Leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has bolstered its global private capital offering with two strategic partner hires: Eleanor Shanks joins as a Private Equity partner and Dylan Doran Kennett as a Venture and Growth Capital partner, and both will be based in London.
Eleanor will join Herbert Smith Freehills as head of international private equity in London, working with existing Private Equity partners John Taylor, David D’Souza (who joined the firm from Kirkland and Ellis in 2020) and Joseph Dennis. Dylan will co-lead the firm’s UK Venture Capital and Growth Capital practice with partner Michael Jacobs.
Eleanor joins from Sidley Austin where she was a private equity partner in London. She has experience advising private equity sponsors, investors and funds on complex transactions, including domestic and cross-border acquisitions and disposals as well as joint ventures across infrastructure, real estate, financial services, life sciences and other sectors. In addition, she advises clients on shareholder arrangements and management equity plans, co-investments, corporate governance and general corporate and regulatory matters.
Eleanor has been recognised for her work in private equity in recent editions of The Legal 500, where clients praised her technical abilities and capabilities to work under immense pressure and always deliver her deals on time and above expectations. She has been described as one of the most respected private equity lawyers in London and highly regarded for her work across the European transactional market.
Dylan joins from DLA Piper where he was a senior associate in the corporate team and was a core member of their Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice. In addition to venture and growth capital, Dylan has experience in domestic and cross-border M&A private equity transactions as well as broader corporate expertise. His practice encompasses the technology, life sciences, sport and media and entertainment sectors.
He has worked on high-profile matters including leading the investment into Eagle Football to facilitate acquisition of a controlling stake in French football club Olympique Lyonnais and advising Vita Mojo on their $30m Series B fundraise from Battery Ventures.
Dylan was recognised as a ‘Corporate Rising Star’ for his work in the life sciences industry at this year’s LMG Life Sciences Awards.
