Private Equity

Private Equity partner Lewis Blakey has been named among the Rising Stars: Europe’s Best Up-and-Coming Private Equity Lawyers by Legal Week. The list recognizes 25 leading Private Equity attorneys in the U.K. and Europe under the age of 40.

Mr. Blakey, resident in Weil’s London office, is among an elite group of lawyers who “demonstrated their prowess in winning new clients, deepening existing relationships and broadening the scope of their firm’s private equity expertise.”

The Rising Star profile highlighted Mr. Blakey’s work advising on two of the largest private equity deals of the year. He advised Bain Capital on its acquisition of a 60% stake in Kantar from WPP, a transaction that valued Kantar at C$4 billion. Mr. Blakey also advised Advent International on its £4 billion take-private of Cobham plc.

The profile also noted Mr. Blakey’s “status in the market, with one general counsel of a top private equity firm describing him as being ‘smart, diligent, commercial and [having] excellent judgement.’”

The honorees were selected based on recommendations from the world’s preeminent private equity firms and a survey of experienced law firm partners.