Key Takeaways
- • Will Aitken-Davies, a leading private equity M&A partner previously at Linklaters, has joined Paul Weiss as head of European M&A, marking a significant lateral hire in London's legal market for institutional investors and sponsors.
- • Aitken-Davies brings demonstrated expertise in complex cross-border transactions across automotive, energy, technology, infrastructure, and transportation sectors, with recent representations including KPS Capital Partners' €3.5 billion Innomotics acquisition from Siemens and General Atlantic's $365 million investment in Hostaway.
- • The hire is part of Paul Weiss's broader London expansion strategy, which has included the concurrent recruitment of ex-Kirkland & Ellis private equity partner Roger Johnson and additional regulatory specialists from rival firms.
- • Aitken-Davies holds leading rankings from Chambers UK 2026, Legal 500 UK 2026, and IFLR1000 2026, positioning Paul Weiss to strengthen its private capital advisory capabilities for sponsor-backed transactions and distressed acquisitions.
Summary
Will Aitken-Davies has joined Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison as a partner in the Private Equity M&A Group and head of European M&A, reinforcing the U.S. law firm's transatlantic private capital platform. Aitken-Davies previously held a partner position at Linklaters, where he advised private equity and financial sponsor clients on complex cross-border M&A transactions spanning multiple high-value sectors including automotive, energy, technology, infrastructure, and transportation.
The hire reflects Paul Weiss's strategic expansion in London's legal market, occurring as the firm simultaneously brings on Roger Johnson, a private equity partner from Kirkland & Ellis. This coordinated recruitment effort signals Paul Weiss's commitment to building dedicated capacity for sponsor-backed transactions in the European market, a critical segment for institutional investors and family offices managing cross-border portfolio activity.
Aitken-Davies's transaction record demonstrates substantive experience with large-scale deals. His representations include advising KPS Capital Partners on the €3.5 billion enterprise value acquisition of Innomotics GmbH from Siemens, a significant carve-out transaction, and the approximately €1.7 billion carve-out acquisition of INEOS Composites. He has also worked with General Atlantic on strategic growth investments, including a $365 million commitment to Hostaway and a co-investment valuation exceeding $3 billion in Kyriba alongside Bridgepoint.
Aitken-Davies is ranked as a leading private equity lawyer by Chambers UK 2026, Legal 500 UK 2026, and IFLR1000 2026, institutional sources widely consulted by alternative asset managers for counsel selection. His appointment strengthens Paul Weiss's ability to serve financial sponsors on buyouts, carve-outs, co-investments, consortium structures, and distressed acquisitions—transaction types that constitute significant activity for hedge funds, family offices, and PE-focused institutional capital managers.
The hire reflects Paul Weiss's strategic expansion in London's legal market, occurring as the firm simultaneously brings on Roger Johnson, a private equity partner from Kirkland & Ellis. This coordinated recruitment effort signals Paul Weiss's commitment to building dedicated capacity for sponsor-backed transactions in the European market, a critical segment for institutional investors and family offices managing cross-border portfolio activity.
Aitken-Davies's transaction record demonstrates substantive experience with large-scale deals. His representations include advising KPS Capital Partners on the €3.5 billion enterprise value acquisition of Innomotics GmbH from Siemens, a significant carve-out transaction, and the approximately €1.7 billion carve-out acquisition of INEOS Composites. He has also worked with General Atlantic on strategic growth investments, including a $365 million commitment to Hostaway and a co-investment valuation exceeding $3 billion in Kyriba alongside Bridgepoint.
Aitken-Davies is ranked as a leading private equity lawyer by Chambers UK 2026, Legal 500 UK 2026, and IFLR1000 2026, institutional sources widely consulted by alternative asset managers for counsel selection. His appointment strengthens Paul Weiss's ability to serve financial sponsors on buyouts, carve-outs, co-investments, consortium structures, and distressed acquisitions—transaction types that constitute significant activity for hedge funds, family offices, and PE-focused institutional capital managers.
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