Cleary Gottlieb Continues Strategic Growth of Private Equity Practice With London-Based Partner and Counsel Hires

Continuing the transatlantic expansion of its private equity practice, Cleary Gottlieb announces the arrival of Alexander van der Gaag and Joanna Roberts, who are joining the firm’s London office.

Alex is a debt finance partner advising private equity firms and corporates on leveraged finance acquisitions, private credit and syndicated lending, infrastructure, and real estate finance. He has worked on some of the largest and most high-profile leverage buyouts over the past decade.

“Cleary’s outstanding reputation in the market, commitment to excellence, and client-centric approach is an incredible draw for me. I am very excited to join this high-caliber team, led by Ed Aldred, as they continue to grow their fantastic debt finance practice supporting financial sponsor clients,” said Alex.

Joanna, who will join the firm in June, is a private equity transactions lawyer with experience across leveraged buyouts, consortium deals, bolt-on acquisitions, carve-outs, co-investments, as well as reorganizations. Prior to joining Cleary as counsel, she worked for a UK-based law firm for more than 10 years, during which time she also spent 12 months on secondment serving as assistant general counsel at a leading pan-European private equity sponsor.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the private equity team at Cleary and very much looking forward to teaming up with Ian Shawyer again. It is an exciting time for the firm and its global private equity practice, which has an enviable client base on both sides of the Atlantic and a team of hugely talented lawyers,” said Joanna.

“Alex and Jo represent continued investment by the firm in our private equity platform in London during a period of tremendous growth for Cleary here,” said Tihir Sarkar, London partner and executive committee member. “They are both incredibly high-quality lawyers who will be strong additions to our private equity team.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Alex and Jo to our firm,” said Cleary Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang. “They both bring the exceptional client-service ethos that is a hallmark of Cleary and bolster the investments we continue to make in expanding our transatlantic private equity transactions team.”