Dechert announced that Leahana Grimley has joined the firm as a partner in its corporate and securities practice. She will be based in the firm’s San Francisco office.
Grimley’s arrival strengthens Dechert’s private equity and M&A capabilities on the West Coast. Her practice also adds cross-border transactional experience to the firm’s globally integrated platform.
Grimley focuses on private equity M&A, with an emphasis on middle-market and upper middle-market transactions. She advises private equity sponsors and portfolio companies on leveraged and strategic acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings, and incentive equity arrangements.
Her experience spans a broad range of industries and includes transactions across the United States, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Before joining Dechert, Grimley was a corporate partner at a leading international law firm in the Bay Area.
Dechert said Grimley is the 50th lateral partner the firm has welcomed this year. The firm said the hiring reflects its strategic goal of strengthening capabilities across litigation, investment management, finance and restructuring, capital markets and securitization, and M&A.
Dechert’s corporate and securities practice advises clients across M&A, capital markets, and finance. Its clients include public and private corporations, financial sponsors, asset managers, and investment banking firms.
The firm’s M&A team advises strategic and financial buyers, sellers, boards, special committees, and management teams on domestic and cross-border transactions. Dechert also advises clients on securities compliance, corporate governance, financing transactions, restructurings, and general corporate matters.
KEY QUOTES:
“Leahana is highly regarded in her field, with robust client relationships and a phenomenal track record. Her arrival is a clear reflection of the momentum we have built as a firm and our continued investment in our corporate and M&A capabilities, including the deepening of our platform on the West Coast.”
Mark Thierfelder, Co-Chair of Dechert
“Leahana brings a sophisticated, sponsor-focused M&A practice. Her experience representing top-tier private equity funds on high-value acquisitions and divestitures, alongside a strong restructuring background, makes her a great addition to our team at this time of growth globally for the firm.”
Ken Young, Co-Chair of Dechert’s Corporate and Securities Practice
“Dechert has built one of the premier private equity and M&A practices in the world, and I am excited to contribute to that platform in San Francisco. The firm’s deep sponsor relationships, global reach and commitment to delivering market-leading results for clients made this an easy decision. I look forward to working alongside an exceptional team and continuing to deliver the highest level of service to our clients.”
Leahana Grimley, Partner at Dechert
