Christopher Wilson-Smith KC

Helen Croke joined Ropes & Gray as a partner in its private equity transactions group in October 2016. She specialises in UK and international private equity and M&A, including acting for institutional investors, corporates and founders. Helen is recommended by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a leading individual in private equity who clients say is “fantastic” with a “unique ability to articulate complicated aspects in layman’s terms.” Helen was recogni...

Stephen A. Thierbach is a US-qualified corporate partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. A senior U.S. securities lawyer, he advises issuers, underwriters and selling shareholders on complex, innovative and multi-jurisdictional offerings of equity, equity-related and debt securities. He has a broad capital markets transactions practice, with a focus on initial public offerings and secondary offerings, and has represented corporates, investment banks, private equity firms ...

Pawel Szaja is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Capital Markets Law. Pawel practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Pawel Szaja since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Pawel Szaja is held by other lawyers.

Franz Schwarz focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. He has extensive experience with arbitral practice, procedure and advocacy both in civil and common law systems. Mr. Schwarz has been involved in more than 250 arbitrations as counsel and arbitrator, both ad-hoc and before all major arbitral institutions (including ICC, LCIA, Vienna and Stockholm), at multiple seats and governed by a broad variety of substantive and procedural laws. He has a particular focus on joint venture, M&a...

Josh Dambacher is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Investment Funds. Josh practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Josh Dambacher since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Josh Dambacher is held by other lawyers.

Nigel van Zyl specializes in advising asset managers, institutional investors and investment advisors across the full spectrum of investment fund matters. Praised for his keen business sense and practical approach, Nigel advises leading international fund managers on all aspects of their fund business, including the formation, raising, maintenance and ongoing operation and compliance of their investment funds. He also advises on internal governance, compliance and organization, carried intere...

George Knighton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Equity Law. George practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized George Knighton since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which George Knighton is held by other lawyers.

Stephen Pollard is a seasoned litigator with more than 30 years of experience in the full spectrum of business crime and securities enforcement work. During his career, Mr. Pollard has been involved in most of the significant business crime investigations and prosecutions brought by the UK authorities. Mr. Pollard has particular experience in representing senior individuals from public and private companies, including those from the financial services sector. In addition, Mr. Pollard is regul...

Partha S. Pal is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Real Estate Finance. Partha S. practices law in London, United Kingdom Best Lawyers has recognized Partha S. Pal since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Partha S. Pal is held by other lawyers.

Till Lefranc is a partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. Mr. Lefranc is a member of the Private Equity, Mergers and Acquisitions and Capital Markets practice groups. Mr. Lefranc’s practice focuses on private equity, M&A and capital markets transactions across Europe. He advises clients on cross-border acquisitions and divestitures, growth capital investments, buy-outs, shareholder arrangements, minority investments, and management equity arrangements. He also a...