Weil hires infra and real estate partner

Weil, Gotshal & Manges, an international law firm, has added James MacArthur as a partner in its London office.

MacArthur will join the corporate practice from Herbert Smith Freehills, where he is a partner and head of private equity in the corporate division. Weil executive partner Barry Wolf said MacArthur will focus on deals across the US, Europe and Asia, with an emphasis on on private equity and M&A in infrastructure and real estate.

While working at Herbert Smith, MacArthur advised Antin Infrastructure Partners on deals including the purchase of a stake in the CATS pipeline from BG Group, according to the firm's website. He is said to have “broad experience acting for both corporate and PE sponsors across a variety of sectors, including infrastructure, TMT, manufacturing, energy, real estate, consumer products and retail”. 

Weil noted that his recent work includes advising a number of leading global private equity funds on infrastructure transactions. Other clients MacArthur has advised include First Reserve, The Carlyle Group, Hannam & Partners and Schroders Real Estate Investment Trust, a Weil spokesperson told Infrastructure Investor.

“Many of our clients have funds dedicated to infrastructure and real estate deals, either as standalone funds or as part of a wider multi-fund alternative investment strategy,” said Weil London managing partner Mike Francies. “James' recruitment will help us increase the range of services we offer our clients.”

MacArthur began his career with Herbert Smith before moving to White & Case three years post-qualification from 2002 to 2006. From there, he joined the corporate and private funds group at Kirkland & Ellis, leaving behind his partnership at that firm to rejoin Herbert Smith as a partner in 2010.