K&L Gates lures JWS M&A partner

K&L Gates has lured former Johnson Winter Slattery private equity and M&A partner Divesh Patel to its partnership.

Patel joins the firm's corporate team, working from the Sydney office. Qualified to practise in both Australia and South Africa, he has advised private equity sponsors and tackled matters across the transport and logistics, manufacturing, retail, consumer goods, financial services, infrastructure, aviation, media, technology, and telecommunications sectors.

He has also provided guidance on joint ventures, complex commercial transactions, distressed asset sales and restructurings. His expertise is expected to enhance K&L Gates’ capabilities in global corporate and foreign investment issues.

Chris Nikou, corporate practice area leader at K&L Gates, highlighted Patel’s "outstanding reputation for his skill in corporate M&A and private equity transactions, which aligns perfectly with our global platform".

Patel is the third to join K&L Gates' corporate partnership in Australia in recent months.