Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today that Kfir Abutbul, a highly-regarded private equity lawyer, previously with Willkie Farr, has joined the firm as a partner in the Firm’s Private Equity and Energy Practices in Houston. His arrival builds on the strength of the firm’s practice strength in Private Equity/M&A and energy.

“We’ve bolstered our leading Private Equity practice with recent additions in London and Kfir’s arrival will allow us to replicate our success in that market in Houston,” said Seth Zachary, chair of Paul Hastings. “Kfir brings experience in high-profile energy-related private equity, which will further our goal of expanding the capabilities we offer clients in high-demand global markets,” he added.

“Paul Hastings solid reputation for its private equity and finance practices, combined with the inroads it’s made in the Houston energy market and opportunity for growth, were a huge draw for me,” explained Abutbul. “My clients are excited about my move and believe that access to Paul Hastings’ global network will benefit them,” he added.

Abutbul has a deep knowledge of the Houston market, working closely with financial buyers in all stages of portfolio company investments from acquisitions and joint ventures to divestitures and spin-offs. He brings substantial experience counseling private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and their leadership on navigating complex cross-border and domestic transactions, with significant experience advising sponsors in their most important transactions in the power and energy markets and broader industrial services and manufacturing sectors.

Paul Hastings Houston office combines the local knowledge of a regional firm with the financial strength and practice breadth of an American Lawyer top 20 firm. Since opening in 2012, the office has served as a gateway for Texas-based energy clients to a global network of capital markets, finance, tax advisory and litigation advisors. In the last year, the Houston team has advised on a number of high-profile and complex energy matters, including ongoing energy financing work for Wells Fargo; bankruptcy, restructuring and general corporate governance work for Vanguard Natural Resources; and M&A work for Lotus Midstream, Osprey Energy Acquisition Corp., Targa Resources and Great Salt Plains Midstream.

Abutbul’s arrival follows several recent partner additions in London, including Regulatory and Fintech partner Arun Srivastava, M&A partner Roger Barron, Private Equity partner Anu Balasubramanian and Privacy and Cybersecurity partner Sarah Pearce. In the last year, the firm has also added a number of high-profile Finance and Restructuring partners including Andres Mena in New York, Rich Davis in Washington, DC, and David Manson in London.

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