Sidley Austin has strategically enhanced its investment funds group with the addition of John Muno, a long-standing partner from Kirkland & Ellis. This move is part of Sidley’s efforts to strengthen its private equity fund formation capabilities, positioning itself alongside major players in the legal sector. The firm has announced that Muno will be joining its Chicago office, bringing with him extensive experience in advising notable clients like Thoma Bravo and Mainsail Partners on significant fundraising endeavors this year.
The competitive realm of private equity in Big Law, occupied by firms such as Kirkland, Ropes & Gray, and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, often centers around fund formation. According to analyst Kent Zimmermann of Zeughauser Group, successful engagement in this work not only offers attractive billing rates but also paves the way for long-term client relationships that evolve alongside the funds. Zimmermann noted Sidley’s impressive growth trajectory in both fund formation and transactional work within the private equity sector.
Founded in Chicago, Sidley has maintained a position near the top of the M&A leaderboard for over a decade. The firm has recently expanded its roster by adding approximately 20 M&A and private equity partners from prestigious firms, including Cravath Swaine & Moore, Milbank, and Simpson Thacher. Among the recent hires is Cravath’s former private equity co-leader David Perkins, indicating Sidley’s intent to cement its standing in the sector further.
Muno’s appointment is part of a broader trend to cultivate an integrated client experience, as noted by Muno himself, aiming to provide a seamless process for clients transitioning through the stages of fundraising, investment, and divestiture. This ambition was echoed by Brian Fahrney, Sidley’s executive committee chair, who emphasized the firm’s commitment to expanding its core private equity funds formation expertise.
The recruitment effort was facilitated by Mark Jungers and Meredith Frank of CenterPeak, reflecting Sidley’s objective to attract top-tier legal talent to support its ambitions of becoming a comprehensive service provider in the private equity domain.