Clayton James will join global law firm A&O Shearman as a corporate and M&A partner in its Sydney office.
BigLaw firm A&O Shearman has announced its latest addition as part of an expansion in its private equity and corporate practice. James will be departing Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer after over 20 years, where he was a senior member and then partner of its private equity team.
He brings advisory experience in private equity and venture capital transactions, public and private mergers and acquisitions, and handled complex dealings in a range of sectors, including energy, technology, business and professional services, transport, and defence.
Global co-head of private equity Stephen Lloyd said: “Clayton’s deep relationships in Australia and experience in high-profile transactions, coupled with insights from our global network, will help us deliver value-driven solutions for our clients both within and outside Australia.”
He added: “Private equity is evolving rapidly, with sponsors seeking [innovative] structures and sector-specific insights.”
According to the firm, growing client demand in cross-border and domestic transactional advice has necessitated its growth.
On the appointment, the co-managing partner of the firm in Australia, Jason Denisenko, said: “Clayton’s addition positions us to deepen relationship with both Australian sponsors and leading international and regional private equity houses.”
Several Australian additions have been announced over the last year to meet a growing and more sophisticated client demand, with the firm making appointments across litigation, finance, disputes and property.
Global co-head of M&A David Broadley said: “Continued investment in M&A and private equity remains a strategic priority for the firm”, adding: “Clayton’s arrival will be a significant milestone for our corporate practice.”
Amelia is a Professional Services Journalist with Momentum Media, covering Lawyers Weekly, HR Leader, Accountants Daily and Accounting Times. She has a background in technical copy and arts and culture journalism, and enjoys screenwriting in her spare time.
