GLOBAL MOVERS: LAWYERS

In the October 2006 issue of Private Equity International, we produced a selection of the 30 most influential lawyers in global private equity. Here, we remind our readers of some of the legal world's most valued practitioners.

JONATHAN BLAKE
Sj Berwin

Back in 1987, Blake was responsible for negotiating a favourable tax regime for UK limited partnerships – at the same time sealing his place in the annals of European private equity. Since then, he has built a formidable team of fund formation specialists who have set the standards for others to follow.

THOMAS BELL
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

As fund formation grows increasingly larger and more complex, Bell and team have carved a niche in the largest and most complex assignments, spanning the traditional LP fundraising markets and public markets on both sides of the Atlantic. Clients include Carlyle, Ripplewood, as well as real estate and hedge fund managers. Bell, who became a partner in 1992, is based in New York.

FRANCI BLASSBERG
Debevoise & Plimpton

A leading LBO dealmaker for the last 25 years, Blassberg heads a team that proved its widely recognised flair for innovation was still alive and kicking when it acted on last year's $15 billion Hertz acquisition by a private equity consortium. Part of the deal included a securitisation backed by the Hertz automobile fleet.

JOSEPH COCO
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom

Coco, an expert in M&A, securities law and finance, is at the cutting edge of changes within private equity. His major client, Fortress Investment, sold part of itself to Nomura Holdings before being listed on the NYSE. This is a template that will be repeated many more times as the industry matures.

CHARLES COGUT
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett

A partner since 1980, Cogut famously advised KKR on its 1989 buyout of RJR Nabisco. Since then, as global head of M&A and leader of his firm's private equity practice, Cogut and his team have played key roles in more of the industry's largest and most complex deals. His representation of Ripplewood Holdings and JC Flowers led to his involvement in the landmark Shinsei Bank deal in Japan, for example.

JASON GLOVER
Clifford Chance

A former private equity executive, Glover has made a huge impact since switching to the lawyers' side of the table. He has been instrumental in building out Clifford Chance's fund advisory capabilities in Europe, coming closer than anyone to challenging the primacy of SJ Berwin in the field. Clients include Carlyle Group, Charterhouse Capital and EQT.

MAURICE HOO
Paul Hastings, Janofsky & Walker

Hong Kong-based Hoo is not only a leading adviser to Chinese private equity deals, he has also become a leading commentator on industry themes. Swift to comment on whatever is the latest obtuse piece of legislation from the Chinese regulators, he seemingly never fails to quickly identify the key points. Acting as legal counsel to the China Venture Capital Association is another string to his bow.

ANDY OSTROGNAI
Debevoise & Plimpton

A ten-year veteran of the Asian markets, Hong Kong-based Ostrognai is identified by peers as a dab hand at mastering Asia Pacific's fund formation challenges in his role as head of Debevoise' Asian Private Equity Group – hailed by many as the pre-eminent franchise in the region. CDH China, BPEP Asia and Morgan Stanley are part of a long client list.

ROBIN PAINTER
Proskauer Rose

Part of the pre-eminent Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault fund formation team that, following the dissolution of that firm, switched to Proskauer Rose in 2005. Now a partner in Proskauer's corporate department and co-chair of the private equity group, Painter's clients include Adams Street Partners and the Wellcome Trust. A leading light in the industry.

MARK VICKERS
Ashurst

A debt specialist, Vickers is acclaimed for his ability to solve complex deal-related problems, especially in the public-to-private domain. His signature is writ large on some of the highest profile European LBOs of recent years – Amadeus, Saga and SBS Broadcasting among them.