Simpson Thacher Swoops For Weil Infra Duo | Law.com International

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has boosted its London infrastructure offering with the addition of two partners from rival firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges.

Paul Hibbert and Emma Serginson are set to join the firm’s energy and infrastructure practice in London.

Hibbert joins after almost seven years at Weil Gotshal, according to his LinkedIn profile. He initially began his career at Clifford Chance, before moving to Baker McKenzie, which is where he first made partner.

His practice focuses on advising companies, private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on complex acquisition and leveraged finance matters across the infrastructure sector.

Serginson who became a partner at Weil Gotshal in 2022, has been at the firm for almost six years. Prior to that she also had stints at both Ropes & Gray as well as Baker McKenzie, according to her LinkedIn.

It is the latest double departure for Weil Gotshal in London. In 2023, the firm suffered another high-profile blow to its private equity infrastructure practice, losing partners James MacArthur and Ed Freeman to Sidley Austin. The firm has also suffered several departures in the U.S. so far in 2024.

The London office’s veteran head, Mike Francies, announced late last year he was stepping away from his leadership role after 23 years, handing over the reins to private equity partner Jonathan Wood, and head of London M&A partner David Avery-Gee.

The firm has added to its ranks, however. In London it hired Latham & Watkins infrastructure partner Brendan Moylan in 2023. This month it hired former Bracewell partner Steven Lorch to join the firm’s tax practice in New York. It also brought on four energy partners in its Houston office last year. Also this month, Weil hired U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission veteran Christopher Mulligan as a partner in its private funds practice based in Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile Simpson Thacher has been strengthening the London base in recent months following the high-profile departures of Ian Barratt and Sinead O’Shea late last year. In February it added litigation partner David Edwards from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

Commenting on the latest appointments, Amy Mahon, co-head of Simpson Thacher energy and infrastructure practice, said: “Paul is widely regarded for his technical proficiency and commercial acumen on credit transactions across infrastructure asset classes—from regulated utilities and energy transition to digital and social infrastructure—and Emma is a rising star in the space.”

“They will be a perfect complement to the firm’s top-tier finance team, particularly as it continues to expand in London, as well as our growing global energy and infrastructure practice.”

A spokesperson for Weil Gotshal said: “We thank Paul and Emma for their contributions and wish them well.”