News

Paul Hastings Continues to Strengthen Private Equity Practice With Addition of Finance Lawyer Louis Hernandez

Chicago, IL (November 1, 2010) - Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, a leading global law firm, announced today that

has joined the firm as a partner in the Private Equity practice. Mr. Hernandezs arrival follows the recent addition of 11 lawyers to the firms Private Equity practice in Chicago.

Mr. Hernandez, previously a partner with Kirkland & Ellis, specializes in representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in debt-financing transactions. He has advised on a broad range of transactions, including leveraged buyouts and acquisitions, mezzanine and corporate financings, and in-court and out-of-court restructuring of credit facilities. He has acted on strategic private equity transactions in numerous fields, including the healthcare, manufacturing, and information technology sectors.

"Louis deep experience in private equity borrower-side finance is a strategic complement to our recently added private equity lawyers in Chicago, said William Simpson, chair of the firms Global Private Equity practice. Louis practice will enable us to provide enhanced corporate transactional capabilities, further strengthening our ability to serve our existing private equity and corporate clients."

We are delighted to welcome Louis, marking the 19th lateral addition to our Chicago office Corporate practice in less than five months, said Greg Spitzer, chair of the Chicago office. Louis arrival demonstrates Paul Hastings ongoing commitment to expanding our Chicago presence and its practice capabilities both regionally and nationally.

Mr. Hernandez, who also holds a CPA certificate, received his law degree from Stanford Law School and his B.S. in Accountancy, with Highest Honors, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Over the past five months, Paul Hastings added 19 lawyers to the firms Chicago office Corporate practice, including the strategic addition of

,

Ryan McLennan

,

Amit Mehta

,

Paul Quinn

,

Richard Radnay

,

Brian Richards

,

Chris Sheaffer

,

Jill Sheiman

,

Kim Thompson Smith

,

Jim Smulkowski

, and

Jeff Terry

significantly expanding the firms private equity and M&A practices.

Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker is a leading global law firm with offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. We provide innovative legal solutions to financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Please visit

for more information.