Michael James
Partner
Michael James has a broad corporate practice focusing on a range of international corporate and private equity transactions, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private equity fund formation, and joint ventures, co-investments, and consortium transactions.
Michael joined the firm as a trainee in 2010 and became a partner in 2021. He was resident in the New York office in 2011 and between 2013 and 2014.
Notable Experience
Selected Private Equity Investments
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TPG Capital funds in a range of transactions including in relation to Evoltz, Mey İçki Sanayi ve Ticaret, Times Higher Education, TES Global, and Victoria Plumb, and in various strategic and platform relationships.
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TPG Growth funds, The Rise Fund, and TPG Rise Climate in a range of transactions including investments in Gridserve, Digital House, Gro Intelligence, Tata Motors’ passenger electric vehicles division, and a number of other early-stage venture and growth investments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and in various strategic and platform relationships.
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Sixth Street in a range of transactions including in relation to investments in Contentsquare, Talcott Financial Group, Legal & General’s partnership with Lifetri, the acquisition of the Lundy portfolio from Lloyds Banking Group, and in numerous other joint venture or consortium arrangements in relation to investments in European loan portfolios, insurance assets and energy assets, and various strategic and platform relationships.
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Warburg Pincus and General Atlantic in the joint acquisition from Banco Santander of a 50% stake in Santander Asset Management, in the subsequent proposed combination of Santander Asset Management with Pioneer Investment Management, and in the disposition of Allfunds Bank.
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Warburg Pincus in a number of early-stage growth equity and venture financing.
Selected Corporate M&A Experience
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Hayfin in an agreement with Arctos to support a management buyout of the business, acquiring British Columbia Investment Management Corporation’s majority stake.
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Sixth Street in its $5.1 billion acquisition of Enstar.
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Credit Suisse Asset Management with respect to a number of asset management divestments and spin-out transactions.
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BNP Paribas in connection with a novel transaction in relation to the transfer of Deutsche Bank’s global prime brokerage and electronic equities platform, and subsequent transaction in the relation to referral of Credit Suisse’s prime services and derivatives clearing platform.
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BNP Paribas in connection with the initial public offering of Allfunds Bank.
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ArcelorMittal in connection the disposal of certain pan-European steel assets to Liberty House Group.
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Amundi in its €3.5 billion all-cash acquisition of Pioneer Investments from UniCredit and in the acquisition of a 87.5% stake in Kleinwort Benson Investors from Oddo et Cie.
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Schroders in its acquisition of Adveq.
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Rosneft in its $55 billion acquisition of TNK-BP from BP and AAR.
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Lafarge S.A. in its 50:50 joint venture with Anglo American plc to combine their UK cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt, and contracting businesses.
Selected Private Fund and Alternative Transactions Experience
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Sixth Street in a wide range of private fund-related matters, including the formation and operation of a number of credit and special situations funds, and in various separate accounts, co-investment arrangements, and other strategic initiatives.
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TPG in the formation of certain private equity and other specialty funds, co-investments, and other strategic initiatives.
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Hayfin in connection with certain fundraising activities.
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Monograph Capital Partners in connection its formation and first fundraising.
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The special situations platform of a leading U.S. bank in connection with fundraising activities.
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Coller Capital in a number of GP-led secondary transaction.
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Hillhouse in the formation of its first private equity fund.
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Certain leading sovereign wealth funds in connection with investments in numerous private funds and “GP stake” and platform transactions.
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Several alternative asset managers in connection with succession and restructuring arrangements.
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Numerous sponsors in connection with AIFMD and other European regulatory matters.
Publications
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The Current UK Tax Landscape for Private Equity Funds and Professionals
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UK National Security Regime: Annual Report 2024 and Observations on Recent Practice
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Retail Investor Funds Accelerate Private Equity's Democratization Drive
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UK Government Considers Changes to National Security and Investment Regime
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IPOs Set the Scene for Private Equity Companies to Get Exit Ready
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UK National Security Regime: Annual Report 2023 and Observations on Recent Practice
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The Case for Creditor on Creditor Violence in European Restructuring
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Private Equity Market Snapshot: Silicon Valley Bank Focus April 2023
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From Industrials to Cleantech Germany Offers Private Equity Opportunities
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UK National Security Regime: Enforcement Practice and Updated Guidance
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Strong Valuations Have Mixed Consequences for Private Equity
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Holding On: The Growing Benefits of Evergreen Fund Structures in Private Capital
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Negotiating GP Stakes Deals in Times of Economic Uncertainty
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Rise of GP-Led Transactions Reshapes Private Equity Secondaries
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Large Target: The Growing Opportunity for Private Equity Investment in Sport
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Competition Watchdogs Increase Scrutiny of Private Equity Takeovers
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European Investment Remains Resilient in Challenging Conditions
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New Tax Rules Aim to Level Playing Field for UK Holding Companies
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IPOs Versus Staying Private: Weighing the Benefits for Private Equity
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Wide-Ranging New UK National Security Regime Comes Into Force
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Private Equity Must Prepare for Higher Sustainability Standards
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Valuations Sharpen U.S. Private Equity Appetite for UK Companies
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Investor Expectations and Regulatory Scrutiny Rise as Sovereigns Co-Sponsor Deals
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New UK National Security Regime to Come Into Force in January 2022
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Longer Investment Periods Drive Creation of Longer-Term Funds
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Italian Airport Concession Rebalancing May Be a Missed Opportunity
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Directors’ Duties: Private Equity Responsibilities to Portfolio Companies
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The Power of Teamwork... The Continued Rise of Consortium Buyouts
Events
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September 14, 2021
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February 6, 2019