Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates is launching an investment management practice in London with the hire of partner Stephen Sims.

Mr. Sims joins Skadden from Macfarlanes and brings a wealth of experience in investment management and funds formation. He advises fund managers and investors on the structuring, establishment and operation of investment funds, especially private equity and real estate funds. Mr. Sims is recommended as a leading lawyer in Who’s Who Legal and Chambers UK. 

Skadden’s Executive Partner Eric Friedman said, “We are delighted that Stephen has decided to join us. The decision to add investment management expertise to our European practice follows strong client demand. Lawyers of Stephen’s profile and calibre are highly sought after and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.” 

Investment management skills will bring vital expertise to Skadden in Europe at a time when the pooling and deployment of private capital across a range of sectors is becoming ever more fundamental. Private equity, hedge funds, family offices and sovereign wealth are all target growth areas for the European offering, complementing our leading Investment Funds Practice in the United States and the UK private equity and tax practices. 

Skadden has one of London’s largest organically grown offices of a non-UK firm, acting as a hub for pan-European and emerging markets transactions for a broad client base. We have developed from a boutique M&A law firm to a leading European house offering highly rated specialist expertise in a number of areas. These include strategic M&A, private equity and investment management, international arbitration and litigation, white collar crime / corporate investigations, high yield and capital markets, banking, corporate restructuring and tax.