Fund Finance Attorneys Exit Cadwalader for Sidley, Paul Hastings| Law.com

January 29, 2026 - 20:13

In a significant shift within the legal sector's fund finance practice, approximately a dozen attorneys specializing in fund finance are exiting Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. This move comes as Cadwalader itself is in advanced discussions regarding a potential merger with the global giant Hogan Lovells.

The departing group, which includes several prominent partners, is splitting to join two other elite firms. A substantial portion of the team is expected to bolster the existing fund finance capabilities at Sidley Austin. Concurrently, another segment of the lawyers will be making a move to Paul Hastings, further intensifying the competition for top-tier legal work in the lucrative fund finance market.

This exodus of a key practice group underscores the dynamic and often fluid nature of legal talent, especially during periods of major firm consolidation. The moves are seen as strategic positioning by both the attorneys and the receiving firms, aiming to secure and expand their market share in advising investment funds on complex financing matters. The departures will undoubtedly reshape the landscape of this niche practice area just as Cadwalader contemplates its own transformative merger.