Click here for printer friendly page

SJ Berwin recruits private equity team to Paris office

European law firm SJ Berwin has announced the recruitment of four professionals to its Paris office private equity team. Christophe Digoy and Maxence Bloch joined the firm as partners to expand the firm's private equity practice together with two associates, Jerome Jouhanneaud and David Diamant.

‘The arrival of Christophe, Maxence, Jerome and David will open up considerable opportunities for us in our core areas of private equity and corporate transactions,' said George Pinkham, partner in the firm's Paris office. ‘I am delighted they are joining us and I look forward to working with them in continuing the success of SJ Berwin's operations in France.'

Digoy specialises in leveraged buy-outs, public to private transactions, mergers and acquisitions and stock exchange regulations. Bloch specialises in merger and acquisition activities, with a particular focus on leveraged buy-outs and takeovers in public companies. Both Digoy and Bloch join SJ Berwin from Clifford Chance.

France's private equity market has become increasingly attractive to private equity firms over the last couple of years. Interest has been triggered by a spate of high profile deals such as the sale of Enricau, French manufacturer of vehicle parts, to BA Capital Partners, and the sale of Alstrom's transmission and distribution unit, which attracted bids from CVC Capital Partners, Doughty Hanson, Clayton Dubilier & Rice and Permira.

In response to growing interest in the market, several high profile private equity firms have strengthened their Paris-based teams. KKR recently hired Jacques Garaialde as its managing director for France and Frederic Chauffier was recruited to head Duke Street's new Paris office.

Copyright © 2003 AltAssets