Paul Hastings Continues Growth in Frankfurt with Addition of Leading Private Equity Partner

Frankfurt/Main — Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Lars Jessen, a prominent private equity lawyer, has joined the firm as a partner, based in Frankfurt/Main. He joins from Goodwin, together with Private Equity partner Martin Prokoph.

Their arrival, following the recent addition of Capital Markets partner Katja Kaulamo in Frankfurt/Main, adds further momentum to the firm’s strong growth and performance in Germany and across Europe.

“Our private equity clients turn to us to advise them on their most significant and complex transactions,” said Seth Zachary, Chairman of Paul Hastings. “The addition of Lars enhances the capabilities and reach of our global Private Equity practice, especially given his deep cross-border experience in the full range of private equity transactions, and continues the growth of our leading Frankfurt-based Corporate team.”

“I am thrilled to join Paul Hastings’ global Private Equity practice and look forward to collaborating with my new colleagues,” said Mr. Jessen. “We anticipate a very active private equity market over the next 24 months, including an increase in public takeovers, which is fortunately part of Paul Hastings' offering. The firm has an outstanding private equity and transactional team in Frankfurt/Main, and together we can provide an even stronger offering to serve our clients’ evolving needs both here in Germany and across borders.”

Mr. Jessen focuses his practice on private equity, private M&A transactions, joint ventures, and real estate private equity transactions. He has in-depth experience advising investors and corporations on complex cross-border transactions, reorganizations, joint ventures, and management participation schemes. He has been named among “Germany’s Best Lawyers” by Handelsblatt for Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Real Estate Law. He also advises opportunistic investors in distressed debt and restructurings on loan transactions, as well as distressed M&A.

Mr. Prokoph represents private equity and corporate clients in a broad range of transactions, including leveraged buyouts, M&A, growth equity investments, corporate restructurings, joint ventures and dispositions. He has extensive experience in cross-border transactions, particularly those involving targets in the technology and life science industries.

Paul Hastings’ market-leading Private Equity practice provides deep experience and on-the-ground presence in all major financial hubs to serve its clients’ evolving needs. The practice guides private equity sponsors, investment banks, family offices, and investors through the full private equity lifecycle, from fund formation and fundraising through investment strategy, growth equity transactions and leveraged buyouts, to exits and dispositions. The team advises on transactions of all sizes, and has particular depth and experience in cross-border acquisitions and dispositions, as well as transactions that focus on the life sciences and healthcare, technology and software, and manufacturing and industrials sectors. The Paul Hastings Private Equity practice has been recognized with Deal of the Year, Team of the Year, and Dealmaker of the Year awards by The Dealand at the Transatlantic Legal Awards.

At Paul Hastings, our purpose is clear — to help our clients and people navigate new paths to growth. With a strong presence throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the U.S., Paul Hastings is recognized as one of the world’s most innovative global law firms.