Key Takeaways
- • Sidley Austin has added Justin Solomon as a partner in Los Angeles and co-leader of its Private Equity Funds group, alongside John Muno.
- • Solomon joins from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner in the Investment Funds practice, and brings more than 20 years of experience advising private equity sponsors.
- • Solomon has led fund formations ranging from under $100 million to more than $20 billion, representing both established sponsors and emerging managers.
- • The hire extends Sidley's buildout of its global Investment Funds platform, which now includes more than 150 corporate, securities, and derivatives lawyers.
- • Sidley's chair Brian Fahrney describes building the private equity funds business as a key strategic priority for the firm.
Summary
Sidley has expanded its Investment Funds practice with the addition of Justin Solomon as a partner in Los Angeles and co-leader of the firm's Private Equity Funds group alongside John Muno. Solomon joins from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner in the Investment Funds practice. He brings more than 20 years of experience advising private equity sponsors on fund formation, management company matters, governance, and transactions involving private capital businesses.
According to the firm's announcement, Solomon has led fund formations ranging from less than $100 million to more than $20 billion and has represented both established private equity sponsors and emerging managers. His practice spans spin-out negotiations, management company launches, first-time fund formations, internal economics and governance arrangements, succession planning, seed transactions, and minority stake sales.
Solomon's arrival continues Sidley's expansion of its global Investment Funds platform. Over the past two years, the firm has added funds partners in Houston, New York, Chicago, London, Boston, and Palo Alto. Recent additions include Ivana Rouse in Houston; Cliff Cone, Daniel Drabkin, and Michael Sabin in New York; Ryan McNish and John Muno in Chicago; Ed Gander, Stephen Fox, and Peter Boulle in London; Mathew Eapen in Boston; and Shane Goudey in Palo Alto. The Investment Funds practice includes more than 150 corporate, securities, and derivatives lawyers globally, who advise asset managers and investment funds while coordinating with tax, benefits, regulatory, and enforcement colleagues.
Brian Fahrney, Chair of Sidley's Executive Committee, said Solomon will be an important addition that further strengthens the firm's private equity fund formation capabilities, and that building the private equity funds practice is a key strategic priority. Mehdi Khodadad, Global Co-Leader of Sidley's M&A and Private Equity Group, said Solomon has built a significant practice and longstanding relationships with private equity sponsors on the West Coast, and that he will strengthen the firm's private funds capabilities regionally and nationally. The firm said Solomon's West Coast relationships and fund formation experience will strengthen its ability to advise sponsors throughout the private capital lifecycle.
According to the firm's announcement, Solomon has led fund formations ranging from less than $100 million to more than $20 billion and has represented both established private equity sponsors and emerging managers. His practice spans spin-out negotiations, management company launches, first-time fund formations, internal economics and governance arrangements, succession planning, seed transactions, and minority stake sales.
Solomon's arrival continues Sidley's expansion of its global Investment Funds platform. Over the past two years, the firm has added funds partners in Houston, New York, Chicago, London, Boston, and Palo Alto. Recent additions include Ivana Rouse in Houston; Cliff Cone, Daniel Drabkin, and Michael Sabin in New York; Ryan McNish and John Muno in Chicago; Ed Gander, Stephen Fox, and Peter Boulle in London; Mathew Eapen in Boston; and Shane Goudey in Palo Alto. The Investment Funds practice includes more than 150 corporate, securities, and derivatives lawyers globally, who advise asset managers and investment funds while coordinating with tax, benefits, regulatory, and enforcement colleagues.
Brian Fahrney, Chair of Sidley's Executive Committee, said Solomon will be an important addition that further strengthens the firm's private equity fund formation capabilities, and that building the private equity funds practice is a key strategic priority. Mehdi Khodadad, Global Co-Leader of Sidley's M&A and Private Equity Group, said Solomon has built a significant practice and longstanding relationships with private equity sponsors on the West Coast, and that he will strengthen the firm's private funds capabilities regionally and nationally. The firm said Solomon's West Coast relationships and fund formation experience will strengthen its ability to advise sponsors throughout the private capital lifecycle.
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