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Highlights
- Gibson Dunn welcomes M&A specialist Will McDonald from Jones Day to its London office.
- McDonald brings extensive experience in public UK M&A, including a two-year secondment to the UK Takeover Panel.
- Recent hires underline Gibson Dunn’s strategic focus on expanding its transactional capabilities in London.
Strengthening London’s M&A Practice
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has bolstered its London transactional practice with the addition of Will McDonald, a seasoned mergers and acquisitions (M&A) specialist from Jones Day. McDonald’s move marks a significant step in the firm’s ongoing efforts to enhance its presence in the UK’s competitive legal market.
Having spent nearly 18 years at Jones Day, McDonald developed a practice focused on public UK M&A transactions. During his tenure, he gained valuable regulatory experience through a two-year secondment to the UK Takeover Panel, where he played a role in overseeing more than 250 transactions. Among these was the £71 billion acquisition of SABMiller by Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the largest takeovers in UK corporate history.
Gibson Dunn’s Growing London Footprint
Gibson Dunn, a prominent US-based law firm, has been actively expanding its London presence, particularly in the transactional space. Over the past year, the firm has made several high-profile hires, including White & Case’s private equity partner Will Summers and former Linklaters leveraged finance co-head David Irvine.
Globally, the firm has also added leading talent to its M&A team. In the US, Sullivan & Cromwell heavyweight George Sampas joined as co-chair of the M&A practice and head of cross-border M&A, signaling Gibson Dunn’s commitment to strengthening its non-US transactional capabilities.
McDonald’s Strategic Value
McDonald’s deep understanding of UK M&A, coupled with his regulatory insights from the Takeover Panel, adds significant value to Gibson Dunn’s London team. His experience in navigating complex transactions and regulatory frameworks positions him as a key asset for the firm’s clients in high-stakes deals.
Commenting on McDonald’s arrival, George Sampas highlighted the advantage of his regulatory expertise, stating, “Will’s experience in complex mergers and acquisitions makes him an important addition to our London deal team. Clients will benefit, in particular, from his first-hand experience at the UK Takeover Panel, which gives him an edge in UK public M&A deals.”
A Broader Strategic Vision
Gibson Dunn’s recent hires reflect a deliberate strategy to position the firm as a leading player in the London legal market, particularly in M&A and private equity. The firm’s emphasis on attracting top-tier talent underscores its commitment to providing comprehensive transactional services that meet the evolving needs of its global clientele.
As competition among international law firms intensifies, Gibson Dunn’s focused expansion in London aligns with broader industry trends, where expertise in cross-border and public M&A transactions is increasingly critical. McDonald’s addition is a testament to the firm’s strategic foresight and ambition to strengthen its foothold in key markets.
With McDonald now part of the team, Gibson Dunn continues to build a robust platform for complex transactions, reinforcing its reputation as a go-to firm for high-value M&A work.
