Cleary Gottlieb Grows Its European Private Equity Team With Senior London Hire

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP announced today that Christy O’Connell has joined the London office as counsel in the private equity practice.

“We are delighted to welcome Christy to our firm,” said European private equity co-lead, Mike Preston. “Christy brings a wealth of experience in the private equity sector that will help us continue to deliver the highest level of client service.”

Christy joins Cleary’s European private equity team and will be based in London. She has over a decade of experience in the private equity space advising clients on all forms of leveraged M&A, co-investments, restructurings, disposals, and portfolio company matters. She joins Cleary from the London office of a major international law firm, where she was managing associate in the private equity group.

“Christy’s hire builds on our existing strengths in this signature practice and reflects our focus on strategic growth,” said Tihir Sarkar, head of the M&A group in Cleary’s London office. “Christy’s experience dovetails nicely with our multidisciplinary approach to finding creative solutions for our clients. She will be an incredible asset to our team and clients.”

“Cleary is well known for advising sponsor clients on high-profile transactions,” said Christy. “The firm has a reputation for extremely talented lawyers and I am thrilled to be joining them.”