Goodwin Expands London Private Equity Practice with Ian Keefe and George Weavil as Partners

Goodwin Bolsters London Private Equity Practice with New Partners Ian Keefe and George Weavil

Global law firm Goodwin has announced the addition of Ian Keefe and George Weavil as partners in the firm’s Private Equity practice for the London office. Keefe, known for his expertise in pan-European and international private equity and M&A transactions, brings a wealth of experience working with a diverse range of clients including corporations, institutional investors, alternative asset managers, founders, senior management teams, and portfolio companies.

Keefe’s practice covers a wide range of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, consortium deals, bolt-on acquisitions, carve-outs, co-investments, minority deals, recapitalizations, divestments, distressed M&A, public-to-privates, joint ventures, reorganizations, restructurings, and general corporate matters. Meanwhile, Weavil specializes in advising private equity investors and financial sponsors on buyouts, disposals, bolt-on acquisitions, co-investments, incentivization schemes, reorganizations, restructurings, and general corporate matters, with a focus on ESG-related risks and opportunities.

The addition of Keefe and Weavil further strengthens Goodwin’s 80-lawyer UK private equity practice, which covers M&A, private investment funds, and debt finance. In the past 18 months, the London team has welcomed partners Jacqueline Eaves, Arvin Abraham, and John Anderson.

Richard Lever, a London-based partner in Goodwin’s Private Equity practice, commented on the expansion, stating, “Our private equity practice in London has seen a robust expansion in line with client demand as our full-service, multi-sector platform has become an increasingly dominant force in the market. Attracting talent such as Ian and George, who bring extensive expertise in the types of transactions and industries that our clients frequently engage us for, is yet another indicator of Goodwin’s position as the go-to counsel in the UK for sponsors, portfolio companies, senior management teams, and financial institutions. We are delighted they will be joining the firm.”

The addition of Keefe and Weavil underscores Goodwin’s commitment to providing top-tier legal services to its clients in the private equity sector and solidifies the firm’s position as a leading player in the UK market.