Kirkland London Funds Partner Leggate Set to Join Paul Weiss

Paul Weiss is strengthening its funds bench in London with the addition of another partner from rival Kirkland & Ellis.

Investment funds partner Jeremy Leggate is set to join Paul Weiss in its UK office, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. Leggate has been a partner at Kirkland since 2017 after two years as an associate with the firm.

A Paul Weiss representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The firm has been on a concerted hiring push in London since August 2023, striking back after London leader Alvaro Membrillera decamped to rival Kirkland.

It poached Kirkland rainmaker Neel Sachdev—now Paul Weiss’s London co-head—among others. That kicked off a run of additions from major firms, including Clifford Chance, Linklaters, and Akin.

The rapidly expanding team moved into a new London office located near several prime private equity clients early this year.

London co-head Sachdev has been bullish on future plans for the firm’s European presence, which also includes expanding a freshly launched Brussels base.

Kirkland, meanwhile, has altered its response to departing partners. The firm in July adopted new rules that allow it to withhold deferred pay for those who quit.

While Kirkland partners who leave risk forfeiting pay under the new policy, the firm also halved the notice period partners were required to give before leaving.