M&A, private equity and hedge fund lawyer Shaun Lascelles (pictured) has joined Vinson & Elkins as a partner, enhancing the firm's growing private equity practice group in London.
Lascelles comes to V&E from Ashurst.
Prior to August 2015, he was a partner and co-head of the global private equity group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in London.
Joining Lascelles in V&E's London office is Simon Rootsey, an M&A and private equity counsel from Skadden.
In addition, the firm has promoted London-based private equity attorney Dan Graham to counsel.
"These moves demonstrate our commitment to the continued growth of the firm's private equity and M&A practice in London, which is a key global financial and legal market," says V&E chairman Mark Kelly. "In addition to the ever-increasing needs of our clients investing domestically in the UK and across Europe, there is substantial demand for legal services from London-based firms investing in emerging markets outside of Europe."
Lascelles advises a wide range of private equity firms, hedge funds and state-owned and other investment firms. His high-profile matters include representing Vitol Group in the acquisition of Shell's shareholding of its Australian downstream business and advising one of the world's largest asset management firms on a deal that was shortlisted for the Private Equity Team of the Year in 2014 by Legal Business. Lascelles was recognised by Legal 500 UK 2015 as a key figure in the buyout industry.
"Shaun has earned an excellent reputation in London and beyond as a leading private equity advisor, and his practice perfectly complements our existing client base," says Jeff Eldredge, V&E's corporate department head of Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We are focused on strategically growing our group with lawyers just like Shaun, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that helps us expand our ability to service clients across the world."
"I'm extremely impressed with V&E's global footprint and dedication to growing its M&A and private equity presence in London," Lascelles says. "There is a strong synergy between my practice and many of the firm's existing clients, and I am ready to hit the ground running."
Rootsey's practice focuses on cross-border M&A and private equity, advising on all aspects of private cross-border M&A, private equity transactions, joint ventures and public takeovers. His experience includes advising Vitol Group and Helios Investment Partners in their USD460 million acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in the Nigerian downstream oil operations of Oando plc, as well as in their USD1 billion acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in the African downstream oil operations of Royal Dutch Shell. In 2015, he was honoured by M&A Advisor with the "European Emerging Leaders Award," which recognises lawyers who have reached a significant level of success in the industry before the age of 40.
Graham's practice is focused on international private equity, M&A, venture capital and general corporate law. He has experience leading a number of US and European deals as well as emerging markets transactions, having worked on matters throughout CEE, CIS, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Graham is admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor before the High Court of New Zealand and as a solicitor before the Senior Courts of England and Wales.
"Shaun, Simon and Dan have well-established practices with clients in key industries such as energy, infrastructure, telecom, health care, consumer and finance and we are confident in their ability to contribute to the firm's growth in those areas," says Keith Fullenweider, head of V&E's corporate department. "All three are outstanding attorneys who have demonstrated a high commitment to excellence. We couldn't be more pleased to have them on our team."
