Cleary Gottlieb Boosts International Tax Practice With Private Equity and Private Funds Specialist Partner Hire

Cleary Gottlieb announced today that Rob Sharpe has joined the firm as a partner in the EMEA Tax practice in the London office specializing in private equity, private funds, and M&A.

Rob has extensive experience advising on GP stakes and preferred equity transactions, secondaries transactions, continuation funds, and fund manager M&A. Rob has also been heavily involved in corporate tax matters as well as contentious tax matters and tax litigation, and boasts a wealth of experience in public and private M&A transactions, reorganizations, and corporate finance.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Rob,” said Managing Partner Michael Gerstenzang. “His experience will enhance the multidisciplinary strength of our global tax practice and complement our transatlantic private equity and private funds offering.”

Tax partner Richard Sultman added, “I’m very excited to work with Rob. He has tremendous experience and energy that’s an excellent fit for our tax practice and the clients we serve.”

Cleary’s Private Equity and Private Funds practices support a variety of sponsors throughout the full life cycle of their funds, bringing together knowledge, skill, and deep sector experience in fund formation and fund management, co-investment structures, and fund liquidity strategies, as well as transactional support in growth equity, leveraged buyouts, hybrid capital solutions, strategic investments, and portfolio company matters and exits.

“Rob is a fantastic addition to our expanding private equity offering, and we’re delighted to welcome him aboard,” said partner Ian Shawyer. 

“Cleary’s leading international tax practice and the trajectory of its transatlantic private equity and private funds practices are extremely attractive to me, and I’m excited to work with such a collegiate and bright team,” said Rob. “The firm as a whole and the London office in particular have grown exponentially in recent years, so it’s a great time to join.”