Sullivan & Cromwell LLP announced a while back, the next step forward in its global strategic plan to enhance and expand its private capital, restructuring and leveraged finance practices through a combination of internal talent development and top-tier external hires.
Kon Asimacopoulos and Michael Francies joined the firm as Partners in S&C’s London office, adding exceptional expertise that will further strengthen the firm’s ability to act on the most challenging matters and cross-border mandates for its expanding global client base. Their appointment follows the addition of leading financial institutions lawyer Barnabas (Barney) Reynolds as a partner in London in June.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kon and Mike to S&C. Kon and Mike are preeminent lawyers who have built market-leading restructuring, private capital and M&A practices in London and across Europe,” said Sullivan & Cromwell Co-Chairs Robert Giuffra and Scott Miller. “Kon and Mike will be cornerstones to our plans to continue growing our global restructuring, private capital and M&A practices, building on the thriving European private equity practice led by Karan Dinamani. They will help us attract other leading lawyers and enhance our reputation for delivering the highest-quality advice across all of our practices.”
Mr. Asimacopoulos is widely regarded as one of the top restructuring lawyers globally and has been involved in many of the most significant restructuring and litigation matters in recent years. He is ranked in Band 1 for Restructuring/Insolvency by Chambers UK, is a member of the Hall of Fame in Corporate Restructuring & Insolvency for the Legal 500 and is named a Market Leader in Restructuring and Insolvency in IFLR 1000. He has also been named a “Global Elite Thought Leader” by Who’s Who Legal. Mr. Asimacopoulos will lead the firm’s European Restructuring and Special Situations Practice, co-lead the firm’s global restructuring practice with Andy Dietderich and Jim Bromley in New York, and co-lead the London office alongside John Horsfield-Bradbury.
“I’m delighted to join Sullivan & Cromwell, whose strong heritage and track record uniquely position the firm to help clients navigate the increased complexity of the transactional landscape,” said Mr. Asimacopoulos. “At S&C, I look forward to partnering with an extraordinary team of lawyers, and with Mike, whom I have known for many years, at a time when clients are increasingly looking to advisers for the most creative, thoughtful and proactive solutions.”
“S&C has built a leading global restructuring practice over the past 15 years based on delivering the highest quality advice and our intense focus on client results. We leverage a strong core restructuring team with the full resources of the firm. Welcoming Kon to our core team is another major step forward for our practice. We could not be more excited about our growth trajectory and the collaborative work ahead,” said Messrs. Dietderich and Bromley.
Mr. Francies has received numerous accolades over his storied career, having advised on a broad range of public and private transactions, both cross-border and domestic, across various industry sectors. He has been listed in The Times’ Law 100 “UK’s Most Powerful Lawyers” and named as the “most recommended Private Equity lawyer in the UK by general counsel” for The Lawyer. He has been ranked Band 1 in both Private Equity and Corporate/M&A by Chambers UK and is one of only two London lawyers listed in the Legal 500 Hall of Fame for both Private Equity and M&A.
“Having worked alongside S&C many times over the years, I have observed the firm’s complete dedication to consistent global quality and client service. Its collaborative partnership culture and commitment to excellence means S&C is delivering outstanding results for financial sponsors and other private capital clients facing the most complex and pressing challenges or transactions. S&C’s private capital practice is thriving, and I am incredibly excited to partner with Kon and join forces with Karan to propel growth in this critical area from London,” said Mr. Francies.
“Kon and Mike join an incredible team of talented lawyers in Europe as we continue to build out our successful private capital business,” said John Horsfield-Bradbury, Managing Partner of S&C’s London office. “The addition now of these two market leaders, and of Barney Reynolds earlier this year, further enhances our ability to provide high levels of expertise, experience and resources across integrated mandates from London. I am delighted that Kon will partner with me to lead our London practice in the next phase of S&C’s growth.”
