capabilities in structured secondary fund investments.
- • The move reflects continued competition among major law firms to build depth in the secondaries practice, a growing segment within private equity and alternative asset management.
Summary
The secondaries market—which involves the buying, selling, and restructuring of existing private equity fund positions—has become an increasingly important practice area for major law firms serving alternative asset managers and institutional investors. Secondaries transactions typically involve intricate regulatory, tax, and structural considerations across multiple jurisdictions, making specialized legal expertise a competitive advantage for firms seeking to serve this client base.
Goodwin Procter's secondaries practice has been recognized as a leading platform within the firm's broader private markets practice. The departure of a co-head signals the ongoing competition among elite law firms to attract experienced practitioners who can command client relationships and manage high-stakes sponsor-side mandates in the alternatives space.
The move strengthens White & Case's position in serving large asset managers, sponsors, and institutional investors navigating secondary market opportunities. For investors and sponsors evaluating legal counsel for secondaries transactions, this type of lateral movement often signals shifts in practice capabilities and relationship strengths across the market's leading firms.
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