Davis Polk Adds A&O Shearman Private Equity Partner in London

Davis Polk & Wardwell is hiring A&O Shearman private equity partner Gordon Milne as part of the Wall Street firm’s build of its London office.

Milne spent more than two decades with London’s Allen & Overy before it merged with New York’s Shearman & Sterling in May. He’ll work in Davis Polk’s corporate practice.

“Gordon is highly respected in the market and represents an important step in the execution of our strategy to build out our UK private equity capabilities,” Davis Polk managing partner Neil Barr said in a statement Tuesday.

US firms have seized on the opportunity to grow their ranks in London, once dominated by UK’s Magic Circle elite law firms. “We have identified our London office as an area ripe for growth,” Barr said in the statement.

Earlier this year, the firm picked up Luke McDougall, co-head of global finance head at Paul Hastings.

Milne advises private equity houses, financial sponsors and their portfolio companies on cross-border M&A and corporate finance transactions, including carve-outs and public-to-private takeovers.

He plans to help the firm “further develop the private equity platform in London,” Milne said in the statement.