Paul Hastings Strengthens Premier Private Equity Platform With Two-Partner Team

NEW YORK – In a move that bolsters its premier global private equity practice, Paul Hastings LLP announced today that Christopher Zochowski and Bradley Noojin have joined the firm as partners.

Zochowski and Noojin come to the firm from A&O Shearman and add further depth and breadth to Paul Hastings’ strong PE team. The firm has added more than 20 partners to its premier global private equity and M&A platforms over the last several years, propelling its Chambers-ranked PE practice into the top 10 by deal count in Bloomberg’s 2024 global private equity league tables, up from #38 in 2023.

“Chris and Brad further strengthen our already strong global private equity offering, particularly in the upper middle market, where we see significant growth opportunities given the fragmented market. Their arrival, combined with our broad range of market-leading practices, positions Paul Hastings to gain market share with traditional PE firms and asset managers more broadly,” said firm Chair Frank Lopez.

A trusted adviser to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, Zochowski guides clients through complex transactions with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and strategic corporate matters. Known for his ability to manage high-stakes deals across a range of industries, he combines deep transactional experience with a commercial mindset to deliver practical, results-driven counsel. His work spans the financial services, energy, manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Zochowski has led various transactions on behalf of Atlas Holdings and Atlas portfolio companies, including ASG, Carlex, Greenidge Generation Holdings, Iconex, Motus Integrated Technologies, Stryten Manufacturing and US Farathane. Representative matters include leading the team in acquiring US Farathane from The Gores Group and the acquisition of the operating assets of Exide Technologies, LLC out of bankruptcy to form Stryten Energy. Zochowski has also led or advised on a variety of transactions for other sponsors, including Compass Diversified Holdings, Perella Weinberg Partners, Siris Capital, Terra Mar and The Firmament Group, as well as multiple corporate strategics, such as BP America, Macquarie, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Morgan Franklin and Tyco International.

Noojin represents private equity sponsors, portfolio companies and other investors, with a particular focus on M&A, joint ventures and financings. He brings a business-oriented approach to both domestic and cross-border deals, navigating complex capital structures and industry-specific considerations. He has experience across a diverse range of sectors, including transportation and logistics, healthcare, financial services, government contracting, packaging and alcoholic beverages. Representative matters include advising Atlas Holdings on the acquisition of Carlex from Central Glass and subsequent sale of Luxembourg operations to Webasto and representing Coinmint in its sale to Stone Ridge affiliate NYDIG. Other clients include ASG and Greenidge Generation Holdings.

“Paul Hastings boasts a preeminent private equity practice with an impressive roster of leading PE clients to match,” said Zochowski. “The opportunity to be part of a team of this caliber, and with such strong momentum, is not only professionally satisfying for both Brad and me but also provides our clients with access to a robust and growing global platform of comprehensive legal services.”

Paul Hastings’ private equity practice and the firm more broadly continue to gain market share with a wide range of asset managers, including ABRY, Apollo, Ares, Blackstone, Brookfield, Carlyle, EQT, Fortress, Francisco Partners, Goldman Sachs, Great Hill, H.I.G., KKR, Morgan Stanley, Sixth Street Partners, Symphony Technology Group and TPG.

About Paul Hastings

With widely recognized elite teams across 17 core practices, Paul Hastings is a premier law firm with a culture of excellence focused on providing intellectual capital and superior execution globally to the world’s leading investment banks, asset managers and corporations.