LONDON, December 1, 2011: Morgan Lewis today announced that Noel Ainsworth—a leading private funds lawyer in the UK—will be joining the firm as a partner in its Business and Finance Practice, resident in London, following the expiration of the required notice period at his current firm.
"At a time when more than fifty percent of US funds work involves Europe, Noel is an important addition to our team not only for our clients in Europe, but for our global capabilities as a whole," noted Louis Singer, leader of the Private Investment Funds team in the Business and Finance Practice at Morgan Lewis. "His experience in Europe, paired with our sizeable team around the world offers clients a tremendous resource."
Mr. Ainsworth focuses his practice on all aspects of private investment funds and investment management. His practice involves the formation and operation of private investment funds including private equity, credit and distressed credit, clean energy, infrastructure, real estate and hybrid funds; the formation and operation of funds of funds and secondary funds; sales and purchases of fund interests in the secondary markets; and the representation of investors in private investment funds. As part of his practice, he has advised fund management teams on the establishment of new fund management businesses including notable spinouts and mergers.
"We are thrilled to add another partner to our already sizeable private investment funds team," added Chuck Lubar, managing partner of the firm's London office. "As we continue to focus on our core strengths in business and finance and private equity, someone with Noel's fund formation experience is an ideal fit."
Mr. Ainsworth will join a global practice with more than 70 attorneys serving clients on every major continent from a dozen offices around the world. Morgan Lewis is the #1 "Most Active Law Firm" in the 2011 Dow Jones Private Equity Analyst ranking, which is based on the number of private equity and venture capital funds worked on for general partners and limited partners in 2010.
The continuing expansion of Morgan Lewis' London private funds practice will be led by Noel Ainsworth, Louis Singer, and Ann Baker, all of whom have consistently been recognised as leading private funds lawyers. The practice is supported by well-respected practitioners in the areas of tax, secondary transactions, and finance.